The History
of

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., began at Cornell University as a social studies club for African-American males. The group was established to fill a void of social and cultural interaction on the Ivy League campus. On December 4th of 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.was founded by seven college men to whom we refer to as The Jewels: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy. In January of 1908, the fraternity was incorporated under the laws of New York state and was recognized as the first African-American fraternal organization, as well as the first to be incorporated.

The most remarkable leadership in the African American community in the 20th century has without question come from the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Since its founding on December 4, 1906, the Fraternity has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. In it's 90 year existence, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has implemented a number of national programs which have benefited the African-American community as well as the general community. "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" concentrates on voter registration and awareness."Go to High School, Go to College" focuses on the educational enrichment of African-American youth. Project Alpha involves frank discussion between brothers and young black men about teenager pregnancy and personal responsibility.

The Fraternity has grown steadily in influence throughout the years. Over 125,000 men have been initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc. The men of Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African American community's fight for civil rights and human dignity. From the Fraternity's ranks have come outstanding civil rights leaders such as: W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, Julius Chambers, Maynard Jackson and many others. There are now over 700 undergraduate, and graduate chapters, with chapters in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.