Our fraternity

The Jewels.

On December 4, 1906, seven college men at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, founded Alpha Phi Alpha. What began as a study and support group for Black students facing prejudice on campus became the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, grounded in scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity.

1906Founded at Cornell
1911First alumni chapter
1945Interracial since
7Jewels
  1. i.

    Henry Arthur Callis

    1887 – 1974

    Physician and professor of medicine at Howard University who published widely in medical journals. Regarded as the philosopher of the founders, he was the only one of the Cornell Seven to serve as General President.

  2. ii.

    Charles Henry Chapman

    1870 – 1934

    Professor of agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University, where he helped establish Beta Nu Chapter. He was the first chairman of Alpha Chapter's Committees on Initiation and Organization, and the first of the Jewels to enter Omega Chapter.

  3. iii.

    Eugene Kinckle Jones

    1885 – 1954

    First executive secretary of the National Urban League, a post he held for 20 years. He organized the first three chapters to branch from Cornell, served as Alpha Chapter's second president, and helped create the fraternity's name and ritual. His status as a founder was formally recognized in 1952.

  4. iv.

    George Biddle Kelley

    1884 – 1962

    The first African American registered as an engineer in New York State. The strongest advocate of the fraternity idea among the founders, he served as Alpha Chapter's first president and worked on the handshake and ritual.

  5. v.

    Nathaniel Allison Murray

    1884 – 1959

    Longtime teacher in the Washington, D.C. public schools, mostly at Armstrong Vocational High School. He served on Alpha's first organization committee and the Committee on the Grip, and was a charter member of Mu Lambda Chapter in Washington.

  6. vi.

    Robert Harold Ogle

    1886 – 1936

    Career secretary on the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. He proposed the fraternity's colors, served as Alpha Chapter's first secretary, worked out the first ritual with Brother Kelley, and was a charter member of Mu Lambda Chapter.

  7. vii.

    Vertner Woodson Tandy

    1885 – 1949

    The first registered Black architect in New York State, whose work includes St. Philip's Episcopal Church in New York City. He designed the fraternity pin, was the first African American to pass the military commissioning exam, serving as a first lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York National Guard, and as Alpha Chapter's first treasurer led the effort to incorporate the fraternity.

Fraternity history and portraits at apa1906.net

First of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all.Motto of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

More than a century later, Xi Xi Lambda carries the Jewels' vision forward in Frederick County.

About our chapter