A powerful new chapter has opened for Alpha Phi Alpha as members gathered to dedicate the new House of Alpha Leadership Institute in Ithaca, New York. The 9,000-square-foot property, located at 105 Westbourne Lane, stands as both a student residence and a leadership hub inspired by the fraternity’s founding values of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Leadership Institute Honors a 119-Year Legacy
The dedication ceremony on October 18 brought together alumni brothers from across the country, including prominent figures like Robert F. Smith, founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Smith purchased the property in 2023 and funded its $9 million renovation. He later donated the building to Alpha Light Fund, a social impact nonprofit founded by fraternity alumni.
“This space represents opportunity,” Smith said. “These brothers welcomed me to a new reality, and that’s what Alpha Phi Alpha is all about.”
The institute welcomes students from all backgrounds, regardless of fraternity membership. Its mission focuses on advancing leadership, equity, and community impact through student programming and mentorship.
A National Fundraising Campaign for Future Leaders
During the ceremony, the fraternity also launched a $20 million fundraising campaign. The funds will support student programming, leadership initiatives, and community engagement at the new institute.
“This is a space built for growth, grounded in intention and open to all,” said Dennis Mitchell, founding president of Alpha Light Fund and professor at Columbia University. “We’re here to celebrate a vision of empowered leadership and active community building.”
University leaders, including Michael I. Kotlikoff, also attended the dedication. He emphasized the deep connection between the fraternity’s founding in 1906 and Cornell University’s commitment to equity and access.
A Legacy Born From Exclusion and Transformed Into Belonging
The fraternity’s origins trace back to 1906, when Black students were excluded from campus housing and had to live with local families in Ithaca. Faced with segregation, they created a literary society that grew into the first Black Greek-letter organization in the nation.
“They created something new. Out of exclusion, they built belonging,” Mitchell said. “That spark continues to burn more than a century later.”
Notable alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois, Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, and Smith himself. Their legacy reflects a tradition of leadership and impact in education, law, business, and civil rights.
A Home for the Next Generation
Students view the new institute as a symbol of opportunity. Christian Flournoy, a pre-med student at Cornell, expressed gratitude for witnessing the vision come to life. “It’s really been great to see the amount of impact and desire people have wanted to put into this house and to see it come to fruition,” he said.
Local leaders, including Anna Kelles and Ryan Lombardi, joined the celebration, recognizing the institute’s role in shaping future changemakers. The fraternity’s commitment to service and leadership continues to inspire generations on and beyond campus.
Preserving the Past While Investing in the Future
Smith’s purchase of the original fraternity house at 411 E. State Street, the fraternity’s birthplace, will transform it into a monument. This, along with the new leadership institute, reflects a commitment to preserving Black history and expanding opportunities for students.
“This is about investing in the next generation,” Smith said. “Together, we can accomplish great things.”
The dedication closed with a familiar fraternity call. Smith shouted, “One Nine,” and the crowd answered, “Oh-six,” a proud tribute to their 1906 founding.
