ABOUT
MISSION STATEMENT
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.
FRATERNITY HISTORY
Founded
Alpha Phi Alpha™, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded on December 4, 1906™ at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country.
Jewels
The seven visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy.
Henry Arthur Callis
1887-1974
Callis became a practicing physician, Howard University Professor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals.
Often regarded as the “philosopher of the founders” and a moving force in the Fraternity’s development, he was the only one of the “Cornell Seven” to become general president. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was a medical consultant to the Veterans Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama.
Upon his death in 1974, at age 87, the fraternity entered a time without any living Jewels. His papers were donated to Howard’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
CHAPTER HISTORY
Founded
OMICRON XI LAMBDA CHAPTER HISTORY – On August 7, 1986, seven gentlemen joined together and founded the Omicron Xi Lambda Chapter holding the chapter seat of Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri.
The chartering members are:
Allen Ray Best
Beta Lambda
3/21/86
Reginald Bridges
Omicron Xi Lambda
8/7/86
Vincent R. Dumas
Xi Beta
5/1/80
Reginald Graham
Omicron Xi Lambda
8/7/86
James C. Johnson
Beta Lambda
3/21/86
Andre L. Lovett
Beta Lambda
3/21/86
Michael L. Taylor
Beta Lambda
3/21/86
Rechartered
In keeping with the rich traditions of our founding Jewels, the founders of the 624th house of Alpha worked diligently to enhance the visibility of Alpha Phi Alpha. Due to various circumstances brothers relocated or were stationed at other Air Force Bases throughout the United States and the chapter became inactive.
In 2000, Brother Dr. Lai-Monte L. Hunter, contacted the national office to inquire about his options for chartering an alumni chapter. Through his research, he found that the Omicron Xi Lambda Chapter was scheduled for de-chartering. After contacting several other fraternity members, the groundwork was laid to re- activate this chapter. Remaining steadfast, the brothers overcame several obstacles to address the concerns affiliated with re-activation and operating in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. On October 30, 2002, the Omicron Xi Lambda Chapter became an officially reclaimed chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The Dedicated Eight members given credit to the reactivation of the chapter are brothers:
Dr. Tyrone M. Bates Jr.
Rho Theta
Winter ’98
Kenneth G. Beene
Beta Lambda
Spring ’96
Rondale L. Dunn
Sigma Kappa
Fall ’97
Marlon L. Edwards
Sigma Kappa
Fall ’00
Dr. Lai-Monte L. Hunter
Sigma Kappa
Spring ’97
Lazell H. Williams
Sigma Kappa
Fall ’97
Louis F. Williams III
Sigma Kappa
Spring ’98
Dr. Jermaine A. Wilson
Sigma Kappa
Spring ’98
In 2005, various brothers of the thriving Omicron Xi Lambda chapter felt they could better serve the communities they lived in by having the chapter seat relocated closer to the Kansas City Metropolitan area, which is the community they had been serving since the chapter’s re-activation. The brothers obtained the necessary paperwork and completed the tasks required by the National Office for chapter seat relocation. During the January 2009 General Board meeting in Atlanta, GA, it was voted that Omicron Xi Lambda officially be seated in Grandview, MO.
Today, Omicron Xi Lambda plays an active role throughout the greater Kansas City Metropolitan area through various community outreach programs and mentoring events. Omicron Xi Lambda works closely with the local college chapters to provide support and mentoring to the college brothers that makeup the respective chapters. In addition, Omicron Xi Lambda continues to strive to meet and exceed its high standards of excellence as it makes its name known amongst the local alumni Greek community. As we continue to work together to strengthen our bond of brotherhood, our ability to uphold the high standards of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will forever be visible.
Omicron Xi Lambda is part of the Area 3 of the Missouri District of the Midwest Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Area 3 consists of the following chapters: Beta Lambda, Delta Rho, Omicron Xi Lambda, Zeta Gamma, Rho Theta, Sigma Theta and Sigma Kappa.