Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha. It is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-American men. Founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, the organization was created to support a minority student population facing racial prejudice. The fraternity's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity have guided its evolution into a major service and advocacy organization with a global presence.

History

The fraternity was conceived in 1905 by seven students, known as the "Jewels," at Cornell University: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy. The group formally organized as a fraternity on December 4, 1906, amid the racially tense environment of the early 20th century. Early expansion included establishing the second chapter at Howard University in 1907, spearheaded by Jones. The fraternity played a significant role during the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, with members like W. E. B. Du Bois and Countee Cullen contributing to intellectual and cultural movements. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, it was a vital force, with members including Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Andrew Young leading pivotal legal battles and demonstrations.

Organization and structure

The fraternity is governed by the General Convention, which meets biennially and is the supreme legislative body. Day-to-day administration is managed by the General President and a board of directors from the fraternity's international headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. The structure is divided into regional districts, each led by a director, overseeing numerous chapters categorized as undergraduate, alumni, and international. These chapters operate under a constitution and bylaws that mandate adherence to the fraternity's aims and financial obligations. Affiliated entities include the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation, which manages charitable giving, and the fraternity's housing corporation, which oversees property assets.

Programs and initiatives

The fraternity's national programs are organized under the theme "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College," initiated in 1919 to promote academic achievement. A major contemporary initiative is Project Alpha, a partnership with the March of Dimes focusing on sexual responsibility and prevention of HIV/AIDS among young men. The fraternity's Voter Empowerment program is a non-partisan effort to increase civic participation and combat voter suppression in communities of color. Other significant efforts include the World Policy Council, a think tank addressing public policy issues, and the A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper Program, which focuses on charitable assistance and disaster relief.

Membership

Membership is classified into undergraduate members, initiated while enrolled at a college or university, and alumni members. The process involves a period of education about the fraternity's history and values, culminating in an initiation ritual. Prospective members must exhibit academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to service, as evaluated by active chapters. The fraternity maintains a lifetime membership model, with members expected to remain active and financially contributing through local chapters and the national organization. Distinguished categories of membership include honorary members, such as John Hope Franklin and Colin Powell, who are inducted for exceptional achievement and alignment with the fraternity's ideals.

Notable members

The fraternity's membership includes pioneers in numerous fields. In law and justice, members include Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, and David Dinkins, the first African American mayor of New York City. In politics and civil rights, members encompass Martin Luther King Jr., recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and Andrew Young, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Entertainment and sports figures include the actor Paul Robeson, the musician Duke Ellington, and the Olympic champion Jesse Owens. Other influential members are the politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the urban planner Robert C. Weaver, and the astronaut Frederick D. Gregory.

Traditions and symbols

The fraternity's official colors are black and old gold, and its symbol is the Great Sphinx of Giza, representing endurance and strength. The official flower is the yellow rose. The fraternity hymn, "Alpha Phi Alpha," is sung at formal gatherings, and the ceremonial jeweled pin is a key insignia. The national publication, The Sphinx, founded in 1914, is one of the oldest continuously published African American journals. Annual observances include Founders' Day on December 4 and the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with service projects. The fraternity's handshake and call are other recognized elements of its tradition.