An Unbroken Chain
Across the Atlantic
The Founding
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Seven visionary men, known as the Seven Jewels, established the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for African Americans, creating a legacy of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity.
Seeds Beyond Borders
Jewels Eugene Kinckle Jones and Vertner W. Tandy believed Alpha must extend beyond America to serve the needs of large masses of people, hungry for leadership and in need of honest, altruistic guidance. On April 11, 1908, without the approval of the Alpha Chapter, the two brothers chartered a chapter at the University of Toronto, Canada. The experiment did not last long, but it planted the seed for Alpha's expansion beyond the borders of the United States.
Beta Psi and the War Years
Alpha's first foothold in London came decades earlier with Beta Psi, a hybrid chapter of college and alumni brothers, a structure no longer authorized by the fraternity. America's entry into World War II and the establishment of bases in England made Beta Psi a popular home for brothers in uniform, representing the United Kingdom and war torn Europe and Africa. Years after the war, interest waned and the chapter was de-chartered and transferred to the University of Oregon. In 2011, Bro. Dr. John H. Carter reclaimed the Beta Psi name and brought it back to Richmond, the American International University in London.
Two Brothers Ignite the Vision
The brainchild for Rho Chi Lambda rests with Bro. Samuel C. Gregory, President of the Theta Theta Lambda Chapter in Frankfurt, Germany, who championed Alpha's expansion across Europe. The exploration gained wings with the initiation of two London brothers, Bro. Leonardo Major in Fall 2008 and Bro. Ronald Sewell in Spring 2009. Invigorated with the flame of Alpha, Bro. Sewell accepted the baton from Bro. Gregory to establish a separate chapter in London.
A Charter Takes Shape
While visiting Atlanta for the Christmas holiday of 2009, Bro. Sewell was introduced to Bro. Dr. John H. Carter, who agreed to help chart a course toward chartering a college and an alumni chapter in London. On July 15, 2010, Bro. Sewell officially submitted the alumni charter application. Despite early setbacks at the convention in Las Vegas, Brothers Carter and Sewell secured the committee's support, and on July 24, 2010, the General Convention unanimously approved the charter. The founders were Jonathan Ball, Gregory L. Carter, Dr. John H. Carter, Dr. Steven Carter, Victor L. Carter, Samuel Gregory, Terrell L. Jones, Leonardo Major, Chad Owens, Ronald Sewell, and Dr. Henry Williams.
First Chapter Meeting
On September 4, 2010, Rho Chi Lambda held its first official Chapter meeting, conducted remotely across London, the United States, Bermuda, and Germany, well before Zoom made virtual meetings commonplace. Bro. Ronald Sewell served as Chapter President and Bro. Dr. John H. Carter as Vice President, as the founding officers laid the framework for a fully functioning Chapter.
Rho Chi Lambda Chartered
On April 24, 2011, a delegation led by the 33rd General President, Herman Mason, Jr., traveled to London to officially charter the 675th Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Rho Chi Lambda. Its charter members: Kenyatta Andrews, Dr. John H. Carter, Gregory L. Carter, Dr. Steven D. Carter, Victor L. Carter, Peter Denis, Corey Gibson, Samuel Gregory, Leonardo Major, Keith Mosley, Jr., Andre A. Moss, Chad M. Owens, Diallo V. Rabain, Ronald A. Sewell, Dr. LeRoderick Terry, and Dr. Henry Williams.
Leading Across the Atlantic
On the day of chartering, Bro. Dr. John H. Carter presented the Chapter with a brass torch, a gift to ensure the flame of Alpha would never go out in the United Kingdom. From two London brothers, the chapter has grown to brothers from Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the USA, implementing the Go-To-High-School/Go-To-College, Project Alpha, Voteless People is a Hopeless People, and A Brother's Keeper programs to meet the needs of the United Kingdom community. In 2020, 2021, and 2023, the Chapter was named the International Association of Alpha Chapters' District Alumni Chapter of the Year.