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.