At a time in our fraternity’s history, there were Brothers who entered the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, through honorary membership (active or exalted). As defined, “honorary membership act conferred or elected in recognition of achievement or service without the usual prerequisites or obligations”. For the record, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. no longer bestows “honorary membership.” However, when honorary membership was permitted, Alpha Phi Alpha chose men of stature to deem them as “honorary members”. On April 26, 1907, Brother George Hannibal Fletcher, a former law student at the Univ. of Michigan, who had shown much interest in the fraternity and was noted to have given much encouragement during the years of expansion of the fraternity, holds the distinction as the fraternity’s 1st Honorary Member. He was the President of the Young Colored Mens’ Club of Ithaca in 1908 and affiliated with Prince Hall Masons in Ithaca. The ceremonies took place at 405 W. Green Street and followed by a banquet.
While at a banquet at Brother Fletcher’s residence, the name of Rev. Edward Ulysses Anderson Brooks was presented as Alpha Phi Alpha’s 2nd Honorary Member on February 29, 1908. Rev. Brooks was a graduate from Cornell University Law School in 1901 and was the overseer of a parish in Auburn, NY. Rev. Brooks name was unanimously accepted and Jewel Robert H. Ogle, Secretary, was to make communication with Rev. Brooks of his selection. Also noteworthy was that Jewel George B. Kelley and Rev. Brother Brooks shared a long time friendship with deep ties to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In the proceeding years, much debate would be discussed in the matter of honorary membership of who would be deemed worthy of this honor. A deciding vote on May 15, 1909, on honorary members in the chapters “present stage of development not to admit them.” However, there was a period in the fraternity’s history when chapters were allowed to induct honorary brothers.
Distinction: Honorary membership was subject to convention legislation and discussion in 1919 and a special procedure for the initiation and reception of honorary membership was presented dividing them into two classes: active and exalted. “The active honorary membership were to meet the same educational requirements as the undergraduate members but they were to have the status of alumni members. The exalted honorary members were to include those who had achieved distinction in some particular field of activity.”
Over the years, Alpha Phi Alpha has bestowed “honorary active and exalted membership” to the following:
Brother Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, (Honorary Member, Epsilon, 1909), “spiritual inspiration for Alpha Phi Alpha”
Brother Dr. Kelly Miller, Dean at Howard University, Honorary Member
Brother Frederick Douglas, (Exalted Honorary Member of Omega Chapter at the 14th Annual Convention in 1921), after a pilgrimage to his home during the General Convention and also Honorary Life Member #1.
Former Vice President of the United States Brother Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Honorary Life Membership #2 in 1965 at the 59th Anniversary Convention.
Honorary Life Membership: Brothers Roscoe Conkling Giles, Frederick H. Miller, and Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.
**Oliver Wilson Winters holds the distinction of Life Member #1. Please do not get this confused with Honorary Life Membership**
In addition, here’s a list of notable men who also have “honorary membership” to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. However, some records do not exactly denote the year of their bestowment; however, public record does indicate receiving “honorary membership” to the fraternity. This is for information purposes only and you are entitled as a brother of this fraternity to research this at your own leisure:
Prof. George Cook, Dean at Howard Univ., Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Isaac Bradley, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Aaron Malone, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother E.P. Roberts, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. (the father of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell) Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Dr. Joseph Edom Jones (father of Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones) Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Emmett Scott, Fmr. Sec. of Booker T. Washington/Secretary of War, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Jesse Binga, Founder of Binga State Bank in Chicago, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Alonzo Franklin Herndon, Founder of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Dr. George Cleveland Hall, Chicago Physician, Exalted Honorary Membership
Brother Alonzo Herndon, prominent businessman in Atlanta, Exalted Honorary Membership
Dr. A.M. Curtis, physician-Harvard University Medical School, Exalted Honorary Membership.
This is your moment in Alpha History.
Brother Sean C. Hall
Historian