FEATURE
Additionally, in the second paragraph of Chapter II, The Period of Consolidation, the following is stated: “Among this group, the name of C. C. Poindexter deserves special mention. He may be regarded as the precursor of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Without his serious and eager leadership, it is probable that the fraternal organization would have advanced more slowly. He was the moving spirit in the literary organization, which served as the predecessor of the fraternity. He acted as the president of the group and continued in office during the formation of the early policies and also through the first initiation in the Alpha Phi Alpha Society. But when it became clear to him that his influence was waning and that it was the purpose of the group to establish a fraternity, in a spirit of self-sacrifice, he absented himself from the meeting in which the decision was to be made and later sent in his resignation.” In addition to the quotes information, the following items have appeared in every edition of the history book and remained unchanged in the new revision for 2014: • • •
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Original members were brought together by Poindexter as a literary study group The sessions were informal and gradually became structured The group was brought together in December 1905 at the home of Edward Newton, where Poindexter was residing, at 421 North Albany Street Initial elected officers were Poindexter, president; Henry A. Callis, secretary and George B. Kelley, treasurer Early meetings included undated sessions in March and May 1906, with all presided over by Poindexter The fraternity name, colors and first initiates were officially approved October 23, 1906 The first initiates were Lemuel E. Graves,
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
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Eugene K. Jones and Gordon H. Jones The first initiation is held October 30, 1906 An initiatory banquet was held and presented speeches included the themes, Welcome Brother; Brotherhood; Courage, Brother; and Persevere, Brother Poindexter’s letter of resignation was presented but not accepted on December 4, 1906 The group decided officially to become a fraternity on December 4, 1906 George Tompkins stated on December 4, 1906 that he could not be part of a fraternity The resignation of Poindexter was accepted with regret on January 8, 1907 George B. Kelley is identified as the first president of Alpha Chapter The Sphinx is first published March 1914
During the course of reviewing the first 20 editions of the history book, along with Wesley’s 1977 publication, Henry Arthur Callis Life and Legacy, and by checking an array of other resources, items uncovered include the following new information. It must be noted this data could lead to adjustments to the Alpha history. These revelations have been shared and discussed with National Historian Bro. Dr. Robert Harris, Jr., fellow Historical Commission member, Bro. Dr. Norman Towels, former National Historian Bro. Dr. Thomas Pawley and the other members of the Historical Commission. An article was located in Atlanta by Bro. Edward Hightower that offered actual words by Poindexter from that era. In a publication called Voice of the Negro, printed May 1906, he wrote an article titled, Some Student Experiences. In the article he addressed incidences that occurred at Cornell University since his arrival in the Fall of 1905. Poindexter concluded his 33