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ALPHA

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

Alpha Phi Alpha™, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded on December 4, 1906™ 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 seven 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

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. The first alumni chapter was established in 1911. 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.

Since its founding on December 4, 1906™, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world.

First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All

IOTA NU

The Iota Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated has made immeasurable impact across the state of Alabama and throughout the nation! Seated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the 409th House of Alpha was chartered on October 11th, 1974, by thirteen revolutionary men - our "Mini Jewels" - colloquially known as The Baker's Dozen. Together, these men had a vision to transform the campus of UAB and the city of Birmingham. They ignited a flame of excellence and distinction that has been the mantra of this chapter since its inception.

Hailing from the Iota Nu chapter are several changemakers and pioneers in their own right in the fields of medicine, finance, education, science, and entertainment. Our footprint in the community is sustained through the work of brothers on numerous boards and commissions in the city, state, and nation The Iota Nu chapter seeks to cultivate lasting partnerships with community agents to remain civically engaged and attend to the needs of the people, with a particular focus on youth programs, voting rights, and people experiencing homelessness.

The Iota Nu chapter recognizes & celebrates its past achievements while anxiously anticipating opportunities to expand the chapter's influence, WreckIN' previous records and transcending all IN the process.

IOTA NU

PROGRAMS

Formally called the A. Charles Haston Brother’s Keeper program, this service program developed with the mission of advocating and improving the quality of life for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s senior brothers, their spouses and widows; brothers who are retired and have disabilities or ailments; and vulnerable community members.

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"A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" (aka VPHP) was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930's when many African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Voter education and registration have remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990's, the focus has shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums.

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The "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" program, established in 1922, concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement. Statistics prove the value of this extra impetus in making the difference in the success of young African-American men, given that school completion is the single best predictor of future economic success. Through the Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College educational initiative, young men receive information and learn strategies that facilitate success. Alpha men provide youth participants with excellent role models to emulate.

Want to know more about "Go-To-High-School, Go-To-College"? Click here!

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation began collaboratively implementing Project Alpha in 1980. This collaborative project is designed to provide education, motivation and skill-building on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases for young males ages 12-15 years. Designed to provide young men with current and accurate information about teen pregnancy prevention, Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers.

Want to know more about "Project Alpha"? Click here!

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