The National History

The most remarkable leadership in the African American community in the 20th Century has without question come from the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Since its founding on December 4, 1906, the Fraternity has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color arount the world.

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of Brotherhood between African descendants in this country. The visionary founders, known as "Jewels" of the Fraternity, are; Brothers Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelly, 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-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 developed at other colleges and universities; Many of them traditionally black schools-soon after the founding at Cornell. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, the Fraternity also recognized the need to correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African Americans.

The Fraternity's national programs date back to 1919, when Alpha Phi Alpha introduced its "Go-to-High School, Go-to-College" campaign to increase the education level of the African American community. Alpha Phi Alpha later took the lead in the voting rights struggle for African Americans and coined the nationally famous phrase: "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" as part of its effort to register black voters. The slogan remains the battle cry today for Alpha voter registration efforts.

Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African American community's fight for civil rights and human dignity. From the Fraternity's ranks have become outstanding civil rights 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, Julius Chambers, Maynard Jackson and many others.

The Fraternity's leadership development and community service training to young men has mad Alpha Phi Alpha the most prestigous organization of its kid today.

Xi Gamma Chapter, of Alpha Phi Alpha, was chartered at Southeast Missouri State University as the first black greek lettered organization on campus on March 17, 1979 by eight young men. Forever known as Pharoahs these men, Brothers James Brightman, Bruce Bryant, Alex J. Clinton, Steven Q. Edwards, Oliver Gills, Emerson Jones, Willie Taylor, and Joseph G. Williams, led the way in establishing a chapter of excellence through scholarship, service, and brotherhood that cannot be surpassed by any other organization. Even today, 19 years and over 90 initiates later, Xi Gamma still shines its light for Alpha ever so brightly. With boasted accomplishments as the first African-American student government president on campus, the first and second African- American Men of the Year, and several other attributes, the chapter continues to flourish.