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In the Autumn of 1905 at Cornell University, 9 young black men,
desirous of maintaining a more intimate contact amongst themselves,
met at the home of Mr. Edward Newton, who resided at 421 North Albany Street,
Ithaca NY. These young men, most of whom were self supporting, with
scant resources, faced the social barriers of color, common to
American institutions during this era, by forming a Social Study Club.
During that first meeting, two motives were present in the minds of
these students. One motive was to organize a literary and social
organization, that they did. The other motive was to form a fraternity,
similar, yet unlike most of the white fraternities found on campus,
that would come later. These two motives have struggled one against the
other thoughtout the history of Alpha Phi Alpha, first one, then the other taking precedence,
because of those early struggles and the lessons learned from them, we now have
a fraternity where both motives co-exist in perfect harmony. The group
left their meeting that night, boldly facing the future, scarcely realizing,
however, the impact that the night's actions would have on the lives of future
generations of college students.
The idea of forming a Fraternity began to take precedence over the idea of continuing
as a literary society during the 1906-07 school year. At the meeting on
Tuesday, October 23rd, two events happened that would hasten the demise of
the literary society. The first was the passing of a motion that the
literary society should be known by the Greek Letters ALPHA PHI ALPHA and the second
the adoption of the colors Black and Old Gold. Just like that, the nucleus of the society
that had worked slowly toward forming a fraternity, had taken the first
giant step toward their goal. The designations that had preceded the term
fraternity, "club, organization and "society", were gradually being laid to
rest. However, it still was not clear, if the society would
become a fraternity, the two motives literary or fraternity, were still
present, and still fighting for precedence.
It was apparent however, that the day of decision was inevitable, and the
inevitable happened on the night of December 4th, 1906. Once the group had
discussed a program that the society had participated in on Sunday, and
after listening to a proposal to set up a fund to help black students in need,
it was proposed that a decision should be made on whether the organization
should continue as an organization for literary and social benefit, or
become a fraternity. By majority vote, ALPHA PHI ALPHA Fraternity was born.
It's being was not spontaneous, but came as an evolution through trail and
struggle, a vision that could be easily seen, yet a task for more difficult
than any of those present at that meeting could have faced. It is their
loyalty to the purpose of creating a fraternity, along with their belief
that literary efforts could co-exist in a organization in which all could
be more intimately associated, that we cherish.
Seven visionaries, whose dream, hard work and dedication has
inspired over 80,000 men to be "First of All, Servants of All, Transcending All.
The organization that they founded has supplied the African American
community with more leaders, scholars and visionaries then any other
organization in our communities. It can be said that their is no
field or occupation found where the men of Alpha have not made their
mark. We have lead the fight for human rights and the uplifting
of our communities. Our national programs, envisioned by our Jewels
as being far reaching and uplifting, has made a impact in the lives
of many in this country and the world over. Founded on the principles of
Good Character,Fellowship, Sound Scholarship and the Uplifting of Humanity,
it is our goal to live up to the high ideas of our beloved "JEWELS", by holding high
the Light of ALPHA PHI ALPHA.