Alpha History
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated,
the first intercollegiate Greek letter fraternity established for black students, was
organized at Cornell University, Ithica, New York, December 4, 1906. Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity was born out of the desire for maintaining close association and unified
support for members of this small minority group. The prejudices of the time, even at a
relatively liberal institution such as Cornell, placed an extra burden on minority
students. Furthermore, Blacks were denied, for the most part, the mutual helpfulness which
the majority of the students attending Cornell University regularly enjoyed. The first
unit of the fraternity that was established was called the "Alpha
Chapter."
With an infinite vision of an organization encompassing the ideals of scholarship, manly
deeds, and love for all mankind, our seven founders, whom we respectfully call the "Jewels,"
aspired to bring forth a fraternity dedicated to social purpose and social action.
Currently, Alpha Phi Alpha continues to grow and push for these ideals with such
nationally mandated programs as "Project Alpha," "Go To High School, Go To
College," "A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People," and others, which are
maintained on both the undergraduate and graduate level as well.