Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 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 and 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 "Alpha Chapter."

With and 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.

The Seven Visionary Founders, or "Jewels", of Alpha Phi Alpha are:

These men labored in the years of severe economic struggle and racial conflict in the United States. Despite their difficulties of organization, the early fraternity pioneers succeeded in laying a firm foundation and remained steadfast in their goals pointing toward development of the fraternity membership-that is espousing the principles of good character, sound scholarship, fellowship, and uplifting of humanity, especially in the struggling Black community in the United States.

The fraternity has grown steadily in the influence throughout the years. It has been interracial since 1945 and has expanded tremendously to the extent that there are now approximately 800 chapters located throughout the U.S., Caribbean Islands, Africa, West Indies, Europe, and Asia. Some of the more prominent sons of Alpha include the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Mayor David Dinkins, Paul Robenson, Duke Ellington, W.E.B. Dubois, and Jesse Owens.

For additional information you may contact the General Office of the fraternity at:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
General Office
Interim Executive Director - Darryl Matthew
2313 St. Paul St.
Baltimore, MD 21218-5234