"We must fight until hell freezes over, and
then fight on the ice."
- Jewel Brother Vertner W. Tandy-
The
founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
were no ordinary achievers. Given the racial attitudes in 1906, their
accomplishments were monumental. In coming together, the Jewels
set outstanding examples of scholarship, leadership and success, preceding
the efforts even of the NAACP and similar civil rights organizations.
Henry
A. Callis became a practicing physician, and a Howard
University Professor of Medicine. Prior to moving to Washington,
he was a medical consultant to the Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, AL.
He was the only one of the 'Cornell Seven' to become General President.
He passed into Omega Chapter in 1974, at the age of 87.
Charles
H. Chapman became a Professor of Agriculture at what
is now Florida A&M University. Jewel Chapman was the founder
of FAMU's Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization of Alpha Chapter, he
was the first chairman of the Committee on Initiation and Organization.
Eugene
K. Jones became the first Executive Secretary of the
National Urban League. A versatile leader, he organized the first three
Fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell - Beta at Howard, Gamma
at Virginia Union, and the original Gamma at the University of Toronto
in Canada. Jewel Jones has the distinction of being one of the first initiates
as well as an original founder.
George
B. Kelley became the first African American engineer
registered in the State of New York. Jewel Kelley served as the first
president of Alpha Chapter. In addition, Jewel Kelley worked on the committees
that developed the Fraternity handshake and ritual.
Nathaniel
A. Murray returned to his home in Washington, D.C.,
where he taught in the public schools, mainly at Armstrong Vocational High
School. He was a charter member of Mu Lambda Chapter.
Robert
H. Ogle entered the secretarial
field and had the privilege of serving as a professional staff member to
the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. Jewel Ogle proposed the Fraternity's
colors,and worked with Jewel Kelley on the first ritual.
Vertner
W. Tandy became the state of New York's first registered
African American architect, with offices on Broadway. The designer of the
Fraternity pin also holds the distinction of being the first African American
to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First
Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard.
Additional bio.'s
on the Jewels please click below
