By Rev. Father Raphiell Ashford and Mr. Anthony Casellas
COLUMBIA
The Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. celebrated its 90th Charter Day with a week of festivities, service, and fellowship. The signature event to kick off the celebration was the chapter’s Third Annual Capital City Derby. The 3rd Annual Derby was held at the Farm at Ridgeway on Sunday, May 4th to a sold-out crowd.
The theme this year was Style, Spirits, and Spectacle. As Columbia’s premier derbythemed event, the day was filled with elegance, excitement, and memories that will last a lifetime. Known for its fashion and style, fellowship, connections, delectable cuisine, and show-stopping entertainment, the Capital City Derby is an event not to be missed.
Other amenities included: The Capital City Ultra Lounge, a live horse exhibit, the 360 experience, libations from the open bar, and much more. There was a Best-Dressed Man and Woman contest. Ladies adorned in fascinators, bright colorful sundresses and heels, to men donning pastel and seersucker suits, bowties, fedoras, boaters, and stylish shoes (from Boat shoes to Bucks), there was be a place for everyone to showcase their best Derby looks.
In addition to the Derby, the Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter held other events to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the 144th House of Alpha. Among the events that took place at the historic house were: a Charter Day Cookout at the fraternity house celebrating the chapters and 2025 graduates from Allen University and Benedict College, a brick-laying ceremony
to honor the legacy of the 12 Charter members of Alpha Psi Lambda, the dedication of the Charter Wall showcasing the photographs of the 12 Charter members along with the reading of their biographies.
The celebration ended on Wednesday, May 7th, with the tradition of reading the chapter minutes from May 7, 1935, the election of new officers, and fellowship to celebrate 90 years of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.
The twelve Alpha men who chartered Alpha Psi Lambda are: The Rev. Brother Dr. Eugene Avery Adams, Sr., Brother Cecil A. Burch, the Rev. Brother John Riley Dungee, Jr., Brother Rollin P. Greene, Brother Frederick C. Hipp, Brother Dr. Robert Weston Mance, Jr., Brother Thomas Sinkler Martin, Brother Joseph D. McGhee, Brother Dr. Harry Benjamin Rutherford, Sr., Brother Captain Abram Lyon Simpson, and Brother Paul Rainey Webber, Jr.
The seed of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., initially
sown at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, has since flourished into a mighty tree. One of its significant branches took root in Columbia, SC, thanks to the vision of Brother Abram L. Simpson, former President of Allen University and composer to the fraternity’s national hymn. Recognizing the need for an Alpha chapter in the community, Brother Simpson rallied Alpha Brothers in the area, leading to the establishment of Alpha Psi Lambda on May 7, 1935.
As the first chartered Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in South Carolina, Alpha Psi Lambda has been an integral part of the community for over 90 years. The chapter has opened its doors to College and Alumni Brothers, as well as the wider Waverly and Greater Columbia, South Carolina communities. Alpha Psi Lambda has consistently played a pivotal role in the city’s leadership. Through its various programs, Alpha Psi Lambda continues to support downtrodden humanity in their pursuit of
elevated social, economic, and intellectual standing. Within our chapter, those whose lives we touch are transformed into individuals characterized by amicability, kindness, and fraternity.
Alpha Psi Lambda also provides valuable advisory support to the Gamma Pi (Benedict College) and Gamma Gamma (Allen University) chapters.
Over the years, Alpha Psi Lambda has garnered numerous accolades, including representing the SC District on the Regional Level countless times. The chapter has been named South Carolina Chapter of the Year five times and has earned the Charles H. Wesley Award with College Chapters “Gamma Gamma and Gamma Pi” on eight occasions. Additionally, it has been home to five South Carolina District Directors, three Deputy District Directors, three Area Directors, two Chief Deans, a National Brother of the Year (Bro. Dr. Anthony Broughton), and has received countless other awards and recognitions.
Many of our chapter’s members are also actively involved in various professional organizations, such as the 100 Black Men of America, Society for Human
Resource Professionals, South Carolina Educators Association, and various Chambers of Commerce, and serve on numerous boards in Columbia and the surrounding areas. One has even been elected Mayor of the City of Irmo, South Carolina (Bro. Barry Walker), showcasing our commitment to civic engagement and leadership in our community.
The current chapter officers for the 2024-2025 year are: Brother K. Allen Campbell, President; Brother Roscoe Mines, Vice President; the Rev. Brother Father Raphiell Ashford, Historian; Brother
Kareem Beckett, Chaplain; Brother Anthony Casellas, Associate Editor to the Sphinx; Brother Perry Oliver, Recording Secretary; Brother Desmond Pringle, Parliamentarian; Brother Myron Rogers, Corresponding Secretary; Brother Xavier Spann, Alpha University Dean; Brother Jerome Nesbitt, Financial Secretary; Curtis Hammond, Immediate Past President; Brother Daniel Ancrum, III, Treasurer; Brother Terrell McCombs, Dean of Membership; and Brother Everett Joyner, Sergeant at Arms.