Atlanta’s Eta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was honored as the 111-year-old organization’s most “outstanding chapter.” Eta Lambda is recognized for its partnership with Atlanta Public Schools. The chapter’s signature mentoring program, “Project ExC2el” awarded almost $30,000 in scholarships to high school and college students in the Atlanta metro area.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the world’s oldest intercollegiate fraternity, was founded by African American men. It was founded on Dec. 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., has continued to supply voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world.
The fraternity bestowed the prestigious “Outstanding Alumni Chapter of the Year” award to Eta Lambda during its 94th general convention, which was held in Baltimore, July 12-17, 2017. This is the highest award given to an alumni chapter by the organization.
The worldwide honor comes after the members of the Atlanta chapter won the state of Georgia title, then the Southern Region title. Eta Lambda, representing the Southern Region, bested the four other regional finalists from the East, Midwest, Southwest and West regions. International chapters from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe compete in the Eastern Region.
“We are honored to be recognized as National Chapter of the Year,” John J. Funny, president of Eta Lambda says in a statement to the press. “Eta Lambda has a rich history of service within the greater Atlanta area, and I am very proud of our members and congratulate them on this accomplishment.”
Eta Lambda’s award-winning presentation included highlights of their longstanding partnership with Atlanta Public Schools where they actively mentor young men at Brown Middle School and Booker T. Washington High School through the chapter’s signature mentoring program, “Project ExC2el.”
In May, Eta Lambda celebrated its 97th chapter anniversary with its inaugural Aureus Gala and awarded $29,500 in academic scholarships to high school and college students in the metro Atlanta area.
This is the seventh time Eta Lambda has been recognized as the fraternity’s National Alumni Chapter of the Year.
The fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 600 college and alumni chapters, and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. Visit www.apa1906.net and follow on Twitter @apa1906network.
