Greek Alphabet
Seven Jewels
Organization of Chapters
National Programs/ Special Projects/and more
The History of Alpha Phi Alpha
APA Misc
100
Recite the Greek Alphabet
100
Entered Omega Chapter: November 17, 1934
Tallahassee, FL
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
Cornell Attendance and Degree
Attended Cornell from 1900-1901 and 1902-1906 as a Special
Agriculture Student.
Occupation: Professor of Agriculture at Florida A & M College (now University) in Tallahassee, FL.
Role In The Fraternity: The first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
Charles Henry Chapman
100
Alpha Chapter
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY December 4, 1906
100
1. Big Brothers / Big Sisters mentoring partnership
2. Boy Scouts of America
3. College Life to Corporate Life Initiative (C2C)
4. Leadership Development Institutes
Special Projects
100
When was Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. first incorporated, in which state, and for how much?
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was first incorporated on January 29, 1908, in the State of New York, for $25.27 with a $0.27 discount.
100
Name the three stages of Alpha's development?
Social Studies Club (1905) – A small group of African American students at Cornell University began meeting for mutual academic support and social discussions.
Literary Society (1906) – The group transitioned into a literary society focused on intellectual growth and social advancement.
Fraternity (December 4, 1906) – The members formally established Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African American men.
200
Ξ
Xi
200
Entered Omega Chapter: January 11, 1954
Flushing, Long Island, New York at the age of 68
Birthplace: Richmond, VA
Cornell Attendance and Degree: Attended Cornell from 1906-1908; earned a Master of Arts in Sociology in 1908.
Occupation: Leader in social work and educational organizations and First Executive Secretary of the Urban League for 20 years
Role in the Fraternity: Has the distinction of being a Jewel and first initiate, Co-creator of the fraternity name, Second President of Alpha Chapter, and helped write the Fraternity ritual.
Founder of Beta (Howard University), Gamma (VUU), and Delta (University of Toronto, Canada), Alpha Lambda Chapters.
A member of the first Committees on Constitution and Organization
Eugene Kinckle Jones
200
Gamma Chapter
Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA December 30, 1907
200
A service program developed with the mission of advocating for and improving the quality of life for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers, their spouses, and widows who are retired, are elders, have disabilities, and are ailing.
The goal of the Program is to promote dignity and independence among Alpha family and community members who need help in keeping their lives and homes functional.
Brother’s Keeper
200
What items were on the Initiation Menu?
Cream tomato soup, Salted Wafers, Hash Brown Potatoes, Finger Rolls, Peas in a tub, Wild Apple Jelly, Shrimp Salad, Rolled Bread, Olives, Pickles, Neapolitan Ice Cream, Lady Fingers, Chocolate Cake, Demi-Tasse (Small Cup), Crackers, Alpha Phi Alpha Punch, Brotherhood Smoke, Cheese
200
What is the mission statement of Alpha Phi Alpha?
"Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities."
300
Ρ
Rho
300
Entered Omega Chapter: November 12, 1974
At the age of 87
Birthplace: Rochester, New York
Cornell Attendance and Degree: Attended Cornell from 1905-1909; earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909
Occupation: Served as a Professor of medicine at Howard University and as a medical doctor at the VA Hospital of Tuskegee, Alabama.
Role in the Fraternity: Co-creator of the fraternity’s name, General Vice-President, 1909, Sixth General President, 1915
Henry Arthur Callis
300
Epsilon Chapter
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI April 10, 1909
300
Established in 1922
Concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement.
Alpha men provide youth participants with role models to emulate.
Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College
300
Who is the author of the Alpha Phi Alpha History Book, and what are his credentials within the fraternity?
The author of the Alpha Phi Alpha History Book is Charles Harris Wesley, who served as the Fraternal Historian. He was initiated at the Zeta Chapter, Yale University.
300
Designed by: James A. Dunn (Kappa Chapter; Ohio State University)
Approved Year: 1911
What Event: 4th National Convention
1st Fraternity Shield
400
Υ
Upsilon
400
Entered Omega Chapter: November 7, 1949
Birthplace: Lexington, KY
Cornell Attendance and Degree: Attended Cornell from 1905 to 1908 as a Special Architecture Student
Occupation: Architect; 1st African American architect registered in New York State; one of the First African Americans to become a member of the American Institute of Architects 1st Black to pass commissioning exam commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the National Guard.
Role In The Fraternity: Designer of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity pin, First Treasurer of Alpha Chapter, and took the initiative to incorporate the Fraternity
Founder of the Delta Chapter at the University of Toronto
Vertner Woodson Tandy
400
Zeta Chapter
Yale University/Uni. of New Haven, New Haven, CT April 10, 1909
Re-activated on March 29th, 1913
400
Collaborative effort with March of Dimes Established 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
400
Who designed the first shield of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and which chapter was he from?
The first shield of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was designed by James A. Dunn of Kappa Chapter.
400
This fraternity publication, created in February 1914, is the second-oldest Black publication in the nation. Its first editor was Raymond W. Cannon, and its first edition was released in May 1914.
Fraternity Magazine: The Sphinx
500
Χ
Chi
500
Entered Omega Chapter: December 6, 1959
Los Angeles, California
Birthplace: Washington, DC
Cornell Attendance and Degree: Attended Cornell from 1905-1907 and 1909-1911, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1911.
Occupation: Agriculture and biology teacher in the Washington, D.C. public school system; Much of his career was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of Columbia.
Role In The Fraternity: A member of Alpha Chapter’s first committee on organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the Committee on the Grip.
Charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter
Nathaniel Allison Murray
500
U. of Toronto, Ontario, Canada April 11, 1908
Now
Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX 1954
Delta Chapter
500
Initiated as a National Program of Alpha in the 1930s.
Voter education and registration has 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.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People
500
Who were the first two honorary members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.?
The first two honorary members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. were George Fletcher and Reverend E. U. A. Brooks.
500
When was the Nu Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chartered, and who were its chartering members?
The Nu Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on May 2, 1981.
Chartering Members:
Gambriel Alexander, Elgin Almond, Knowlton Bassard, Willie J. Bradley Jr., Silas H. Christian, Tony Edwards, Verard A. Hughes, Robert Jamerson, Paige P. Johnson, Melvin T. Jones, Joseph King, Thomas F. Law, Walter Lowe, Van J. Shaw, and William L. Sutton.
600
ΝΟΛ
Nu Omicron Lambda
600
Entered Omega Chapter: May 5, 1962. Died in Troy, NY at 82
Birthplace: Troy, NY
Cornell Attendance and Degree: Attended Cornell from 1905-1908 and earned a Civil Engineer degree in 1908.
Occupation: Civil engineer, first African American engineer registered with the State of New York. Worked for the Department of Taxation and Finance of New York State, where he served for over thirty-two years;
Role In The Fraternity: First President of Alpha Chapter, Strongest proponent of the Fraternity idea among the organization’s founders, worked on the first ritual.
George Biddle Kelley
600
Howard University, Washington, DC December, 20, 1907
Beta Chapter
600
Who were the first 5 General Presidents
1st General President: Moses A. Morrison 1908-1909
2nd General President: Roscoe C. Giles 1909-1911
3rd General President: Frederick H. Miller 1911-1912
4th General President: Charles H. Garvin, 1912-1914
5th General President: Henry L. Dickason 1914-1915
600
How did the Beta Chapter select its initiates, and why was this practice stopped?
The Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha initially selected its initiates based on personal invitations rather than an open application process. This practice was stopped because it was not in alignment with the fraternity’s principles of equal opportunity and merit-based membership selection. The fraternity later adopted a more formal and structured process to ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of the organization.
600
Name 5 Prominent Members of Alpha
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil Rights Leader
Thurgood Marshall – First African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice
W.E.B. Du Bois – Scholar, Author, and Civil Rights Activist
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. – U.S. Congressman from New York
Paul Robeson – Scholar, Actor, and Athlete
- Andrew Young – Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Mayor of Atlanta
- Frederick Douglass Patterson – Founder of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
- Jesse Owens – Olympic Gold Medalist and Track & Field Legend
- Stuart Scott – ESPN Sportscaster and Journalist
- Dr. Cornel West – Philosopher, Author, and Social Activist
700
ΒΓ
Beta Gamma
700
Entered Omega Chapter: December 3, 1936
Birthplace: Washington, DC
Cornell Attendance and Degree: Attended Cornell from 1905-1906 as a Special Agriculture Student.
Occupation: Entered secretarial field and became a professional staff member to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Role In The Fraternity: Proposed the fraternity’s colors. First Secretary of Alpha Chapter. A charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter. Worked on the first ritual.
Robert Harold Ogle
700
Syracuse U., March 28, 1910
Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, March 10, 1941
Iota Chapter
700
Who were the First initiates, when and where did it take place:
Eugene Kinckle Jones, Gordon Jones, Lemuel Graves, and James Morton; initiated October 30, 1906, at Red Men's Hall, Masonic Hall, Odd Fellows Hall
700
In what city and what number General Convention was the last Founder officially designated?
Eugene Kinckle Jones. 38th General Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952.
700
Recite Invictus by William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.