Charter Members 1921
Joseph Chester Allen
Clarence Abram Burrell
Joseph Fredrick Starr Carter, MD
Chester Wellington Chinn, MD
Clinton Leroy Henry
Russell Adrian Lane
Samuel Byron Milton, MD
Howard Hughes Murphy
Louis Lorenzo Redding
Heber Edward Wharton III, MD
Jay Mayo Williams
Since Feb. 2, 1921 the Brothers in Providence, Rhode Island have strived to maintain the following.
FRATERNITY MISSION STATEMENT:
The objectives of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are to stimulate the ambition of its members to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status.
In 1921:
- According to the NAACP, 59 African Americans were lynched.
- Bro. Alex Haley, author of Roots was born.
- Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to become a licensed pilot (in France) and the first woman of any race to recieve an international pilots license.
- Harry Pace establishes Pace Phonograph Company to produce records on the Black Swan Label; it was the first black owned and operated record company.
- Georgiana Simpson (U Chicago), Sadie Turner Mossell Alexander (U Penn) and Eva Dykes (Radcliffe College) were the first Black women in US to receive PhDs.
Source: The Timetables of African American History by Sharon Harley
"...with our small band of ideal Alpha men, we hope to accomplish great things."
-C.L.Henry 1924, Historian
One outstanding example of Alpha Gamma History is Bro. Jay Saunders Redding. He was the biological brother of charter member Louis Lorenzo Redding. He made incredible contributions to education, the African American community and Brown University. His picture is prominently displayed in Sayles Hall.
Another memorable brother is Bro. Jospeh G. LeCount. He was a prominent member of the RI community for many years.
"The African American Fraternity on the College Campus: History and Evolution Alpha Phi Alpha at Brown University" by Bro. M. Rodney Robinson is our most recent document of Alpha Gamma History. The chapter is currently collecting information to update this document.
Feel free to contact Alpha Gamma chapter at:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. "Monster" Alpha Gamma Chapter
Brown University - Box 1167
Providence, RI 02912
Malcolm X stated "the examined life is painful". In 1996 Brothers took time out in order to improve upon our commitment to ourselves, other Brothers, our campuses, Providence, the nation and the world. The chapter passed along generational knowledge and gained insights into common obstacles and successes.
The First Annual Alpha Gamma Chapter Alumni & Undergraduate Retreat
June 15-16, 1996 ~ Howard University, Washington DC
The 2001 Alpha Gamma Reunion and 80th Anniversary
October 12-14 ~ Brown and Johnson & Wales Universities, Providence
