Nashville, Tenn.-The Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2025. Plans include several civic and social events, culminating in May 2025.
As the 20th century turned twenty-five, the Tau Lambda Chapter was seated at Tennessee
Agricultural and Industrial State College at Nashville, Tennessee, now Tennessee State
University. Aged memories recall the august charter members who were notable contributors to Nashville’s civic, social, and educational endeavors of the day. The chapter consisted of G. W. Gore, Head of the Department of English, Tennessee State College, Author of “Negro Journalism”, Senior delegate to the 19th Alpha Convention; W. S. Ellington, Jr., Dentist, Instructor of Physiology at Tennessee State College; C. H. Harper, Dean, Tennessee State College; Author: “Text in Psychology”; Roy Clinthorne, Instructor in Chemistry, Fisk University; James J. Tapp, Instructor in Mathematics, Fisk University, and J. W. Riley, Instructor, History Department, Tennessee State College. The first initiates were R. B. J. Campbelle, Jr., Bursar, Tennessee State College; I. I. Moore, Dentist; W.S. E. Ellington, Sr., Pastor, Frist Baptist Church, East Nashville, noted Leturer, Orator, Editor of Baptist Sunday School Literature; A. R. Turner, District Manager, Atlanta Life Insurance Company; Member of the Negro Board of Trade; and A. E. Lockert, State Teacher Trainer in Agriculture, Tennessee State College.
Another chapter member was Calvin McKissack, Registered Architect, Contractor for the
Morris Memorial Building, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. George W. Gore served as Dean at then Tennessee State A&I College from 1928-1950. He would later become president of Florida A&M University. After his retirement, returned to Nashville and later became Interim President of Fisk University. R. B. J. Campbelle was the first African American to receive a law degree at the University of TN Law School. He taught criminal justice at MTSU for 16 years, and was a recognized authority in juvenile law in Tennessee; authored (2) books on the subject and was court juvenile referee for Rutherford County.
Throughout the chapter’s proud history, chapter members could be found in leadership and
volunteerism. Dr. Charles S. Johnson was one of the most significant men of his generation.
Not only an eminent sociologist, but a race relations expert, author, lecturer, and
administrator. He held a multi-faceted career at Fisk University, where he was professor of
Sociology, Director of Race Relations Institute, and president of Fisk University.
In 1958, Rev. Kelly Miller Smith used his pastorate for activism and founded the Nashville
Christian Leadership Council, which sponsored non-violent workshops and demonstrations
that played an integral role in desegregating Nashville’s Lunch counters, hotels, and theaters.
The Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies was established in honor of the late Kelly Miller Smith, Sr., assistant dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School from 1968 until his death in 1984. He was recognized by the now defunct Ebony Magazine among “Ten Most Outstanding Preachers in America.” The Kelly Miller Smith Memorial Bridge and Kelly Smith Towers are named for him. Willis McCallister served the Nashville community as fire marshal, and later became one of the city’s first African American council members.
Dr. G. Jack Tarleton led efforts to desegregate the institutions of the Diocese of Nashville. He was one of the organizers of the Holy Name Society to challenge the local Catholic Church hierarchy to do more to desegregate its churches and schools.
Dr. Axel C. Hansen was a prolific writer of 30 scientific articles; and the first physician to
diagnose and report a case of Norries Disease in the United States, and the first full time
faculty member at Meharry Medical College to be certified by the American Board of
Ophthalmology. He penned the words to the Alpha Sweetheart Song.
Samuel Howard, founder of Phoenix Holdings, a managed care company, had a significant
influence in Nashville’s business community, including the health care industry. Howard also become president and CEO of Phoenix Communications Group, a radio broadcasting
company.
Robert Belton was a nationally recognized scholar of labor and employment and civil rights
law; the first African American to be granted tenure at the Vanderbilt Law School.
Dr. Dennis Dickerson is professor of History at Vanderbilt University who specializes in 19th and 20th Century American History and African American History of labor in the US Civil Rights Movement and religion.
Dr. Levi Watkins was first African American to be admitted to and graduate from Vanderbilt School of Medicine and would later become the first black chief resident of cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Leading areas colleges and universities also included Tau Lambda members Dr. Frederick S. Humphries, was past president of Tennessee State University (1974-1985); Dr. Melvin N. Johnson followed as president of Tennessee State University (2005-2011); and Dr. Wayne Riley, the former president of Meharry Medical College.
Robert Keesee, AME minister and author, was the presiding Elder of the North Nashville
District of the Tennessee Conference until his retirement in 2021. Professor of Homiletics at
American Baptist Theological Seminary, Keesee was instrumental in renaming a portion of
Eighth Avenue in North Nashville to Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, and was on the official program for the Commemorative Bill signing at the Tennessee State Capitol.
Among the chapter’s early leaders who served the fraternity on the national level, Tau
Lambda was represented by Meredith G. Ferguson and W. D. Hawkins, Jr., who served on
the general organization’s Audit Committee. During his 12-year tenure as President of Fisk
University, Dr. Henry Ponder also concurrently served as the 28 the General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. His fraternal administration included Tau Lambda members, Atty. Julian Blackshear, General Counsel; and Dr. Reavis Mitchell as the national historian.
Continue progress of Civil Rights in the Nashville community can be attributed to the
sacrificial contributions made by Bernard Lafayette, minister, educators, and prominent
Nashville-based activist and organizer in the Civil Rights Movement. Layette assisted in the
formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and has been recognized as a major authority on strategies for nonviolent social change. For his unflappable stance on civil rights, he is recognized as one of the leading exponents of nonviolent direct action in the world.
Established early in the annals of Alpha’s history, the Tau Lambda Chapter has gained local
recognition for its tremendous community engagement. One of the most important projects
was the formation of the Legacy Education Foundation. Originally named the Tau Lambda
Chapter Education Foundation, the non-profit organization was established in 1978 by the
State of Tennessee, and empowered to solicit and administer funds in the educational
furtherance of students who qualify for assistance. At the time, board members included Dr. Calvin O. Atchison, Rev. W. Q. Welch, Arthur Fox, John H. Tisdale, Dr. Charles D. Proctor, Dr. Eddie Goins, and Atty. Julian Blackshear, who handled the legal aspects of establishing the foundation. The name was later changed to better align with its modern mission.
Now in its forty-four year existence, the years of intentional investments in educational and leadership programs are paying off and changing the lives of young men. Most
notably, the foundation has contributed to scholarship funds at Fisk University, Tennessee
State University, and to the United College Fund. In 1999, the Foundation established a
$10,000 Tuition Assistance Scholarship at Fisk University, and in 2003 a $25,000 Tuition
Assistance Scholarship Endowment Fund at Tennessee State University. In 2022, the
chapter established a $10,000 endowed scholarship at American Baptist College in honor of
the former president of the American Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Bernard Lafayette.
Dr. Calvin O. Atchison, noted educator, was committed to community engagement and
chaired Nashville’s Human Relations Committee, the Metro Development of Housing Agency, and the Metro Action Commission, with a community center at Preston Taylor Housing complex being named in his honor.
Stepping onward and upward in modern times is Alpha man, Dr Reginald McDonald, who
leads the award-winning, Aristocrat of Bands. McDonald is coordinator of instrumental music and associate professor of music education at Tennessee State University. Under his baton, the band won two Grammy Awards for ‘The Urban Hymnal”, and a collaboration with J. Ivy on “The Poet Who Sat By the Door.” Remaining dedicated to the uplift of youth, the Tau Lambda Chapter adopted the I. T. Creswell School which provides an opportunity for chapter members to mentor and engage with students, and to assist the school’s leadership with various projects. A devoted Alpha man, Isaiah T. Creswell was an entrepreneur and activist. He served sixteen years on the Board of Education and became the first African American to be appointed chairperson. During his service, Creswell was instrumental in providing equality in instruction and resources for all public school children.
Originating in 1983 at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church under the pastoral leadership of fraternity member, James King, the Senior Citizens Luncheon was conceived by 13 visionary individuals. The event started as a modest gathering in the fellowship hall, and has expanded in size and is now hosted at the Tau Lambda fraternity house on Ashton Avenue in the Nashville’s Bordeaux community.
More recent activities and sponsorships include Tennessee Alphas for Action, a platform for
political conversations and engagement; and the Nashville Book Club, to encourage a reading culture among Nashville youth.
We take this opportunity to acknowledge our appreciation to the greater Alpha brotherhood, the Divine Nine membership of the Nashville Pan-Hellenic Council, and patrons for the support given to our various programs and activities over the years.
Known for its membership of leaders and influencers, Tau Lambda plans to recognize its 100th anniversary by shining a spotlight on the men, including business and political leaders, activists, artists, educators and more who have helped build a legacy of influence and impact on the community and beyond.
The centennial logo design is inspired by the chapter which evokes the seat of Knowledge
and Mystery of ancient Egypt; the seven stars represent the fraternity’s Founders; the 100
represents the past 100 years and the next 100 years of the Tau Lambda chapter, as it moves forward with perseverance and purpose.