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ABOUT
ALPHA PHI ALPHA
FRATERNITY, INC.

Welcome to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization established for African American men. Founded on December 4th, 1906 at Cornell University, we have a rich history of fostering leadership, academic excellence, and community service. As a brotherhood, we strive to empower men to reach their fullest potential while cultivating strong bonds that last a lifetime.

  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.

  • First of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all.

  • Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind

  • The Yellow Rose

THE JEWELS

Our founders, famously named "The Jewels" are the seven men that created and evolved the fraternity into what it is today. We truly remain vigilant to hold their ideals high and bring others into the fold that would make them proud. Read below about these seven great men and understand how larger than life they were.

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    • Born January 14, 1887, in Rochester, New York

    • Graduated from Central High School in Binghamton, NY in 1905

    • Entered Cornell University in Fall 1905 and took a part time job as a janitor and waiter in a white fraternity house

    • Dropped out of school in 1907 (financial); returned the following year

    • Assisted Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones in writing the Ritual after the first one was lost

    • Graduated from Cornell University and entered Rush Medical College 1909

    • Obtained his M.D. in 1922

    • Married Myra Colson, a graduate of Fisk University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

    • Parents of two daughters, Jane, and Helen

    • Professor of medicine at Howard University

    • Medical doctor at V.A. Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama

    • Only Jewel to serve as General President

    • Last Jewel to enter Omega Chapter (November 12, 1974)

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    • Born June 20, 1876, in Cayuga County, New York

    • Before entering Cornell, attended Howard University, Michigan State University, and Hampton Institute

    • Entered the field of education

    • Served as an instructor and dairyman on the Agricultural staff at Florida A&M University from 1923 to 1934

    • Professor of Agriculture at Florida A&M University

    • Known to be frank in his opinions and convictions

    • A lover of animals and instrumental in organizing work in animal husbandry on the college level

    • First Jewel to enter Omega Chapter (November 17, 1934) in Tallahassee, FL

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    • Born July 30, 1885, in Richmond, Virginia

    • Parents were both professors at Virginia Union University

    • Early education was obtained from Wayland Academy

    • Member of the first committees (Organization, Constitution, and Pins)

    • Assisted Jewel Henry Arthur Callis in writing the Ritual (first one was lost)

    • Graduated from Virginia Union University before attending Cornell Graduate School of Sociology

    • Married Blanche Ruby Watson in 1909

    • Two children: Eugene Jr. and Adele Rosa

    • Chapter President of Alpha Chapter

    • Chartered Beta, Gamma, and Alpha Lambda Chapters

    • Graduated with MA degree from Cornell University

    • Served as Executive Secretary of the National Urban League (1911-1951)

    • Became a Jewel at the 38th General Convention (1952) in Cleveland, OH

    • Occupies dual place in history (Seventh Jewel, and First Initiate)

    • Entered Omega Chapter (January 11, 1954) in Flushing, NY

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    • Born August 24, 1884 in Troy, New York

    • First Chapter President of Alpha Chapter

    • Chair of the first Ritual Committee assisting Jewel Robert Harold Ogle in writing the first Ritual

    • Credited for the name of the Fraternity (presented the motion for the adoption of the Alpha Phi Alpha Society)

    • Married a young lady named Harriett

    • Jewel George Biddle Kelley never missed an Alpha  convention

    • After leaving Cornell University, became a civil engineer

    • Worked in private industry and for the New York State Barge Canal

    • Left the Barge Canal and joined the Department of Taxation and Finance of New York State

    • In his retirement, conducted a successful practice as a tax consultant

    • Became the first Black American registered engineer in New York State

    • Entered Omega Chapter (May 5, 1962) in Troy, NY

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    • Born April 10, 1884 to parents Daniel and Anna Evans Murray

    • Served as an instructor in science at the Armstrong Manual Training School

    • Also served as an instructor in agriculture and biology

    • Completed undergraduate and graduate work at Cornell

    • Along with Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, helped charter Mu Lambda Chapter

    • He was a regular speaker and leader in local and national issues involving the fraternity

    • First cousin Joseph H. B. Evans served as General Secretary of the Fraternity

    • Entered Omega Chapter (December 12, 1959) in Los Angeles, CA

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    • Born on April 3, 1886 in Washington D.C. to parents Jeremiah and Mary Ellen

    • Resided at 411 East State Street

    • First Chapter Secretary of Alpha Chapter

    • Credited with picking the Fraternity colors

    • Assisted Jewel George Biddle Kelley in writing the first Ritual

    • After leaving Cornell University, entered the secretarial field

    • Attached to the Office of the Committee on Appropriations of the United States Senate

    • An authority on parliamentary procedures, he received his training while working under the chairmanship of the late Senator Francis E. Warren

    • He made the motion at the first initiation banquet to establish Beta Chapter at Howard University

    • He proposed the colors “Old Gold and Black” for the organization

    • He served as the first secretary of Alpha Chapter

    • Entered Omega Chapter (December 3, 1936) in Freedman’s Hospital in Washington D.C.

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    • Born May 17, 1885, in Lexington, Kentucky

    • Graduated with degree in architecture

    • Entered Tuskegee Institute in 1904

    • Entered Cornell University clad in a Cadet uniform and with a saxophone under his arm in 1905

    • Roomed with Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones

    • Credited with designing the Fraternity Pin, the first which was dropped in the snow on the campus of Cornell and lost forever

    • Graduated in 1908 with a degree in architecture

    • Led and won a fight to have black women accepted at Sage College

    • Became first Black American registered architect in New York State

    • First Black American to be commissioned as an officer in New York State (WWI)

    • Entered Omega Chapter (November 7, 1949)

POEMS

  • THE TEST OF A MAN IS THE FIGHT THAT HE MAKES

    THE GRIT THAT HE DAILY SHOWS.

    THE WAY HE STANDS UPON HIS FEET AND TAKES LIFE’S NUMEROUS BUMPS AND BLOWS.

    A COWARD CAN SMILE WHEN THERE’S NAUGHT TO FEAR AND NOTHING HIS PROGRESS BEARS.

    BUT IT TAKES A MAN TO STAND AND CHEER WHILE OTHER FELLOWS STARE.

    IT ISN’T THE VICTORY AFTER ALL BUT THE FIGHT THAT A BROTHER MAKES.

    A MAN WHEN DRIVEN AGAINST THE WALL

    STILL STANDS AND TAKES THE BLOWS OF FATE.

    WITH HIS HEAD HELD HIGH

    BLEEDING AND BRUISED AND PALED

    IS THE MAN WHO’LL WIN

    AND FATE DEFIED

    FOR HE ISN’T AFRAID TO FAIL.

  • OUT OF THE NIGHT THAT COVERS ME,

    BLACK AS A 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 OR CRIED ALOUD,

    UNDER THE BLUDGEONING 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 STRAIGHT THE GATE,

    HOW CHARGED WITH PUNISHMENT THE SCROLL,

    I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE,

    I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL.

  • IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HEAD WHEN ALL ABOUT YOU

    ARE LOSING THEIRS AND BLAMING IT ON YOU,

    IF YOU CAN TRUST YOURSELF WHEN ALL MEN DOUBT YOU,

    BUT MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR THEIR DOUBTING TOO;

     

    IF YOU CAN WAIT AND NOT BE TIRED BY WAITING,

    OR BEING LIED ABOUT, DON’T DEAL IN LIES,

    OR BEING HATED,DON’T GIVE WAY TO HATING,

    AND YET DON’T LOOK TOO GOOD, NOR TALK TO WISE.

     

    IF YOU CAN DREAM AND NOT MAKE DREAMS YOUR MASTER,

    IF YOU CAN THINK AND NOT MAKE THOUGHTS YOUR AIM,

    IF YOU CAN MEET WITH TRIUMPH AND DISASTER,

    AND TREAT THOSE TWO IMPOSTERS JUST THE SAME;

     

    IF YOU CAN BEAR TO HEAR THE TRUTH YOU’VE SPOKEN TWISTED

    BY KNAVES TO MAKE A TRAP FOR FOOLS,

    OR WATCH THE THINGS YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE TO BROKEN

    AND STOOP AND BUILD ‘EM UP WITH WORN OUT TOOLS.

    IF YOU CAN MAKE ONE HEAP OF ALL YOUR WINNINGS,

    AND RISK IT ON ONE TURN OF PITCH-AND-TOSS,

    AND LOSE AND START AGAIN AT YOUR BEGINNINGS,

    AND NEVER BREATHE A WORD ABOUT YOUR LOSS;

     

    IF YOU CAN FORCE YOUR HEART AND NERVE AND SINEW

    TO SERVE YOUR TURN LONG AFTER THEY ARE GONE

    AND SO, HOLD ON WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN YOU EXCEPT THE WILL WHICH SAYS TO THEM - HOLD ON!

     

    IF YOU CAN TALK WITH CROWDS AND KEEP YOUR VIRTUE,

    OR WALK WITH KINDS - NOR LOSE THE COMMON TOUCH,

    IF NEITHER FOE NOR LOVING FRIENDS CAN HURT YOU,

    IF ALL MEN COUNT WITH YOU BUT NONE TOO MUCH.

     

    IF YOU CAN FILL THE UNFORGIVING MINUTE WITH SIXTY SECONDS’ WORTH OF DISTANCE RUN,

    YOURS IS THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING THAT’S IN IT,

    AND WHICH IS MORE, YOU’LL BE A MAN MY SON!

  • GOODWILL IS THE MONARCH OF THIS HOUSE,

    MEN UNACQUAINTED, ENTER, SHAKE HANDS,

    EXCHANGE GREETINGS, AND DEPART FRIENDS.

    CORDIALITY EXISTS AMONG ALL WHO ABIDE WITHIN.

     

    I AM THE EMINENT EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP

    CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT CHANGE UNDER MY DOMINANT POWER.

    LIVES ONCE TOUCHED BY ME BECOME TUNED

    AND ARE THEREAFTER AMIABLE, KINDLY, FRATERNAL.

     

    I INSPIRE THE MUSICIAN TO PLAY NOBLE SENTIMENTS

    AND ASSIST THE CHEMIST TO CONVERT UNGENEROUS PERSONALITIES INTO INDIVIDUALS OF GREAT WORTH.

    I DESTROY IGNOBLE IMPULSES.

     

    I CONSTANTLY INVOKE PRINCIPLES

    WHICH MAKE FOR COMMON BROTHERHOOD

    AND THE ECHO RESOUNDS IN ALL COMMUNITIES

    AND PRINCELY MEN ARE THEREBY RECOGNIZED.

    EDUCATION, HEALTH, MUSIC,

    ENCOURAGEMENT, SYMPATHY, LAUGHTER,

    ALL THESE SPECIES OF INTEREST GIVEN OF SELF INVESTED CAPITAL

     

    TIRED MOMENTS FIND ME A DELIGHTFUL TREAT,

    HOURS OF SORROW, A SHRINE OF UNDERSTANDING,

    AT ALL TIMES I AM FAITHFUL TO THE CREED OF COMPANIONSHIP,

     

    TO A FEW, I AM THE CASTLE OF DREAMS,

    AMBITIOUS, SUCCESSFUL, HOPEFUL DREAMS.

    TO MANY, I AM THE POETIC PLACE

    WHERE HUMAN FEELING IS RHYMED TO CELESTIAL MOTIVES;

     

    TO THE GREAT MAJORITY,

    I AM THE TREASURY OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP.

    IN FACT, I AM THE COLLEGE OF FRIENDSHIP;

    THE UNIVERSITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE;

    THE SCHOOL FOR THE BETTER MAKING OF MEN.

    I AM ALPHA PHI ALPHA!

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