The History of Alpha Phi Alpha Since Its Founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
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W E L C O M E The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Pi Beta Chapter, would like to welcome you to our 30th Annual Cabaret Night. Cabaret is a celebration of Black & Latinx Heritage. It is a time for the African-American and Latinx community to reminisce on our history. It is also a time to celebrate the numerous contributions that we have made to the development of this country. It is the struggle of our past that dictates our strength tomorrow. Cabaret provides one with the opportunity to express education- al, social and cultural development. Most of the knowledge concerning our history is expressed through poetry readings, historical data given in speeches, skits, and various other educational performances. The involvement of students in Cabaret, either by performing or attending the show, has enabled the brothers of Pi Beta Chapter to join the campus together in one big celebration. The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., have a sincere dedication to service for their community. In keeping with these ideals, the proceeds of this yearʼs Cabaret will go to a local organization whose mission is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-re- liance, parity, power and civil rights. Using the journal, we hope to ensure that the spirit of the Cabaret may perpetuate. The House of Good Work In loving memory of Mrs. Bernice Morgan Special Dedication to our brothers in the Omega Chapter #2 . Danny Jones #2. Michael D. Hunt PRESIDENT’S WELCOME On behalf of the brotherʼs of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Pi Beta Chapter, it is with great honor that I welcome everyone to our 30th annual Caba- ret. First and formeost, I would like to give thanks and recognition to the Lord for his inordinate love and compassion for giving us life and health. Futhermore, because we stand on the shoulders of giants, I thank the Alumni and Brothers at large. With their amaranthine legacy and unfailing support for the brothers on the yard. Special shout out to my dean, Kyle Jackson, Fall ʼ99. Finally, I would like to thank the people that made this show possible, including the performers, our speaker, our decorations committee, Ms. Black and Gold contestants and every- one else who invested their time and effort into making this night a success. Cabaret is a night where the campus community can come together in unanimity to show unity and pride in our heritage. This vision of communal accord has been sought out and achieved by the charter members of our beloved Pi Beta Chapter. For over 30 years, this campus has been a prime archetype that people of Black and Latinx heritage, as well as others for that matter can come and unite in a night of elegance and sophistication. The theme for this yearʼs Cabaret is “Harlem Renaissance: The twilight of Harlem” A grandstand of the explosion of Black culture in the purview of poetry, music, dance, art, socio-political movements, etc---- this is a celebration of the Vibrant “Negro Movement”. Our rich history is worth cherishing and reminiscing, thus we must strive to monumentalize the roots of our people as we become leaders of tomorrow. Your attendance and presence is intently appreciated. Letʼs savor and celebrate our rich cultural history. Nana K. Mprah President Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Pi Beta Chapter The History of Alpha Phi Alpha 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. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, 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 visionary founders, known as the “jewels” of the Fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinkel Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murry, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy. The Fraternity initially served as a 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 the firm foun- dation for Alpha Phi Alphaʼs principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were established at other colleges and universities, many of them historically black institutions, soon after the founding at Cornell. The first Alumni Chapter was established in 1911. While continuing to stress academic excel- lence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educa- tional, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African-Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African American communityʼs fight for Civil rights through leaders such as: W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gary, Paul Robeson, and many others. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interacial since 1945. The History of Pi Beta Chapter On January 31, 1981, the Binghamton area graduate chapter (Iota Theta Lambda) crossed two State University of New York at Binghamton Students, Carl Williams and Anthony Kendall. Two years later, these men along with nine others chattered the first Black Greek lettered organization at SUNY Binghamton, to be known as Pi Beta Chapter. Eight years after this charter, Pi Beta Chapter crossed three State University of New York at Oneonta, King Gonzalez, Bobby Jackson, and Patrick McGlashan, thus making Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. the First Black Greek lettered organization once again; this time at SUNY Oneonta. Sine 1981, ninety men have had the great honor of being initiated into Pi Beta Chapter. These ninety men collectively have had numerous positions of influence at Binghamton and Oneonta. Brothers were instrumental in the founding of several organization at SUNY Binghamton including the Students of Color Support Center (Bro. Jeffrey Terry), the Haitian Student Association (Bro. Frantz Gaston), the Bert Mitchell Minority Manage- ment Organization (Bro. Anthony Kendall), the original Black Greek Council, and the local chapter of the Nation Society of Black Engineers (Bros. Frantz Gaston and Clint Bynoe). Brothers have served as the presidents of SCSC, the Latin American Student Union, African Student Organization, HASA, NSBE, NABA, BMMO, Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society, the Caribbean Student Association and SUNY Oneontaʼs TWA. Brothers have worked within the office of Residential Life as Resident Assistants and Resident Directors. Brothers have worked within the Student Association as President, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Brothers have chaired Harpur College Council, served on the Faculty senate and served as Student Advocates. Brothers have chaired the State University of New Yorkʼs People of Color Caucus, and served on the Student Senate and the Student Activities Council. Brothers have been the Recipients of numerous academic, communi- ty service and scholarship awards, several brothers have participated in comprehen- sive internship programs. Every year, Pi Beta chapter participates in the March of Dimes Walk America, CHOW Hunger Walk, WIGC Clothing Drive, and the urban League clothing and Food Drive. We have raised money for Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Mother Hale Foun- dation, United Negro College Fund, March of Dimes and the Urban League. Pi Beta brothers have graduated and accepted positions in firms such as IBM, Kodak, JP Morgan, Irving Trust, Arthur Anderson, Bear Stearns, New York Life, Equitable Life Insurance, Prudential Bach Securities, Cooper-Lybrant, Target Cop., Burson- Marsteller & Mitchell/Titus Accounting Firm. Several brothers are now layers, doctors, certified public accountants, computer analyst, and business executives. HOUSE OF ALPHA By Bro. Sidney P. Brown GOODWILL is the monarch of this house Men, unacquainted, enter, shake hands, exchange greetings, and depart friends. Cordiality exists among all who abide within. I am the eminent expression of friendship. Character and temperament change under my dominant power. Lives, once touched by me become tuned, and are thereafter, amiable, kindly, fraternal. I inspire the musician to play noble sentiments, and assist the chemist to convert ungenerous personalities into individuals of great worth. I destroy all ignoble impulses. I constantly invoke principles which make for common brotherhood, and the echo resounds in all communities, and princely men are thereby recognized. Education, health, music, encouragement, sympathy, laughter: All these are species of interest given of self-invested capital. Tired moments find me a delightful treat, Hours of sorrow a shrine of understanding, At all times I am faithful to the creed of companionship. To a few I am the Castle of Dreams, Ambitious, successful, hopeful dreams. To many, I am the Poetic Palace where human feeling is rhymed to celestial motives. To the great majority, I am the Treasury of Good Fellowship. In fact, I am the College of Friendship; The University of Brotherly Love; The School for the Better Making of Men. I AM ALPHA PHI ALPHA! U N G L e j J A M t t h h e e h h o o u u s s e e o o f f g g o o o o d d w w o o r r k k 05.04.19 Henry A. Callis - Charles H. Chapman - Eugene K. Jones - George B. Kelley - Nathaniel A. Murray - Vertner W. Tandy - Robert H. Ogle Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternoty, Inc. Pi Beta Lineage II Succeed Kwamira Ashanti Dawakuli Imani Jan 31, 1981 April 18, 1985 April 23, 1990 1. Carl Williams 1. Carl Jenkins 1. Darien K. Wright 2. Anthony Kendall 2.