Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the first intercollegiate fraternity established for African Americans. Since its founding on December 4, 1906, on the campus of Cornell University by seven students known today as the "Seven Jewels," the fraternity has focused on education for minorities, providing advocacy and service for communities and developing  influential leaders. Some of the leaders that AΦA has helped develop include Noble Prize winner Martin Luther King, Jr., Justice Thurgood Marshall, scholar Cornell West, and US Ambassador Andrew Young. Today, there are over 680 active Alpha chapters in the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, the West Indies, and the Virgin Islands.

Alpha Phi Alpha has evolved into a primarily service organization and has provided leadership and service during the Great Depression, World Wars, Civil Rights Movements, and addresses social issues such as apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other  issues affecting many of America's communities. The fraternity involves itself in various philanthropic initiatives such as the March of Dimes, Head Start, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In addition, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the World Policy Council are some of its major initiatives today.