Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was established in 1906 at Cornell University to support African American students facing racial prejudice. It has advocated for social justice issues and many civil rights leaders were members, including W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thurgood Marshall. In 2019, Alpha Phi Alpha sponsored its first Alpha Days on the Hill lobbying event to bring attention to issues like voting rights, the census, education access, healthcare, wages, and historically black colleges and universities.

1. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Advocates for African-Americans
By: Keith Towns

2. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Advocates for African-
Americans
An accountant for 30 years, Keith Towns consults with customers on tax law as the head of the
Emerge Financial Group in Oakland, California. Keith Towns is also a member of the Alpha Phi
Alpha fraternity (APA), established in 1906 to support college students of African descent.

3. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Advocates for African-
Americans
APA began as a forum for students at Cornell University who encountered racial prejudice and bias
from teachers. Later, its concerns widened from encouraging academic achievement to striving for
social justice. Many civil rights leaders came from its ranks, such as W. E. B. DuBois, Martin
Luther King, Jr., and Thurgood Marshall.

4. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Advocates for African-
Americans
In May 2019, APA sponsored its first Alpha Days on the Hill, in which members lobbied Congress
for various causes. The event also commemorated the late APA brother Ron Dellums, an African-
American who represented California in the U. S. House of Representatives for 28 years.

5. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Advocates for African-
Americans
APA’s Washington agenda also includes preserving voters’ rights, the integrity of the 2020 U. S.
census, and other issues. It is also working alongside other advocacy groups to enhance access to
education, keep healthcare affordable, and provide a living wage for all Americans. Finally, it lends
support to historically black colleges and universities.