Home

Address from the 2026–2028 Executive Board

On behalf of the brothers of the Rho Xi Lambda Chapter, we welcome you to the official website of the 668th House of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, chartered October 7, 2004, in Canton, Mississippi. Rho Xi Lambda proudly serves Madison County and supports the brothers of the Omicron Gamma Chapter seated at Millsaps College.

As you browse through our website, we hope you will see a chapter grounded in leadership, scholarship, and service. During the 2026–2028 term, the Executive Board will focus on consistent programming, stronger communication with our community partners, and transparent stewardship of our resources as we continue to serve with purpose.

Fraternally,
The 2026–2028 Executive Board
Rho Xi Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Continue to: About & chapter history · Programs · Contact · Back to top

About

About Rho Xi Lambda

Service to All Mankind

Chapter history

Like other organizations before it, Rho Xi Lambda began as an idea, and moved through development, and fruition. Brother Kelsey Rushing, at the time a lawyer at Ferr Smith and Associates located in Canton, MS, shared his idea of starting a chapter of Alpha in Canton with several other Brothers: Kevin Gilbert, Terry Saul, Robert Johnson, and Curtis Robinson. In 2000, these five brothers set out on a journey to bring a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha to the Madison County area. Not having the necessary number of seven at the time, these brothers established a service organization known as the Men of Distinction of Madison County, which operated community service projects throughout Canton. The group met at Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Church, where Brother Johnson serves as Deacon. Eventually, Brothers Reuben Myers, Ronald Green, Dr. Larry Day, and Stan Beasley joined the group and the idea of a chapter began to move closer to fruition.

With community services as its primary purpose, Men of Distinction continued its hard work throughout the community, and the group became larger. Brother Mark Henderson, Edderick Cole, Ramel Cotton, and Dr. Percy Anderson, Jr. signed on board, and the time was right to apply for a chapter with the national organization. On October 7, 2004, fruition was complete. The national board of directors of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated approved the establishment of the Rho Xi Lambda Chapter in Canton, MS. On November 5, 2005, Brothers Wesley S. Prater, Tony Davenport, Jamaal Holloway, and Gary Mitchell, Jr. joined the light of Alpha as the first initiates of Rho Xi Lambda.

During the follow-on years of steady growth, Rho Xi Lambda has been able to implement a number of successful Alpha Phi Alpha national programs within the city of Canton. Each year, chapter Brothers regularly conduct “Go to High School, Go to College” classes, “Project Alpha” sessions, and voter education and registration initiatives associated with the “A Voteless People” campaign. Rho Xi Lambda also serves Thanksgiving dinner to elderly residents and conducts a biennial Beautillion and scholarship pageant as well.

Founding brothers

Rho Xi Lambda was built by brothers who organized for sustained community service, then worked patiently until the chapter was ready to be chartered.

Founder highlights

Brother Kelsey Rushing is recognized as a key catalyst in the formation of Rho Xi Lambda. He helped move the early vision from conversation to consistent community action, setting a standard of organized service and long-term commitment.

Brother Robert Johnson is honored among the founding brothers who anchored early organizing with community trust and accountability. The group met at Mt. Levi Full Gospel Baptist Church, where Brother Johnson served as a deacon—reflecting the chapter’s enduring emphasis on service that is rooted and responsive.

Founding Brothers (collective) built the early Men of Distinction organization as a public-facing commitment to service in Canton. Their consistency created the momentum that led to charter on October 7, 2004.

First initiates (November 5, 2005)

• Brother Wesley S. Prater
• Brother Tony Davenport
• Brother Jamaal Holloway
• Brother Gary Mitchell, Jr.

Founding circle (2000) — bio information

Replace the biographies with approved chapter details.

Early builders toward charter — bio information

Replace the biographies with approved chapter details.

Chapter Pearls — bio information

The brothers below were the first initiates of Rho Xi Lambda. Update the biographies with approved chapter details.

Continue to: Programs & initiatives · Leadership · Foundation / give · Back to top

Next

Keep exploring

Site links: About · Programs · Leadership · Foundation · Member dues · Members only · Contact