THE JEWELS OF
ALPHA OF ALPHA FRATERNITY INC.

Jewel Brother Dr. Henry Arthur Callis became a practicing physician, Howard University Professor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. Often regarded as the “philosopher of the founders” and a moving force in the Fraternity’s development, he was the only one of the seven jewels to become General President. Upon his death in 1974, at age 87, the fraternity entered a time without any living Jewels. His papers were donated to Howard’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.

 

Jewel Charles Henry Chapman entered higher education and eventually became Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University. A university funeral was held with considerable fraternity participation when he became the first Jewel to enter Omega Chapter in 1934. Described as “a brother beloved in the bonds,” Jewel Chapman was a founder of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation & Organization.

 

Jewel Brother Eugene Kinckle Jones became the first executive secretary of the National Urban League. In addition to becoming Alpha Chapter’s second president and joining with Jewel Callis in creating the fraternity's name, Jewel Jones was a member of the first Committees on Constitution and Organization and helped write the fraternity ritual. Jewel Jones also has the distinction of being one of the first initiates as well as an original founder. His status as a founder was not finally established until 1952.

 

Jewel Brother George Biddle Kelley became the first African-American engineer registered in the state of New York. Not only was he the strongest proponent of the fraternity idea among the organization’s founders, but the civil engineering student also became Alpha Chapter’s first president. In addition, he served on committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Jewel Kelley was popular with the brotherhood. He resided in Troy, New York and was active with Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany.

 

Jewel Brother Nathaniel Allison Murray pursued graduate work after completing his undergraduate studies at Howard. Hae later returned home to Washington, D.C., where he taught in public schools. Much of his career was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of Columbia. He was a member of Alpha Chapter’s first committee on organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the committee on the grip. While a charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter, Jewel Murray was a frequent attendee of general conventions.

 

Jewel Robert Harold Ogle entered the career secretarial field and had the unique privilege of serving as a professional staff member to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations. He was an African-American pioneer in his Capitol Hill position. He proposed the fraternity’s colors and was Alpha Chapter’s first secretary. Jewel Ogle joined Jewel Kelley in working out the first ritual and later became a charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter.

 

Jewel Brother Vertner Woodson Tandy became the state of New York’s first registered black architect, with offices on Broadway in New York City. Jewel Tandy was the designer of the fraternity pin, holds the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned first lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard. He was Alpha Chapter’s first treasurer and took the initiative to incorporate the fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in New York City.

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