Onward and Upward: the 40 year anniversary of the Xi Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
Since December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is focused on moving "Onward and Upward Toward the Light" as the vision of seven young students at Cornell University results in establishing the first and foremost intercollegiate fraternity designed by and for African-American men (and yes, they have members of different ethnic groups as well). With a lineage of famous members past and present including (but not limited to) Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, Adam Clayton Powell, Andrew Young, and Maynard Jackson, to contemporary figures including the late ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, current ESPN anchors Jay Harris and Stan Verett, the Weather Channel's Marshall Shepherd, Hill Harper, and Power's Omari Hardwick, men of Alpha are making their presence felt in multiple arenas.
The same holds true for the Xi Eta Chapter established at Wake Forest University; from April 12-14, 2019, the chapter is celebrating their 40th chapter anniversary.
With their own lineage of alumni members making positive contributions in education (K-12 and higher education), medicine, and yes, even a few authors, to current members, one of whom is the recently elected Speaker of the House (the first African-American in the university's history elected to this position), members of Xi Eta, along with their brethren from area chapters and other colleagues, are making their way to "Wake" to celebrate. The weekend actually gets off to an early start on April 12th. After lunch from 1-4pm, one of their alumni, Andrew Snorton, is hosting a book-signing at the campus bookstore in support of both of his books (with a portion of the proceeds donated to multiple campus entities grounded in student success). Programming continues in the evening with a social engagement outing, "Zick's with Xi Eta", promptly at 7:06pm.
Saturday's (April 13th) events including support for the campus chapter of the NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) for their event at Davis Field (from 12-3pm), a way for current members and alumni to connect and reconnect with each other and fellow organizations and colleagues. In the afternoon, they'll host a "cigar session" at Top Leaf Cigar Lounge at 5pm to wind down the afternoon activities.
Later in the evening (of April 13th), members are supporting the Celebration of Black Excellence Gala (from 8pm-12am) at the Muse at the Mill (1151 Canal Drive), as alumni members play a key role in this landmark extravaganza's establishment (as it's an "after-7" affair designed to celebrate the accomplishments of graduating seniors, graduates from the graduate and professional schools, alumni, administration, and related staff). Sunday's events include worship at Grace Presbyterian Church (11am) and brunch at Hutch and Harris (at 1:30pm).
Donations may be made via Venmo (@XiEta-Alphas), CashApp ($XiEtaAPA), and PayPal (XiEtaAlphas) to lend support to the chapter's current and future service and inter-related projects for the campus and larger Winston-Salem community.
Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind is more than a motto for members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The same holds true for the men of the Xi Eta Chapter. 40 years later, as the saying goes, "It only takes a few of us", in order to make a positive footprint on the ground they trail-blaze and tread.
40 years of moving "Onward and Upward", and more in store...
