Martin’s Fraternity – Day 1

Brother Dr. Martin Luther King joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated on June 22, 1952, at Boston University via Sigma Chapter. (Stanford University, 2017) Despite being a little older than the other students and a minister, Martin was comfortable being one of the guys. Some of his line brothers stated that Martin often provided comic relief to others in the brotherhood during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Brother Dr. King joined Alpha because he was aware of its rich history of trailblazers. He knew the fraternity could be an asset to him. Many of the brothers supported him during the Montgomery bus boycott. The brothers sat at his trial and donated money to the Montgomery Improvement Association on Martin’s behalf.

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha were also architects of the effort to build a permanent memorial to Dr. King on the National Mall. The memorial was dedicated on October 16, 2011, but took an effort of over  27 years from the initial idea conceived by the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Timeline, 2011)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on December 4, 1906, on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The initial members, whom we affectionately refer to as the Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha, include seven young men from various backgrounds. The initial members started the fraternity as a study group to assist in their efforts to complete their education and to build relationships with like-minded men. Each of these men went on to become pioneers in their fields and trailblazers in their own right after leaving Cornell.

The Seven Jewels include Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, George Biddle Kelley, Robert Harold Ogle, Vertner Woodson Tandy,  Nathaniel Allison Murray, and Eugene Kinckle Jones. I feel it appropriate to take a short look at the work of each of the founders following their college days at Cornell. These are the roots from which Martin grew and Rho Xi Lambda continues to thrive.

Rho Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in Canton, MS on October 7, 2004. We continue to work hard in the Canton to support our national programs. Go to High School, Go to College is just one of the programs we implement through our efforts in Canton High School and Nichols Middle School. We aim to encourage students not only to complete high school but go to complete college. (About Rho Xi Lambda – Rho Xi Lambda Alphas, 2019)

The best way to understand a branch is to look at its roots. You can see that from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s origin that our founders set out to be great servant leaders. Brother Dr. Martin Luther King exhibited those characteristics of Alpha through his fight for Civil and Silver Rights. The very founders of Alpha were all pioneers and were drum majors for justice in their way. We, the brothers of Rho Xi Lambda, continue to carry out the motto: “First of All, Servants of All. We shall Transcend All”.

Thank you so much for your patience in allowing me the opportunity to share with you the rich history of our fraternity. Hopefully examining the lives of our jewels, Dr. Martin Luther King’s membership, and the work that continues today, we can continue to honor Dr. King through our work in Canton and the other areas that Rho Xi Lambda serves.

1. References:

About Rho Xi Lambda – Rho Xi Lambda Alphas. (2019). http://www.rhoxilambdaalphas.org/aboutrxl/

Jewel Charles Henry Chapman. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-charles-henry-chapman/

Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-eugene-kinckle-jones/

Jewel George Biddle Kelley. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-george-biddle-kelley/

Jewel Henry Arthur Callis. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-henry-arthur-callis/

Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-nathaniel-allison-murray/

Jewel Robert Harold Ogle. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-robert-harold-ogle/

Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy. (2013, November 14). Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. https://www.alphaeast.com/history-of-alpha-phi-alpha/jewel-vertner-woodson-tandy/

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Timeline. (2011). The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/lifestyle/martin-luther-king-jr-memorial-timeline/

Stanford University, © Stanford. (2017, April 24). Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/alpha-phi-alpha-fraternity