A Moment In Alpha History: The Unsung Brothers
Brothers with all that is going on, I want to pause and share that on October 30, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha held one of the first important acts of brotherhood with the initiation of four men. Undoubtedly, the place of our Seven Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha will be forever etched in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha, but lest we forget the act that happened on this day at Odd Fellows Hall (Red Man’s Hall) when Messrs. Eugene Kinckle Jones, Gordon Holmes Jones, Lemuel Eugene Graves became the first initiates of Alpha Phi Alpha, the only members bestowed this honor in the history of our existence (James A. Morton was later added but did not participate in the initiation ceremonies). Prior to this action, there were a few action items that had been voted on prior that evening: dues established, initiation fees, policies for meetings, Alpha Phi Alpha (Society) name was proposed and adopted, colors of “old and black”adopted, initiates were voted on unanimously, initiation (ritual) was developed, banquet had been planned as C.C. Poindexter served as President.
We should never forget this act that set forth the “establishment of our brotherhood” of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. as one of the first single acts of membership when we look at the origin and foundation of our dear fraternity. It is with this beginning and end that these young men who are hardly ever mentioned during Founder’s Day, hold this distinction. It is with the consciousness of bringing to light the brief history of what I consider as our “UNSUNG” Brothers in the names of Brothers Gordon Holmes Jones, Lemuel Eugene Graves, and James H. Morton who was there in the beginning setting the permanent foundations for the fraternity. Now we can recount the historical moment in December 1952 during the 38th General Convention that Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones, one the original initiates, was voted to take his rightful place as one of the “JEWELS” of our fraternity, so let us not forget this very act. But three Messrs. who became Brothers deserve their rightful recognition of being our “UNSUNG” Brothers. Let’s take a look at their fraternity permanence.
Brother James H. Morton, though he was not subjected to the formal initiation, was added to the list of first initiates. Arriving from West Virginia, Brother Morton was not registered during the 1905-1906 academic year but associated with the Social Study Club. There are no records that he graduated and his last known record at Cornell University was at the medical college. This could possibly be why he was added to the list and not initiated since he was not enrolled. He was a head waiter at Sage College Dining Room. For nearly 50 years, he was considered Jewel Morton, partly because of the act of advancing personal funds during many occasions to ensure the intransient of the Fraternity; was listed as a “Jewel” initially during the 6th Annual Convention. Some of his acts included: Offered a toast on “The Freshman” at the First Banquet; Appointed to the Topic Committee of the Study Club on November 6, 1906; Participated in the first event at the Zion Church bazaar with Messrs. Chapman, Poindexter, Kelley, Graves, Tandy, and Callis; he suggested that “a fund be organized and sponsored by the group through with assistance could be given to needy colored students” (service). After the vote to become a Fraternity, he was appointed to a Committee of Organization. On January 8, 1907, he was named to the Committee on Constitution; present at a meeting on February 19, 1907; in 1908, listed him as one of 15 members of the fraternity. During the 28th General Convention on December 30, 1952, he was officially replaced as the seventh Jewel with Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones; however, the “former” Jewel of all records accounted “slowly fades away” out of Alpha historical records after the summer of 1907 before the replacement and his permanent association is captured of establishing our Fraternity. His Omega Chapter date is unknown, but speculated as 1926 per correspondence by Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones to the Founders.
Brother Gordon Holmes Jones became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Society (at that time) on October 30, 1906, and made the first writing reference of ΑΦΑ on the Banquet program; he spoke at the second Initiation Banquet on “Benefits”; served on the 2nd Committee on Pins” and from historical records suggests he was Chairman during the meeting on May 7, 1907, reporting he had received no correspondence from the catalog firm regarding pins. Records also indicate his committee meeting may have taken place in his room as the meeting on April 23, 1907, indicates the place for the next meeting at the room of Brother Gordon Jones. In the fall on Oct 5, 1907, he was nominated for secretary but was defeated (shared a room with Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy). He supported efforts of incorporation as he made the motion of taxation of Brothers of $2.50 to cover this expense and approved. Nominated as a trustee for incorporation but respectfully withdrew his name. He was listed on the 5th Initiation Banquet on November 6, 1910, at Cornell University. His last known mention was as a signatory for the Alumni Chapter in NYC on November 19, 1912. He entered Omega Chapter in 1944.
Brother Lemuel Eugene Graves (b. Feb 22, 1877) was from Raleigh, NC. Born to Willis and Eleanor Graves (former slaves) and were active leaders in Oberlin (not part of Raleigh but a self-sufficient community of former slaves, free blacks and descendents and the Raleigh community. Prior to his entrance into Cornell, he has studied at St. Augustine’s Normal School and Shaw University (AB Degree). He was unanimously selected to be one of the first initiates for October 30, 1906 to Alpha Phi Alpha Society (at that time). He provided entertainment with a selection at the Zion Church bazaar. He was appointed to the Committee of Constitution and By-laws in January 1907. Minutes indicate active participation for the remainder of the academic year with making and seconding motions as indicated in minutes from January 15, 1907; February 15, 1907; involved in research of the Fraternity pin; served on the 1st Shingle Committee and Committee on Chartering the Fraternity. He was active for the next two years. At the 2nd Initiation Banquet (October 26, 1907), he spoke on “What Does College Life Mean”; he was selected as a Trustee during out incorporation on January 25, 1908; 1909 he served as Secretary and was appointed to set up Eta Chapter at Columbia University with Brother Roscoe Conkling Giles; also his name was listed in the formation of Iota Chapter on March 28, 1910, Syracuse Univ. He was a delegate at the 2nd Annual Convention in Richmond, VA, Dec. 27-29, 1909. He graduated Cornell in 1910 with a BS degree (Agriculture). Brother Graves during the next decade held a strong association with the Fraternity that included the Alumni Chapter in 1916 in Tallahassee, FL and was a Professor of Botany (five years) at A&M College Tallahassee (now Florida A&M Univ). Records indicate he was present at the Initiation Banquet at the Delta Lambda Chapter in Atlanta, July 15 1919 now Eta Lambda. This may be the last known reference of Brother Graves of his Alpha involvement. By 1920, Brother Graves was back in Raleigh working in real estate and insurance (he was secretary and General Manager of Eagle Life Insurance. He held leadership positions in organizations including the Negro Business League, Negro Welfare Ches. and Raleigh Emacipation Society, and served on the board at St. Augustines. After the “Great Depression” hit, He later moved his family to Harlem and continued to work in real estate in the heightened era of the Harlem Renaissance. Noted that he loved to travel, sharp dresser, fond of cigars, and wrote poetry. He entered Omega Chapter in 1957.
We all owe these “UNSUNG” Brothers a commitment of gratitude for the early years of setting the “permanent” foundations of our Fraternity. Even if the designation of “Jewel” is not bestowed among them, they were among our Founders of our beloved Fraternity and we pay homage on this day, October 30, 2020 as the FIRST INITIATES of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and of any Black Collegiate Fraternity of establishing “A BROTHERHOOD”.
This is your moment in Alpha History.
Brother Sean C. Hall
Historian
