Draft:Atophi

Atophi is the first and only dual high school and college fraternity in the world founded by a group of 4-5 teens led by Tony Dphax King.[citation needed] Although the 1989 yearbook says November 30th, Atophi was founded on November 2, 1988 at the predominantly Black West Philadelphia High School. West Philadelphia High School was originally located between 47th & 48th & Walnut Streets.[citation needed] King transferred to West Philadelphia High in June 1988 due to hostilities and violence at another high school as a result of his appearances on two nationally syndicated dance shows (Dancin’ On Air & Dance Party USA). [citation needed]In 1990, with the help of Orloff Phillips and 5-6 others, King and Phillips established Atophi’s first university chapter at Temple University.[citation needed] Atophi Fraternity was finally registered in the U.S. Library of Congress on April 29, 2023[citation needed]

Background

During the fall of 1988 “Father Figure” by George Michael, “Nite and Day” by Al B. Sure, “I’ll Always Love You” by Taylor Dayne, “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson and “Shattered Dreams” by Johnny Hates Jazz topped the U.S. Billboard Pop Charts. At the same time a new genre of music exploded onto college campuses across the nation. Suddenly everyone lost their minds when they heard “I’ll House You” by Jungle Brothers, “Break For Love” by RAZE, “Respect” by Adeva, “Big Fun” by Inner City and “This is Acid” by Maurice Joshua. This and other great music served as the soundtrack for the Golden Age of Black Greek-Lettered Fraternities and Sororities (BGLOs). In addition to the music, the hit sitcom A Different World (1987-1993) stoked the flames of the fire and then the release of the blockbuster movie School Daze added oil to that fire.

In September 1988 a “controversial” Social Studies teacher, John D. Skief began showing a video tape of college step-dance performances from various colleges that he had filmed at Jones Beach during the summer of 1988.[citation needed] Students such as Tony Dphax King, were ordered to enter the class silently.[remove sentence] Talking was not permitted.[remove sentence] The VHS tape would be playing. Then “Bro. Skief” as he was called, would abruptly turn off the video and begin his lesson. "Who are they?" and "What are they doing?" the students would ask.[remove sentence]

Thus the students were introduced to the world of Black fraternity and sorority student life.

King and a few other students were eager to become a "brotherhood" just like they saw on the VHS videos but there was one problem: they were in high school, not college. On November 2, 1988, in the auditorium (old building), 4-5 students, led by Tony Dphax King, decided to become a fraternity.[citation needed]They asked to meet with the principal who gave the group his “okay” as long as the group could find a "sponsor." John D. Skief (founder of Harambee Institute of Science & Technology) gave the group access to his classroom and “Bro. Skief” became the group’s first sponsor. [edit sentence and citation needed]The group met every day after school until darkness. They argued. They debated. They laughed. They planned. They dreamed.[remove sentence]

Local and national programs

Writing was crucial to the success of Tony Dphax King and a few of Atophi’s early members who were accepted to universities. .[remove sentence ]In fact, King was not initially accepted and had to enter a summer college preparatory program in western Pennsylvania.[citation needed] Before the summer college preparatory program ended, King received a call from his mother who asked permission to open a “letter from Temple.” The letter requested that King report to the Main Campus of Temple University on Monday morning. On Sunday King’s mother arrived, loaded up the car and drove back to Philadelphia to enroll as a Temple student on Monday. King’s essay about his experience with Atophi at West Philadelphia High impressed the Admissions Office. Therefore the Annual 2,000 Word Cash Essay Contest is an emphasis on writing and the #1 local program of Atophi.[citation needed, edit paragraph ]

Obstacles

During the spring of 1990 Atophi partnered with the Mighty Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha to do the “Go-To-High-School, Go-To-College” program at West Philadelphia High which by name is coincidentally the intended path for Atophi members. Without explanation and one day before the Go-To-High-School, Go-To-College program, “Bro. Skief” (1st Advisor) informed Atophi members that the Principal canceled the program. This cancellation robbed the students at West Philadelphia High of a program filled with food, awards, invited guest speakers, etc. This was the fraternity’s first major lesson in life. Atophi faced much backlash from more established fraternities and sororities in the Pan-Hellenic Council. As the years progressed, those organizations began to accept as Atophi demonstrated its experience at local Pan-Hellenic step-shows where they were invited as an “exhibition” and not part of the competition at colleges throughout Philadelphia and surrounding area.

Membership

Membership development process is the period in which a high school or college candidate learns Atophi’s History, objectives and the purpose of maintaining life-long bonds and relationships which serve as support for life’s journey. A new Pledge Manual is forthcoming. The original Pledge Manual and other history were destroyed in a storage space dispute. King fought in court and won a judgment for $80,000 but an unfair judge in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas robbed the organization of the judgment. Traditionally, Atophi focuses on the quality of members as opposed to quantity. King always stated that Atophi is the “Studio 54” of the Black Greek-Lettered Organizations

Fundraising activities

Atophi Fraternity is currently seeking not-for-profit status. Nevertheless, Atophi strugggled to raise money. In the

1990s, Orloff Phillips came to the rescue when he proposed the sale of cold beverages at the Greek Picnic. However, this effort began when the City of Philadelphia began destroying and manipulating this annual event by changing the location from Belmont Grove (aka the "Tennis Courts"), forcing organizations to buy life-time vendor licenses and other obstacles. The fraternity then organized two successful fashion shows at Temple University which were listed by

Bing Mark, fashion columnist of Philadelphia Inquirer. In 2003, Tony Dphax organized a hugely successful fundraiser under the proxy name "Phuture Philly Phridays" during Penn Relays weekend. The event was a hit! The venue was hosted at an Old City location managed by Delilah Winder who had appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show for her delicious 7 Cheese Mac & Cheese recipe. The author Don Spears was flown in from New Orleans and sold out his controversial book, In Search of Goodpussy at the party. A writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote a story about the event titled, Bluezette's party aims to take hospitality & fun to New York heights.

Chapters

As of 2023 Atophi is a city-wide, local fraternity.[remove sentence advertisement] Although both high school and college males from all schools are welcome, Atophi remains focused on West Philadelphia High School and Temple University.[edit sentence & citation needed]

Black college greek movement

Atophi is the first high school and college fraternity in the world founded on November 2, 1988 during the Golden Age of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Although other races and ethnicities are welcome, which is evidenced by the “Interracial Handshake” (see Coat of Arms), Atophi is a BGLO (Black Greek-Lettered Organization). Atophi is too young and small to be a National Pan-Hellenic Council member. Atophi was originally known as Alpha Tau Omega Phi but the acronym Atophi is preferred to prevent confusion with “ATO'' founded in 1865.[citation needed] Atophi has no affiliation with any national fraternity.[citation needed]

Symbols

Official colors of Atophi Fraternity are green, gold, white and black. The symbols are Six Emeralds, Double Swords of Love, Broken Boots, Opened Book, Interracial Handshake and a masonry Brick.[citation needed]

External links

• Official website