FRATERNITY
HISTORY
History
Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men. It was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country.
The fraternity initially served as a social study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity.
Since its founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world
Mission
“ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. DEVELOPS LEADERS, PROMOTES BROTHERHOOD AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHILE PROVIDING SERVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.”
Aims
MANLY DEEDS, SCHOLARSHIP, & LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND
Objectives
THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS FRATERNITY SHALL BE: TO STIMULATE THE AMBITION OF ITS MEMBERS; TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE GREATEST USEFULNESS IN THE CAUSES OF HUMANITY, FREEDOM, AND DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL; TO ENCOURAGE THE HIGHEST AND NOBLEST FORM OF MANHOOD; AND TO AID DOWNTRODDEN HUMANITY IN ITS EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HIGHER SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND INTELLECTUAL STATUS
The Sphinx Magazine
Since the founding of Alpha Phi Alpha’s Sphinx magazine in 1914, the African-American community has looked to the publication for its profound insight on issues of the day. The Sphinx® is preserved in libraries and archives across the country as a historical record of occurrences in the community. The Sphinx® is the nation’s second-oldest African-American publication still in existence.
The Sphinx® Magazine has one goal: to be the source of innovative ideas for members/readers to utilize to create, lead, and transform their communities. Since its inception in 1914, The Sphinx® has a proud tradition of being one of the world's preeminent fraternal magazines, publishing cutting-edge, authoritative thinking on key issues facing today's communities.
For over 90 years, The Sphinx® has directly influenced several generations with contributions and readership that include world renown activists, political leaders, entertainers, athletes, and businessmen. By using a positive and intellectual editorial focus, The Sphinx® has cultivated an honest, open relationship with our readers (specifically the African-American male) that no other fraternal publication can match. We cover the issues and feature prominent leaders. We applaud their achievements, share their concerns, and encourage their dreams.
By creating an editorial atmosphere that's conducive to receptiveness, believability, and brand identification, The Sphinx® has maintained its place as one of the indispensable mediums needed for reaching African-American men.
