Chartered in 1939 by nine (9) visionary young men — Beverly V. Baranco, Jr., James H. Boswell, Felton G. Clark, J.S. Clark, Henry A. Dumoil, William H. Gray, Jr., Harrison D. Lawless, Russell W. Smith and Charles W. Thomas, the Beta Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. serves as the second oldest alumni chapter in the State of Louisiana. Each of these men were valuable members of society and personified manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind. For example, Brother Beverly V. Baranco was a practicing dentist and community leader in the Baton Rouge area and Brother Felton G. Clark was a renowned educator and served as President of Southern University and A&M College. Additionally, Brother William H. Gray, Jr. went on to become the President of Florida A&M University.

Beta Iota Lambda also functions as the advisory alumni chapter to the Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. located on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is through this fraternal and brotherly bond that the work of Alpha consistently strives to uplift and enlighten not only brothers but members of the local communities. Such enlightenment is depicted through numerous national and joint projects like: Project Alpha, Annual Henry Bellaire Memorial Senior Citizens’ Dinner, Go to High School Go to College Initiative, Brother’s Keeper Program, A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People Initiative, March of Dimes and Boy Scouts of America partnerships, Annual Alpha Scholarship Golf Tournament, Project I.C.E. and a host of other activities.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Brothers of the Beta Iota Lambda Chapter will forever be a beacon of hope and vital resource within local communities, while cultivating tomorrow’s leaders throughout the world.