Alpha Lambda - The First Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. holds the singular distinction of being the first chapter designated for Alumni Brothers of the Fraternity and was established before many of the other Collegiate Black Greek Letter Organizations were founded. Founded on April 11, 1911, Alpha Lambda remained the only "graduate" chapter in the fraternity until the Beta Lambda chapter was established on January 19, 1919, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The unique circumstances leading to the formation of Alpha Lambda are quite unlike most other chapters in that a Founding Jewel was serving and living in Louisville, KY, at the time. Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, then engaged as a teacher in the city schools of Louisville, was instrumental in persuading the following members of the University Club to become affiliated with Alpha Phi Alpha: Messrs. J.O. Blanton, A. S. Brock, W.T. Peyton, J. H. Hubert, W. Welch, F. Johnson, C.A. Powell, J.T. Clark, W. Ballard, and D. L. Lawson. It is significant to note that these men were not members of Alpha Phi Alpha at that time.

On April 11, 1911, Brother Richard Hill, a graduate of Fisk University, came from the University of Michigan where he was studying law, and with the assistance of Jewel Jones set up the first graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.

The decision to establish a graduate chapter was met by opposition from the National Body. The opinion of the brothers at that time was that the Fraternity was for undergraduates only. After careful consideration of the matter, however, it was concluded at the Fourth Annual Convention that this infant group would be Lambda Chapter since eight undergraduate chapters were in existence at that time.

The Fifth General Convention and First Alumni Reunion convened on December 26, 1912, with Kappa Chapter, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Lambda Chapter was ably represented by delegates A. S. Brock and J. T. Clark. A recommendation was presented by Brother Brock that all graduate chapters be designated like the undergraduate chapters, but with Lambda as a final letter. The recommendation was adopted by a motion of Jewel Kelly, seconded by Brother Dunn. Thus, the Louisville chapter became known as Alpha Lambda and the system for naming the graduate chapters was established.