For over one hundred years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has stood committed to the ideals that make our nation great. This commitment is fulfilled through the Fraternity’s National Programs, which are community outreach mentoring initiatives that have been adopted by the organization’s governing body and mandated for implementation by all of its chapters. Our National Programs include, “Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College,” “A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” and “Project Alpha”. In 2010, we added a four program “A Brother’s Keeper” to extend our reach inward to support older members of our fold and/or their surviving spouses. These programs have become the hallmark of leadership and service in the United States and around the world.

Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College

During the 13th Annual convention in Kansas City, Missouri, the Fraternity adopted the “Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College” program as our first National Program in 1920. This program concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement. Statistics prove the value of this extra impetus in making the difference in the success of young African-American men, given that school completion is the single best predictor of future economic success. Through the Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College educational initiative, young men receive information and learn strategies that facilitate success. Alpha men provide youth participants with excellent role models to emulate.

Project Alpha

Project Alpha began as a program of the Iota Delta Lambda Chapter in Chicago, and was adopted as a National Program in 1980. Project Alpha is a collaborative effort between the March of Dimes Foundation and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This program was developed to increase the knowledge of the African-American male of the consequences of teenage pregnancy from the male perspective. This program seeks to assist young men in developing an understanding of their role in preventing untimely pregnancies through responsible attitudes and behaviors.

A Voteless People is a Hopeless People

“A Voteless People is a Hopeless People” was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930’s when many African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Historically, the likelihood that an individual will actually vote once registered has been high, and 2008 was no exception. Of all registered individuals, 90 percent reported voting, up slightly from 89 percent in the 2004 presidential election.

Brother’s Keeper

As our legacy for community service dictates, we must lead by example. We should demonstrate respect for our elders and their families within our own fraternal organization and community. Many of our elderly Brothers have dedicated their lives in service to Alpha Phi Alpha and to their communities. It is out of deep admiration, appreciation, and respect for this body of work that Brother’s Keeper has been developed.