Lucien J. Metellus Jr. Takes the Helm as National President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
His inauguration was celebrated by a contingent of Syracuse Alpha brothers and friends.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers from across the country came together during the weekend of January 10, 2025, to celebrate the inauguration of Lucien J. Metellus Jr. ’97 as the fraternity’s 37th general president. Metellus made history as both the first Haitian American and first Syracuse University alumnus elected to lead Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the nation’s first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for Black men, established in 1906.
The pinnacle of the weekend events were the inauguration luncheon on Saturday and the black-tie Gala reception that evening at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York, an elegant gathering of the past presidents of the fraternity, hundreds of active alumni and college brothers, as well as the leadership of all Divine 9 fraternities and sororities who came to represent their organizations and to celebrate and encourage President Metellus as he began his tenure.
“Seeing people from all different times and spaces in my life—my family, friends from Syracuse University, my fraternity brothers—coming together not necessarily to celebrate me, but to celebrate opportunity and the hope of making progress, and in the process, raising nearly $20,000 toward scholarships and educational opportunities for underserved youth in the New York City community combined to shape one of the great experiences of my life,” says Metellus.
Among those attending included a contingent of Syracuse University Alphas, including Dr. Phillip Dunigan ’76, Malik Goodson ’00, Jared Green ’01, Rob Lewis ’84, Paul Murdock ’85, Dr. Gezzer Ortega ’03, Alex Supelveda ’93, Ronald Taylor ’15, G’16 and Arthur Vaughn ’92, as well as other Syracuse University friends and Greek alumni.
“The inauguration was meaningful for many reasons, not only because Lucien is a Syracuse University alumnus, but also because he is a humble, focused and determined person who has dedicated his life to fulfilling the tenants of our dear fraternity,” says Lewis. “I’ve known President Metellus since he was first initiated into the fraternity, and he has worked hard serving on every level of leadership and is most deserving of the position to lead this organization into the future.”
Metellus’s priorities for his tenure include developing a mental health initiative for collegiate and alumni members; providing increased economic opportunities for members through scholarships and mentorship; augmenting current programming around healthy relationships; and continuing to update programs to help people in need in communities the fraternity serves.
Metellus says the current political climate has galvanized action. “Alpha Phi Alpha does not support political candidates, but we're a policy-driven organization, and there are a lot of policies that we as an organization are looking at that are deeply concerning to us, especially those that affect the day-to-day lives of students on campus,” he says. “We need to make sure that we're advocates for educational opportunities, and that systems that have been supportive of those things not get dismantled.”
Those who know him believe the fraternity is in good hands. “Lucien brings a true passion for change to the leadership role, an attitude of being proactive rather than reactive,” says Goodson, who serves as Metellus’s chief of staff. “Lucien has great vision and has set forth goals and meaningful action that will have a lasting effect on the fraternity and society for decades to come.”
Professionally, Metellus has worked in the information technology field for 20 years and currently serves as a project manager and senior business analyst at Centrilogic. He has professional certifications and degrees in leadership, project management, religion and technology and is a published poet and writer.
He also serves as chair of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the city of Frederick, Maryland, where he and his wife and two children live. Appointed by the mayor, Metellus leads review of city contracts and governmental policies for DEI considerations.
Metellus credits his Syracuse University experience for his many successes. “If it wasn't for my Syracuse community, I would not be the person that I am today, and that's one of the highest compliments I can give,” he says. “They helped shape me to be the best version of me.”
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers from across the country came together during the weekend of January 10, 2025, to celebrate the inauguration of Lucien J. Metellus Jr. ’97 as the fraternity’s 37th general president. Metellus made history as both the first Haitian American and first Syracuse University alumnus elected to lead Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the nation’s first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity for Black men, established in 1906.
The pinnacle of the weekend events were the inauguration luncheon on Saturday and the black-tie Gala reception that evening at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York, an elegant gathering of the past presidents of the fraternity, hundreds of active alumni and college brothers, as well as the leadership of all Divine 9 fraternities and sororities who came to represent their organizations and to celebrate and encourage President Metellus as he began his tenure.
“Seeing people from all different times and spaces in my life—my family, friends from Syracuse University, my fraternity brothers—coming together not necessarily to celebrate me, but to celebrate opportunity and the hope of making progress, and in the process, raising nearly $20,000 toward scholarships and educational opportunities for underserved youth in the New York City community combined to shape one of the great experiences of my life,” says Metellus.Among those attending included a contingent of Syracuse University Alphas, including Dr. Phillip Dunigan ’76, Malik Goodson ’00, Jared Green ’01, Rob Lewis ’84, Paul Murdock ’85, Dr. Gezzer Ortega ’03, Alex Supelveda ’93, Ronald Taylor ’15, G’16 and Arthur Vaughn ’92, as well as other Syracuse University friends and Greek alumni.
“The inauguration was meaningful for many reasons, not only because Lucien is a Syracuse University alumnus, but also because he is a humble, focused and determined person who has dedicated his life to fulfilling the tenants of our dear fraternity,” says Lewis. “I’ve known President Metellus since he was first initiated into the fraternity, and he has worked hard serving on every level of leadership and is most deserving of the position to lead this organization into the future.”
Metellus’s priorities for his tenure include developing a mental health initiative for collegiate and alumni members; providing increased economic opportunities for members through scholarships and mentorship; augmenting current programming around healthy relationships; and continuing to update programs to help people in need in communities the fraternity serves.
Metellus says the current political climate has galvanized action. “Alpha Phi Alpha does not support political candidates, but we're a policy-driven organization, and there are a lot of policies that we as an organization are looking at that are deeply concerning to us, especially those that affect the day-to-day lives of students on campus,” he says. “We need to make sure that we're advocates for educational opportunities, and that systems that have been supportive of those things not get dismantled.”
Those who know him believe the fraternity is in good hands. “Lucien brings a true passion for change to the leadership role, an attitude of being proactive rather than reactive,” says Goodson, who serves as Metellus’s chief of staff. “Lucien has great vision and has set forth goals and meaningful action that will have a lasting effect on the fraternity and society for decades to come.”
Professionally, Metellus has worked in the information technology field for 20 years and currently serves as a project manager and senior business analyst at Centrilogic. He has professional certifications and degrees in leadership, project management, religion and technology and is a published poet and writer.
He also serves as chair of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the city of Frederick, Maryland, where he and his wife and two children live. Appointed by the mayor, Metellus leads review of city contracts and governmental policies for DEI considerations.
Metellus credits his Syracuse University experience for his many successes. “If it wasn't for my Syracuse community, I would not be the person that I am today, and that's one of the highest compliments I can give,” he says. “They helped shape me to be the best version of me.”
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