Rho Chapter Alphas

📜|Est. November 3rd, 1914
📍|Philadelphia, PA
🤙🏾|The Only Single Letter Alumni Chapter in ΑΦΑ
🏆|2019 PAAC & Eastern Region Alumni Chapter of the Year Curd, M.D.

November 3, 1914 was Tuesday and Election Day in Philadelphia. The headlines in the Public Ledger, then the most respected newspaper in Philadelphia, read:

" Nation's Eyes on Election Here Today"
"Britain Makes All North Sea A Military Area"
"City Park Benches Welcomed as Beds for Derelicts"

More comprehensive reporting would have added another important headline:
"Rho Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha F

raternity was organized." It was in this atmosphere of politics, world war and suffering of the unhoused poor that Rho Chapter was born. Its chief organizer was Brother Kirksey L. who was initiated into Alpha Chapter while a student at Cornell in 1910. He was assisted in the organizing by Brothers Pelham and Taylor of Nu Chapter at Lincoln University. Brothers Emile Raven, M.D. and DeHaven Hinkson, M.D. were charter members. Rho Chapter grew out of a felt need and desire of these men, who completed their college careers, to maintain their ties with Alpha. Rho's first President was Brother Kirksey L. Curd. During the years of his administration, 1914-1916, the constitution and by-laws were written and the high tone of individual progress and spirit of community responsibility was set. Rho has been the home of many distinguished Alpha men, notably the late Brother Walter F. Jerrick, who became president in 1916. In 1917 the 10th General Convention was brought to Philadelphia under the sponsorship of the chapter, and in 1928 the city entertained the 21st General Sessions. Rho Chapter also was Host for the 1958 General Convention and the 1970 General Convention as well. There is a period in the history of Rho commonly known as the Jerrick Years. This is the period from 1916 to 1952. During these years the office of President was held by Brother Walter F. Jerrick M.D. He was a dynamic personality and an outstanding leader. He led Rho in becoming a respected influence in Alpha Phi Alpha activities and was nationally recognized as "Mr. Alpha Phi Alpha." Under his leadership which lasted thirty-five years Rho become a respected influence in National Fraternity activities. Brother Kirksey L. Curd was elected to the office of General Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Brothers Jerrick and O.Wilson Winters D.D.S. became the first life members of Alpha. Brother Robert Henry Sr. M.D. was elected to the office of treasurer of Rho and served thirty-five years. Throughout the years, Rho Chapter has hosted national and regional conventions, supported all fraternity programs, promoted scholarship and achievement among its members and others and provided leadership on national, regional and district levels of the fraternity. Rho brothers continue to work to improve the Philadelphia community and have remained actively involved in all aspects of this great organization.

06/17/2026

CALLING ALL SPONSORS: Invest in the Next Generation of Leaders! 🤙🏾

For 49 years, the RHO Chapter has been committed to community advancement, awarding over $1 million in scholarships to deserving young men. Now, we are gearing up for our 2nd Annual RHO Golf Invitational, and we need your business to partner with us! 🖤💛

We are officially launching our 2026 Sponsorship Campaign. By becoming a sponsor or donor, you directly support:

The RHO Education Foundation

The RHO Alpha Leadership Academy

Local Community Programming

Please read our official Sponsor & Donor Letter and see how your business can make a lasting impact.

Sponsorship Deadline: August 3rd

06/12/2026

RHO CONGRATS! Congratulations to our Rho Chapter bRHOs who graduated with advanced degrees this season: Bro. Dr. Josh Forman (Fall 2025) who earned his doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania (Ed.D) and Bro. Mike LaPrince (Spring 2024) who earned his Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from Drexel University! 🖤💛🤙🏾🎓

06/11/2026

COME GOLF WITH RHO! 🤙🏾🏌🏽‍♂️⛳️

We’re teeing off our 2nd Rho Annual Golf Invitational on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, NJ—and we need your support! 🖤💛

This year, we’re hoping to sponsor several college-bound students to receive beginner golf lessons, mentorship, and experience a day of fun and learning beyond the city limits. It’s about building skills on and off the course. 🎓🏌🏾‍♀️

✨ Over the past 49 years, Rho Chapter has distributed approximately $1 million to deserving college students —and we’re just getting started. With your help, this event will continue that legacy and launch our ongoing initiative, the Rho Alpha Leadership Academy (RALA).

📌 Ways to support:

Attend the event and participate in the tournament

Sponsor a scholar for the outing & banquet ($150)

Donate items for our welcome bags

Contribute to our scholarship & mentoring programs

We need and have opportunities for donors & sponsorships

Our goal is to develop leaders and promote academic excellence. 💪🏾

📧 Questions or want to get involved? Please email [email protected]

06/08/2026

RHO CELEBRATES: Last night, RhoBros, family, and friends surprised Bro. William Morton at his 75th Birthday Bash! Happy Birthday to one of our most active senior brothers! 🖤💛🤙🏾

06/07/2026

RHO IN SERVICE: Today, Rho Chapter hosted our annual Dr. O Wilson Winters Scholarship Program that gave over $25,000 in scholarships to deserving students in the region. 🖤💛

Shout-out to all of our hard-working bRHOs, exec leadership, committee chairs, and donors who stepped up and showed out to make this initiative a super success! We appreciate you all! 🤙🏾

06/07/2026

RHO CONGRATS: Congratulations to Double Brothers Nate Teagle Jr. & Chris Scott who were honored at the First Masonic District of Pennsylvania as 2026 Master Mason of the Year Awardees! 🤙🏾🖤💛

06/02/2026

RHO BUSINESS: Tonight, our Mighty Rho Chapter officially inaugurated our 2026-2027 Officers and held our official pin ceremony for our Fall 2025 Neophytes. 🤙🏾🖤💛

06/01/2026

RHO CHAPTER wishes all of our LGBTQIA+ Divine 9 Brothers & Sisters a HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! 🏳️‍🌈

We see you, we support you, and most importantly, we love you! 🤙🏾🖤💛

05/27/2026

RHO CONGRATS: Congratulations to Bro. Ernest Owens on being named on City & State PA's Forty Under 40! 🤙🏾🖤💛

05/20/2026

COME GOLF WITH RHO! 🤙🏾🏌🏽‍♂️⛳️

We’re teeing off our 2nd Rho Annual Golf Invitational on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, NJ—and we need your support! 🖤💛

This year, we’re hoping to sponsor several college-bound students to receive beginner golf lessons, mentorship, and experience a day of fun and learning beyond the city limits. It’s about building skills on and off the course. 🎓🏌🏾‍♀️

✨ In the past three years, we’ve awarded approximately $50,000 in scholarships—and we’re just getting started. With your help, this event will continue that legacy and launch our ongoing initiative, the Rho Alpha Leadership Academy (RALA).

📌 Ways to support:

Attend the event and participate in the tournament

Sponsor a scholar for the outing & banquet ($150)

Donate items for our welcome bags

Contribute to our scholarship & mentoring programs

We need and have opportunities for donors & sponsorships

Our goal is to develop leaders and promote academic excellence. 💪🏾

📧 Questions or want to get involved? Please email [email protected]

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http://www.rho1914.com/

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Philadelphia, PA
19101

Rho Chapter Alphas

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