As we convene in Atlanta, GA, for the centennial celebration of the Southern Region at the 94th Regional Convention, I want to celebrate this historic milestone by providing insight into the naming and founding of the Southern Region and honoring the First Southern Region Vice President, Brother Charles Wesley Greene, Sr.
During the 15th Annual Convention held in St. Louis, MO from December 27th-31st, 1922 began the discussion of the reorganization of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Within the scope of this conversation were discussions of establishing a General Headquarters with full salaried general officers and talks of the development of Jurisdictions (now known as the five Regions of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc). During the 17th General Convention hosted by the Eta Chapter in NYC on December 27th-31st, 1924, Brother Charles Wesley Green, Sr. was elected as the 4th Vice President. During this time, this was the designation of this office, which we now refer to as the Southern Regional Vice President. His task was to create and organize the Southern Jurisdiction, which is now known as the Southern Region, the largest region in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Given our region’s rich history, affectionally called “Alpha South,” and the slogan “So Goes Alpha South, So Goes Alpha” has set the tone for the Fraternity nationally. During the 1924 New York Convention, Brother Greene stated, “I was drafted and elected as the General Vice-President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to organize and supervise the Southern area. I believe the General President was none other than old Alpha veteran Raymond Winford Cannon.”
Brother Charles Wesley Greene, Sr., as the Southern Vice President, held the distinction of being the oldest officer from the standpoint of successive terms in office. He was one of sixteen Eta Lambda Chapter charter members in Atlanta, GA, on May 20th, 1920. (Brother Greene and our Pioneer Brother Dr. Alfonso Elder were charter initiates). Brother Greene was known for always “working for Alpha Phi Alpha.” Brother Greene received a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College. As a student, he was active in student activities, a member of the chorus, a baseball team manager, and a star backfield man on the football team. He later served as the alumni representative on the athletic council of his Alma Mater. During the War period; he served as secretary of Negro War Savings Stamp Campaign for the State of Georgia, which was the only such office in the US permitted by the US Dept of Treasury and directed by Blacks. During his time in this position, he raised three million dollars for war purposes. He was treasurer of Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta (was a member since 1916); Superintendent of the Adult Division of Sunday school; Field Superintendent and Statistician of the Atlanta District of the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company; Assistant Secretary of the National Insurance Association; Assistant Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Urban League and NAACP; President of the Atlanta Chapter of Frontiers International and President Emeritus of the Twenty Seven Club; active Secretary in charge of the 1924 Colored Division of the Atlanta Community Chest Campaign; Chairman of the Membership Campaign of the Butler Street YMCA; Vice President of the Unique Loan Company; Board Member of the American Cancer Society (GA), received Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (Morehouse) and very active in the racial and civic progress in the South.
Brother Greene served as the Southern Vice President for 15 years (1924-1939)(however, some records indicate 17 years and 18 years). The Charles W. Greene Award, created in 1955, honors the legacy of Brother Greene and honors outstanding meritorious service to the fraternity of an alumni brother within the Southern Region. It is considered the highest award in Alpha South.
“Alpha Phi Alpha is a religion to me”-Brother Charles W. Green, 1937, after an interview where he touched on the high points of his long, fruitful career as a General Officer. Brother Lewis O. Swingler interviewed him.
Fun Fact: Originally, the Southern Jurisdiction was very extensive from Virginia to California, North Carolina, Alabama, Southwest Texas
Brother Greene founded the Eta Lambda Chapter (GA), Beta Epsilon Chapter (NC A&T), Omicron Lambda Chapter (AL), Psi Lambda Chapter (TN), Beta Delta (SC), Alpha Upsilon Lambda Chapter (AL), and Beta Zeta Chapter (Samuel Houston College/TX).
Brother Greene married Gurley Greene and had one son, Charles W. Greene, Jr. He entered Omega Chapter in 1974. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays delivered his eulogy.
Former Southern Regional Vice Presidents: Charles W. Greene, Dr. Ferdinand L. Rousseve (Fraternity Shield), Harper Council Trenholm, Dr. William H. Gray, Dr. Aaron Brand, Jacob R. Henderson, Walter H. Williams, Lewis O. Swingler, James E. Huger, Dr. Walter Washington, William W. Whetstone, Dr. W. Dewey Branch, Luke Haze Chatman, Bennie J. Harris, Ozell Sutton, Dr. Willie Mingo Clark, Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon, Dr. John R. Kelly, Robert Bob Willis (Emeritus), Chester A. Wheeler, Lynwood Bell, Ronnie S. Jenkins, Everett B. Ward, James Crummel, Ronald M. Natson, Kelsey Rushing, Cecil Howard
General Presidents from the Southern Region: Frederick Harris Miller (MS), Dr. William Hale (GA), Dr. Lionel H. Newsom (GA), Dr. Walter Washington (MS), Ozell Sutton (GA), Dr. Henry Ponder (TN), Milton C. Davis (AL), Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason (GA), Dr. Everett Blair Ward (NC).
This is your Moment in Alpha History
Fraternally Submitted
Brother Sean C. Hall,
Historian
Attachments: Brother Charles W. Greene; the 17th General Convention Official Convention Photo, where he was designated as the 4th Vice President
© 2026 Sean Hall. This content may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission from Brother Sean Hall.
