AKΛ HISTORY
In 1906, seven African American college men founded Alpha Phi Alpha Faternity, Inc. on the campus of Cornell University. These seven men founded this fraternity because they saw a need for brotherhood with themselves and other African American men. Twenty-two years later in Southwest Virginia, nine African American men established the Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter in the city of Roanoke, Va. The founding members of this chapter were among the leaders within the Black community in Roanoke. Eventually, this chapter would open up to brothers in Montgomery County, Va, and also Lynchburg, Va.
The Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter was found by 9 members:
Dr. John B. Claytor Sr.
Dr. Ellwood Downing
Dr. Gardner P. Downing
Dr. Lylburn C. Downing
Reverend Lylburn L. Downing
Dr. Edward Dudley
Dr. George A. Moore
Dr. George E. Moore
T. Robert Parker
The founding members of this chapter were Dr. Ellwood Downing and Dr. George A. Moore; these two brothers were the main organizers. They would recruit the other 7 members. Dr. Ellwood Downing was the chapter's first president, Dr. George A. Moore was its first secretary, and Dr. Gardner P Downing was the chapters first treasurer. Within the nine founders there were two sets of fathers and sons.
At the time of the chapters finding all of its founding brothers were in their careers and instrumental in the progress of the City of Roanoke. The biographies of the 9 men are vibrant, eclectic and distinguished giving way one of the long standing organizations within the Black community.
THE 9 FOUNDERS
Dr. John B. Claytor Sr (Founder): Dr. Claytor graduated from Hampton Institute after attending for one year. He attended Shaw University’s Leonard Medical College, receiving his MD in 1907. That same year he moved to Roanoke, Va, and opened his medical practice in the Gainsboro neighborhood. He married Roberta Palmer in 1911 and to this union, 8 children were born. Three of Dr. Claytor's sons Drs. Frank Claytor, John B. Claytor Jr, and Walter Claytor would all become Alpha men. In 1915 along with four other African American doctors including future Alpha brother Dr. Lylburn C. Downing founded Burrell Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Va. Dr. Claytor and his family also opened a family-owned and operated medical clinic named in honor of his wife.
Dr. Ellwood D. Downing (Founder/First President): Dr. Downing was the chapter's first president and lead organizer. He graduated from Biddle University now Johnson C. Smith in 1910 and then from Howard University Dental School. He opened his dental practice in Gainsboro after graduating from dental school. In 1925 three years before helping to find Alpha Kappa Lamba chapter, Dr. Downing became a dentist at Burrell Memorial Hospital where his brother Dr. Lylburn C. Downing was a co-founder. Dr. Downing throughout his life was president of Magic City Medical Society, an instructor at Burrell Nurse Training School, and president of the Hunton Branch YMCA. Dr. Downing in 1960 helped other local leaders to desegregate Roanoke City.
Gardner P. Downing(Founder/ first treasurer): Dr. Gardner P. Downing, like his older brother Ellwood, was a dentist. Dr. Downing was a Major in the United States Army during WW2. When Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter was founded in 1928, Dr. Downing joined his two older brothers Drs. Lylburn and Ellwood and their father Reverend Lylburn L. Downing in the chapter. Dr. Gardner Downing would become the chapter's first treasurer.
Dr. Lylburn C. Downing (Founder): Dr. L.C. Downing, as he was known by his patients and community members, was a very successful doctor in Roanoke. He graduated from Biddle University now Johnson C. Smith like his brother Dr. Ellwood Downing. In 1912 he received his M.D. from Howard University. In 1915 with four of his colleagues, he helped to open Burrell Memorial Hospital, where he served as the hospital's first superintendent for 32 years.
Reverend Lylburn L. Downing (Founder): Reverend Downing attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania where he studied theology. In 1894, Rev. Downing moved his family to Roanoke, Virginia. While in Roanoke Rev. Downing and his family were important figures in the early growth of Roanoke. He became Pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Rev. Downing served this church for 37 years. Reverend Downing, was the father of 3 of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter founders; Ellwood, Lylburn, and Gardner Downing. He served as Roanoke’s first African American probation officer and served on the founding committee of the Gainsboro Library.
Dr. Edward Dudley (Founder): Dr. Dudley was the first black dentist in Roanoke. He moved to Roanoke in the early 1900s, from South Boston, Virginia. In Roanoke, he became a probation officer while running his dental practice. He was a member of Magic City Medical Society, and also a member of many dental associations such as Old Dominion Dental Association, and Interstate Dental Association. Dr. Dudley had one child named after him. Edward Dudley would become not only an Alpha man like his father but would be appointed as the first black ambassador in the country.
Dr. George A. Moore(Founder/ First Secretary/President 1946): Dr. Moore graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and College. He was also a graduate of Lincoln University and Meharry Medical College. Dr. Moore interned at Freedmans Hospital in Washington D.C. Dr. Moore at the time of his death in 1946 was president of Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter, held office in the Old Dominion Medical Society, he also wrote a weekly column in the Journal and Guide newspaper on how to play bridge. Dr. Moore was also a member of Burrell Memorial Hospital.
Dr. George E. Moore(Founder): Dr. Moore was born in 1874 in Farmville, Va where attended the local school system. Dr. Moore attended and graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and College. After graduating Dr. Moore became a professor at his alma mater. Dr. Moore would then accept a position as principal at a high school in Cumberland, Maryland. In 1903, he left that position and entered Howard University Medical School. At both universities he attended he graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 1909, Dr. Moore opened his medical practice after moving to Roanoke, Virginia. For 25 years he held his practice in Roanoke. Dr. George E. Moore was the father of Dr. George A. Moore who was the first secretary and one-time president of Alpha.
T. Robert Parker (Founder): Mr. Parker lived to be 93 years old. During his long life, he made a tremendous impact. T.R. Parker was President of Alabama Normal and Industrial Institute in Huntsville, Alabama. He was one of the principals in the early stages of the historic Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke, Va and at one point he was supervisor of schools in Dorchester County, Maryland. Mr. Parker was from Wilmington, Delaware. He went on to receive his A.B. degree from Morgan College now Morgan State College. He also did graduate work at Columbia and Northwestern Universities. At Morgan State College he was head of the mathematics department. Two interesting facts about Mr. Parker's life are he directed one of the largest choirs in the country to hunt big game animals in Africa. He also was an avid traveler of the world.
Presidents of Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter
Dr. Lawrence Paxton(President 1959-?): Dr. Paxton graduated from Hampton Institute, and Ferris Institute, Dr. Paxton was a prominent local dentist who served his community well. He held positions of leadership throughout his dedicated life of service. He was a member of the Roanoke City Schools board, President of the trustee board of Burrell Memorial Hospital, director of the United Communities Fund, and president of the Magic City Dental Association. Dr. Paxton also was elected to ten terms
John F. Banks(President): John F. Banks was the last principal of The Christiansburg Institute in Christiansburg, Virginia. Mr. Banks graduated from Wilberforce University in Ohio. He became principal at this historical institution in 1949 and was voted in as president of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter in 1950.
Chapter Presidents During Early Years:
Dr. Ellwood Downing (1928), Dr. George A. Moore (1946), John F. Banks (1950), Dr. Lawrence Paxton (1959), and Horton Cooper
An Excerpt from Our Colored People, Federal Writers’ Project
“ The Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity of Roanoke was organized in 1928 by Dr. E. D. Downing and Dr. George A. Moore. The charter members were: Dr. E. D. Downing, Dr. George E. Moore, G. P. Downing, D.D.S.; L. C. Downing, M.D.; J. B. Clayor, M.D.; E. R. Dudley, D.D.S.; L. L. Downing, D.D.; T. R. Parker, P.H.D..The first officers selected were: Dr. E. D. Downing, president and Dr. George A. Moore, secretary. The officers are now (1941) are: Dr. E. D. Downing, president, Dr. George A. Moore, secretary, Dr. G. P. Downing, treasurer. Number of members of the fraternity are now seventeen. The principle purposes of the fraternity are: to stimulate patriotism, and better citizenship among Negroes; encourage Negroes to exercise franchise privlege; to foster interest in higher education among the Negro race. The fraternity joins hands with the national organization annually and wages are a drive having as its slogan “Go To High School, Go To College, Become better citizens,” and maintains a fund of which scholarships are awarded to worthy colored students. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is the oldest Greek letter organization among Negroes in America. It has sixty-seven undergraduate chapters in sixty-seven “A” class colleges and universities. It has sixty-nine graduate chapters. The Alpha Kappa Lambda Chapter is one of the sixty-nine graduate chapters. It owns no personal property but holds regular meetings.”