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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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. 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.

Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter

The Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was founded December 21, 1929 in Columbus Ohio by Theodore M. Berry. The charter members were: Charles P. Blackburn, H. Sherman Manuel, E.A. Calloway, W. Woodlin, Randolph Porter, and K.M. Williams.

Following several years of inactivity, Alpha Rho Lambda was reorganized in October 1937 with eighty members present at the reorganization meeting. As a part of its program Alpha Rho Lambda sponsored a monthly community forum in Columbus. The effort became nationally known and was well accepted. Brothers G.A. Steward, John Turner, Barbee W. Durham were untiring in their effort to make the adult education forum a success.

Since that time, Alpha Rho Lambda has developed many programs and activities for its members and the community. The Alpha Rho Lambda Education Foundation, Inc. established in 1979 to encourage and assist high school students tofurther their education. In 1996, Alpha Rho Lambda was selected the District of Ohio Alumni Chapter of the Year.

Alpha Rho Lambda has developed many programs and activities for its members and the community. The Alpha Rho Lambda Education Foundation, Inc. established in 1979 to encourage and assist high school students to further their education.

 

Local Programs:

  • Go to High School, Go to College

  • Project Alpha

  • Alpha Esquires

  • A Voteless People is a Hopeless People

  • Alpha Mistletoe Gala​

Chapter Information:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.- Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter

P.O. Box 361883

Columbus, OH 43236

Email:

Website: www.alphacolumbus.com

 

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