It was described as one of the highlights of the convention, next to journeying back to Cornell to salute Jewels Callis, Kelley and Murray;  and  next to hearing a young Martin Luther King give the keynote address at the closing banquet.In this concert however,  Duke Ellington was not just playing to any audience like the thousands of concerts where he had performed.  This Washington D.C.native was in the house of Alpha. Earlier that day he had received the Alpha Phi Alpha plaque for meritorious services to humanity. 

Later that year, the brothers of Savannah State College presented him a 20 year service pin. 

It is always a curiosity to know when and where a brother was made an Alpha.  That question has been asked  regarding how, when and where did Ellington become an Alpha. It was widely known that he did not attend college for any length of time.  Later that year, the brothers of Savannah State College presented him a 20 year service pin. If he was presented a service pin for 20 years in 1956, then he would have had to have been initiated in 1936. 

Duke had known several Alphas during his stint in Harlem. Namely, poet Countee Cullen,  architect Vertner Woodson Tandy and  fellow musician Fletcher Henderson to name a few. Though he knew them outside of the realm of Alpha, it was his connection to a brother in Bluefield, West Virginia where he was introduced and subsequently initiated into the fraternity through Alpha Zeta Lambda Chapter( in what a few brothers, now deceased, called a controversial initiation). It was controversial because the fraternity had ceased making honorary members and without a degree, Duke theoretically was not eligible for membership. Yet, he was made and much to Alpha's credit. Nevertheless,   none of the numerous books on Duke, nor his collection at the Smithsonian indicate any documentation on his initiation into Alpha. 

In April of 1955, the  Alpha Zeta Lambda Chapter in  Bluefield, West Virginia brought Ellington and his band to the city to entertain over 500 guest. Though not documented, it is assumed that Brother Dr. J.  Ernie Martin was instrumental in Duke's affiliation with Alpha. In an article in the New York Amsterdam News "Duke Ellington shares fin with West Virginia Alphas," it was quoted that they used the event for reclamation. Guest to the event came from as far as New Jersey to Tennessee. It was also his birthday, so the brothers rolled out a cake and wished him a happy birthday. 

The Beta Zeta Lambda Chapter in Jefferson City, Missouri cited Brother Ellington for his outstanding contribution to music and race relations. Alpha Psi Chapter presented Brother Ellington with an Alpha lamp. The presentation was made by Brother Melvin Streator. 

Again in 1959, the Duke returned to Bluefield to perform at the Bluefield Auditorium. this time over 1600 turned out for the event.  Efforts to try to locate brothers in Bluefield who could provide some oral history was unsuccessful. 

Edward Kennedy Ellington had been born in Washington and grew up in the city's black middle class. His mother Daisy Kennedy was the daughter of a DC police captain and his father James Edward Ellington, was a coachman, butler, caterer and blueprint draftsman. Duke always said that his father "JE"  acted as though he had money, whether he had it or not. He raised his family as though he were a millionaire."  As a teenager, he hung out on T Street. He left DC in 1923 for New York and opened up at the Hollywood Cafe later renamed Club Kentucky. Duke played at numerous clubs including the Savoy, the Cotton Club and Smalls Paradise. Smalls Paradise had been designed by our Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy. 

His career has been  well documented. His albums are still best sellers. His son and granddaughter carried on his musical legacy. 

He died on May 24, 1974. By the end of '74, two giants had entered Omega Chapter Duke Ellington on May 24 and Jewel Henry Arthur Callis on November 12. At Ellington;s funeral,  over ten thousand mourners gathered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the outskirts of Harlem. Now celebrating his 100th birthday, Ellington was awarded posthumously a Pulitzer Prize for music. He would always close his concerts with the words" I love you madly."  Today, let us pause to remember this American legend, who shared a love for dear Alpha Phi Alpha, the pride of Duke's heart and ours. 

This founder still believes that the future success of the Fraternity depends on the continued belief in and the carrying on of most of the ideas of the original seven. This applies especially to the brotherhood. 
Jewel George Biddle Kelley, 1948 
 
FROM THE EMAIL BAG: 
Note: Yesterdays article on the obvious omission of Alpha in other fraternity history books sparked great debate and questions. Over the years many rumors and stories have floated about Alpha's involvement in the organization of these other fraternities. A sampling of questions are below: 

One brother wrote and said he heard that Kappa Alpha Psi really means "The Knights of Alpha at Indiana University. 

Another brother "heard" that a representative of Alpha was to go to Indiana University and meet with this new group. On the day that they were to meet a terrible snowstorm kept the Alpha brother from showing up in a timely fashion. When he failed to show, the Kappa Brothers decided that they would form their own organization, 

Another brother wrote that he was told that the Kappa's were supposed to have become the 10th chapter of our fraternity at Indiana University but they could not get their act together so the brothers moved to Ohio State University where Kappa Chapter was established. 

Another brother wrote: The founders of Omega at Howard were allegedly the three brothers not chosen on "Tap Day". In their angst these three ran to their professor Ernest Just and told him of their plight. From that Omega Psi Phi was born. 

Skip's Response-It is assumed that Tap Day ceased at Howard in 1908 after Alpha chapter expressed its displeasure. While it is possible that they (Omega Founders) could have been in the Freshman class in the fall of 1908, there is no known list of the persons who participated in that exercise. 

Another Brother wrote and said that each fraternity has paid homage to Alpha Phi Alpha by including at least one letter of our name in theirs: Kappa Alpha, Omega-Phi, Sigma Phi, Iota-Phi. 

Skip's Answer-There is no documentation to my knowledge that would support or substantiate these allegations no matter how coincidental they might be. Wesley did not mention them in his writing and certainly these organizations as I attempted to prove in yesterday's piece certainly did not credit Alpha in any way. My research has not turned up any affirmation of these rumors. The fact is that Alpha was on the campus at Howard University, where two Kappa founders attended for a year. Secondly, all founders of Omega and Phi Beta Sigma were aware of Beta Chapter of Alpha and because of differences perhaps used those to propel them to organize their own. 

BROTHERS, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ORIGINATORS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATION RATHER THEY RECOGNIZE US OR NOT!! 

Other letters: 

Skip, 

 I know this may be difficult, but is there any way we can get copies of the history books of the other Greek letter organizations.  I know the Delta Sigma Theta history book is in stores all over the country, but what about the others.  Let me know. 

Also, in a future note, could you address the status and legacy of C.C. Poindexter?  Brother Wesley showed him in an honorable light and he is known as a precursor of the fraternity, but recently I have heard brothers down him for not fully following through on the vision of the founders.  Please provide your insight. 

Answer-None of the history books are sold in the stores with the exception of Paul Giddings "In Search of Sisterhood: Delta Sigma Theta and the challenge of the Black Sorority Movement. Copies must be ordered through the National Headquarters. You can access the National Web site of the fraternities and sororities on the Internet. 

See note about C.C. Poindexter below. 

ANOTHER BROTHER WROTE: 

Question: What is the true connection between Alpha Phi Alpha, C.C.Poindexter, and Omega Psi Phi? Do you know if he was truly instrumental in the formation of their fraternity only five years after 
refusing to be a part of Alpha Phi Alpha due to a "lack of background/history for our people"? If he was actually involved in their formation, I'd like to know what made him change his mind, and why all of the sudden he thought we were "ready" for fraternity life? 
Fraternally Yours, 
    Brother Darian M. Bowers 
    Eta Phi Chapter, Spr. '98 
Univ. of Tennessee at Chattanooga 
 

Skip's Response-There has been no factual documentation to substantiate the claim that C.C. Poindexter was one of the founders of Omega Psi Phi. In fact, when the Omegas were established, Mr. Poindexter was teaching at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. (Poindexter will be the subject of a future historical moment). You will be surprised to know that Poindexter was still the sentimental choice for Callis for that seventh spot as a founder even until 1926. The one in question was not James Morton (whom Eugene Kinckle Jones replaced) but Charles Henry Chapman. (You'll have to wait  until the book comes out.) 

*********************** 
Dear Bro. Mason. 

Thanks for your enlightenment. I am a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. My cousins as well as my brother are all Alpha men. 

Interestingly, we are from Africa, Liberia, the University of Liberia and The Cuttington University College prior to the civil strife in Liberia in 1990. 

There are great men of Alpha who have served in the Government of Liberia and have made significant contributions to Liberia and the "Continent" as a whole. 

I hope to return home one of these days as soon as the civil war is over and relight the Flames of the Fraternity back in Liberia and the "Continent" as a whole. 

Please Keep up the "Very Good" work. "...may they ever abide and with us stay. 

In The Name of Alpha. 
Paul B. Muah 
**************************************** 

A BROTHER WANT TO KNOW: 

Question:  Being a former "stepmaster" of my chapter ... when did "stepping" originated in the Fraternity, and the Sororities :-).. and the ALPHA TRAIN as  well. 

I am working on an article that traces the evolution of traditions such as stepping and singing. 
 

ADVANCED COMMENTS ON THE BOOK: THE TALENTED TENTH: The Founders and General Presidents of the Nation's First African-American Collegiate Fraternity 

"The Founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity really provided a need and comfort for young Black men at a time when support and networking was so vital to our growth and maturity in a very hostile society. We are forever indebted to them....." 
Brother Lenny Wilkens 
Head Coach, Atlanta Hawks 

*his comments appear on the back on the back of the book and dust jackets. 

FOR YOUR DELTA SWEETHEART: 

Remember little Rudy, the sweet daughter on the Cosby Show. Well, she is all grown up and a sophomore at Spelman. She was recently inducted into Spelman's Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Spring '99. 

Read about Delta in the Literature: 
Barbara Jordan, An American Hero (Bantam, 1999) 
Features five pages on Delta. Congresswoman Jordan joined the chapter at Texas Southern University in 1952.  Jordan said "The Delta's were less color conscious than the other sorority" 

In This Life Together with Ossie and Ruby  (Morrow, 1998) 
Ruby Dee was made an honorary member of the sorority in 1974. 

Watch Me Fly: Myrlie Evers Williams  (Little Brown, 1998) 
"talks about her membership in Delta Sigma Theta. 

Okay, last Delta note: Did you know that Betty Shabazz was a member of Delta Sigma Theta in New York. She was not honorary but pledged. I met one of her Big Sisters who is an actress and who pinned her. 

Don't fret husbands and sweethearts of Alpha Kappa Alpha. I have a nice treat for you coming up soon. I promise! 

THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THIS: 

This information can also be found in the African American Archives at theSmithsonian Institute. Although not taught in American learning institutions and literature, it is noted in most Black history professional circles and literature that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of lynching African-Americans. The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A N---er." This is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into a family gathering.  There would be music and a "picnic."  ("Nic" being the white acronym for "nigger.") Scenes of this were depicted in the movie "Rosewood."  We should choose to  use the word "barbecue" or "outing" instead of the word "picnic."