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93 5 Those Who Carried the Torch The General Presidents of Alpha Phi Alpha André McKenzie In providing a thorough analysis of an organization’s identity, an examination of its leadership is critical. This chapter examines the past general presidents of Alpha Phi Alpha and the role they played in shaping and defining the Alpha identity. From Moses A. Morrison, elected in 1908, to Darryl R. Matthews Sr., whose term in office ended 100 years after Morrison’s election, thirty-two men have carried the presidential torch of Alpha.1 Y. Sekou Bermiss notes in chapter 1 that “an organization’s identity is defined as the set of characteristics that are central, distinctive, and enduring to its members.” As such, it stands to reason that an organization’s leaders play a significant role not only in the maintenance and perpetuation of those characteristics but also in the course of action taken to achieve its stated purpose, goals, and objectives. More specifically , the leadership demonstrated by an organization’s president is central to this mission. In analyzing their leadership as general president, this chapter addresses the following key questions: Who were these men? What was their vision for the fraternity? What did they hope to accomplish? What specific issues were of primary significance? What challenges and obstacles did they face? How did they communicate Alpha’s mission and purpose to those both within and outside the fraternity? What were their achievements? How did their leadership, and that of their respective administrations, impact the formation of Alpha’s identity? What lessons can be learned from their experiences as Alpha approaches its 106th year of existence? The methodology employed in this study is that of historical method. Primary and secondary source materials were obtained from the fraternity’s archives at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, as well as archival materials at Alpha’s corporate headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Information received in response to a survey instrument sent by the author to the eight living past general presidents, as well as information 94 André McKenzie obtained from pertinent online resources, was also utilized. Through an analysis of their writings, speeches, and other relevant resources, the lives of the past general presidents are examined to answer the questions cited above.2 Moses A. Morrison (1908–1909) Members of the fraternity’s Alpha chapter had hoped that the organization’s first general president would be selected from among their ranks. That honor, however, went to a member of its Beta chapter, located at Howard University. Moses Alvin Morrison, along with his brother Julius and seventeen other young men, was initiated as a charter member of Beta chapter on December 20, 1907. Morrison’s election as general president came approximately one year later at the fraternity’s first general convention, which was held at Howard on December 28–30, 1908. Along with fellow initiate George A. Lyle, Morrison represented Beta chapter as a convention delegate and also served as a member of the convention committee.3 Alpha chapter delegates Robert H. Ogle and Roscoe C. Giles had been “advised” rather than “instructed” to support Henry Arthur Callis, a founder of the fraternity and the sitting president of Alpha chapter, for the office of general president. Wesley notes in Henry Arthur Callis: Life and Legacy that despite the hope that the first general president would be a son of Alpha chapter, the decision to go with Morrison appeared to be carefully planned and strategic in nature. Realizing that the organization would grow more rapidly “if the chief general officer was located nearer to the larger number of black students,” the members unanimously threw their support behind Morrison, with Callis accepting the vice presidency.4 Three additional chapters—Epsilon at the University of Michigan, Zeta at Yale University, and Eta at Columbia University—were established during Morrison’s year in office. In a letter dated March 23, 1909, he wrote to Giles, treasurer of the general organization, “You are hereby delegated to make said chapter at Yale, as such time as may be convenient to you and to them.” Due to the conservative nature of the institution, especially pertaining to matters of race, Morrison described the undertaking as “this first and important mission.”5 Morrison’s term in office ended at the fraternity’s second annual convention held at Richmond, Virginia, in December 1909. On December 27, the opening day of the convention, he delivered the address of the general president to those assembled. Three years...

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