Guide to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Records MSS.2007.03.01
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL:http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Records
creator:
Eta Sigma Lambda
creator:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2007.03.01
Physical Description:
10.0 boxes
(8.34 linear feet)
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.
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
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Records, MSS-2007-03-01, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Wilbur Jackson 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, and 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 Alpha Phi Alpha 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 four series: I. Administrative files, 1974-2008; II. Publicity, Outreach, and Printed Matter,
1965-2008; III. Photos, Memorabilia, and Ephemera, 1962-2006; IV. Project Alpha and Contacts, 1985-2006.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Greek letter societies -- California -- Santa Clara County
African American Greek letter societies
Eta Sigma Lambda
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Series I. Administrative Files
1974-2008
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 1, Folder 1
Administrative Records
1965-1978
Box 1, Folder 2
Administrative Records
1981-1985
Box 1, Folder 3
Administrative Records
1986-1987
Box 1, Folder 4
Administrative Records
1988-1989
Box 1, Folder 5
Administrative Records
1990-1991
Box 1, Folder 6
Administrative Records
1991
Box 1, Folder 7
Administrative Records
1992
Box 1, Folder 8
Administrative Records
1993-1995
Box 1, Folder 9
Administrative Records
1996-1997
Box 1, Folder 10
Administrative Records
1997
Box 1, Folder 11
Administrative Records
1998-1999
Box 1, Folder 12
Administrative Records
1999-2001
Box 1, Folder 13
Administrative Records
2002
Box 1, Folder 14
Administrative Records
2001-2003
Box 1, Folder 15
Administrative Records
2003-2005
Box 1, Folder 16
Administrative Records
2006-2010
Box 3, Folder 96
Minutes
1980-1986, 1989-1990
Box 3, Folder 107
Policies and Procedures
1974
Box 3, Folder 108
Policies and Procedures
1983-1989
Box 3, Folder 109
Policies and Procedures
1990-1992
Box 3, Folder 110
Policies and Procedures
2000-2003
Series II. Publicity, Outreach, and Printed Matter
1965-2008
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 4, Folder 140
Publicity and Outreach
1965
Box 4, Folder 141
Publicity and Outreach
1975
Box 4, Folder 142
Publicity and Outreach
1976
Box 4, Folder 143
Publicity and Outreach
1977
Box 4, Folder 144
Publicity and Outreach
1981
Box 4, Folder 145
Publicity and Outreach
1982
Box 4, Folder 146
Publicity and Outreach
1983
Box 4, Folder 147
Publicity and Outreach
1984
Box 5, Folder 148
Publicity and Outreach
1985
Box 5, Folder 149
Publicity and Outreach
1986
Box 5, Folder 150
Publicity and Outreach
1987
Box 5, Folder 151
Publicity and Outreach
1988
Box 5, Folder 152
Publicity and Outreach
1989
Box 5, Folder 153
Publicity and Outreach
1990
Box 5, Folder 154
Publicity and Outreach
1991
Box 5, Folder 155
Publicity and Outreach
1992
Box 5, Folder 156
Publicity and Outreach
1993
Box 5, Folder 157
Publicity and Outreach
1994
Box 5, Folder 158
Publicity and Outreach
1995
Box 5, Folder 159
Publicity and Outreach
1996-1997
Box 5, Folder 160
Publicity and Outreach
1998
Box 5, Folder 161
Publicity and Outreach
1999
Box 5, Folder 162
Publicity and Outreach
2000
Box 5, Folder 163
Publicity and Outreach
2001
Box 5, Folder 164
Publicity and Outreach
2002
Box 5, Folder 165
Publicity and Outreach
2002
Box 5, Folder 166
Publicity and Outreach
2003
Box 5, Folder 167
Publicity and Outreach
2004
Box 5, Folder 168
Publicity and Outreach
2005
Box 5, Folder 169
Publicity and Outreach
2006
Box 5, Folder 170
Publicity and Outreach
circa 1990
Box 5, Folder 171
Publicity and Outreach
2007-2008
Series III. Photographs, Memorabilia, and Ephemera
1962-2006
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 6, Folder 192
Awards, Certificates, and Commendations
1982-2002
Box 6, Folder 195
Letterhead and Poster
undated
Box 6, Folder 197
Fraternity Notebook
undated
Box 6, Folder 202
Photographs
2001, undated
Box 7
Scrapbook
undated 1982-1988
Box 7, Folder 228
Mayors Youth Conference Certificate
1989
Box 7, Folder 229
Program Uplift Award
2000
Box 7, Folder 230
City of San José Commendation
2002
Box 7, Folder 231
Centennial Celebration Handbills
2006
Box 7, Folder 232
Green'n Hot Links Golf Cart Medallion
2003
Box 8, Folder 233
Plaque Awarded at Shule Mandela Academy
1997
Box 8, Folder 234
Plaque Awarded at 52nd Western Region Convention
2000
Box 8, Folder 235
Plaque Awarded by Parent's Choice, Inc
1991
Box 8, Folder 236
Plaque Awarded at 42nd Regional Convention
1990
Box 8, Folder 237
Plaque Awarded at 54th Western Region Convention
2002
Box 8, Folder 238
Plaque Awarded by Santa Clara Valley Urban League
1989
Box 8, Folder 239
City of San Jose Commendation
2004
Box 8, Folder 240
Pi Omega Pi Yearbook
1939
Box 8, Folder 241
Pi Omega Pi Yearbook
1941
Box 8, Folder 242
Pi Omega Pi Yearbook
1943
Box 8, Folder 243
Pi Omega Pi Yearbook
1952
Box 9, Folder 244
Epsilon Mu Chapter Charter and Charter Copies
1962
Box 9, Folder 245
Eta Sigma Lambda Charter Copy
Box 9, Folder 247
Musical celebration of Tracy Wilson Poster
1994
Box 9, Folder 248
March of Dimes Pregnancy Poster
undated
Box 9, Folder 249
National Headquarters Fundraiser Poster
undated
Box 9
80th National Convention Poster
1986
Box 9
Eddie Robinson Football Poster
1986
Box 9
Empty Binders with Regalia
undated
Box 9
Male Partnership Project T-Shirt
undated
Box 9
Project Alpha T-Shirt
undated
Box 9
Big Bro Sarcophagus Paddle
undated
Series IV. Project Alpha and Contacts
1985-2006
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.
Box 10, Folder 251
Project Alpha History & Planning
1980-2000
Box 10, Folder 252
Project Alpha Agendas, Facts, and Reports
1980-2000
Box 10, Folder 253
Project Alpha Correspondence
1980-2000
Box 10, Folder 254
Project Alpha Printed Materials
1980-2000
Box 10, Folder 255
Project Alpha Movie Information
circa 1980s
Box 10
Project Alpha Folder Scrapbook
1994
