Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence,
while providing service and advocacy for our communities.
Fraternity History
ALPHA
PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York. Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest of
the largely black collegiate Greek-Letter organizations. It
began as a social study club with the primary purpose of ensuring
that its members, who constituted most of the blacks enrolled, would
succeed academically in a hostile environment.
Each of the founders became distinguished
achievers, among which were a physician, engineer, national urban
league top executive, a high level government employee attached to
the Office of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. Senate,
and educators: Henry A. Callis, M.D.; Vertner W. Tandy; George B.
Kelley; Eugene Kinckle Jones; Charles H. Chapman; Robert H. Ogle;
Nathaniel A. Murray.
Since its inception, Alpha Phi Alpha has constantly pursued goals
well beyond the narrow realm of partying and other purely social
activities. "Manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind." -
words from the national hymn - approximately sum up its basic goals.
Its members and chapters seek to fulfill this commitment in various
community uplift and social projects and activities.
Originally established with seven ambitious and far-sighted yound
men, this service-focused body of college-pursing men has grown to
over 200,000 including all who were initiated throughout the
fraternity's 99 years of existence. There are over 700 college
and alumni chapters throughout the United States and in overseas
areas today, such as the Caribbean, West Africa, England, Germany,
South Korea, and Bermuda.
Among the fraternity's nationally prominent members are: former New
York Mayor David Dinkins, Congressman Charles Rangel, the United Way
President, Ralph Dickerson Jr., Comedian/Activist Dick Gregory,
singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, the former Atlanta Mayor Andrew
Young, the former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, the actor Tim Reid
and the journalist, Tony Brown. and Honorable Judge Reggie B.
Walton, our speaker for the 23rd annual commemorative luncheon.
Some of our outstanding, deceased members are, the late Whitney M.
Young, Jr., Jesse Owens; Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington, Adam Clayton
Powell, Thurgood Marshall, and W.E.B. DuBois.
Chapter History
The Eta
Theta Lamda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha was chartered on May 12,
1959, on Long Island, some 51 years ago; first in Wyandanch, and now
based primarily in Hempstead. Today, the brothers of ETL
continue to pursue the ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha; manly deeds,
scholarship, and love for all mankind.
We continue to be dedicated to serving our community; participating
regularly in civic and social activities, while revering the past
and planning for the future, committing ourselves to noble deeds,
which will make our future more secure.
Eta Theta Lambda was founded during a critical moment in our
nation's history; civil unrest, sit-ins, protests, and marches are
the experiences that many Alpha Men remember and recognize as
synonymous with our Fraternity's quest for a bold new world.
Indeed, it was a time to acknowledge who we were and who we wanted
to be.
In keeping with one of Alpha Phi Alpha's national programs, "Go to
High School, Go to College", men of various professional backgrounds
found it timely to establish an alumni chapter on Long Island to
further promote the ideals of the movement and of Alpha Phi Alpha.
The First President of Eta Theta Lambda Chapter was
Bro./Dr. Eugene T. Reed (a dentist and Chairman of the NAACP of
Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The chapter flourished under his
leadership. The Second President of Eta Theta Lambda
Chapter was Bro.Norris E. Francis, Jr. (Director of
Sales for the Ametek Corporation). The Third
President was Bro./Judge Marquette Floyd (County Court
Judge in Suffolk). The Fourth President was Bro./Dr.
George L. Mims (University Director of Special Programs at Pace
University, NYC). Bro. Mims provided strong leadership during
his five-year tenure, as ETL diversified its services and doubled
its membership.
The Education
Foundation was formally established in 1982, and has become the most
active facet of the chapter; carrying out the most enduring and well
known chapter program (actually inaugurated in 1981), the College
Tour. Eta Theta Lambda has completed twenty-six successful
college tours, and is now planning for the twenty-seventh.
The Immediate Past President is Bro. Derek White.
The Current President is Bro./Dr. Kendall Richards.
Currently, there are about thirty-five active brothers, primarily
from Nassau and Suffolk Counties; though some brothers add to our
ranks from Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan.
