July 13, 2025
Fraternity management desires this conference to construct technique for the long run.
1000’s of members inside Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Included will head to Philadelphia for the group’s 119th anniversary conference.
The conference will happen July 16 to July 20 on the Pennsylvania Conference Heart. In response to the Philadelphia Tribune, round 7,000 members of the primary collegiate fraternity for Black males are anticipated to attend.
As a Black Greek Letter Group a part of the Divine 9, Alpha Phi Alpha upholds pillars of neighborhood service and advocacy. These values even prolong to its selection to carry their 98th normal conference in Philadelphia. The fraternity’s president emphasised town’s historical past of social justice, together with its latest labor employees’ strike, as a motive for its choice.
“Philadelphia has had a protracted historical past of civil rights and activism,” mentioned Alpha Phi Alpha Basic President Lucien J. Metellus Jr. “We see that daily and now with the union strike. We all the time assist the exercise of our individuals and thought that Philadelphia can be an ideal spot to have interaction and have our conference there to work with the area people, particularly the Black and minority-owned companies.”
The choice got here after a conference was postponed in 2023, initially scheduled to happen in Orlando, Florida. Alpha Phi Alpha initially deliberate to convey its members and enterprise to the Sunshine State. Nevertheless, they opted out of gathering there following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ revisions to the best way Black historical past is taught in lecture rooms. They cited the native authorities’s actions didn’t align with the mission and values of equality ingrained within the group.
Now happening in Philadelphia, the conference desires Alpha members to look towards its subsequent steps. With a theme of “Reimagining Alpha for the Future,” the occasion will embody enterprise classes, public occasions, workshops, and neighborhood service tasks, in addition to normal actions for all.
Alpha Phi Alpha management additionally desires to think about new methods to thrive as a Black man-focused group.
“Numerous instances in life, we solely plan one or two years upfront,” Metellus mentioned. “I need to begin investing within the progress and applied sciences and modifications within the methods we entry one another. It’s necessary to put these foundations right this moment.”
Metellus additionally desires the fraternity to consider what Black male youth want right this moment to succeed and additional their schooling. This features a public occasion to have interaction with the native Philadelphia neighborhood. Deemed “Advocacy in Schooling: Empowering Black Males for School and Past,” a number of collegiate leaders will talk about the obstacles and options to Black males fulfilling their educational journeys.
“We wish youth to see this inflow subsequent week of 10,000 college-educated Black males, in numerous ranges of schooling and past, represented in a really optimistic manner,” expressed Jason W. Harris, president of the native Omicron Delta Lambda chapter. “And to not simply give them inspiration however proof that they are often profitable. We’re in all facets of any occupation that they could be involved in, so it’s simply gonna be a extremely highly effective assertion.”
The four-day conference may also host a proper gala and award ceremonies to focus on the fraternity’s profitable endeavors and members. The Alpha Award of Advantage and Alpha Award of Honor will acknowledge NBA Corridor of Famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald, U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Worldwide President Elsie Cooke-Holmes U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey may also achieve recognition for this coveted award.
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