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20th Annual AFI Awards - Cocktail Reception

Source: Michael Kovac / Getty

Alpha Phi Alpha was founded as the first African-American, inter-collegiate Greek-lettered fraternity 115 years ago. The oldest of the college Black fraternities, its ranks are a virtual who’s who of great men in business, sports, entertainment and more.  

Established December 4, 1906 at Cornell University, by seven founders its members refer to as “Jewels,” the organization continues to live up to its motto: First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All. For example, in 2014 the frat paid the funeral costs of murdered Ferguson teen Mike Brown.

In honor of the organization’s Founders Day, we present 15 famous members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity on the following pages. Some you may know, others may surprise you.

 

 

10 Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Alpha Phi Alpha Members [Photos]  was originally published on hiphopwired.com

1. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Source:Getty

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II aka the new Morpheus in The Matrix along with a string of stellar credits pledged the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

2. Stuart Scott

Stuart Scott Source:Getty

The late, great Stuart Scott pledge at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Mu Zeta chapter.

3. Keenen Ivory Wayans

This Wayans brother Tuskeegee University on an engineering scholarship, where he crossed the burning sands at Gamma Phi chapter in the 1970’s.

4. Benny Boom

The video and now film director was initiated at Temple University’s Pi Rho chapter.

5. Omari Hardwick

Omari Hardwick Source:iOne Digital

Yep, Ghost from Power is an Alpha. He got down at the Zeta Pi (University of Georgia) chapter.

6. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Source:Getty

Although King went to Morehouse for undergrad, he was initiated at Boston’s Sigma chapter.

7. David Dinkines

David Dinkines Source:Getty

Beta (Howard U.) brother Dinkins (RIP) was the first Black mayor of NYC, and actually pledged the famed Andrew Young. NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 25: Ambassador Andrew Young and former New York City mayor David Dinkins attend the 2011 Trustees Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement dinner and presentation at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers on February 25, 2011 in New York City.

8. Judge Joe Brown

Judge Joe Brown Source:Getty

Brown joined the ranks at Memphis State University’s Kappa Eta chapter.

9. Darryl Bell

Darryl Bell Source:Getty

The A Different World legend reps the black and gold of A Phi A. 

10. Donny Hathaway

Donny Hathaway Source:Getty

The late soul icon Donny Hathaway joined Alpha Phi Alpha while at Howard University.