Guide to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc Alpha Gamma chapter records , 1958-1990
John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu
Published in 2023
Collection Overview
| Title: | Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Gamma chapter records |
| Date range: | 1958-1990 |
| Creator: | Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Alpha Gamma Chapter |
| Extent: | 1 linear foot 58 digital files 1.08 Gigabytes |
| Abstract: | Records related to the Alpha Gamma chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a fraternity founded by African American men. |
| Repository: | John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts |
| Collection number: | AMS.1S.2023.004 |
Scope & content
This collection includes records related to Alpha Phi Alpha and its Providence chapter, Alpha Gamma, particularly in its relationship to Brown alumni. The collection also contains some general Alpha Phi Alpha and other Alpha Phi Alpha chapters materials.Access Points
Subject Names- Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988
- Robinson, M. Rodney
- Norment, Hanley J.
- Brice, Julius
- King, J. Herbert
- Wade, Amigo R.
Arrangement
Organized in three series. Materials from other collections (Redding and Pollard) are listed in their own series. Arranged chronologically within series.
- Series 1. Records
- Series 2. Jay Saunders Redding Alpha Phi Alpha related records
- Series 3. Fritz Pollard Alpha Phi Alpha Records
Biographical/Historical Note
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first American fraternity founded by African American men. Students at Cornell University established the fraternity in 1906. A group of Black Brown University students, initially gathered as a debate club, proposed a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. The University administration rejected the proposal on the basis of race. The chapter was founded instead as the city of Providence chapter, Alpha Gamma, on February 2, 1921. Its founding president was Louis L. Redding '23. Brown did not officially acknowledge the Alpha Gamma chapter until 1974.The activity of the Alpha Gamma chapter has varied over the decades, including a hiatus during the Second World War. The fraternity has created a brotherhood of distinguished students, participated specifically in Black college traditions such as step dancing, and affiliated with other Greek organizations for people of color on campus through the Pan-Hellenic Council (in association with the National Panhellenic Council). In addition to the social and fraternal aspects of Alpha life, the fraternity holds the tenets of academic scholarship and community service. Alphas have held events for alumni of color, encouraged academic excellence for Black students in Providence through competitions and events, and enlisted in Big Brothers of Rhode Island.
In keeping with its Providence base, Alphas been students from colleges and universities other than Brown, such as Johnson and Wales, Providence College, the Rhode Island School of Design, UMass Dartmouth, Bridgewater State University, and the University of Rhode Island. The chapter has also initiated honorary members from the Providence community. Members of the Alpha Gamma chapter have included Fritz Pollard '19, the first African American professional football coach and an entrepeneur; blues music producer and early National Football League player Jay Mayo Williams '21; J. Saunders Redding '28 MA'32, the first Black professor appointed to the Brown University faculty; Griffin Rodgers '76 MMSc'79 MD'79, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and Rodney Robinson '90, who wrote the fraternity's history in 1990.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. |
| Use of the materials: | Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them |
| Preferred citation: | Alpha Phi Alpha records, AMS.1S.2023.004, Brown University Library |
| Contact information: | John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Processing information: | The History of Alpha Phi Alpha by M. Rodney Robinson was transferred from the Brown University Library Classified Files in 2023. This collection also includes items in other John Hay Library collections. In the case of digital items, the digitized records are part of the Alpha Phi Alpha Records, while the physical items are part of their original collection. Items from other collections are noted in their descriptions. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Janaya Kizzie |
| Encoding: | This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-09-18. |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
Additional Information
| Related material: |
Related MaterialsJ. Saunders Redding Papers; Ms 98.1; Brown University Certificates and Diplomas Collections, AMS.1I.1 |
| Location of originals: | J. Saunders Redding Papers; Ms 98.1 |
Inventory
Series 1. Records
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 1, Folder 1 | "The History of Alpha Gamma" written by M. Rodney Robinson Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity |
1990 |
Series 2. Jay Saunders Redding Alpha Phi Alpha related records
Physical items are part of the J. Saunders Redding Papers at the John Hay Library, Ms 98.1.
| Container | Description | Date |
| Jay Saunders Redding speech, Alpha Boule Philadelphia 13 pages Physical Description Note: genreform: Academic addresses English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 |
1963 April 7 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Letter from Hanley J. Norment to Redding regarding a panel for National Negro History Week on Alpha Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha stationery 2 pages Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Norment, Hanley J. |
1969 February 5 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Copy of letter from Redding to Julius Brice of Alpha Phi Alpha regarding payment for a speaking engagement 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 Brice, Julius |
1969 April 5 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Letter from Hanley J. Norment to Redding sending payment for 1969 speaking engagement sponsored by the Mu Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Mu 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Norment, Hanley J. |
1969 April 7 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Documents: Program for Observance of National Negro History Week presented by Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 5 pages Contents Note: Includes panel discussion with Redding and brief Redding biography Physical Description Note: genreform: Programs (Publications) English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 |
1969 February 10 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Flyer for "The Black Man's Meaning for America -- Past, Present and Future" panel presented by the Mu Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. 2 pages Contents Note: Includes handwritten note on back Physical Description Note: genreform: Fliers (Ephemera) English |
1969 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Memorandum from J. Herbert King, editor-in-chief of Alpha Phi Alpha newsletter, "The Sphynx" to the board of Alpha Phi Alpha regarding a proposal to raise funds for a project centering on African Americas by the National Endowment for the Humanities 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English King, J. Herbert |
1970 February 20 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Letter from Amigo R. Wade inviting Redding to speak at an exhibition of the works of James Van Der See presented by the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Wade, Amigo R. |
1983 January 31 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, speaking engagements and invitations: letter from Amigo R. Wade to Redding speaking engagement date for the "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)" exhibition in Ithaca, New York 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Wade, Amigo R. |
1983 February 9 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, speaking engagements and invitations: copy of letter from Redding to Amigo R. Wade accepting the invitation to speak at "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)" in Ithaca, New York 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 |
1983 February 10 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, speaking engagements and invitations: letter from Amigo R. Wade to Redding speaking engagement schedule for the "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)" exhibition in Ithaca, New York 1 page Contents Note: Includes manuscript notes Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 Wade, Amigo R. |
1983 March 15 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, speaking engagements and invitations: copy of letter from Redding to Amigo R. Wade regarding the title of his lecture "Social Forces: The Harlem Renaissance" at "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)" exhibition in Ithaca, New York 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English |
1983 April 1 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, speaking engagements and invitations: copy of letter from Redding to Amigo R. Wade withdrawing his lecture from "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)" exhibition in Ithaca, New York 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 |
1983 March 18 |
| Jay Saunders Redding Papers, Manuscripts: Draft of "Social Forces of the Harlem Renaissance" lecture sponsored by the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at the James Van Der See exhibition: "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)", Cornell University 12 pages Contents Note: Includes manuscript notes Physical Description Note: genreform: Academic addresses English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 |
1983 |
| Jay Saunders Redding Papers, Manuscripts: Draft of "Social Forces of the Harlem Renaissance" lecture sponsored by the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at the James Van Der See exhibition: "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)", Cornell University 12 pages Contents Note: Includes typed notes Physical Description Note: genreform: Academic addresses English Redding, J. Saunders (Jay Saunders), 1906-1988 |
1983 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Documents: Invitation to exhibition of the works of James Van Der See entitled "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929) sponsored by the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: exhibition announcements English |
1983 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Professional Affiliations: Letter from Robert F. Smith announcing an exhibition of the works of James Van Der See entitled "Reflections of a Renaissance: A Photographic Revitalization of The Harlem Renaissance (1919-1929)" and a lecture by Redding at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in Ithaca, New York presented by the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha 1 page Physical Description Note: genreform: Business correspondence English |
1983 |
| Jay Saunders Redding papers, Documents: Printed copy of photograph "The Alpha Basketball Team, c. 1926" by James Van Der Zee 2 pages Contents Note: Back includes Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Chapter logo Physical Description Note: genreform: photograph English Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983 |
1983 |
Series 3. Fritz Pollard Alpha Phi Alpha records
Part of Brown University Certificates and Diplomas Collections, AMS.1I.1
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 2-SIZE | Fritz Pollard certificate of membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Contents Note: Part of Brown University Certificates and Diplomas Collections, AMS.1I.1 |
1958 February 18 |