Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated mourns the loss of John D. Slade, one of the 12 Founders of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., who passed away Sunday, May 6 after a lengthy illness at age 79.

Speaking on behalf of the Sorority’s nearly 300,000 members worldwide, International President, Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson extended condolences to the Fraternity, which was founded on Sept. 19, 1963 at then-Morgan State College in Baltimore. She praised Mr. Slade as a member of the group of visionary leaders who established the Fraternity for “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood among men.”

Founded during the rise of the civil rights movement, the Fraternity, led by its Founders, was established during one of the most significant and turbulent times in American history. Many in the group were longtime friends; some were veterans, and some were non-traditional students married with children. Together, they brought a unique perspective and developed the organization’s motto, "Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!"

In his history book of the fraternity, “Iota Phi Theta: the Founding & Ascendancy,” Mr. Slade offered a candid account of how the Fraternity was conceived on Morgan’s campus in view of a statue of Frederick Douglas. He said it was a wonderful time to be young, black and a college student in the United States. “Hope was not only alive for African- Americans but it was brighter than ever,” he wrote in the book’s foreword.

The fifth largest predominantly African-American social service fraternity, Iota Phi Theta, Incorporated® today has more than 250 chapters in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, Korea and the Bahamas. It remains committed to making meaningful contributions in the African American community.

Buckhanan Wilson encouraged the Fraternity members to celebrate the life of Mr. Slade by honoring the rich legacy of their Founders and upholding the tradition of brotherhood and service and the foundation set by Mr. Slade and the 11 other visionaries nearly 55 years ago.

Alpha Kappa Alpha extends its thoughts and prayers to the Slade family, the Grand Council and Board of Directors and nearly 30,000 members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated® and all who mourn his loss and were impacted by the lasting contributions made by Founder Slade.