History of Eta Rho Lambda Chapter

In March of 1925, Rho Lambda Chapter of Buffalo, New York was established to serve both Buffalo and Rochester, New York. After many years of traveling to and from Rochester to Buffalo for meetings, it was decided that with a growing population of Alpha men in Rochester that a chapter should be established to serve Rochester. On October 2, 1960, Eta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was established. Charter members were: Reuben Davis, Waddell Johnson, William Knox, Dr. Vantuyl Levy, Dr. Charles Lunsford, Robert Morrison, Stanley Thomas, Albert Whitaker and William Wortham.

In 1977, Eta Rho Lambda sponsored the chartering of Mu Sigma Chapter at the University of Rochester under the guidance of Brothers William Davis and Charles Champion. In 1987 Rho Alpha Chapter was established on the campus of SUNY Brockport under the guidance of Brother Rufus McGee. In 2014 Upsilon Pi Chapter was founded at Hobart and William Smith Colleges the guidance of Brothers Montrose Streeter, James Waters Jr. and Alan Prescod. Since its founding, the Eta Rho Lambda chapter strives to provide services to the community. Members have been active in all levels of community activities declaring human brotherhood as a workable creed and not merely a visionary ideal. 

The chapter has fostered and maintained a strong tradition of scholarship and established the Charles Lunsford Scholarship Fund, providing college funds for African-American males. The chapter signature event held each year is the Charles T. Lunsford Black and Gold Gala. The chapter is also involved in various events, such as A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, voter registration drives, which are held at local festivals. The chapter maintains a close relationship with Big Brothers, Big Sisters where several brothers have served either on the board or as Big Brothers. Additional alliances are held with the local boy scouts and other Masonic and Greek organizations that have assisted in generating funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. In 2006, the first annual tribute to posthumously inducted Alpha brother Frederick Douglas was held on December 27th, at his grave site in Rochester, NY.

A black and white group photo of men and women dressed in formal attire at the Eta Rho Lambda Chapter dinner dance, Rochester, New York, February 1977.

Executive Officers

  • Portrait of a man in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, smiling against a plain white background.

    Dr. Tori A. Matthews

    President

  • A man with dreadlocks and a friendly smile wearing a black blazer, white shirt, and a striped tie.

    Jamayne L. Fleming

    Vice President

  • A man with a beard wearing a white shirt and a black and gray patterned tie.

    Dr. Chantz B. Miles

    Chief of Staff

  • Close-up of a smiling African American man wearing black-rimmed glasses, a dark suit, and a yellow and black tie and lapel pin, against a plain white background.

    Kwame Donko-Hanson

    Treasurer

  • Black and white photo of a smiling man wearing a shirt and tie against a plain background.

    Bruce A. Blue, Jr.

    Sergeant-At-Arms

  • Portrait of a smiling man in a black suit, white shirt, and striped tie, standing in a well-lit indoor space.

    Calvin L. Butler , III

    Director of Educational Activities

  • Smiling African American man in a black tuxedo with a decorative bow tie and pocket square, standing against a plain light gray background.

    Walter Larkin, Jr.

    Historian

  • A smiling man with a beard in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, against a plain white background.

    Whitney McClary

    Financial Secretary

  • Portrait of a smiling African American man in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, against a plain white background.

    Richard J. McCollough

    Associate Editor to the Sphinx

  • Close-up of a smiling man wearing a black tuxedo, white shirt, and black tie, with a bald head and trim beard, against a plain light background.

    Jonathan N. Ntheketha

    Parliamentarian

  • Professional portrait of a smiling man with a beard, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie, against a plain light background.

    Richard M. Parker

    Chaplain

  • Close-up of a man in a black suit with a crest on the blazer and a striped tie, standing against a neutral background.

    Alan A. Prescod

    Correspondence Secretary

  • A man dressed in a black suit with a crest on the left chest, a white shirt, and a black and gold striped tie, standing against a plain gray background, smiling with his hands clasped in front of him.

    Clarence E. Shepard

    Dean of Membership

  • A middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache dressed in a black suit, light blue shirt, and yellow tie, standing against a plain white background.

    James Waters, Jr.

    Recording Secretary

  • A smiling man in a dark suit with a crest on the lapel, crossed arms, and a watch, posing against a neutral gray background.

    Warren E. Meeks, Jr.

    House Manager

  • A well-dressed man with a beard and short hair, wearing a black suit, a white shirt, and a gold paisley tie. He has a lapel pin and a pocket square matching his tie. The background features a circular logo with partially visible text.

    Dr. Cameron L Lewis

    Immediate Past President

Chapter Presidents (1960–Present)

  1. 1960–1962 - Reuban K. Davis (Founding Member)

  2. 1962–1964 - Charles Willis

  3. 1964–1967 - William Green

  4. 1967–1969 - Ralph Dortch (Initiated: Nu Xi Lambda (580), 10/1/1958)

  5. 1969–1971 - Richard Miller

  6. 1971–1973 - William M. Davis Jr. (Delta Gamma (91), 4/20/1968)

  7. 1973–1975 - Charles Champion (Initiated: Gamma Rho (82), 11/1/1961)

  8. 1975–1976 - Anthony Henderson (Initiated: Gamma Sigma (83), 11/23/1968)

  9. 1976–1980 - Carl E. Hilton (Initiated: 6/1/1972)

  10. 1980–1982 - Dan Robinson (Initiated: 5/1/1975)

  11. 1982–1984 - George Hicks (Initiated: 5/1/1975)

  12. 1984–1986 - David Grant (Initiated: 9/27/1980)

  13. 1986–1988 - Terry Smith

  14. 1988–1989 - George Matthews (Initiated: 6/1/1974)

  15. 1989–1991 - Greg Williams (Xi Chi (706))

  16. 1991–1993 - Roderick (Rod) Spratling (Initiated: 5/4/1985)

  17. 1993–1995 - Dr. Thomas Cummings (Epsilon Beta (311), 2/1/1979)

  18. 1995–1997 - Dr. Keith Jenkins (Kappa Kappa (429), 11/16/1979)

  19. 1997–1999 - Rod Cox-Cooper (Gamma Theta (74), 11/20/1987)

  20. 1999–2001 - Roderick Spratling 2nd Term, (Initiated: 5/4/1985)

  21. 2001–2003 - Willard Brown (Delta Xi (300), 12/9/1958)

  22. 2003–2005 - Basil Barrett (Omicron Upsilon (726), 3/7/1987)

  23. 2005–2007 - Julius David Jackson Jr. (Initiated: 4/24/2001)

  24. 2007–2008 - Thomas Banister Jr. (Initiated: 4/27/2002)

  25. 2008–2010 - Rufus McGee (Initiated: 4/3/1982)

  26. 2010–2012 - Jesse Allen (Zeta Delta (335), 12/20/1967)

  27. 2012–2014 - Anthony Smith (Pi Pi (744), 6/16/1995)

  28. 2014–2015 - Thomas Banister Jr. 2nd Term, (Initiated: 4/7/2002)

  29. 2015–2017 - Alan Prescod (Initiated: 3/22/2008)

  30. 2017–2019 - James Waters Jr. (Rho Alpha (752), 5/6/1988)

  31. 2019–2021 - Dr. Thomas Greene Sr. (Initiated: 5/1/1993)

  32. 2021–2023 - Dr. Torrance E. Sparkman (Initiated: 10/23/2016)

  33. 2023–2025 - Dr. Cameron L. Lewis (Initiated: 10/23/2026)

  34. 2025–Present - Dr. Tori Matthews (Initiated: 11/6/2022)

Historical Distinction

To date, Brother Roderick Spratling and Brother Thomas Banister Jr. are the only members of Eta Rho Lambda to serve two terms as Chapter President.