Alpha Gamma Lambda History
The roots of Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. lie deep in the history of Eta Chapter of Columbia University, New York, NY.
In 1926, Eta Chapter consisted of both undergraduate and graduate membership. However, some graduate brothers, were of the belief that a graduate chapter would greatly increase activity of the older brothers. It was felt that their interests, were somewhat different from those of the younger brothers.
A group of brothers from Eta, including its immediate Past President, Attorney Peyton F. Anderson, who was also Eastern Region Vice President, met on December 23, 1926, and organized Alpha Psi Chapter with Attorney Myles A. Paige, as temporary President; James Fladger, Secretary; and E.P. Roberts, M.D. as Treasurer.
The first major decision of the chapter was to send two delegates: Bros. James Fladger and Rev. J.Raymond Henderson to the 19th General Convention, which was held in Richmond, Virginia on December 27, 1926. The decision at that convention concerning the nomenclature of graduate chapters resulted in changing the name of Alpha Psi.
Shortly after the convention in 1927, the members of Alpha Psi, met at 355 West 145th Street, New York City - the home of Brother James C. Thomas, Assistant District Attorney - to formulate a new name. It was at this meeting, that Alpha Gamma Lambda was founded.
The spirit of Alpha Phi Alpha was indeed very high that evening, while the brotherhood feasted on an elaborate supper. Brother Paul Robeson, destined to become a legendary and world-renowned figure, sang several musical selections. The tradition of supper or repast following each Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter meeting, has continued to this day. In February 1927, the old charter was returned and a new charter was issued.
The following brothers signed the charter:
Myles A. Paige, Esq. Peyton F. Anderson, Esq.
Lamar Perkins James E. Fladger
"Jewel" Eugene Kinckle Jones W.T. Andrews
W.P. Hayes Gerold F. Norman
Edgar F. Henderson James C. Thomas, Esq.
J. Edward Lowrey, M.D. Paul Collins
Lucien M. Brown, M.D. James S. Watson, Esq.
Thomas B. Dyett, Esq. Louis R. Middleton, D.D.S.
G.W. Strickland Clarence Richardson
Elected officers were: Myles A. Paige, President; W.P. Hayes, Vice President; Attorney Thomas B. Dyett, Financial Secretary and F.L. Thomas, Editor (to the Sphinx).
Alpha Gamma Lambda presented a spirit and tenacity that would make the founders proud. Among the chapter's notable achievements, is the co-hosting of the 20th General Convention with Eta Chapter in the Great Hall of the College of the City of New York. The convention's theme was "The World of Tomorrow." This was the mission statement to build a world of brotherhood, during a time of impending war.
Educational development has been emphasized through the establishment of a scholarship foundation, and in conjunction with the neighboring chapters, the brothers of Alpha Gamma Lambda, engage in feeding the hungry and the less fortunate.
Project Alpha is one of the mentoring programs focusing on life and manhood for young African and Hispanic adolescents. One emphasis is on teenage pregnancy and the responsibilities of young fathers. The program is a "Rite of Passage" that provides young men with a forum for their cognitive and social development as men.
"JEWEL" Members
JEWEL Bro. Eugene Kinckle Jones
JEWEL Bro. Vertner Woodson Tandy
Past General Officers
Bro. Myles A. Paige, 1957-1960
Bro. Farrow Allen, 19??-19?? (General Treasurer)
Past Nationally Appointed Officers
Bro. Marshall E. Williams, Chairman, National Constitution Committee
Bro. Jawn A. Sandifer, Esq., General Counsel
Bro. Albert Holland, Esq., General Counsel
Bro. Henry W. Rice, II, Chairman, National Housing Committee
Bro. Michael C. Rogers, Esq., Chairman, National Time & Place Committee
Bro. Ron Madden, Chairman of the National Awards and Achievements Committee
Other Notable Chapter Members
Bro. James Avery
Bro. Dick Campbell, President-Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation
Bro. Sherman Carter
Bro. David N. Dinkins, 106th Mayor of New York City
Bro. Al Holland, Esq.
Bro. Rev. Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., U.S. Congressman/Civil Rights activist
Bro. Charles B. Rangel, U.S. Congressman
Bro. Paul Robeson
Bro. William Decker Clarke
Bro. Alfred Saunders
Bro. James Saunders
Bro. L.H. Stanton
Bro. Andrew R. Tyler, Esq.
Past Presidents of Alpha Gamma Lambda
1st: Bro. Myles A. Paige, 1927-1930
2nd: Bro. Louis R. Middleton, 1930-1932
3rd: Bro. Lucien M. Brown, 1932-1934
4th: Bro. Farrow R. Allen, 1934-1939
5th: Bro. John Louis Wilson, 1940-1941
6th: Bro. Frank A. Walker, 1941-1944
7th: Bro. Binga Dismond, 1944-1945
8th: Bro. Robert T. Custis, 1945-1947
9th: Bro. Andrew R. Tyler, 1947-1950
10th: Bro. Jawn A. Sandifer, 1950-1952
11th: Bro. Marvin N. Riley, 1952-1956
12th: Bro. Walter W. Scott, 1956-1960
13th: Bro. L.H. Stanton, 1960-1964
14th: Bro. Marshall E. Williams, 1965-1966
15th: Bro. James B. Herbert, 1966-1968
16th: Bro. Dick Campbell, 1968-1970
17th: Bro. Cleophas Hamilton, 1970-1971
18th: Bro. Fred D. Poellnitz, 1971-1972
19th: Bro. Theodore R. Charity, 1972-1974
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21st: Bro. Alfred D. Sanders, 1976-1978
22nd: Bro. Alvin L. Wilks, 1978-1979
23rd: Bro. Henry W. Rice, II, 1979-1984
24th: Bro. Connie V. Miller, 1984-1985
25th: Bro. Robert D. Woods, 1984-1985
26th: Bro. William L. Freeman, 1985-1987
27th: Bro. Warren Austin, 1987-1988
28th: Bro. Ronald Madden, 1988-1989
29th: Bro. Rufus E. Sadler, 1989-1990
30th: Bro. Michael C. Rogers, 1990-1992
31st: Bro. Leroy McCoy, 1992-1993
32nd: Bro. David H. Zuber, 1993-1994
33rd: Bro. William Woods, 1994-1995
34th: Bro. Rufus E. Sadler, 1995-1998
35th: Bro. Erik A. Cliette, 1998-2001
36th: Bro. Nathaniel Tyrone Anderson, 2001-2003
37th: Bro. Cleveland E. Beckett, Jr., 2003-2006
38th: Bro. Erik A. Cliette, 2006-2007
39th: Bro. Mill Etienne, 2007-Present
