Henry A. Callis, Founder6th General President[105], Alpha Phi Alpha's membership is predominantly African-American in composition with brothers in over 680 college and graduate chapters in the United States, District of Columbia, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Europe, Asia and Africa. George Biddle's autobiography of 1939, An American Artist's Story, is the main source for any study of the artist. Kelley became the first president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternitys Alpha Chapter. Zodiac Sign: Virgo. Grammy Award winning singer Lionel Richie gave a performance for his fraternity at the John F. Kennedy Center. As founder Henry Arthur Callis euphemistically statedbecause the half-dozen African American students at Cornell University during the school year 1904-05 did not return to campus the following year, the incoming students in 1905-06, in founding Alpha Phi Alpha, were determined to bind themselves together to ensure that each would survive in the racially hostile environment. [29][101] The fifth report was published in 2006 and examines the Millennium Challenge, Hurricane Katrina and extraordinary rendition. [4] On October 23, 1906, George Kelley proposed that the organization be officially known by the Greek letters Alpha Phi Alpha, and Robert Ogle proposed the colors black and old gold. Described as a Brother beloved in the bonds, Chapman was a founder of FAMUs Beta Nu Chapter. Kelleys extensive involvement with the community did not prevent his continuing work with the fraternity he helped found. During the organization stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization. The doing of good scholastic work in his chosen vocation, thereby accomplishing the real end of a college course U.S. News and World Report. [122], Roland Burris became the only black member of the 2009 U.S. Senate when he assumed the seat vacated by President Barack Obama.[123]. Born to an established Philadelphia family, Biddle attended the elite Groton School (where he was a classmate of Franklin D. Roosevelt). A university funeral was held with considerable Fraternity participation when he became the first Jewel to enter Omega Chapter in 1934. Kelley was popular with the Brotherhood. A number of buildings and monuments have been named after Alpha men such as the Eddie Robinson Stadium, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Whitney Young Memorial Bridge, and the W. E. B. [169], In 2014, six Alpha Phi Alpha men at the University of Akron were arrested and charged with assault for severely beating pledges. According to his wife, Poindexter did not oppose the idea of a fraternity.[16]. One known pledge was hospitalized due to excessive bleeding. WebFind a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31999975/george-biddle-kelley: accessed ), [5] The group initially consisted of 15 students and included women. [150], In 1940, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Psi hosted conventions in the Municipal Auditorium of Kansas City, Missouri, and held a historic joint BGLO session. Journal of Pan African Studies, vol. These preparations consisted of nationwide activities and events, including the commissioning of intellectual and scholarly works, presentation of exhibits, lectures, artwork and musical expositions, the production of film and video presentations and a Centennial Convention July 2530, 2006, in Washington, D.C. Not only was he the strongest proponent of the Fraternity idea among the organizations founders, the civil engineering student also became Alpha Chapters first President. [171], On January 29, 2016, Bradley Doyley, a senior and basketball player at Buffalo State College was pronounced dead allegedly of a hazing related pledging ritual. In proportion to what he does for his Chapter and for Alpha Phi Alpha will a member receive lasting benefits from the Fraternity to himself in the way of self development by duty well done, and the respect of the Brothers served. The fraternity's efforts gained momentum in 1986, after King's birthday was designated a national holiday.[68]. (June 13, 2013) http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/02/25/ursula-burns-makers-pbs-xerox/, Kobler, Jason. Not only was he the strongest proponent of the Fraternity idea among the organization's founders, the civil engineering student also became Alpha Chapter's first President. "[118], The fraternity once provided classifications for honorary and exalted honorary membership. The figure also includes $10million in matching funds provided by the United States Congress. The fraternity has never condoned hazing, but has been aware of problems with "rushing" and "initiations" dated as far back as the 1934 General Convention when the fraternity founders communicated their concern with physical violence during initiation ceremonies. [20], Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha are given Greek-letter names in order of installation into the fraternity. "Building the Alaska Highway." Members journeyed across campus and unveiled a new centennial memorial to Alpha Phi Alpha. [10] Many of his works of art were contemporary. "Black engineers' contributions to the world." [36] While in office he helped secure a chapter house, appointed a special committee to consult with the president of Howard, and asked members to 'use every means possible to raise the moral and scholastic tone of the Fraternity". The proper consideration of all things with appropriate attention to the high moral standard of Alpha Phi alpha. The Education Foundation encompasses the implementation of Go-to-High School, Go-to-College, Project Alpha, voter education / registration efforts, The Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest, The John Hope Franklin Collegiate Scholars Bowl, The Hobart Jarrett Debate Competition, Leadership Development Institutes, and the professional and personal development thrusts of the fraternity via Alpha University. He resided in Troy, New York and was active with Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany. In 1908, In 1978, he was promoted to brigadier general the first African American to serve as a general officer in the Corps of Engineers. [6] The initial study group consisted of 14 students. [23] The first black Greek letter organization among historically black colleges was Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, as it was established early in November 1907. It evolved from a social fraternity to a primarily community service organization. It is the largest predominantly African-American intercollegiate fraternity and one of the ten largest intercollegiate fraternities in the nation.[3]. The fraternity addresses social issues such as apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other economic, cultural, and political issues of interest to people of color. In the 1990s the focus has shifted to promotion of political awareness and empowerment, delivered most often through use of town meetings and candidate forums. If you cannot remember your login information, click the Forgot Password link to reset your password. WebGeorge Biddle Kelley (1884-1962) was born August 24, 1884, in Troy, New York. His mother, Mathilda, was the daughter of a distinguished African Methodist Episcopal minister, the Rev. They created the Washington D. C. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. to collect funds of $100million for construction.[68]. Given racial attitudes in 1906, their accomplishments were monumental. Education Foundation. There was just one little problem. Informedia Digital Video Library. In 2009, she landed her gig on President Obama's Review of Human Spaceflight Plans Committee no doubt a pretty cool group of people, who have come together to advise the government on the future of space missions [source: NASA]. In the 1930s, Biddle became a champion of social art and strongly advocated government funding for artistic endeavors. The Court finds and hereby DECLARES that the rejection of voter registration applications on the grounds that they were submitted in a bundle, or by someone who was not a registrar or deputy registrar, violates the NVRA. became a practicing physician, Howard University Professor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. CONTACT; WHAT WE DO. Du Bois, John Mack (civic leader), Rev. On December 4, 2000, a marble and bronze plaque was laid by Alpha Phi Alpha to dedicate the site where the memorial was to be built. 2012. [149] Four other BGLOs were in quick succession founded at Howard: Omega Psi Phi (1911), Delta Sigma Theta (1913), Phi Beta Sigma (1914) and Zeta Phi Beta (1920). The fraternity provides for charitable endeavors through its Education and Building Foundations, providing academic scholarships and shelter to underprivileged families these projects are managed by fraternity brothers; Broderick McKinney, Kenneth Burnside and Gregory Anderson. He illegally wrote 10 checks totaling about $1,200 from the Appalachian State University chapter's bank account. [106][107], John A. Williams wrote in his book The King that God Did Not Save, which was a commentary on the life of Alpha Phi Alpha member Martin Luther King Jr., "a man clawing out his status does not stop at education. However, the citizens were mostly dark-skinned black and brown people" according to journalist and Alpha Phi Alpha brother Tony Brown. His disposition and emotional response to many situations revealed the uncompromising nature of his personality. Some of its members who were trial lawyers argued many of the nation's major court cases involving civil rights and civil liberties. She was the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and the first American to receive her Ph.D. with an aerospace option in the program. Herndon's father, honorary Alpha Alonzo Herndon, founded Atlanta Life in 1905, becoming Atlanta, Georgia's first African-American millionaire. Dammond graduated with honors from the university in 1893, with a degree in civil engineering [source: Barksdale-Hall]. Res. June 19, 1906. Returning to Europe in 1914, Biddle spent time in Munich and Madrid, studying printmaking in the Spanish capital, before trying his hand at impressionism in France. [93], Alpha Phi Alpha, Iota Delta Lambda Chapter (Chicago) and the March of Dimes began a collaborative program called Project Alpha in 1980. Another just as inaccurate (and odd) reason? [96] King remained involved with the fraternity after the completion of his studies, including delivering the keynote speech at the fraternity's 50th anniversary banquet in 1956. (June 13, 2013) http://www.dallasnews.com/obituary-headlines/20100305-Hugh-G-Robinson-Retired-529.ece, The HistoryMakers. His efforts contributed to ensuring the values set by its founders remained a cornerstone of continuing development within the organization. (June 13, 2013) http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/printer_238.shtml, Portland State University. The Alpha Towers in Chicago and three other urban housing developments in St. Louis, Missouri the Alpha Gardens, Alpha Towne and Alpha Village saw completion through Alpha Phi Alpha leadership. Seven of the original 12 men from the initial meeting in December 1905 would continue on as members of the fraternity. Du Bois. Enter the email address and password you used to join BlackFacts.com. The Yes and No of Contemporary Art. [2] When Biddle volunteered to go to the war, it changed his whole life and how he saw the world. Box 14692 Albany, NY 12212-4164 For additional information or questions, please call 518.847.2180 or gbkfoundation@gmail.com 2020 GBK Scholarship Or invented a lubrication device that allowed machines in motion to remain oiled. Braithwaite's team developed computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems for Boeing, which led the way for airplanes and, eventually, many other products designed entirely through software. He was named after his uncle and godfather, the Rev. In 1998, Congress authorized the fraternity to establish a foundationthe Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundationto manage the memorial's fundraising and design, and approved the building of the memorial on the National Mall. [17] Eugene Kinkle Jones who joined the group in October 1906 was given the title of a founder in 1952, while James Morton was removed because of his lack of enrollment in the Cornell. [120], The fraternity's membership roster includes activist Dick Gregory, Princeton Professor Cornel West, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Samuel Pierce, celebrity physician Corey Hbert, entrepreneur John Johnson, athlete Mike Powell, musician Donny Hathaway, United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, the first Premier of Bermuda Sir Edward T. Richards, and Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson. The chapter was behind on rent payments and other important financial obligations. WHO WE ARE. It's not even that he did all this as the son of runaway slaves. The designer of the Fraternity pin holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard. But Ursula Burns did just that, and became the first African American CEO of a Fortune 500 company to boot. July 2011. Norris B. Herndon, Charles Hamilton Houston's fellow 1921 initiate at Alpha Phi Alpha's Sigma Chapter, became the second President of the historic Atlanta Life Insurance Company. WebJewel George Biddle Kelley was born in 1884 to Richard and Mathilda Kelley. Its aims are "Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind," and its motto is "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All." "[138] Fraternity members make pilgrimages to its spiritual birthplaces of Egypt to walk across the sands of the Giza Plateau to the Great Sphinx of Giza and the Great Pyramids of Giza, and to Ethiopia.[139]. He was ordained an elder with the Liberty Presbyterian Church despite being raised in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. The decision "of placing Brother [Eugene] Jones in his true historical setting resulting from the leading role which he had played in the origin and development of the early years of the fraternity history" was made by a special committee consisting of Jewels Callis, Kelley and Murray and fraternity historian Charles H. Wesley. [32][33] The Crisis, the magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was started by fraternity member W. E. B. Currently, she is a co-founder of MakingSpace, Inc, a systems engineering and leadership development consultant, and a motivational speaker. 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