A tradition of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind . . .
Since its founding on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has developed leaders, promoted brotherhood and academic excellence and provided service and advocacy for our communities. The Fraternity’s history is a story of vision, service, commitment and achievement.
The vision began in the band of african-american students meeting at 421 North Albany Street as a study and support group.
Early meetings of the Fraternity were held at 411 State Street. Other chapters quickly followed at other colleges and universities, many of which are now referred to as "Historically Black". The first Alumni Chapter, Alpha Lambda, was established in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1911.
Today undergraduate chapters flourish in our colleges and universities and graduate chapters are found in our cities, large and small, thoughout the world. Together they seek to fulfill the Fraternity's mission.
The brotherhood includes W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward William Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, Fritz Pollard, Cornell West, Tony Brown, Lessall D. Leffall, Henry Parks, Countee Cullen, Duke Ellington and many others. Information for Aspiring Members is available.
The Fraternity's mission to "develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities" is realized in its programs, projects and foundations:
National Programs
The Fraternity's national programs reflect a commitment to community advocacy and advancement:
Go–To–High School, Go–To–College Since 1922, the "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" program has stressed the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to achievement and advancement.
Project Alpha Initiated in 1980, as a collaborative effort with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the project provides young men, between the ages of 12 and 15, with current and accurate information regarding teen pregancy prevention.
A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People Initiated in the 1930's when voting by African-Americans was often perilless, the program continues today with a focus on political awareness and empowerment.
Special Projects
The organization special projects include
Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America A partnereship for exposing African-American youth to positive role models; increasing African-American participation on local Big Brothers/Big Sisters' Boards; promoting positive Bib Brother/Big Sister and Alpha preceptions in the African-American community and exposing African-American boys in the Big Brother/Big Sister programs to Alpha role models.
Boy Scouts of America A partnership providing Alpha men a medium for reaching young men in their neighborhood with models of positive leadership and character and enhancing the reach of The Boy Scouts of America's programs in the African-American community.
College Life to Corporate Life Initiative (C2C) An initiative promoting career oportunities for Alpha men and exposing a talented resource to corporte partners.
Leadership Development Institutes 2010 Directed toward encouraging the development and leadership skills in male youth including instruction in parliamentary procedures, conflict resolution, models of leadership, public speaking, community and civic engagement, and educational enhancement skills.
50 Million Pound Challenge Participation in Dr. Ian Smith's quest for a healther America as a team commited to “Live Well – O Six!”: Opt for healthy lifestyle choices; Seek opportunities to learn more about health; Identify health issues in your community; and eXtinguish health disparities.
Foundations
Fraternity has established corporate foundatons to facillitate community advocacy, an Alpha halmarck:
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. Development of a memorial to Dr. King in Washington, D.C.
Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, Inc. A non-profit charitable organization focusing on developing scholarship, programs, training and development opportunities for the membership.
Business & Economic Development Foundation Promotion of economic development in minority and disadvantaged communities.
Alpha Phi Alpha Building Foundation Promoting infrastructure development, preservation and promotion. Success stories include urban housing develpments in Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri.