The symbol of Alphi Phi Alpha is the sphinx.
The first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity created for men of African-American descent was the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The fraternity was found in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. and has spread to many other universities across the U.S. since then. The official colors of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity are black and old gold. Robert Harold Ogle, one of the fraternity's original founders, proposed the colors for the fraternity on October 23, 1906.
Mission
Alpha Phi Alpha serves as a support and study group for African-American students. The fraternity stresses the principles of leadership, academic excellence, brotherhood and service and advocacy for the black community. Since its founding in 1906, the fraternity has striven to be the premiere organization for the making of better men. Alpha Phi Alpha is hopeful that the qualities it instills in young men will help develop them into tomorrow's leaders. The fraternity is dedicated to continually assessing and responding to the internal and external forces that are both within the fraternity and outside of it in the world.
Vision
Members of the fraternity strive to encourage the ambitions of fellow members and prepare them in being useful members of humanity. Freedom and dignity are of the utmost importance. Members are also encouraged to help those less fortunate to achieve a higher economic, social and intellectual status. These objectives serve as the basis for the establishment of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Founders
The founders of Alpha Phi Alpha are known as the Seven Jewels. These seven men came together to form the fraternity at a time when racial prejudice and discrimination was commonplace. Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy were determined to stand against racial hostility and band together in support of one another. They set examples of leadership, scholarship and success.
Regions
Since its founding at Cornell, Alpha Phi Alpha has spread across the continental U.S. The fraternity now is now spread out among five regions: the Eastern, Southern, Western, Midwest and Southwest. The National Headquarters is located in Baltimore, Md. in the Eastern Region. The fraternity symbol, the sphinx, was designed in the Midwest Region.
Tags: Alpha Alpha, Alpha Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Fraternity, Harold Ogle, Robert Harold