IOTA BETA HISTORY

In the Fall of 1973, Gamma Alpha Lambda (GAL), the graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Charlottesville, VA, endeavored to spread the ideals of our beloved fraternity to the University of Virginia. Bro. Steven Decatur Waters organized an interest group of nine young Black men at the University. These men became known as the "Prime Nine." These Brothers were Iota Beta's charter line, who crossed the Burning Sands of Alpha on March 8, 1974 at the convention of the Virginia Association of Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (VACAPAF), which was held in Charlottesville, VA. Two days later, on March 10, 1974, the Iota Beta Chapter became the 399th incorporation into the General Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha. Despite the name, "Prime Nine," only eight of the original nine men from the interest group were initiated. Seven of the Brothers listed below were initiated on March 8, 1974, while the eighth, Kenneth R. Hill completed his process in the Fall of 1974. The Brothers of the "Prime Nine" are as follows: 

William C. Nelson 
William F. Morris 
James R. Chapman 
Garry W. Lewis 
Thomas J. Fields 
John J. White 
Strother L. Washington 
Kenneth R. Hill 

Three of these seven brothers, Garry W. Lewis, Strother L. Washington, and John J. White, were graduating seniors. This meant that the chapter would be inactive in the Fall of '74. In order to maintain active status, Iota Beta inducted a second pledge class of four Sphinxmen in March of '74. These Brothers crossed on May 18, 1974. They are known as "The Pharaoh's Four." These Brothers are

William H. Thompson, Jr. 
Harold Moore, Jr. 
Gregory Ramey 
Charles E. Lewis 

The Brothers of "The Pharaoh's Four" are as important to the history of Iota Beta's inception as the "Prime Nine," because without them the Chapter would have gone inactive the semester after its inception. Thus, we descend from THE BLOOD OF THE PHARAOHS. The Brotherhood side-stepped this potential roadblock, thereby planting the seeds for IB to reach its level of excellence. Over two hundred men have crossed the Burning Sands of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. through the Iota Beta Chapter since 1974.

​It was unfortunate that a Chapter with such a rich history of accomplishment could not be of service to the University and Charlottesville/Abermarle communities between 1992-1999. However, the Iota Beta Chapter began the long process of its "resurrection" via a January 1999 directive from Brother Samuel G. Wilson, Eastern Regional Vice President, to Brother Leo H. Ross, District Director of the State of Virginia.

The Brothers of the Gamma Alpha Lambda Chapter, the same alumni chapter in Charlottesville responsible for facilitating the birth of Iota Beta 25 years agao, were in turn notified to proceed with the reinstatement of the Iota Beta Chapter. A dedicated group of Brothers, lead by Chad D. Horton (15-GI-S94) and Heston Joseph (1-DT-S91), oversaw the process of guiding 13 young men on their journey into Alphaland.

In the Spring of 1999, these 13 young men, known as RESURRECTION, crossed the Burning Sands of Alpha into the Iota Beta Chapter. These 13 men are

Damon T. Aulston 
Kazz A. Pinkard
Michael J. McFeeters 
Jason M. Cross
John Q. Porter, Jr. 
Jomel E. Nelson 
John A. Harvell 
Thurman L. Bridges 
James H. Scruggs 
Nate H. Stone 
Alvin Blanco 
Rauhn J. Turner 
Carl W. Sipp, Jr.

With the approach of the new millennium, the Chapter has dedicated itself to supporting our New Brothers, as they continue to strive to hold the Light of Alpha high at the University of Virginia, carrying on the Legacy established there 25 years ago by THE PRIME NINE.
We continue to march onward and upward towards the Light!