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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University as the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established by and for African Americans.

The Seven Jewels founders established the fraternity to address educational, economic, political, and social injustices and built principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and uplifting of humanity.

Alpha Phi Alpha has over 700 college and alumni chapters worldwide, including 32 chapters in Illinois, with the first college chapter (Theta Chapter) founded in Illinois in 1910 and first alumni chapter (Xi Lambda Chapter) founded in Chicago in 1924.

Notable Alpha Phi Alpha members include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, W.E.B. DuBois, and current Illinois legislators Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Representative Justin Slaughter, and Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr.

The House of Representatives recognizes the 2024 Alpha Phi Alpha Day at the Illinois State Capitol on May 1, 2024, welcoming members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to advance community priorities.