The 283rd House of Alpha
The Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is seated in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is home to brothers residing in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and various cities within the Metro-Detroit area. The chapter was founded on January 23, 1962 – the same day that baseball great Jackie Robinson was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The seven men who established the Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter were Rev. Lyman S. Parks, John L. Ragland, John Mansfield, Dr. Thomas Bass, Rollins P. Greene, Booker Brooks, and Dr. Henry C. Bryant.
These proud African American men rejected the discriminatory practices of the time and encouraged everyone to join in the fight for immediate civil rights. They encountered unfair resistance, just as Jackie Robinson had a decade before. Nevertheless, they persevered and with the assistance of others in the activist community, old restrictions against full employment and open housing for African Americans slowly began to fade throughout the Ann Arbor area.
Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter continues to play a leading role in this community by providing tutoring, recognition for significant achievements as well as scholarships for our youth; by providing food for the truly disadvantaged; and by providing voting assistance wherever it is needed.
In 2014 Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter established the Theta Zeta Lambda Scholarship Fund.
The Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter and the Theta Zeta Lambda Scholarship Fund will award a minimum of fourteen $1,500 scholarships to deserving high-school seniors planning to attend college in the upcoming year.
Strong candidates will have demonstrated improved self-esteem, academic performance, social awareness, problem-solving and decision-making skills during their high-school careers. The scholarship is non-renewable. Since the early 1980s, Theta Zeta Lambda has awarded to high-school students more than 150 scholarships totaling more than $100,000.
Notes:
Jackie Robinson is not a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
The Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter is a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization.
Tax ID: 81-1257797
The Theta Zeta Lambda Scholarship Fund is a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization.
Tax ID: 38-2671230
History in Ann Arbor
Portions of the Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter’s History
is featured in the book, Another Ann Arbor.
Charter Members
Rev. Lyman S. Parks
John L. Ragland
John Mansfield
Dr. Thomas Bass
Rollins P. Greene
Booker Brooks
Dr. Henry C. Bryant
Chapter Presidents
Bro. Lyman S. Parks
1962 – 1964
Bro. John L. Ragland
1964 – 1965
Bro. Dr. Thomas Bass
1965 – 1966
Bro. Dr. Watson A. Young
1966 – 1967
Bro. David R. Byrd
1967 – 1968
Bro. Richard H. Ross, Sr.
1976 – 1977
Bro. James W. Anderson
1977 – 1979
Bro. Fulton B. Eaglin
1979 – 1980
Bro. Warren G. Palmer
1980 – 1982
Bro. Frederick D. McCuiston, Jr.
1982 – 1984
Bro. Levi T. Thompson
1994 – 1995
Bro. William V. Hampton
1995 – 1997
Bro. Lamont D. Manley
1997 – 1999
Bro. Ronald E. Flowers
1999 – 2001
Bro. Cary Junior
2001 – 2003
Bro. Leland L. Walker
2011 – 2013
Bro. Brandon T. Marsh
2013 – 2015
Bro. Charles A. Davis, Jr.
2015 – 2017
Bro. Timothy A. Collier, Sr.
2017 – 2019
Bro. L. Jerome Vasser
2019 – 2021
Bro. Gordon R. Martin
1968 – 1969
Bro. James W. Neal
1969 – 1971
Bro. William E. Alexander
1971 – 1972
Bro. Milton P. Brown
1972 – 1974
Bro. Raymond B. Randolph, Jr.
1974 – 1976
Bro. William L. Harris
1984 – 1986
Bro. James D. Moore
1986 – 1988
Bro. Morse Brown
1988 – 1990
Bro. Marion C. Hoey
1990 – 1991
Bro. Reginald T. Marsh
1991 – 1993
Bro. Morse Brown
2003 – 2005
Bro. Carl L. Baker
2005 – 2006
Bro. Ataul B. Usman
2006 – 2008
Bro. Jonathan D. Madison
2008 – 2009
Bro. Michael T. Johnson
2009 – 2011
Bro. James M. Thomas, Jr.
2021 – 2023
Bro. Travis L. Martin
2023 – Present
Michigan District’s South-Central Area
The Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter represents the South-Central Area of the Michigan District and provides advising to the Epsilon Chapter at the University of Michigan and the Epsilon Eta Chapter (currently inactive) at Eastern Michigan University.
