A toast for the 100th!

[1906Square]

My Brothers

This year was a year like no other. This year we got to celebrate the 100th birthday of our beloved Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Countless Brothers have come before us who did not live long enough to see this day. Countless Brothers will come after us who also did not get to experience this moment. But we stand here at this time, at this moment and can say that we were here.

This past weekend, I attended the Centennial Conference and Founder's Day Celebration held by the New York Association of Chapters of Alpha. It was held on the campus of Cornell University. Among the weekend's many activities we visitied St. James AME Zion Church where our Jewels held their first formal program. While 411 East State Street no longer exists, we visited 421 North Albany Street. The building looks like it got stuck in a time warp. It still looks exactly like it does in our history book.

Many brothers excitedly took pictures while others stood silently. Some brothers shed tears because they knew we stood on hollowed ground and walked where our Jewels walked. It was an overwhelming experience.

As we well know, one hundred years ago this year, 7 Black men had the courage to reach back to the ancient glory of Africa and founded an institution that has become a dynasty of sorts. We at this moment are inheritors of that dynasty and it is incumbent upon us to continue the tradition of leadership, service and brotherhood. Always remember the brotherhood.

Happy birthday Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.!
Happy anniversary brothers!
Hold it high!


And kudos to all my fellow members of other organizations, Kappas, Deltas, Omegas, AKA's, Sigmas, SGRho's and Zetas who will also be celebrating their centennials in the years to come.