History of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for Black college students, was organized at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1906. The prejudices of the time, even at a relatively liberal institution such as Cornell, placed an extra burden on minority students. The first unit of this national fraternity, organized by college men of African descent, was called "Alpha Chapter." Beginning with the Alpha Chapter, the Fraternity spread to other college campuses. The Fraternity was incorporated on January 29, 1908.
With an infinite vision of an organization encompassing the ideals of scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind, our seven founders: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy, labored in the years of severe economic struggle and racial conflict in the United States. Despite their difficulties of organization in this untried field of student life, the earlyfraternity pioneers succeeded in laying a firm foundation and remained steadfast in their goals
The Fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice educationally and socially at Cornell. During those beginning days, the Jewel founders and early leaders of the Fraternity worked to lay a solid foundation based on scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity.
Over the years, the Fraternity has steadily grown.Over 250,000 men have been initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha at college and graduate chapters since its founding in 1906. Some of these men include: Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King Jr, Jazz Musician Duke Ellington and Author Cornell West. There are now over 700 college and graduate chapters, located in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa.
V-12: jeromejr12@hotmail.com/865-406-1617