Chapter History

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s third oldest Alumni Chapter in Texas, Beta Tau Lambda was chartered in Fort Worth on December 4, 1940 by Frank G. Adams, William Brackeen, Dr. Jesse Burnett, Henry Denson, Clarence W. Flint, Jr., Leonard James, Ollice Malloy, Charles Maxwell, Joe Pinkard, Dr. Riley Ransom, Jr. and Felix Thurman. These men came from various backgrounds and colleges but had one thing in common, their commitment to the ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

 

Soon after the chapter was established the first pledge class was inducted. This class included Brother Dale T. Lee, Sr., a tireless supporter of Beta Tau Lambda and served as the chapter Treasurer for over twenty years. Due to World War II, Beta Tau Lambda was inactive for two years but when it re-activated the brothers picked up where they left off. Through the years the chapter has supported the Fort Worth community in many ways. At the Thirty-third General Convention held in Tulsa, OK in 1947 it was reported that Beta Tau Lambda launched a plan to curb juvenile delinquency. A craft shop for boys and an Alpha Bicycle Patrol were organized as parts of the project (ref. The History of Alpha Phi Alpha pg. 290). A joint Southwestern Region Convention with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was hosted by both local chapters in the sixties. Beta Tau Lambda brought the Ebony Fashion Fair to Fort Worth for the first time and when the national organization launched the Project Alpha Program it was modeled after Beta Tau Lambda’s program. The chapter is a Life Member of the NAACP, supports UNCF, the Jack & Jill Beautillion, Jubilee Theatre, March of Dimes and provide the Dale T. Lee, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

 

Through the years Beta Tau Lambda has had a strong relationship with other area chapters and was involved in establishing Zeta Chi (UTA) and Eta Psi (TCU). Currently we are Undergraduate Advisors for TCU and Midwestern State University. Many prominent men have been initiated and active with Beta Tau Lambda they include Civil Rights Activists, Presidential Cabinet Members, State Representatives, Mayors, City Councilmen and Local Heroes. The top five professions represented by members (past & present) are Education, Medicine, Religion, Government and Business. Other professions include Law, Engineering, Real Estate, Public Administration, Service, Arts, Banking, Science, Technology and Construction.