Alpha Phi Alpha History

Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest and largest predominantly Black Greek letter organization. Founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, by seven young men who were desirous of maintaining more intimate contacts with one another on a predominantly white campus. The seven went on to complete their education and became very successful and prominent men in their fields of education. These seven men the founders of the great Alpha Heritage are: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapmen, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelly, Nathaniel Allison Murry, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy.

Alpha Phi Alpha is represented on the campuses of leading universities and colleges not only in the United States but also thoughtout the world. There are more than 303 undergraduate and 280 alumni chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha. This includes chapters in Canada, the British West Indies, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

An Alpha man is a well-rounded individual who seeks to carry out the aims of the fraternity. Since the birth of Alpha, these ideals have never relinquished. Scholarships, Leadership, Manly deeds, and Love for all mankind.

Alpha men are found in all areas of human endeavors. Men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, Jesse Owens, Duke Ellington, Ernest Morial, Harold Ford, Richard Arrington, W.E.B. DuBois, John H. Johnson, Charles Rangel, Ronald Dellums, Adam Clayton Powell, and Art Shell are Alpha men.

Alpha Phi Alpha epitomizes the meaning of "Fraternal Brotherhood." The fraternity prepares young men today, for the challenges of tomorrow.