| The history and development of AAI is closely woven in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha. The first incarnations of the organization eventually to become AAI, was started by the girlfriends and wives of the members Alpha Phi Alpha in 1931. These women were known as sweethearts because they were originally the sweethearts of the members. Though having no official status or organization these women aided the members of the various chapters in various service and social activities. Latter in the development of Alpha Phi Alpha, Undergraduate chapters started initiating little sisters and calling them sweethearts. These organizations were under the complete control of the members of that chapter and had little or no organization between the members. This type of little sister organizations only purpose was to support the brothers of the chapter with which they were associated. Several different names were used but in general they were still the same organization. Known also as Alpha Sweethearts, and these types of little sister organization flourished until the late 1980s. Due to directives sent down from the Grand Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Undergraduate Chapters were instructed to disband their little sister organizations. This left the members of the former Sweethearts without the direction of local chapter of which they affiliated. To fill the void and provide direction for themselves these women started the organizations that were controlled and directed solely by themselves. Because the majority of the members were former Sweethearts there still existed a close association with the members of Alpha Phi Alpha. These organizations took various names in 1962 when we formed our own organization the most commonly known are, Angel Courts Inc., Ladies of Black and Gold Inc. and Alpha Angels Inc. Today these organizations still exist in various forms and names, but as separate entities from Alpha Phi Alpha. Their continued existence is testimony to the usefulness of these types of organizations both to the campus and communities they serve and the women that are apart of them. |
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| HER HUMBLE BEGINNING |