Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Seven Founding Jewels

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.

	Henry Arthur Callis: Brother Callis has the distinction of being one of the founders of the first intercollegiate greek letter organizations for African-Americans. After graduation from Cornell, Brother Callis entered the field of medicine where he served as a physician at a government hospital.
	Charles Henry Chapman: As a founder and member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Charles Henry Chapman was known as an ardent worker in the fraternity's cause. After leaving Cornell, Brother Chapman entered into the field of education as a teacher
	Eugene Kinckle Jones: As a Jewel, Brother Jones was present when the decision to form a fraternity was made on Tuesday, December 4, 1906, Brother Jones was named a Jewel for his dedication to the causes of Alpha. He held the office of President of Alpha Chapter as well as maker of the Beta, Gamma, and Delta chapters. After finishing school, Eugene Kinckle Jones served as the Executive Secretary of the National Urban League for many years.
	George Biddle Kelley: Jewel Kelley has often been recognized as a driving force in the development of Alpha Phi Alpha. Brother Kelly was also the first president of Alpha Chapter. After leaving Cornell, George Biddle Kelly became a civil engineer in the service of the state of New York.
	Nathaniel Allison Murray: Jewel Murray was a leader in the organization of the fraternity. He was very involved in development of the first constitution of the fraternity. Brother Murray got his degree from Cornell as well as completing graduate work there. At the end of his college career, Nathaniel Allison Murray entered the field of education as a teacher in Washington,DC.
	Robert Harold Ogle: Jewel Brother Ogle was the first secretary of Alpha chapter. After leaving Cornell, Brother Ogle entered into the secretarial field where he had the unique privilege of being attached to the office of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. Senate.
	Vertner Woodson Tandy: Brother Tandy was instumental in the way Alpha is displayed today. After his college days were over, Brother Tandy became a registered architect in New York City. Vertner Woodson Tandy also has the distinction of being the first Black man to receive a commision in the New York National Guard.