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Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. has proclaimed December 5, 2012 as “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day” in the Virgin Islands to recognize the great contributions of the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans on the 50th Anniversary of its Virgin Islands chapter, Theta Epsilon Lambda.
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. The fraternity was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among Americans of African heritage. The fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced educational, social and racial prejudice.
“With the Great Sphinx of Giza as its symbol, Alpha Phi Alpha dedicated itself to defend the rights and to promote the responsibilities of African Americans. Throughout its history, Alpha Phi Alpha has promoted knowledge and achievement,” de Jongh said.
Soon after its founding, Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were developed at other colleges and universities across the country; many of them historically black institutions. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, Alpha Phi Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African-Americans.
The Theta Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on December 5, 1962 on St. Thomas. This year it celebrates its 50th anniversary as the oldest intercollegiate Greek-letter organization in the Virgin Islands. The charter members of the chapter were Elmo A. Adams, Sr., Augustin A. Doward, Earl B. Finch, Sr., Albert H. George, Felix I. Lindo, Stuart B. Martin, David A. Portlock, Dr. C. Warren Smith, Lionel A. Todman and Dr. Charles W. Turnbull. Other locally prominent Alpha Men include Senator Elmo D. Roebuck, Sr., Gov. Roy L. Schneider, Judge Almeric Christian, and Judge Julio Brady.
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., Frederick Douglas, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Mayor Andrew Young, Dick Gregory, Paul Robeson, and many others.
The Fraternity’s national programs date back to 1919, when Alpha Phi Alpha introduced its Go-To-High school, Go- To-College campaign to increase the education level of the African American community and to increase the number of black students eligible for college enrollment. Alpha Phi Alpha later took the lead in the voting rights struggle for African Americans. In 1998, Congress authorized and the President approved Alpha Phi Alpha’ s request to build a memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of Alpha’s most distinguished members.
“During the past 50 years the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Theta Epsilon Lambda Chapter, have provided outstanding service and leadership to the people of the Virgin Islands, as well as to those of other communities in which they have lived. They have rendered noble service and dedicated leadership in the fields of law, medicine, scholarship, education, foreign service, business, government, human services, music, religion, military, history, and culture,” de Jongh said.
As the second decade of the 21st century begins, Alpha Phi Alpha, Theta Epsilon Lambda Chapter has rededicated itself to the mission of serving mankind through deeds, scholarship, leadership and love. The fraternity develops leaders and promotes brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our community. Their motto is:"First of All, Servants of All, We shall Transcend All.”
Governor de Jongh calls on all Virgin Islanders to join him in recognizing the tremendous contributions of Theta Epsilon Lambda to the Territory on the fraternity’s 50th anniversary, and to honor the groundbreaking history of Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s first African-American intercollegiate fraternity.