Statement of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on the Unjust and Discriminatory Texas Redistricting Proposal
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
July 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on the Unjust and Discriminatory Texas Redistricting Proposal
Washington D.C.- The General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity released the following statement in response to redistricting efforts in Texas that would intentionally gerrymander the state and weaken voting populations of color:
“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity condemns in the strongest terms the unjust and undemocratic redistricting proposal currently under consideration in the state of Texas,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Brother Lucien J. Metellus, Jr.“ This blatant power grab by Republican lawmakers threatens to disenfranchise millions of Black and Latino voters, undermining the principle of fair and equal representation that is the bedrock of American democracy. The proposed congressional map is nothing more than a modern-day form of voter suppression — strategically drawn to dilute the political power of communities of color across the state. Through the use of racial and partisan gerrymandering, Republican legislators are manipulating district lines to maintain control, silence dissenting voices, and cement minority rule. This is not governance; it is an abuse of power.”
“For over a century, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has stood on the front lines of the struggle for civil rights and justice, said Brother Roy Tatem, Alpha Phi Alpha General Chairman of Political and Civic Engagement Committee. “From the courtrooms of Thurgood Marshall to the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., our legacy is one of resistance, advocacy, and action. We will not remain silent as the fundamental rights of Black and Latino Texans are threatened. Our committee has outlined the immediate action steps below.”
We Call for Immediate Action:
1. Mobilize the Brotherhood and Communities:
2. Demand Accountability:
3. Partner with Civil Rights Organizations:
4. Elevate the Issue Nationally:
5. Prepare for the Ballot Box:
This is not just about Texas, this is about the future of democracy in America. If unchecked, this redistricting scheme sets a dangerous precedent for other states to follow.
Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to fight with vigilance and vision until all voices are heard, and all votes are counted equally. We urge every Alpha man and every defender of justice to stand up, speak out, and organize.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. SHOWCASES SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAND ADVOCACY DURING 98TH GENERAL CONVENITON I 119TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. SHOWCASES SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY DURING 98TH GENERAL CONVENITON I 119TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Fraternity Donates $50,000 To Education Non-Profit and $25,000 To Sneaker and Clothing Relief Charity; Awards 35 Scholarships, Recognizes Educators of the Year and Endorses Brother Congressman Al Green’s Resolution On Slavery Remembrance
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. donated $50,000 to Philadelphia Academies, Inc. – a local non-profit initially founded in 1969 to combat Philadelphia’s dropout crisis whose programming prepares students for both college and careers as well as presented 35 scholarships to its College Brothers during its 98thGeneral Convention I 119th Anniversary Convention, “Reimagining Alpha for the Future” from July 16 - July 20 in Philadelphia, PA.
The local non-profit, which pioneered the Career Academy Model now adopted by over 8,000 schools nationwide, continues its mission with its Middle School Programming, Workforce Development Initiatives, and the 9th Grade Success Network, equipping students, particularly Black and Brown youth, with the training, credentials, and mentorship needed to access life-sustaining careers.
“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s commitment and support of education and academic excellence, particularly for the communities we serve, is consistent and undeniable,” said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Brother Lucien J. Metellus, Jr. “The Fraternity support of these initiatives remains true to our origins as a ‘social study club’ assembled to address the crisis of Black students struggling to remain at Cornell University in the early 1900s, our Fraternal emphasis on scholarship and academic excellence as well as our first General Program, ‘Go-To-High-School, Go-To-College.’”
The Fraternity also awarded 35 College Brother Scholarships as well as on Wednesday, during the Fraternity’s public program, Advocacy in Education: Empowering Black Men for College and Beyond, the Alpha Community Education Initiative, in conjunction with the Fraternity recognized the Nathanial A. Murray Educator of the Year Awards to both Ms. Kristyn Andrea Waters and Ms. Tamarra Henry.
In addition, the Fraternity donated more than $25,000 to Soles 4 Souls, a sneaker and clothing relief charity partnering with our chapters in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Fraternity raised the money through its ‘Suits & Sneakers’ convention promotion, which allowed contributors of $19.06 or more to wear sneakers during its Saturday convention business sessions.
Through the Fraternity’s advocacy, it has also endorsed and supports Alpha Brother Congressman Al Green’s resolution on Slavery Remembrance and Freedom – The Conscience Agenda, which expands Slavery Remembrance Day – August 20, awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the American enslaved (similar to Congress honor of Confederate soldiers in 1956), investigates the extent of financial companies’ historical connections to slavery and to facilitate atonement from those companies, establishes a cabinet level department tasked with creating a national comprehensive strategy to eliminate racism an invidious discrimination, removes the name of Richard B. Russell, “a racist and self-proclaimed white supremacist” from the Russell Senate Office building and recognizes the late former Texas State Representative, Alpha Brother, Al Edwards as the father of Juneteenth.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. MOURNING DEATH OF THE LATE HONORABLE, FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN, BROTHER CHARLES B. RANGEL
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Friday, May 26, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. MOURNING DEATH OF THE LATE HONORABLE, FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN, BROTHER CHARLES B. RANGEL
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. mourns the death today of the late Honorable, former U.S. Congressman, Brother Charles B. Rangel, who was the last living founding member of ‘The Gang of Four’political coalition and a 2019 Alpha Award of Merit recipient. He was 94.
The late Brother Congressman Rangel, who was a Fall 1964 Alpha Gamma Lambda initiate and Life Member of the Fraternity, was a towering figure in the U.S. politics, who served 46 years in the U.S. Congress and had become the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in 2007.
Brother Rangel, a Harlem native affectionately known as the ‘Lion of Lenox Avenue,’ was a decorated Korean War veteran, who earned degrees from New York University and St. John’s University School of Law. He was elected in 1971 after defeating the renowned Brother Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. for what is now New York’s 13th Congressional District., serving from 1971 to 2017. Brother Rangel was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
A champion for justice and opportunity, he “fought tirelessly for affordable housing, urban revitalization, fair tax policies, and equal opportunities for all Americans,” according to a family statement.
The Fraternity offers its sincerest condolences to his family, friends, his former constituents, and all who admired our legendary Alpha Brother.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. DEMANDING THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALPHA BROTHER AND NEWARK, N.J. MAYOR RAS BARAKA FROM ICE DETENTION FACILITY
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Friday, May 9, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. DEMANDING THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALPHA BROTHER AND NEWARK, N.J. MAYOR RAS BARAKA FROM ICE DETENTION FACILITY
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. demands the immediate release of Alpha Brother and Newark, N.J. Mayor Ras Baraka from ICE custody after being accused of allegedly trespassing at an ICE Facility, where he was conducting an oversight visit.
The Fraternity defends the right of Brother Mayor Baraka to protect his city and advocate on behalf of his constituents, especially when the city is currently suing for more inspections when detainees may behoused in poor and overcrowded conditions.
According to reports, the facility can only house 1,000 people and hehas already stated that issues there go beyond the lack of safety inspections and proper permits.
Alpha Phi Alpha sees Brother Mayor Baraka’s detention as retaliatory and part of a larger agenda to silence dissent, thwart oversight, and further disenfranchise those from marginalized communities as well as those who may advocate on their behalf.
We wholeheartedly stand with Brother Mayor Baraka.
Be clear, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and its Brotherhood has long stood at the forefront for the advancement and equal protections of African Americans and people of color in the public sector, and that is unwavering.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The Council of Presidents National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.® Joint Statement Opposing Censorship of American History at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Donna Jones Anderson
NPHC National President
National Council of Presidents
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Lucien J. Metellus, Jr.
General President
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Danette Anthony Reed
International President and CEO
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Jimmy McMikle
Grand Polemarch
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Ricky Lawrence Lewis
Grand Basileus
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Elsie Cooke-Holmes
International President, Chair, National Board of Directors
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Hon. Chris V. Rey, JD, Chair
International President
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Stacie N. C. Grant, Vice Chair
International President
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Marica T. Harris
International Grand Basileus
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Sean D. Housen, Sr., Ed. D
International Grand Polaris
Phone
844-267-4247
Web
info@nphchq.com
nphchq.com
Headquarters
3951 Snapfinger Parkway
Suite 565
Decatur, GA 30035
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 5821
Philadelphia, PA 19128The Council of Presidents
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.®
Joint Statement Opposing Censorship of American History at the
National Museum of African American History and Culture
April 9, 2025
For Immediate Release
The Council of Presidents of the National Pan Hellenic Council® (NPHC®), representing the nine historically Black Greek-lettered Organizations and more than 2.5 million members worldwide, strongly opposes any attempt to censor, distort, or dismantle the
telling of America’s full and inclusive history. Efforts to withhold funding from the Smithsonian complex, especially the National Museum of African American History and Culture, threaten not only a vital educational resource but also the very integrity of our national narrative.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture serves as a cornerstone in the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture. This history is American history. From slavery to civil rights to the cultural innovations that continue to shape the world, the museum ensures these stories are not forgotten, denied, or politicized.
NPHC® also commends the outstanding leadership of Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III. As the founding director of the museum and the first African American Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Secretary Bunch has championed the power of historical truth to unite, educate, and heal. His dedication to scholarship, accessibility, and equity has elevated the Smithsonian mission and broadened its relevance to all Americans.
The NPHC® was founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, DC. The purpose of the NPHC® is to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. Thus, NPHC® promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC®, which collaboratively work together across the United States and provides leadership training for its constituents. We believe that knowledge uplifts communities, empowers individuals, and strengthens democracy. Secretary Bunch continues in that tradition and reminds us that museums are not merely repositories of the past. They are tools for building a better future. The NPHC® calls on policymakers, educators, and citizens across the country to reject false narratives that seek to divide us. We must support institutions that honor our collective past and protect our shared future. The National Museum of African American
History and Culture plays a vital role in that mission, and we will continue to advocate for its preservation and advancement.
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The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated® (NPHC®) is currently composed of nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.®, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. For more information, visit www.nphchq.com.
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. CONDEMNING PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Thursday, March 20, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. CONDEMNING PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP’S EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. condemns President Donald J. Trump’s executive order today that aims to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and stands against any other efforts to gut the agency from within. We strongly urge all state attorney generals to join the fight to block the effort.
The Fraternity sees this effort as part of a larger agenda to eliminate educational opportunities for marginalized and underserved students, particularly those who are poor, racially marginalized, and living with disabilities, as well as to dramatically decrease those able to afford and pursue a college education and prevent the enforcement of civil rights and educational equity.
As the world’s first and leading intercollegiate Fraternity founded by African American men, this attack is the antithesis to why our illustrious Fraternity was conceived and founded, as well as in direct opposition to what we as men of Alpha represent.
Currently, we are also asking all Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter Presidents to contact their U.S. Congressmen and Senators, expressing the Fraternity’s position as well as confirming where each elected official stands on this matter. The Fraternity will be producing a list of the stances of all US Congressional officials as part of ourVoteless People is a Hopeless People initiative.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and its Brotherhood has long stood at the forefront for the advancement and equal protections of African Americans and people of color in the public sector, and that is unwavering.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. ON BROTHER REP. AL GREEN’S ACTIONS AT THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. ON BROTHER REP. AL GREEN’S ACTIONS AT THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. applauds Alpha Brother Rep. Al Green’s courage and conviction to take a stand against President Donald J. Trump’s barrage of recent harmful and discriminatory policies during the President’s address to a joint session of Congress last night despite facing ejection.
As Alpha men, among them Brothers Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Paul Robeson, Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., and famed Civil Rights litigator and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, we are no strangers to the fight for civil rights and the power of civil disobedience.
Brother Green, a 1968 Beta Nu Chapter initiate at Florida A&M University, who has represented Texas in Congress for 20 years, stood in the aisle and declared that the President had “no mandate” to cut Medicaid before Speaker Mike Johnson ordered him removed. Brother Green is a veteran civil rights advocate who fights for the poor and disenfranchised.
With President Trump’s recent executive orders attacking Birthright Citizenship, eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, calls to eliminate the Department of Education, and his recent firing of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Four-Star General Brother Charles Q. Brown, the Fraternity, as well refuses to stand idly by as efforts to roll back historic civil rights and social justice advancements are taking place.
Two weeks ago, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Brother Lucien J. Metellus, Jr. issued ‘a Call to Action’ to Alpha Brothers and all chapters to counter the attacks on DEI and defend the Department of Education by utilizing various strategies, including meeting with their congressional representatives and senators. In addition, the Fraternity, in a statement, also condemned the firing of General Brother Brown.
As the world’s first and leading intercollegiate Fraternity founded by African American men, the Fraternity and its Brotherhood has long stood at the forefront for the advancement and equal protections of African Americans and people of color in the public sector, and that is unwavering.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. CONDEMNING FIRING OF CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF BROTHER GENERAL CHARLES Q. BROWN, JR. AND PRAISING HIS LEADERSHIP AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RECORD
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Saturday, February 22, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. CONDEMNING FIRING OF CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF BROTHER GENERAL CHARLES Q. BROWN, JR. AND PRAISING HIS LEADERSHIP AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RECORD
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. condemns President Donald Trump’s firing of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force General, Brother Charles Q. Brown, Jr. and praises Brown’s leadership and distinguished service record.
The Fraternity sees his dismissal as part of a larger agenda to demonize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), remove highly qualified African Americans and people of color from positions of power and influence as well as effectively eliminate and ‘whitewash’ all public aspects of the country from national observances, educational access and curriculum as well as citizenry.
Brother General Brown, a 1981 Eta Upsilon Chapter initiate at Texas Tech University, who was the second African American in history to serve in the role and the first to lead a branch of the military as Air Force chief before President Joe Biden nominated him as chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2023, is a decorated former combat pilot and national security expert.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. recognizes Brother General Brown’s more than 40 years of honorable and distinguished service, his commitment to attracting more Americans with diverse backgrounds to the military as well as his not remaining silent on race when the nation grappled with the police killing of George Floyd.
As the world’s first and leading intercollegiate Fraternity founded by African American men, the Fraternity and its Brotherhood has long stood at the forefront for the advancement and equal protections of African Americans and people of color in the public sector, and that is unwavering.
Brother General Brown’s dismissal stands as a loss to our nation, and to our history.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Statement of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Denouncing False and Harmful Allegations Against Haitian Migrants
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Friday, September 13, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Denouncing False and Harmful Allegations Against Haitian Migrants
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strongly condemns the U.S. Republican Presidential nominee’s recent false and derogatory allegations that Haitian migrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
His false statements during the U.S. Presidential debate and prior continue to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and racist tropes about Haitians and other migrant communities that are intended to stoke fear, divisiveness, hatred, and possibly violence at their expense.
This is particularly offensive for us since our General President-elect Brother Lucien J. Metellus, Jr., and several Fraternity members living in the United States are of Haitian descent as well and we have a chapter, Tau Beta Lambda Chapter, seated in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the world’s first and leading intercollegiate Fraternity founded by African American men, has long stood at the forefront for the advancement and equal protection of African Americans and people of color in the public sector, and that is unwavering.
We stand in solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters who are seeking a better life in the United States. Members of Tau Beta Lambda living in the U.S. are committed to providing support and resources to Haitian migrants, including assistance with integration, language barriers, and access to essential services.
We call on all people of goodwill to reject such divisive rhetoric.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Statement of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, on the Death of Sybil Morial, the widow of the late 23rd General President and Former Mayor of New Orleans, Brother Ernest “Dutch” Morial
Eric Christopher Webb, DDiv., CPLC
Director of Communications
/Editor of The Sphinx
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ewebb@apa1906.net
Cell: 443-635-5911
Thursday, September 5, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III, on the Death of Sybil Morial, the widow of the late 23rd General President and Former Mayor of New Orleans, Brother Ernest “Dutch” Morial
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of former First Lady of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and City of New Orleans, Mrs. Sybil Morial. She was 91.
Mrs. Morial was the widow of the late Brother Ernest “Dutch” Morial, 23rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the first Black Mayor of New Orleans. She is also the mother of Urban League, Inc. President and CEO Brother Marc Morial and Brother Jacques Morial, a political consultant.
A civil rights activist, in her own right, Mrs. Morial was also an educator, former associate dean at Xavier University for 28 years, and was the author of her memoir, “Witness to Change: From Jim Crow to Empowerment.”
The Fraternity offers its deepest condolences to both Brother Marc and Jacques Morial as well as to the entire Morial family. We hope they find solace in that we mourn with them, and they are not alone.
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About Alpha Phi Alpha
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and is headquartered in Baltimore, MD. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; late former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell; late former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; legendary activist, actor and performer, Paul Robeson, former Ambassador Andrew Young; late former Senator Edward Brooke; scholar, Cornel West; Senator Raphael Warnock; Congressman Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; six other members of the U.S. Congress, numerous state, and local lawmakers across the United States, as well as President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, and other parts of North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.