A Moment in Alpha History: Seven Days of Reflection (Day 3)
Today we honor and reflect on The Visionary Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, for his noble example in making the high ideals and moral standards of Alpha Phi Alpha his guide in life. Jewel Jones indelible mark in our history as one of the first initiates and Founder. Known for his versatility, he is credited with the “first steps of expansion” by establishing Beta, Gamma, Delta chapters, and establishing the first alumni chapter, Alpha Lambda in Louisville, KY. His life’s work was heavily involved as one of the Founder’s of the National Urban League and serving as the Executive Secretary for 20 years, the longest in the history and founding the organization’s Opportunity magazine. He also served as advisor on Negro Affairs to the US Dept of Commerce, NY State Planning Board, Chairman of Negro Advisory Committee, Trustee at Virginia Union University, and Fair Employment Board of US Civil Commission. America has since recognized as a nation his work to abolish barriers that plagued the Black American race. He entered Omega Chapter in 1954. Please read and reflects on the quotes of Jewel Jones:
“Although I have no idea as to where to turn for support, the need is so urgent that I shall not be satisfied until I have exhausted every possible effort to assure to the Negro population that their cause is adequately and forcefully represented in Washington by those to whom they look for action.”
– Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, August 4, 1933
-Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, 1925
“The opportunity for statesmanship service to humanity is ours. The obligation is ours. We cannot pass on to posterity the responsibility for work, which we should assume. The challenge of democracy is before us. The Negro is probably the real test of democracy in America.”
-Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, 1936
“Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest of Negro Fraternities, with all of its members presumably far above the average American and having a good practical understanding of the salient factors involved in the Negros’s problem, and with a membership upwards of eight thousand men, should be able to take into their hands the leadership in the Negro’s struggle for status.”
This is a moment in Alpha History.
Brother Sean C. Hall, Historian