Convened in December 1905 as a literary society with the first presiding officer being CC Poindexter, it was established as a fraternity on December 4, 1906, at Ithaca, New York. Alpha Phi Alpha opened chapters at other colleges, universities, and cities, and named them with Greek letters.
Alpha Phi Alpha was formed in December 1905 as a literary club with CC Poindexter leading the initial meeting, and it was later reorganized into a fraternity on December 4, 1906, at Ithaca, New York. The organization expanded to other institutions, establishing chapters that were designated by Greek letters.