UPCOMING EVENTS | MARK YOUR CALENDARS

We invite your support through our creatively-themed sponsorship opportunities:

Hero’s Table Supporter ($500 and above)

Includes table for eight, Business name and number in program and on screen, VIP seating, Corporate name and logo on screen, business

promotion on chapter social media and website.

Legacy Builder Supporter ($250)

Includes four program tickets, Business name and number in program and on screen,VIP seating, Corporate name and logo on screen, business

promotion on chapter social media and website.

Guiding Light Supporter ($100)

Business name and logo in program and on screen,

business promotion on chapter social media and website.

Pathfinder Patron (Open Donation)

Business name and logo in program, business

promotion on chapter social media and website.

Sponsorship and individual tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. Individual tickets are only available via Eventbrite. However, sponsorships may also be purchased via checks made payable to:

4C3 Project and mailed to P.O. Box 22678, Newport News, VA 23609.

Responses are due by May 15.

Father’s Day Breakfast Banquet and Scholarship Presentation

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Zeta Lambda Chapter, in collaboration with the 4C3 Project (a 501C3 organization), formerly known as the Zeta Lambda Education Foundation, invites you to join us for an enriching Father's Day Breakfast Banquet and Scholarship Presentation. The Zeta Lambda chapter has been serving the Hampton Roads community for over 100 years.

This inaugural event will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Holiday Inn, Newport News City Center, 980 Omni Boulevard, Newport News, Virginia. It is a heartfelt occasion honoring fathers and father figures in the Newport News area, recognizing their indispensable role in nurturing growth, leadership, and inspiration among Newport News area students. Importantly, this event is dedicated to directly supporting Newport News area students through scholarships, promoting writing through a Father’s Day essay contest in partnership with Newport News Public Schools, and reinforcing our commitment to fostering a supportive environment for student success in our community. McKinley Price, DDS, former Mayor of the city of Newport News will be the inagural event's speaker providing words of wisdom. The attire is smart casual for summer (polo shirt, slacks, sundresses, etc.).

For further information about sponsorship, please contact Claude Gist at 757-654-3065, claudegist@yahoo.com, or Kevin Banks at 757-740-0723, kevinbanks1906@gmail.com. Thank you for considering this opportunity to champion our fathers, our youth, and our future. Together, we can create a legacy of leadership, learning, and love in Newport News.

First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.

Alpha Phi Alpha™, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded on December 4, 1906™ at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country.

The fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity.

Alpha Phi Alpha chapters were established at other colleges and universities, many of them historically black institutions, soon after the founding at Cornell. The first alumni chapter was established in 1911. While continuing to stress academic excellence among its members, Alpha also recognized the need to help correct the educational, economic, political, and social injustices faced by African Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through leaders such as W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Edward Brooke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young, William Gray, Paul Robeson, and many others. True to its form as the “first of firsts,” Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945.

Since its founding on December 4, 1906™, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The seven visionary founders, known as the “Jewels” of the fraternity, are Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy.

ZETA LAMBDA CHAPTER HISTORY

The Peninsula Alphas

The Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the twenty-seventh House of Alpha (chapter) in the fraternity and the sixth alumni chapter. Zeta Lambda is seated in Newport News, Virginia. The chapter was charted on April 3rd, 1920 and is the oldest alumni chapter in the state. Zeta Lambda is only eclipsed by the Gamma Chapter, chartered in 1907 at Virginia Union University.

Zeta Lambda was established in Norfolk, Virginia and was initially composed of brothers from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Berkley, and the surrounding districts. Then General Secretary of the fraternity, Brother Norman L. McGhee chartered the chapter and a delegation from the Gamma Chapter was present at its chartering.

Zeta Lambda serves as advisors to the Kappa Pi (The College of William and Mary) and Upsilon Beta (Christopher Newport University) Chapters of the fraternity.

Zeta Lambda Timeline

A Legendary Legacy

1920s

1920 - Bro. Samuel F. Coppage travels to Kansas City, MO as Zeta Lambda's first delegate to a General Convention. Throughout the 1920s Zeta Lambda travels to other such conventions in cities as far as Baltimore, Columbus, New York City, Richmond, and Atlanta.

1929 - Bro. P. Bernard Young, Jr. is elected Editor to The Sphinx, the fraternity's official organ and 2nd oldest African-American publication in existence.

1930s

1930s - Bro. Lutrelle F. Palmer relocates Zeta Lambda to Newport News, VA and is instrumental in modeling Alpha's "Go To High School, Go To College" program at the Huntington school complex.

1935 - Zeta Lambda helps establish the Alpha Phi Lambda chapter in Norfolk, VA to serve growing number of brothers in the Tidewater area.

1940s

1940s - WWII greatly impacts Zeta Lambda, affecting chapter membership and the expansion of programs.

1940s - The Alpha Family concept is nurtured by chapter leadership resulting in the Alpha Wives and other family initiatives.

1943 - Bros. Eric Epps, Lutrell F. Palmer, J. Rupert Picott, and T. Roger Thompson are instrumental in the fight for equality across the city, commonwealth, and country; gaining equalized pay for black and white educators.

1947 - Zeta Lambda helps charter the Gamma Iota chapter at Hampton Institute (now University).

1947 - Zeta Lambda helps charter the Delta Beta Lambda chapter in Hampton, VA.

1948 - Bros. P. Bernard Young and Llewellyn A. Coles make history as the first black journalists to accompany a U.S. President on a major trip.

1950s

1950s - A period of growth and "Alpha Action" for Zeta Lambda.

1950 - Zeta Lambda co-hosts the Eastern Region Convention at Hampton Institute (now University).

1954 - The Alpha Wives program continues to thrive.

1955 - Bro. J. Rupert Picott is elected Eastern Region Vice President.

1955 - Zeta Lambda hosts Brother Duke Ellington for a night of jazz!

1950s - Zeta Lambda becomes one of 41 Alpha chapters recognized as paid in full NAACP Life Members and the Alpha Wives program continues to thrive.

1960s

1960s - Zeta Lambda remains focused in a decade of change.

1962 - Bro. Hale Thompson honored as Zeta Lambda Man of the Year for championing equal opportunity in the National Guard, education, recreation, public facilities, and civil service.

1963 - Alphas observe the Emancipation Proclamation centennial as the highlight of Zeta Lambda Education Week; ABC News correspondent Bro. Malvin Goode is the keynote speaker.

1968 - Bro. Talmadge Tabb is elected District Director of Virginia.

1970s

1970s - Bright moments come for Zeta Lambda via continuity of leadership, robust social and education programs, and implementation of all fraternity programs.

1970s - Zeta Lambda implements Alpha youth programs at the Hampton Road Boys' Club including mentorship, career awareness, basketball tournaments, and Project Alpha.

1970s - Zeta Lambda gives to the Norfolk State Scholarship Fund and gives $500 to the renovation of Morton Theater on Jefferson Avenue.

1970 - Zeta Lambda celebrate 50 years on April 3rd, 1970.

1970 - Founder's Day functions are held at Langley Officers Club and Craftsman Hall.

1971 - Bro. Thad Madden is honored by the Peninsula Sports Club's as "Man of the Year" for twenty-eight years of outstanding football and track coaching at Huntington High School in Newport News.

1972 - Palmer Middle School is dedicated for Bro. Lutrell F. Palmer who fought in the 1940s for equalized pay for black and white educators in Newport News.

1975 - Zeta Lambda co-hosts the VACAPAF Convention. Zeta Lambda and the other Peninsula chapters create a model for future VACAPAF conventions.

1977 - Bro. Hannibal Ridley is elected Patriarch of Virginia at the 33rd anniversary VACAPAF convention.

1977 - Bro. Bobby Scott is elected to represent Newport News in the Virginia House of Delegates, it the beginning of a successful political career.

1980s

1980s - Zeta Lambda marches triumphantly through the 1980s its members continue to succeed in the community: Bro. McKinley Price is elected chairman of the Newport News school board, Bros. Clarence Curry and Bernard Howard are trustees for Hampton University and Newport News General Hospital respectively, to name a few.

1980s - Bro. William Batts serves as area director for the Peninsula.

1980s - Bro. Clarence Curry is receives the Alpha Award of merit at VACAPAF and Eastern Region conventions.

1983 - Zeta Lambda co-hosts the 1983 VACAPAF Convention.

1983 - Bro. Bobby Scott is elected to represent Newport News in the Senate of Virginia.

1987 - Alpha Phi Alpha General President Bro. Charles Teamer visits Zeta Lambda to accept a $2500 check for the National Headquarters Building Fund. Zeta Lambda gives a total of $6250.

1988 - Bro. Alvin Bryant is promoted to U.S. Army Brigadier General.

1989 - Zeta Lambda co-hosts the 1989 VACAPAF Convention.

1989 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention.

1990s

1993 - Bro. Bobby Scott is elected to represent Newport News and the 3rd Congressional District of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1995 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention.

1995 - ZL begins MegaGenesis, Tidewater's premiere College Readiness Program!

1995 - The first annual "[Bro.] Thad Madden Table of Champions" is named at the Peninsula Sport's Club Headliners' Night and seats outstanding athletes in the Peninsula.

1996 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

1997 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

1998 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

1998 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; General Convention.

2000s

2002 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

2005 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

2006 - Alumni Chapter of the Year; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

2006 - Charles H. Wesley Award; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

Zeta Lambda and Kappa Pi (The College of William & Mary)

2008 - Charles H. Wesley Award; VACAPAF Convention, Eastern Region Convention.

Zeta Lambda and Kappa Pi (The College of William & Mary)

2008 - Charles H. Wesley Award; General Convention.

Zeta Lambda and Kappa Pi (The College of William & Mary)

2009 - Zeta Lambda helps charter the Upsilon Beta Chapter at Christopher Newport University.

2010s

2010 - Zeta Lambda is selected by the General Organization to receive grant money for one of its signature education programs: MegaGenesis.

2020s

2020 - Zeta Lambda celebrates 100 years of Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind; Zeta Lambda crosses its 100th initiate, Bro. Brian Wright (SP '20; 5)

Chapter Leadership

'23-'24

Bro. Kipp Rogers, President

Bro. Kianga Thomas, Vice President

Bro. Kamren Gallon, Recording Secretary

TBD, Corresponding Secretary

Bro. Brian Wright, Treasurer

Bro. Ivar Browne, Financial Secretary

Bro. Devin Evans, Associate Editor to the SPHINX

Bro. Leroy Salary, Chaplain

Bro. Andre Taylor, Historian

Bro. Anthony Perry, Director of Educational Activities

Bro. James Avery, Dean of Membership

Bro. Rakim Yarbrough, Parliamentarian

Bro. Michael Davis, Sergeant at Arms

Current Chapter Projects

Project Alpha

Designed to provide young men with current and accurate information about teen pregnancy prevention, Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers.

Megagenesis

The “Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College” program, established in 1922, concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement.

A Voteless People is

A Hopeless People

“A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” (aka VPHP) was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930’s. Voter education and registration have remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990’s, the focus shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums.

Adopt-a-Spot

Adopt-a-Spot engages volunteers (individuals, community groups, business groups) to undertake coordinated litter cleanups of designated sites in Newport News.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

The donations collected during the Christmas season help the Salvation Army provide gifts to children who would otherwise go without and also help to provide food, shelter, and utility assistance to those who need it most.

Thanksgiving

Baskets

Each year, our chapter sponsors Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. Due to the pandemic, our most recent efforts have culminated in a partnership with the local food bank.

Brother's Keeper

Formally called the A. Charles Haston Brother’s Keeper program, this service program developed with the mission of advocating and improving the quality of life for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s senior brothers, their spouses and widows; brothers who are retired and have disabilities or ailments; and vulnerable community members.

MEETING INFO

Our chapter meets on the second Thursday of each month. Please reach out to any current chapter brother for meeting information.