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ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.
THE WESTERN REGION
Alpha Phi Alpha
History of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, 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 descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and 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 chapters were established at other colleges and universities, many of them historically black institutions, soon after the founding at Cornell. The first alumni chapter was established in 1911. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha 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. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945.
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.
Mission Statement
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.
The Seven Jewels
Henry Arthur Callis
Henry Arthur Callis became a practicing physician, Howard UniversityProfessor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. Oftenregarded as the “philosopher of the founders,” and a moving force in theFraternity’s development, he was the only one of the “Cornell Seven” tobecome General President. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was amedical consultant to the Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. Uponhis death in 1974, at age 87, the Fraternity entered a time without anyliving Jewels. His papers were donated to Howard’s Moorland-SpingarnResearch Center.
Charles Henry Chapman
Charles Henry Chapman entered higher education and eventually became
Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University. A
university funeral was held with considerable Fraternity participation
when he became the first Jewel to enter Omega Chapter in 1934.
Described as “a Brother beloved in the bonds,” Chapman was a founder
of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha
Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
Eugene Kinckle Jones
Eugene Kinckle Jones became the first Executive Secretary of the National
Urban League. His 20-year tenure with the Urban League thus far has
exceeded those of all his successors in office. A versatile leader, he
organized the first three Fraternity chapters that branched out from
Cornell—Beta at Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union and the original Delta
at the University of Toronto in Canada. In addition to becoming Alpha
Chapter’s second President and joining with Callis in creating the
Fraternity name, Jones was a member of the first Committees on
Constitution and Organization and helped write the Fraternity ritual.
Jones also has the distinction of being one of the first initiates as well as
an original founder. His status as a founder was not finally established
until 1952. He died in 1954.
George Biddle Kelley
Henry Arthur Callis became a practicing physician, Howard UniversityProfessor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. Oftenregarded as the “philosopher of the founders,” and a moving force in theFraternity’s development, he was the only one of the “Cornell Seven” tobecome General President. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was amedical consultant to the Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. Uponhis death in 1974, at age 87, the Fraternity entered a time without anyliving Jewels. His papers were donated to Howard’s Moorland-SpingarnResearch Center.
Nathaniel Allison Murray
Nathaniel Allison Murray pursued graduate work after completing his
undergraduate studies at Howard. He later returned home to
Washington, D.C., where he taught in public schools. Much of his career
was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of
Columbia. He was a member of Alpha Chapter’s first committee on
organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the Committee on the Grip. The charter
member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter was a frequent attendee of General
Conventions. He died in 1959.
Robert Harold Ogle
Henry Arthur Callis became a practicing physician, Howard UniversityProfessor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. Oftenregarded as the “philosopher of the founders,” and a moving force in theFraternity’s development, he was the only one of the “Cornell Seven” tobecome General President. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was amedical consultant to the Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. Uponhis death in 1974, at age 87, the Fraternity entered a time without anyliving Jewels. His papers were donated to Howard’s Moorland-SpingarnResearch Center.
Vertner Woodson Tandy
Vertner Woodson Tandy became the state of New York’s first registered
black architect, with offices on Broadway in New York City. The designer
of the Fraternity pin holds the distinction of being the first African
American to pass the military commissioning examination and was
commissioned First Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State
National Guard. He was Alpha Chapter’s first treasurer and took the
initiative to incorporate the Fraternity. Among the buildings designed by
the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New York
City. He died in 1949, at age 64.