Why Did You Become an Alpha?

[enlightenment06]

hey everyone, I'm sure this has been done before but I did a search and I couldn't find it. since this is a season of anniversaries for a few of our fellow NPHC brothas and sistas I thought it would be a good time to reflect on why we became Alphas.

I joined the ice cold fold of the black and old gold because I didn't have a lot of positive male role models growing up and I wanted to surround myself with a network of positive black men. I also wanted another avenue through which to uplift the black community.

[Professor]

One consideration for me is traditionally men of Alpha are known to be accomplished in their local communities, at state and national levels. I wanted to be in the company of men that are change agents - doers and trendsetters.

[Senusret I]

To be close to the AKA's, step, and collect Egyptian paraphernalia.

But no, really:

*To be able to transform the African American community with philosophically like-minded men.

*To enjoy intergenerational Brotherhood with men I might not ordinarily be close to or even meet. It's surprising how much one might have in common with someone who is so different from you.

[TonyB06]

Why I pledged Alpha .....

Legacy. Where there was none, the 7 Sons of Cornell, through hardwork, fortitude and God-blessed courage, blazed a trail for all others to follow. That level of tenacity always attracted me.

Heart. Beyond the bonding, the endurance and challenge, and ultimate enlightenment of pledging, Alpha showed me, at least in part, the heart/commitment that already existed within me.

Brotherhood Leadership. In community after community, org. after org., history book after history book, you will find the God-inspired legacy of Alpha Phi Alpha.

The future. Whatever the peril and challenge of future moments, I have no doubt that Alpha Phi Alpha will be in the forefront of finding solutions. Always have, always will.

I thank God that I stand among the ranks of the greatest assembledge of fraternity men to walk this earth -- Alpha Phi Alpha.


...that's why I pledged Alpha.

[btb87]

Tony B,

You're usually always making me laugh, but this nearly made me cry. It really tugged at the heartstrings.

If I were a young man not knowing which way to go, I would definitely "look toward the light. . ."

[sphinxpoet]

Growing up I was an only child

I never had the opportunity to experience Brotherhood or sisterhood. I saw what the other fraternities offered and I did not like what I saw in terms of where I would fit in. And then I met an AKA. She said "You know you would be an good member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated" I brushed it off thinking it was another party organization.

But then for some reason I was drawn back and then I did my research. I learned that any organization that believes in service first and transcending all was the one for me.

I noticed that the brotherhood was built on shared experiences and a common need to change the world.

To Transcend all........

I pledged and never looked back. I would love to thank that soror for that but I have never met her again!

Sphinxpoet

[blackwatch06]

Honestly, I think because of the impact that the Alphas that I knew in High school and the fascination I had with the image of Black pride that I saw in Alpha that I did not see (at least on the outside) in other fraternities. In grew up in Memphis, which is Kappa Alpha Psi country (I will admit that, for reasons that just makes Memphis "Memphis", the Kappas just seem to have appeal there. You have to be from Memphis to really understand). Kappas were flashier and highly visible in my High school with the Kappa League and things. I just thought they were all style, no substance when it came to issue of community uplift and black empowerment. (Keep in mind that I was a 15 year old impressionable high school student, not adept in ways of seeing things too much below the surface). At the time, I also admired the fact that while other frats had playboy bunnies and dogs blazened on there nalia', Alphas had the sphinx and King Tut on theirs. I thought that was definately a statement about allegiance to the "black cause" (I considered myself a 'militant' in those days ). It just goes to show how important symbols and image are in creating perceptions in the minds of young people.

The Alpha men in our community, though plentiful, were less high profile, and more about the grunt work. I was a part of the Alpha Leadership academy my senior year where for 4 straight weekends, (both girls and boys) were drilled in professional development, resume' building, study habits, public speaking, and a variety of other things. As I went on to college, I grew to appreciate the legacy of uplift and commnity that Alpha is predicated on, and I appreciate the way that they went about doing their uplift thang. I am also a very staunch admirer of Dr. King. When I learned that he was a brother, I was ready to take that step!!!!!!

Blackwatch!!!!!!

[Senam06]

The reason's I joined Alpha. I joined because I didn't see brotherhood in the other Fraternities as I see it hear with Alpha and the history of Alpha is so vast. Also as I looked at the other Fraternities I noticed that I couldn't call any of the ones I met brother.