National Programs/Special Projects:
The fraternity's National Programs and their areas of focus are presented in this section. National Programs are programs/projects which have been adopted by the General Convention and mandated for implementation by all chapters. Our National Programs are:
Go-To-High School, Go-To-College
The "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" program, established in 1922, 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.
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. Voter education and registration has remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990's, the focus has shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums.
Project Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation began collaboratively implementing Project Alpha in 1980. This collaborative project is designed to provide education, motivation and skill-building on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases for young males ages 12-15 years. Designed to provide young men with current and accurate information about teen pregnancy prevention, Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers. The three goals of Project Alpha programs are:
- Sharing Knowledge by combating ignorance and fear with factual information.
- Changing Attitudes by providing motivation toward positive changes in sexual behavior.
- Providing Skills by creating a sense of empowerment and self-esteem.
Project Alpha week, which started in 2000, targets the second week of October every year. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chapters all across the country execute the program with their local March of Dimes to implement Project Alpha programs.
Program Highlights
- Provides education for young males 12-15 years old on sexuality, fatherhood and the role of males in relationships.
- Motivates young men to make decisions about their goals and values, and act in ways that support their decisions.
- Builds young men's skills through role-playing. Utilizes appropriate male role models and mentors.
A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper Program
At the 90th General Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, following a motion made by Brother Roderick L. Smothers, Southwestern Regional Vice President, Brother's Keeper was unanimously adopted by all delegates as a national program of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. It was also moved that the program "be incorporated into the membership intake process" as one of its required national service projects and that the program be named in honor of Brother A. Charles Haston. Brother's Keeper is a service program developed with the mission of advocating for and improving the quality of life for retired, mature, and ailing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers, their spouses, and widows. The goal of Brother's Keeper is to promote dignity and independence among retired and mature brothers, spouses, and widows.
