Sunday, Dec. 4 marks the 105th anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first inter-collegiate black Greek fraternity. Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy founded the fraternity at Cornell University on Dec. 4, 1906.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Theta chapter, founded May 15, 1959, plans to celebrate the milestone by reflecting on contributions the fraternity has made to the world.
Michael Williams, secretary and community service chair for the chapter, said it is truly amazing for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to reach 105 years. Members of his chapter, he said, kicked off the weekend by supporting graduate chapter Alpha Xi Lambda scholarship breakfast in Toledo, OH on Dec. 3.
The scholarship breakfast is an event held annually to raise funds for college scholarships. Scholarship is one of the aims of the fraternity, in addition to manly deeds and love for all mankind.
Chapter President Derris Cameron said he is going spend the day thinking about the great legacy of his fraternity. Cameron, who traveled to Washington D.C. to view the unveiling of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on Aug. 22, said the completion of the monument puts into perspective the role of Alpha Phi Alpha.
“It was 15 to 20 years in the making,” he said.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was a project spearheaded by the fraternity after receiving permission from the U.S. Congress in 1996. With assistance from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Walt Disney Corporation Foundation, The National Association of Realtors and filmmaker George Lucas, the fraternity was able to raise over $100 million for construction.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is a member of the fraternity and was initiated via Sigma chapter on June 22, 1952 when he was a graduate student at Boston University.
Vice President Jameson Taylor said it’s very exciting to see how far the fraternity has come. He cites the fraternity’s brotherhood, mentoring and history as reasons he became a member.
“The brothers have taught me a lot,” he said. “I know Alpha is the right way.”
Mr. Williams said joining his fraternity has been an amazing experience, adding, “I love it. It’s in my heart.”
Check out photos from the Alpha Phi Alpha: Epsilon Theta Chapter 2011 BGSU Homecoming Step Show here
Also check out the video for 2011 BGSU Step Show champs Alpha Phi Alpha here in Collegiate NetVision section on #kollegekidd
