Alpha Phi Alpha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alpha Phi Alpha |
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|---|---|
| ΑΦΑ | |
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| Founded | December 4, 1906 411 E. State St., Ithaca, New York, Cornell University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | NPHC and NIC |
| Emphasis | African American |
| Scope | Limitlessness |
| Mission statement |
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.
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| Motto | First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All |
| Colors | Old Gold Black |
| Symbol | Sphinx |
| Flower | Yellow rose |
| Mascot | None |
| Publication | The Sphinx |
| Chapters | 900+ |
| Members | 290,000+ lifetime |
| Nicknames | Alphas, Ice Cold Brothas, The Oldest & The Coldest, Men of Distinction |
| Aims | Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind |
| Headquarters | 2313 Saint Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218 United States |
| Website | APA1906.net |
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΑΦΑ) is the oldest fraternity for college men of African American heritage. It started as a club at Cornell University in 1905-1906 and officially became a fraternity on December 4, 1906. Its symbol is the Great Sphinx of Giza from Ancient Egypt. The fraternity's goals are "Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind," and its motto is "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All."
Alpha Phi Alpha has grown to include over 290,000 members and has been open to men of all races since 1945. Today, there are more than 730 active chapters around the world, making it the largest predominantly African-American college fraternity. It is also one of the ten largest college fraternities in the United States.
This fraternity is known for its community service and leadership. It played an important role during tough times like the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. Alpha Phi Alpha helps with social issues such as housing, economic fairness, and political matters that affect people of color. They have national programs like "A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People" and "Go To High School, Go To College." They also work with groups like the March of Dimes and Boy Scouts of America.
Many famous leaders and trailblazers have been members of Alpha Phi Alpha. These include civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., NAACP founder W. E. B. Du Bois, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Other notable members include musicians Duke Ellington and Lionel Richie, Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, and film director Barry Jenkins. The fraternity was also responsible for building the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Contents
Discovering Alpha Phi Alpha's Story
How It Started: A New Beginning
In the early 1900s, African-American students at American universities often faced challenges and were not included in many college groups. At Cornell University, a student named Charles Cardoza Poindexter started a club for literary discussions and social gatherings. This group began with 15 students, including both men and women.
The students met regularly to discuss ideas and support each other. One member, Robert Ogle, was inspired by an article about a Black fraternity at Ohio State University. He suggested turning their club into a fraternity. There were different ideas about what the group should be: some wanted a social club for everyone, while others wanted a more traditional fraternity.
On October 23, 1906, George Kelley suggested the name Alpha Phi Alpha, using Greek letters. Robert Ogle proposed the colors black and old gold. Charles Poindexter became the first president and helped set up the first events and rules.
The group finally decided to become a fraternity on December 4, 1906. Seven of the original members became the official founders, known as the "Seven Jewels." These founders were Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy. Mrs. Annie C Singleton also played a key role in helping the fraternity in its early years and is known as the "Mother of the fraternity."
Growing Stronger: Early Chapters
The fraternity's rules were set on December 4, 1906, allowing only "Negro male" students to join. The goal was "To promote a more perfect union among college men; to aid in and insist upon the personal progress of its members; to further brotherly love and a fraternal spirit within the organization; to discountenance evil; to destroy all prejudices; to preserve the sanctity of the home, the personification of virtue and the chastity of woman."
Alpha Phi Alpha quickly grew. In 1907 and 1908, new chapters were started at Howard University and Virginia Union University. The chapter at Howard University was important because it was the first Black Greek-letter organization for men at a historically Black college. Alpha Phi Alpha also became the first international Black Greek-letter organization by starting a chapter at the University of Toronto in 1908.
The fraternity's main goals were to be "educational and for the mutual uplift of its members." To keep its history safe, Alpha Phi Alpha created the Alpha Phi Alpha Archives at Howard University.
The first big meeting, called the General Convention, happened in December 1908 at Howard University. Here, the fraternity's first traditions were set, and Moses A. Morrison was elected as the first General President.
In 1911, the first alumni chapter (for members who had graduated) was formed in Louisville, Kentucky. The fraternity officially became a national organization on April 3, 1912.
Alpha Phi Alpha has always been involved in important issues. In 1910, fraternity member W. E. B. Du Bois started The Crisis magazine for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1914, Alpha Phi Alpha began publishing its own journal, The Sphinx. These were among the first magazines for Black Americans.
Leading the Way: World Wars and Civil Rights
During World War I, Alpha Phi Alpha worked to create an officers' training camp for Black troops. Many Alpha men became officers and served bravely. For example, First Lieutenant Victor Daly received an award for his service in France.
The fraternity continued to encourage academic excellence and worked to fix unfairness in education, economy, and society for African Americans. It changed from being mainly a social group to focusing on community service.
Making a Difference: 1919-1949
In 1919, Alpha Phi Alpha launched its "Go-To-High School, Go-to-College" program. This program encouraged young people to finish school and go to college to improve their lives.
During the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, a time when Black art, literature, and music flourished, many Alpha Phi Alpha members were key players. By the end of the 1920s, the fraternity had over 85 chapters and 3,000 members.
During the Great Depression, Alpha Phi Alpha helped the Black community. They created the Education Foundation to give scholarships to African-American students. They also supported writers who focused on African-American issues.
In 1933, fraternity member Belford Lawson Jr. started the New Negro Alliance (NNA) to fight businesses that wouldn't hire Black employees in Black neighborhoods. Their "Don't Buy Where You Can't Work" campaign led to a major court case that helped fight unfair hiring practices.
The fraternity also started its famous "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" campaign in the 1930s to help Black Americans register and vote, long before other major civil rights groups.
At the 1936 Summer Olympics, seven Alpha men represented the United States, including the legendary Jesse Owens. In 1938, Alpha Phi Alpha became truly international with a chapter in London, England.
Alpha Phi Alpha also supported legal battles against segregation. Members like Thurgood Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston argued important court cases that challenged unfair laws.
In 1945, Alpha Phi Alpha made a historic decision: it changed its rules to allow men of all races to join. This was the first time a Black Greek-letter organization officially did this.
During World War II, the fraternity encouraged its members to buy war bonds and continued to fight for equal rights for Black officers in the military.
Moving Forward: 1950-1969
In 1956, Alpha Phi Alpha celebrated its 50th anniversary at Cornell University. About 1,000 members attended, and Martin Luther King Jr. gave a powerful speech about the "Injustices of Segregation."
Alpha men were at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. Martin Luther King Jr. led the Montgomery bus boycott. Thurgood Marshall successfully argued the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which ended segregation in public schools. These actions often put their lives and families at risk.
In 1961, Whitney Young became the head of the National Urban League, an organization that fights for racial equality. In 1963, the National Urban League helped plan the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Alpha Phi Alpha had one of the largest groups participating.
After Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, Alpha Phi Alpha proposed building a memorial to him in Washington, D.C. This effort gained momentum and eventually led to the construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
New Challenges: 1970-2000
In the 1970s, Alpha Phi Alpha began new programs to address current social needs, like improving housing and supporting Black businesses. They worked with government programs to build affordable housing for low-income families and senior citizens in several cities.
In 1976, the fraternity celebrated its 70th anniversary and launched a "Million Dollar Fund Drive" to support organizations like the United Negro College Fund, the National Urban League, and the NAACP.
As the 21st century approached, Alpha Phi Alpha continued its commitment to improving humanity. In 1996, the World Policy Council (WPC) was created. This group acts as a "think tank" to study and address important global and world issues.
The Twenty-First Century and Beyond
In 2006, over 10,000 Alpha Phi Alpha members gathered in Washington, D.C., for their 100th-anniversary convention. They planned for the next century of leadership and service.
In 2007, the fraternity's General President spoke at a protest rally for the "Jena Six", reminding everyone of the ongoing fight for civil rights.
Before Barack Obama became the first African-American president, Alpha Phi Alpha held a special event to honor those who paved the way for this historic moment. The fraternity also asked President Obama to create a "White House Council on Men and Boys" to help address the needs of young Black males.
Alpha Phi Alpha responded to the 2010 Haiti earthquake by sending help and planning to "adopt" a school in Haiti. The fraternity also protested a new immigration law in Arizona by moving its 2010 national convention from Phoenix to Las Vegas.
In 2010, the fraternity expanded its global reach by chartering new chapters in London, England, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Alpha Phi Alpha's National Programs
Alpha Phi Alpha uses its community programs to speak up for African Americans and address problems that affect Black men.
| Mentoring | Project Alpha |
| Education | Go To High School, Go To College |
| Leadership Training | Leadership Development Institute |
| Service | Brother's Keeper |
The fraternity supports charities through its Education and Building Foundations, offering scholarships and housing to families in need. They work with groups like Head Start, Boy Scouts of America, and March of Dimes.
Go-To-High School, Go-To-College
Started in 1922, this program helps Alpha men become role models for young people. It teaches them why finishing high school and college is important for success and provides tips to help them achieve their goals.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People
This program, started in the 1930s, helps Black Americans register to vote. At that time, many Black people had the right to vote but were stopped by unfair taxes or threats. Today, the program focuses on teaching people about politics and encouraging them to vote. All members of the fraternity are required to be registered voters.
Special Projects and Initiatives
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., was a special project of Alpha Phi Alpha. Dr. King became a member of the fraternity in 1952. After his death in 1968, Alpha Phi Alpha suggested building a memorial to him.
In 1996, the U.S. Congress allowed Alpha Phi Alpha to build the memorial on federal land. The fraternity created a foundation to raise money and design the memorial. The design was chosen from over 900 ideas from around the world.
A special ceremony to mark the start of construction was held on November 13, 2006. The foundation raised over $108 million from many donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and George Lucas. The memorial officially opened to the public on August 22, 2011, after more than two decades of hard work.
World Policy Council
The World Policy Council was created in 1996 as a group that studies and advises on important global issues. It shares its ideas with leaders, politicians, and journalists. The council has published reports on topics like the AIDS crisis and conflicts in the Middle East.
Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters
As of 2023, Alpha Phi Alpha has started 979 chapters for college students and alumni. About 686 of these chapters are active in the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Liberia, Korea, South Africa, and the Virgin Islands.
Joining Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha's members are mostly African-American, but men of all backgrounds are welcome. Since 1906, over 290,000 men have joined. Many leaders in the African-American community in the 20th century were members of this fraternity.
Initial Membership Development Process (IMDP)
To join Alpha Phi Alpha, candidates go through the Initial Membership Development Process (IMDP). During this time, they learn about the fraternity's history, goals, and the meaning of brotherhood.
The fraternity has officially stopped "pledging" or "hazing" as a way to join. Hazing is when people are forced to do harmful or embarrassing things to become a member. Alpha Phi Alpha does not allow this, and anyone involved in hazing faces serious consequences.
The fraternity used to have honorary members, including Vice President Hubert Humphrey and jazz musician Duke Ellington. Frederick Douglass was even made an "exalted honorary" member after his death. However, the fraternity stopped offering honorary memberships in the 1960s.
Famous Alpha Phi Alpha Members
The fraternity includes many well-known individuals who have achieved great things. Some examples are activist Dick Gregory, Princeton Professor Cornel West, and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young.
Alpha men were important in starting and leading groups like the NAACP (W. E. B. Du Bois), the People's National Party in Jamaica (Norman Manley), and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Martin Luther King Jr.). Six of the eight leaders of the National Urban League have been Alpha men.
Many Alpha Phi Alpha members have been pioneers in their fields. Todd Duncan was the first actor to play "Porgy" in Porgy and Bess and refused to perform for segregated audiences. Charles Hamilton Houston, a Harvard Law School graduate, led the fight against racial discrimination in courts, which helped lead to the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Norris B. Herndon became the second President of the historic Atlanta Life Insurance Company, which supported the Civil Rights Movement. Ron Dellums led the campaign in the U.S. House of Representatives to end apartheid in South Africa.
Many Alpha men have received top awards. Martin Luther King Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize. Others have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. The Spingarn Medal, given for outstanding achievement by a Black American, has been awarded to many fraternity members.
Several buildings and monuments are named after Alpha men, such as the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The United States Postal Service has even honored members like W. E. B. Du Bois and Martin Luther King Jr. with commemorative stamps.
General Presidents of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Moses A. Morrison, 1908–1909
- Roscoe C. Giles, 1910
- Frederick H. Miller, 1911
- Charles H. Garvin, 1912–1914
- Henry L. Dickason, 1914–1915
- Henry A. Callis, 1915
- Howard H. Long, 1916–1917
- William A. Pollard, 1917–1918
- Daniel D. Fowler, 1919
- Lucius L. McGee, 1920
- Simeon S. Booker, 1921–1923
- Raymond W. Cannon, 1924–1927
- Bert A. Rose, 1928–1931
- Charles H. Wesley, 1932–1940
- Rayford W. Logan, 1941–1945
- Belford V. Lawson Jr., 1946–1951
- Antonio M. Smith, 1952–1954
- Frank L. Stanley, 1955–1957
- Myles A. Paige, 1957–1960
- William H. Hale, 1961–1962
- T. Winston Cole Sr., 1963–1964
- Lionel H. Newsom, 1965–1968
- Ernest N. Morial, 1968–1972
- Walter Washington, 1973–1976
- James R. Williams, 1977–1980
- Ozell Sutton, 1981–1984
- Charles C. Teamer, 1985–1988
- Henry Ponder, 1989–1992
- Milton C. Davis, 1993–1996
- Adrian L. Wallace, 1997–2000
- Harry E. Johnson, 2001–2004
- Darryl R. Matthews Sr. 2005–2008
- Herman "Skip" Mason Jr., 2009 – April 2012
- Aaron Crutison Sr. (acting), April 2012 – December 2012
- Mark S. Tillman, 2013–2016
- Everett B. Ward, 2017–2020
- Willis L. Lonzer, III, 2021–present
Regions of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha organizes its chapters into five main regions: Eastern, Midwestern, Southern, Southwestern, and Western. Each U.S. state within a region is called a "district." Both college and alumni chapters exist in these regions.
Egyptian Symbols and Meaning
Alpha Phi Alpha uses symbols from Ancient Egypt, like the Great Sphinx of Giza and pharaohs. The Sphinx, made from one large stone, represents the unity of the fraternity and its members. This is different from other fraternities that often use symbols from Ancient Greece. Alpha Phi Alpha's use of Egyptian and Ethiopian themes shows its connection to African cultural heritage.
The fraternity's 21st General President, Thomas W. Cole, once said, "Alpha Phi Alpha must go back to her ultimate roots; only then can she be nurtured to full bloom." Many members even take trips to Egypt and Ethiopia to connect with these spiritual roots.
Celebrating 100 Years
In 2006, Alpha Phi Alpha celebrated its 100th anniversary, calling it the "Centennial Era." The theme was "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All." They held many events, including scholarly discussions, exhibits, and a big convention in Washington, D.C.
The celebration kicked off on November 19, 2005, with a visit to Cornell University. Over 700 members gathered and unveiled a new memorial to Alpha Phi Alpha, a wall shaped like a "J" to honor the "Jewels" (the founders).
A documentary called Alpha Phi Alpha Men: A Century of Leadership was released in 2006, showing the fraternity's history of leadership and service.
The Centennial Convention in Washington, D.C., was a major event. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring Alpha Phi Alpha for being the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African Americans. During the convention, members witnessed President George W. Bush signing the renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
An exhibit called The House of Alpha also opened at the convention, showcasing the fraternity's history.
Black College Greek Movement
Members of Black fraternities and sororities often call themselves "Greek" because ancient Greece was a diverse society, much like the United States today.
Alpha Phi Alpha was the first college fraternity in the United States for people of African descent. It set the example for other Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) that followed. Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908 at Howard University as the first African-American sorority. Other BGLOs like Omega Psi Phi (1911), Delta Sigma Theta (1913), and Phi Beta Sigma (1914) were also founded at Howard University.
In 1940, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Psi held a historic joint meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.
See Also
- List of African-American Greek and fraternal organizations
- List of Alpha Phi Alpha national conventions
- Hancock House (Bluefield, West Virginia)
- List of social fraternities and sororities
- Sphinx
Images for kids
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The 1907 ΑΦΑ Constitution and Bylaws
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The 1906 charter for Alpha chapter at Cornell University
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The first General Convention at Howard University in 1908
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fourth Annual Convention 1912, Elected President Charles H. Garvin on bottom right
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Memorial site, shown in relation to areas including the National Mall, West Potomac Park, and the Tidal Basin
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Alpha Phi Alpha and Cornell University dedicated a centennial memorial on Ho Plaza in 2006
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Alpha Phi Alpha board members at the centennial banquet, July 2006 in Washington, D.C.
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Alpha Phi Alpha delegate's pin from the 1940 Pan-Hellenic convention of ΑΚΑ, ΑΦΑ and ΚΑΨ
