December 4th – Honoring the Founding of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Every year on December 4th, Alpha Men across the globe take a moment to reflect, recharge, and reignite the fire of their Alpha legacy. Because Founders’ Day isn’t just a celebration—it’s a summons to excellence.
The Beginning: Seven Jewels. One Vision.
On December 4, 1906, seven visionary Black men—Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy—dared to do what had never been done. On the campus of Cornell University, they founded the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Their goal wasn’t exclusivity—it was empowerment. In a time of profound racial injustice, the Jewels built a foundation on the pillars of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.
More Than History—A Living Legacy
Since 1906, the House of Alpha has produced a lineage of trailblazers. Civil rights giants like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., global voices like Thurgood Marshall, and modern icons in business, politics, the arts, and academia have all walked under the Light of Alpha.
But being an Alpha isn’t just about who you are—it’s about what you do.
From youth mentorship and voter engagement to global leadership and community advocacy, Alpha Men continue to lead from the front, answering the call their founders issued over a century ago.
Founders' Day: A Call to Remember, Reconnect, and Represent
As December 4th rolls around, Alphas across the world honor the day with:
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Chapter reunions and fraternal gatherings
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Service projects rooted in Alpha’s commitment to uplift
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Reflection on the mission and memory of the Seven Jewels
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And yes—stepping out in that bold Black & Old Gold with pride
Because when an Alpha steps into the room, history walks with him.
Ways to Celebrate Alpha Founders’ Day
✔ Host or attend a local Alpha Founders’ Day event
✔ Serve your community in the name of the Jewels
✔ Mentor a young man who needs to see what excellence looks like
✔ Refresh your Alpha wardrobe—because legacy deserves to be worn boldly
Happy Founders’ Day to the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
May you continue to lead with vision, rise with honor, and move ever onward and upward toward the light.
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