Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate historically Black fraternity, is founded at Cornell University.
At a Glance
- Date
- 4 December 1906
- Location
- Ithaca, New York
- Key people
- Henry Arthur Callis, Eugene Kinckle Jones, the Seven Jewels
- Category
- Organizations & Institutions
- Source
- Alpha Phi Alpha founding records, December 4, 1906 · Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
What It Meant Then
It created a network of support and achievement for Black men in higher education.
What It Means Now
Alpha Phi Alpha endures as a Divine Nine organization whose members include many civil rights leaders.
Also on 4 December
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Founded.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alpha-phi-alpha-fraternity-founded/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Founded. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alpha-phi-alpha-fraternity-founded/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Founded.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alpha-phi-alpha-fraternity-founded/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.