Type: Service-Social Fraternity
Council Affiliation: MGC
Cultural Affiliation: African American
Nickname: Alpha
Motto: First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All
Flower: Yellow Rose
Colors: Black & Old Gold
Mascot/Symbol: Great Sphinx of Giza
Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, 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 Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, 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 a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s 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 excellence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political and social injustices faced by African Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s 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 Gray, Paul Robeson and many others. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945.
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.
Meet the Chapter
The Tenacious Theta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on May 4, 1973, by seven men who then worked hard to change the culture on Millikin’s campus. Theta Omicron is the oldest Black Greek Letter organization on Millikin’s campus, and it continues to thrive almost 51 years later. Theta Omicron has won numerous awards, done outstanding work within the Decatur community, provided mentorship to youth and established connections that will last a lifetime. Theta Omicron has proven to be a chapter of leaders and successors and will continue to thrive to keep up with the standards of the Fraternities Aims.