“First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.”
That is the motto of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the oldest intercollegiate historically Black fraternity. Founded on this day (Dec. 4) in 1906, these men have lived their motto in various avenues, including government and social justice.
From the Great Depression through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, the men of A-Phi-A have been at the forefront of addressing issues that have impacted Americans, especially Black Americans. Following the path laid out by the visionaries before them, these men are prime examples of being outstanding in service.
Here is a look at some outstanding Alpha men who helped shape the American government.
First Black Supreme Court law clerk and former Secretary of Transportation, co-author of the brief in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Initiating Chapter: Psi (University of Pennsylvania)
4. Don Cravins Jr.
Former Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, former member of the Louisiana State Legislature
Initiating Chapter: Nu Psi (Louisiana State University)
5. Samuel Pierce
Former Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, first African American to serve on the Board of Directors of a Fortune 500 company
Initiating Chapter: Alpha (Cornell University)
6. Rep. Al Green
U.S. Representative for Texas’ 9th Congressional District, former Justice of the Peace of Harris County, TX
Initiating Chapter: Beta Nu (Florida A&M University)
7. William H. Gray III
Former U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District, House Majority Whip & House Democratic Whip
Initiating Chapter: Rho (Temple University)
8. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott
U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District, dean of Virginia’s congressional delegation, and first Filipino American voting member of Congress.
Initiating Chapter: Sigma (Boston University & Harvard University)
9. Rev. Raphael Warnock
First African American Senator elected from Georgia, Senior Pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church
Initiating Chapter: Alpha Gamma Lambda (Harlem, NY Grad Chapter)
