Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Notes

Motto and Mission

  • Motto: "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All"

  • Mission:

    • The mission of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is to develop leaders, promote brotherhood, and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities.

  • Aims:

    • Manly deeds

    • Scholarship

    • Love for all mankind

Chapters and Important Dates

  • Undergraduate Chapter: Rho Delta (chartered April 12, 1988)

  • Graduate Chapter: Iota Chi Lambda

  • Founding Date: December 4, 1906 (7:06 PM is significant as it symbolizes the founding year 1906)

    • Founding Institution: Cornell University - Ithaca, NY

  • Charter Date for Iota Chi Lambda Chapter: February 20, 1971

Notable Facts

  • Alpha Phi Alpha is recognized as the first Black Greek Letter Organization.

  • Symbol: The Great Sphinx of Giza

  • Colors: Black and Old Gold

  • Flower: Yellow Rose

  • Publication (Magazine): The Sphinx (oldest African American fraternity/sorority publication)

  • Hand Sign:

    • Origin mythology includes connections to a General Convention in Hawaii and the ‘hang loose’ sign.

    • Recognized hand sign incorporates the American sign language letter A with an extended thumb and an added pinky to represent the last A in "Alpha."

Objectives of the Fraternity

  • To stimulate the ambition of its members.

  • To prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual.

  • To encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood.

  • To aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic, and intellectual status.

Philanthropy and National Programs

  • Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College: Established in 1919

  • A Voteless People is a Hopeless People: Advocacy for voting rights.

  • Brother’s Keeper: Program supporting brothers in retirement homes.

  • Project Alpha: Provides education for young males aged 12-15 on sexuality, fatherhood, and roles in relationships.

Notable Alumni

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader

  • Thurgood Marshall: First African American Supreme Court Justice

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.: Civil Rights Activist

  • Andrew Young: Former UN Ambassador & Mayor of Atlanta

  • W.E.B. Du Bois: Scholar, NAACP Co-Founder

  • Cornel West: Philosopher & Professor

  • Duke Ellington: Jazz Musician

  • Lionel Richie: Singer/Songwriter

  • Stuart Scott: ESPN Sports Anchor

  • Paul Robeson: Actor & Activist

  • Omega Chapter: A memorial chapter dedicated to deceased brothers. This chapter serves as the eternal resting place for members who have passed away.

Historical Context and Literature

  • William Ernest Henley: Notable work, "Invictus.", presented with emphasis on embracing resilience and strength.

  • History Book:

    • Title: The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life.

    • Author: Big Brother Charles H. Wesley.

    • Dedicated to: "To the youths who march onward and upward Toward the light."

Key Historical Events and Movements

  • The Niagara Movement:

    • Founded in 1905 by W.E.B. Du Bois and African American intellectuals to achieve full political, economic, and social equality for Black Americans.

  • Impact on Alpha Phi Alpha: The movement was a precursor to the establishment of the fraternity, officially formed in 1906.

  • Key Dates: July 1905 in Niagara Falls marked the inception of a civil rights dialogue leading to the fraternity's establishment.

Founding Details

  • Founding Location: Cornell University in Ithaca, NY

  • First Initiation/Banquet: October 30, 1906 at Masonic Hall (Also known as Odd Fellows Hall and Red Men’s Hall).

Notable Founders and Their roles

  • Big Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones:

    • Occupation: Journalist and Educator

    • Organized the first fraternity chapters and was a key figure in drafting the fraternity rituals.

  • Big Brother George Biddle Kelley:

    • Occupation: Engineering Professional

    • First president of the Alpha Chapter and instrumental in establishing fraternity rituals.

  • Big Brother Robert Harold Ogle:

    • Occupation: Businessman

    • Proposed the fraternity’s colors and served as the first secretary.

  • Big Brother Nathaniel Allison Murray:

    • Occupation: Attorney

    • First treasurer of the Alpha Chapter, instrumental in legal advocacy and organization.

  • Big Brother Vertner Woodson Tandy:

    • Occupation: Architect

    • First registered African American architect in New York and designed the fraternity's pin.

  • Big Brother Henry Arthur Callis:

    • Occupation: Physician and educator.

    • Known as the philosopher of the founders.

First National Program and Early Chapters

  • National Program Initiated: Go to High School, Go to College started in 1911.

  • First Three Chapters:

    1. Alpha Chapter - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (Founded: December 4, 1906)

    2. Beta Chapter - Howard University, Washington, D.C. (Founded: December 20, 1907)

    3. Gamma Chapter - Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA (Founded: December 30, 1907)

    4. Delta Chapter - University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (Founded: April 11, 1908)

    5. Epsilon Chapter - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (Founded: April 10, 1909)

    6. Zeta Chapter - Yale University, New Haven, CT (Founded: April 10, 1909)

    7. Eta Chapter - Columbia University, New York, NY (Founded: June 5, 1909)

    8. Theta Chapter - Located at multiple institutions in Chicago (Founded: February 21, 1910)

    9. Iota Chapter - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY (Founded: March 28, 1910)

    10. Kappa Chapter - Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (Founded: January 13, 1911)

First National Convention

  • Host of the First Alpha National Convention: Beta Chapter in Washington, D.C. (December 28-30, 1908).

  • Tap Day: Held on November 13, 1908, with candidates recognized in a ceremonial manner.