02/03/2025
This Black History Month, we honor the legacy of the Founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. who, through vision and perseverance, created a brotherhood that has shaped the lives of countless individuals and communities.
In 1906, on the campus of Cornell University, seven young men, Brothers Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy, founded Alpha Phi Alpha as the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African American men.
These founders faced immense challenges in a time of racial segregation and societal exclusion, but they persevered, driven by the desire to build something greater than themselves. Alpha Phi Alpha was born out of their shared commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service to the community. Their legacy stands as a testament to the power of unity and the belief that adversity can lead to achievement and progress.
The fraternity was built on the principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity, values that continue to guide the organization today.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we remember the courage and determination of these Brothers who laid the foundation for a brotherhood that continues to inspire and uplift generations of leaders.
