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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Celebrates a Century of Leadership and Service
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Celebrates a Century of Leadership and Service
Nation's First Black Greek-Letter Fraternity Reflects on Rich Past, Looks Toward Bright Future
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., announced today that the fraternity will kick off its official 100th anniversary celebration at its national convention in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, July 25, 2006. Founded on December 4, 1906 by seven distinct men at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, Alpha Phi Alpha is the first and largest inter-collegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for Black college students.
"Our founders envisioned a day when the leadership of African-American men would become widely-recognized and respected, despite challenges of social and economic inequality," said Matthews. "And since many of our members have had a tremendous impact on the nation's social and economic policies, this made Washington an ideal place to both honor our founders' vision and celebrate 100 years of Alpha Phi Alpha achievements."
Alpha Phi Alpha has not only been influential in the areas of government and business, but also in education, community affairs, sports and entertainment. The fraternity's prominent members include Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Charles Rangel, Marc Morial, Kwame Kilpatrick, Art Shell, Lionel Ritchie, the list goes on.
Over the years, Alpha Phi Alpha has lead hundreds of campaigns to uplift the African-American community, including the Million Dollar Campaign to support the NAACP, National Negro College Fund and the National Urban League. The renowned "A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" campaign was the first real organized demonstration to encourage African-Americans to vote. The fraternity's most recent campaign, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Project, has raised nearly $60 million to date.
In addition, Alpha Phi Alpha has hosted many service initiatives that have directly affected the lives of African-American men. For more than 25 years, Alpha Phi Alpha has partnered with the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation to implement "Project Alpha," a program geared toward providing education and guidance to thousands of teen males in hundreds of communities.
Alpha Phi Alphas' over 650 chapters combined have contributed an estimated 650K in scholarships annually. The fraternity's presence in the African-American community has remained unparalleled for the last 100 years, inspiring a host of other African-American fraternities and sororities.
"Alpha Phi Alpha has touched the lives of many individuals, in one way or another," said Matthews. "For us, this milestone is more than a celebration of the fraternity's 100th year. This is a celebration of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s steadfast commitment to improving the African-American community. As we reflect on our past, we look forward to the future, by continuing our commitment through dynamic leadership and service."
About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Since 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is committed to developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for the community. Today, there are over 200,000 members in 700 collegiate and alumni chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Posted by Rashid on July 10, 2006 8:38 PM
Comments
I have never been the kind of kid into role models ,although i have wanted to be an Alpha since i was 7 im 17 now, but that all changed when i read your response to that alpha who had a problem with you using Old Gold Soul...i aspire to be a successful black man and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha INC... but i must say that i am not your typical gay man...i guess i just never cared much for being called ms. peaches...lol... i am gay, and i think that you have shown me that gay black men can be successful, strong and proud while not having to sacrifice being themselves...you also influence me by not following the typical gay man sterotype...if you know what i mean...keep up the good work, and hopefully i will be not only a successful black man with standars and morals.... but also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha...
Commented by gentle_love7 on November 26, 2006 8:17 PM