Discover Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first Greek-letter fraternity for African-Americans was founded in New York State at Cornell University in 1906 by seven African-American male students. Three of these students were from upstate New York, one from Binghamton, another from Cayuga County, and the third from Troy to be specific. Two of the four out-of-state students were from Washington, D.C., one from Lexington, Kentucky, and one from Lynchburg, Virginia. Alpha Phi Alpha was incorporated in New York in 1908. 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. The founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. were no ordinary achievers. Given racial attitudes in 1906, their accomplishments were monumental. As founder Henry Arthur Callis euphemistically stated—because the half-dozen African American students at Cornell University during the school year 1904-05 did not return to campus the following year, the incoming students in 1905-06, in founding Alpha Phi Alpha, were determined to bind themselves together to ensure that each would survive in the racially hostile environment. In coming together with this simple act, they preceded by decades the emergence of such on-campus programs as affirmative action, upward bound and remedial assistance. The students set outstanding examples of scholarship, leadership and success—preceding the efforts even of the NAACP and similar civil rights organizations. Eta Chi Lambda chapter and our nonprofit foundation, the Eta Chi Lambda Community Service Fund, Inc., are proud to continue the tradition of excellence along the trail blazed by our founders, the "Jewels". Go-to-High School Go-to-College Alpha Phi Alpha, Eta Chi Lambda's flagship program each year is the fraternity's Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program which has served as a guiding force in the academic pursuits of African-American youths. Since the chapter's inception more than 45 years ago, more than one hundred youngsters in Rockland County have become more self-confident and gained academic skills and scholarships through our efforts. With those tools, they have gone on to become successful college-educated adults. Today, because more African-American men between the ages of 18 and 25 are in the penal system than on college campuses, it is even more critical that mentorship and leadership by Alpha Phi Alpha continues-with the mission of putting our young men on the right track and keeping them there! This year, the brothers of Eta Chi Lambda rededicate themselves to mentorship, education, and providing scholarships to young men. Promote Community Development In addition, feel free to visit our site often to learn of the community development activities the Chapter shall be conducting and support programs alongside Alpha Men dedicated to our aims of "Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind". Visit the Alpha Programs page to make a contribution or obtain information about an event.