The History of Alpha Phi Alpha

100 Years

Since its founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African-Americans and people of color around the world.

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood among African-American descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the Fraternity, are:

“Jewel” Henry Arthur Callis

“Jewel” Charles Henry Chapman

“Jewel” Eugene Kinckle Jones

“Jewel” George Biddle Kelley

“Jewel” Nathaniel Allison Murray

“Jewel” Robert Harold Ogle

“Jewel” Vertner Woodson Tandy

The Fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the Fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through 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, and many others.

The Fraternity has grown steadily in influence throughout the years. It integrated its racial membership in 1945 and it has expanded to the extent that there are now over 700 chapters located throughout the U.S., Caribbean Islands, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the West Indes.

The History of the Phi Lambda Chapter

The Phi Lambda Chapter was established in Raleigh, North Carolina, by Brother S. H. Stanback – a charter member of Zeta Lambda Chapter of Norfolk, Va – on December 19, 1926. Nine courageous men petitioned the national body led by then General President Raymond Cannon to establish a local chapter in Raleigh. These Brothers – Max W. Aiken, Brooks Dickens, Everett W. Johnson, W. A. Robinson, C. G. Segar, Ben L. Taylor, Edward A. Cox, Harold L. Triggs and Reginald L. Lynch – prevailed in their quest and the chapter was authorized at the Eighteenth Annual Convention in Detroit, Michigan, December 27-31, 1925. During the year 1926, Brother Ben L. Taylor began pushing the program of organization which finally bore fruit on December 19, 1926. The charter members were Brothers:

* Max W. Aiken
* Edward A. Cox
* Brooks Dickens
* Everett W. Johnson
* Reginald L. Lynch
* W. A. Robinson
* C. G. Segar
* Ben L. Taylor
* Harold L. Triggs

The Phi Lambda Chapter, with its membership from a wide array of professions, has made an outstanding contribution to the vitality of the African American citizens in Raleigh, Wake County, Johnston County and the State over the years. From the establishment of an Alpha Book Shelf of books by black authors in the libraries of the high schools in eastern North Carolina in 1936 to the establishment of Afrocentric books in the Head Start Centers in Wake County in 1994, the chapter members have dedicated themselves to the precepts of leadership, scholarship and service. Among the many programs that the Chapter conducts include its Outreach Programs which are aimed at working with young African American males to instill in them pride in self, sound moral character and the development of mind.