In 1906, seven brave men studying at Cornell University founded Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and, in doing so, established the nation’s first intercollegiate fraternity for African Americans.  Known today as the “Seven Jewels,” these men over came the racial hostility of their time and founded an organization built on the principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. As Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. expanded, the ranks of its prestigious membership grew to include the likes of W.E.B. DuBois, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Martin Luther King Jr., and many other accomplished men.  Today Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has a membership of over 175,000 with more than 700 chapters.

Project Alpha
The March of Dimes and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. began collaboratively implementing Project Alpha in 1980.  Designed to provide young men with current and accurate information about teenage pregnancy prevention, Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers.
The three goals of Project Alpha programs are:

• Sharing Knowledge by combating ignorance and fear with factual information.
• Changing Attitudes by providing motivation toward positive changes in sexual behavior.
• Providing Skills by creating a sense of empowerment and self-esteem.

The Pennsylvania Chapter recently collaborated on two educational programs with our Alpha Fraternity brothers, one on Saturday April 18 at Thomas Jefferson University Alumni Hall and a second one on Saturday May 23 at Morris Brown African Methodist Episcopal Church.  
 

Chasiety Turner, West Chester University graduate student intern completing her Masters in Public Health with March of Dimes, and AKA sorority member.

W. Soyini Powell, MD, OB/GYN and Director of West Philadelphia Women First, Mercy Hospital Philadelphia.

Tyron Vereen, BS, CHES, Program Coordinator, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member and Project Alpha Educator

Lily Jones, YPD Conference Leader, Young Peoples Division of the Missionary Society, Philadelphia African Methodist Episcopal Conference of 90 churches.

Linda Talbert, MS, Pennsylvania March of Dimes Outreach Coordinator for Faith-based Initiatives to improve birth outcomes among African American Families in Philadelphia County, 2008-2009