Eta Sigma Lambda Fraternity Records
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
(408) 808-2062
special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL:http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
Title: Eta Sigma Lambda Fraternity Records
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2007-03-01
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
10.0 boxes
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1970-2000
Date (inclusive): 1965-2008
Abstract: Records in this collection document the structure, finances, history, culture, and charitable contributions of the Alpha Phi
Alpha alumni chapter Eta Sigma Lambda, which is based in San José, California. Materials of this collection were collected
and donated by Eta Sigma Lambda. Notable materials include documents, pamphlets, and photographs that record the chapter's
involvement with young African American men through programs like Project Alpha.
Physical location: Vault 1, Range 20A
General Physical Description note:
(8.34 linear feet)
creator:
Eta Sigma Lambda
Access
The collection is open for research with the exception of box four. Explicit permission is required to view the contents of
box four.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items
and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
Eta Sigma Lambda Fraternity Records, MSS-2007-03-01, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Eta Sigma Lambda in May 2007.
Processing Information
Processed by Daniel L. Jarvis, reviewed by Danelle Moon, encoded by Daniel L. Jarvis.
Organizational History
On December 4, 1906 at the campus of Cornell University, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity earned the distinct honor of being
the first Greek letter college fraternity to be founded by African American men. Nearly 60 years later, eight African-American
men founded the Eta Sigma Lambda (ESL) chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Palo Alto, California. The founders of
the Eta Sigma Lambda chapter laid the foundation to what would become a socially and charitably vibrant chapter of the Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity. The fraternity's vision statement best summarizes the purpose and spirit of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity:
The objectives of this Fraternity shall be: to stimulate the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness
in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and
to aid down-trodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status.
Since their inception, ESL has raised thousands of dollars to fund scholarships that aide minority college students and the
United Negro College Fund. In addition to their financial generosity, ESL has also provided innumerable hours of service to
communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. At many junctures ESL has collaborated with other socially conscience organizations
to raise awareness of social issues or to implement fundraising events. Such organizations have included the United Negro
College Fund, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the March of Dimes, Martin Luther King
Jr. Freedom Train Ride, and the American Cancer Society.
To this day, one of the most sucessful collaborative ventures has been a joint effort between ESL and The March of Dimes.
Since 1980, both have implemented Project Alpha, a program that has educated hundreds of young men on manhood, safe sex, and
sexual responsibility.
The Eta Sigma Lambda chapter has also proven to be a vibrant and active participant in Alpha Phi Alpha events. In 1965, 1976,
1984, 1990, & 2002, ESL hosted regional Alpha Phi Alpha conventions, and in 1987 co-hosted the national convention in San
Francisco. For their commendable role in both their community and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, ESL received the NAACP 2002
Social Justice Award and won the Regional Alumni Chapter of the Year Award in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994 and 2002.
A singular, yet memorable project that ESL planned is Project Olympus. With the guidance of late community leader and ESL
member Tracy Wilson, Eta Sigma Lambda helped underprivileged youth attend the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
Over the years, numerous members of ESL have lived out the Alpha Phi Alpha spirit by striving to establish not only distinguished
careers, but to actively contribute to the betterment of society through involvement in other organizations and government
entities. In 1987 Haymon Jahi played a key role in coordinating the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Train event, which
provided people of all ages an outlet to celebrate the first national observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Between 1987-2000,
ESL member Wilbur Jackson served as the Regional Project Alpha Coordinator; and in 2001, Jackson was appointed as the National
Coordinator of Project Alpha by General President Harry Johnson. At varying intervals, ESL members Charles McClinton, Louis
Wilson, and Tom Schumake served on the Santa Clara Civil Grand Jury from 1994 to 1997, and from 2000 to 2007, Rick Callender
served as President of the San José Branch of the NAACP.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Eta Sigma Lambda Fraternity Records document over 40 years of chapter history. The chapter has supported education through
scholarships, mentoring, and other initiatives through the years. Records in this collection consist of local records from
Eta Sigma Lambda, as well as regional and national level records. The collection is comprised of administrative files, financial
records, member records, publicity and outreach materials, printed matter, photographs, and ephemera. This collection documents
the structure, finances, history, culture, and activities of the Eta Sigma Lambda chapter. As a whole, this collection also
serves as a history of the community service and leadership Eta Sigma Lambda has provided in the Santa Clara County and beyond.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series: I. Administrative files, 1974-2008; II. Publicity, Outreach, and Printed Matter,
1965-2008; III. Photos, Memorabilia, and Ephemera, 1962-2006.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity -- History
African Americans -- California -- 20th century
Greek letter societies -- California -- Santa Clara County
Men -- California -- Palo Alto -- Societies and clubs
Administrative Files Series I:
1974-2008
General Physical Description note:
3 Boxes, 4.5 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains documents that reflect the organizational structure of the fraternity, its bylaws and policies, its methods
of fundraising, and the nature of their expenditures. This series include budget proposals, bank statements, correspondence,
handbooks on fraternal policies, procedures, and conduct, meeting minutes, and annual reports. Financial records in this series
often serve as record of a member's activity within the fraternity as well. The correspondence in this series documents Eta
Sigma Lambda's collaboration with other organizations, as evidenced in letters to other fraternity chapters, businesses, and
charitable organizations.
Arrangement
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format and chronologically by date.
Box/Folder 1/01-1/18
Administrative records
undated 1974-2007
Box/Folder 1/19-1/38
Correspondence
undated 1975-2007
Box/Folder 2/39-2/86
Finances
undated 1975-2008
Box/Folder 3/87
Memos
1990-2006 circa 2005
Box/Folder 3/88-3/106
Minutes
undated 1975-2008
Box/Folder 3/107-3/111
Policies and Procedures
undated 1979
Publicity, Outreach, and Printed Matter Series II:
1965-2008
Physical Description:
2.0 Boxes, 3 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series includes fraternal publications like the
Sphinx, newsletters such as
The Alpha Spirit, and membership directories, as well as publicity and outreach documents. These documents reflect Eta Sigma Lambda's commitment
to improve their communities. This commitment may be most evident in materials such as flyers that promote the Project Alpha
program to young African-American men; a press kit that describes the relationship between Project Alpha and the March of
Dimes, and handouts that outline how a local Project Alpha program can be implemented. Documents and literature of significance
to the chapter, though not produced by an Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, were also collected by various members of the chapter.
These materials have been placed in folders designated as "printed matter."
Arrangement
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format and chronologically by date.
Box/Folder 4/116-4/139
Printed Matter
undated 1980-2008
Box/Folder 4/140-5/173
Publicity & Outreach
undated 1965-2008
Photographs, Memorabilia, and Ephemera Series III:
1962-2006
Physical Description:
4.0 Boxes, 6 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
The materials in this series include photographs that record fraternal gatherings and community outreach in Eta Sigma Lambda
and other Alpha Phi Alpha chapters. Notable photographs include images of Eta Sigma Lambda members working with young African
American men in Project Alpha, members camping with The Royal Ambassadors; a church group that serves African American boys,
and the fundraising event, Chefs for the United Negro College Fund. This series also contains awards, certificates, and plaques
that were given to honor the fraternity or particular members of the fraternity as well as t-shirts with Alpha Phi Alpha regalia,
a charter for the Epsilon Mu chapter of San José State University, and other notable items of memorabilia.
Arrangement
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format and chronologically by date.
Box/Folder 6/193
Awards, Certificates, and Commendations
1982-2002
Box/Folder 6/196
Letterhead and Poster
undated
Box/Folder 6/198
Fraternity Notebook
undated
Box/Folder 6/199-6/228
Photographs
undated circa 1980-1996 1978-2006
Box/Folder 7
Scrapbook
undated 1982-1988
Box/Folder 7/229
Mayors Youth Conference Certificate
1989
Box/Folder 7/230
Program Uplift Award
2000
Box/Folder 7/231
City of San José Commendation
2002
Box/Folder 7
Green'n Hot Links Golf Cart Medallion
2003
Box/Folder 7
Centennial Celebration Handbills
2006
Box/Folder 7
Male Partnership Project T-Shirt
undated
Box/Folder 7
Project Alpha T-Shirt
undated
Box/Folder 8
Empty Binders with Regalia
undated
Box/Folder 8
Epsilon Mu Chapter Charter
1962 March 6
Box/Folder 8
Epsilon Mu Chapter Charter(copies)
1962 March 6
Box/Folder 9
80th National Convention Poster
1986
Box/Folder 9
Eddie Robinson Football Poster
1986
Box/Folder 9
Musical celebration of Tracy Wilson Poster
1994
Box/Folder 9
Big Bro Sarcophagus Paddle
undated
Box/Folder 9
March of Dimes pregnancy poster
undated
Box/Folder 9
National Headquarters Fundraiser Poster
undated
Project Alpha and Contacts
1985-2006
Physical Description:
1.0 linear foot
Arrangement
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format and chronologically by date.
Series Scope and Content Summary
The materials in this series include the Eta Sigma Lambda's community outreach program of Project Alpha. Project Alpha was
a program steered towards helping youn men of African American descent in understand teenage pregnancy and prevention. The
series also includes the contacts for the fraternity.
Books 10/233
Project Alpha History and Planning
Books 10/234
Project Alpha Agendas, Facts and Reports
Books 10/235Project Alpha Printed MaterialsProject Alpha Printed MaterialsProject Alpha Printed Materials
Project Alpha Correspondence
Books 10/236
Project Alpha Printed Materials
Books 10/237
Project Alpha Movie Information
