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[[image - logo]] Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

77th Annual Convention
August 5-10, 1983
New Orleans Hilton, New Orleans
Mr. Ozell Sutton, Atlanta, Ga., General President


Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Founded at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity numbers 75,000 college-trained men from nearly 600 college and alumni chapters in 45 states (including Alaska and Hawaii), the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Interracial since 1945, the Fraternity has taken an active role in relevant programs dealing with the educational, economic and social needs of the disadvantaged. 

Programs in this area include the scholarship and youth development programs of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC.; and the ALPHA PHI ALPHA BUILDING FOUNDATION, INC., which sponsors low-to-moderate income housing across the country. The latest of these housing efforts took place in 1979 with the opening of the $4.5 Million James R. Williams Tower for senior citizens and the handicapped, as part of the Fraternity's $15 Million Channelwood Village housing complex in Akron, Ohio. Another thrust of the organization is the Alpha Phi Alpha COMMISSION ON BUSINESS ENCOURAGEMENT, which sponsors programs to increase minority participation in private enterprise. Founded in 1974 under the leadership of Alpha President DR. WALTER WASHINGTON, Public Relations Specialist LEROY W. JEFFRIES, and Publisher JOHN H. JOHNSON, this program is now chaired by Los Angeles businessman ROBERT E. SANDERS.

Alpha recently completed a support pledge to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change-its major thrust at present is a $1 Million Fund Drive, with proceeds to benefit the National Urban League, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the United Negro College Fund.

"Political Action" was the dominant theme of the 73rd Anniversary Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha, held August 3-9, 1979 in Washington, D.C. Saluting ALPHAS IN GOVERNMENT . . . this conference of the nation's oldest predominantly Black Greek-letter organization featured addresses by major Black political figures from across the nation. "In this time of political uncertainty," stated Alpha President JAMES R. WILLIAMS, "the Fraternity felt it necessary both to honor those Blacks who have rendered exemplary public service and to bring these figures together with us in order to provide direction for our members across the country." Major speakers included Washington, D.C. Mayor MARION BARRY, Undersecretary of the Interior JAMES JOSEPH, New Orleans, LA Mayor ERNEST N. MORIAL, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations ANDREW YOUNG- all members of Alpha Phi Alpha. Other participants were Alpha members MAYNARD JACKSON, Mayor of Atlanta, GA; LOUIS E. MARTIN, Special Assistant to President Jimmy Carter; and 

[[images - scenes from the convention]]

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