December 4th 2023.
The halls of the White House resonated with a sense of pride and dignity as members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. gathered to celebrate their 117th Founder's Day. Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest intercollegiate fraternity for African Americans, established in 1906 at Cornell University as a study and support group for students facing racial prejudice.
Nearly two dozen members of the fraternity, who work under the leadership of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, met in a very special place - the ceremonial office of Vice President Harris, the nation’s first Black and South Asian woman in the role. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the sister organization to Alpha Phi Alpha.
"An objective of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is to prepare our members for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual," said Donald Cravins Jr., U.S. Commerce Under Secretary for Minority Business Development, who will soon celebrate 33 years in the fraternity. “Living this objective through service in the Biden-Harris administration has been an honor. I am proud to stand with these leaders as we strive to improve and better the lives of all Americans.”
These prominent members have dedicated themselves to the service of underserved communities. Several of them are graduates of historically Black colleges and universities, including Dillard, Howard, Hampton, Clark Atlanta, and South Carolina State universities.
They have also achieved remarkable firsts - Elliot Doomes, Public Buildings Service Commissioner at the U.S. General Services Administration, is the first African American in the 74-year history of the GSA; Noah Harris was elected the first Black male student body president in Harvard University’s 386-year history; and Major Laterrious “Tony” Starks is the first White House Social Aide Program Manager.
Roosevelt Holmes, who has extensive experience managing political, legislative, and grassroots campaigns, said he is proud to work with his brothers who are making “tangible accomplishments that uplift and transform lives.” Gregory Jackson Jr. is the Deputy Director of The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Special Assistant to the President, while Jimmy Anderson is the former White House Director of Veterans Engagement.
Preston Hardge, a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Small Business Administration, manages Entrepreneurial Development policy portfolio programs targeting underestimated communities, with a focus on disabled, rural, minority, and women-owned entrepreneurs. Cravins has had an extended career in politics, law, and supporting businesses.
Kamau M. Marshall, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Education Secretary, is mindful of the giants in his fraternity who have gone before him and is proud of the work that he and his brothers are doing in the Biden-Harris administration to make strong equity changes and economic impact across the board.
The fraternity members recently posed for a photo in front of the bust of Thurgood Marshall, the nation’s first Black Supreme Court Justice, who was also a fraternity member. They also gathered near a historic photo of former Vice President Hubert Humphrey and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - both were members of Alpha Phi Alpha.
It was truly a momentous occasion, one that saw the fraternity members stand in a place of power and authority, and strive to create a brighter future for all.
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