Sons of Eta

Fraternity & Chapter History

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.
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The Founding of ΑΦΑ

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established by Men of African Descent, 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
  • Vertner Woodson Tandy
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The Chartering of Eta

Eta "The Jewel" Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded June 5, 1909 on the campus of Columbia University by:

  • Reverend Shelton Hale Bishop
  • George F. Clayton
  • Clayton Thomas Archibald French, Esq.
  • Henry Walter Hammond, Esq.
  • John Dalton Jones
  • George William Arway Scott
  • and Ralph Howard Young, MD.

The chapter is seated at the campuses of Columbia University, The City College of New York, Hunter College, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Letter To Eta Chapter To the Columbia Organization,
Columbia University,
New York City.

Because of the necessity of immediate action and on account of the lack of communication from the President of the General Organization of Alpha Phi Alpha after due notice of said fraternity, do hereby appoint Brother Roscoe C. Giles, Treasurer of the General Organization and Brother Lemuel E. Graves, Secretary of Alpha Chapter as delegates to duly initiate your organization into the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as the Eta Chapter at Columbia University.

Henry A. Callis,
Vice-President, General Organization,
President, Alpha Chapter