History of Alpha Safari
The Event You Have Been Waiting For. For more than two decades, the Alpha Safari has brought the Tallahassee community together to raise scholarship dollars and celebrate youth leadership across the Big Bend.
Where It All Began
Alpha Safari is a large safari-theme party sponsored jointly by the Alpha Educational & Leadership Foundation, Inc. (AELF) and the Gamma Mu Lambda Chapter (GML) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. as the Event You Have Been Waiting For. Planning for the first Alpha Safari began a year or two before the inaugural event, as AELF and GML imagined a night that would unite community, culture, and purpose.
The first Alpha Safari was held in September 2004 at the Elk's Lodge in Tallahassee, Florida. It was organized to be a safari-themed event where there were two parties in one. A party on the outside and a party on the inside. These two venues in one were designed to give guests, supporters, and sponsors an opportunity to explore the big party event fundraiser in the fashion they chose.
That first night offered food, fun, and great music in a safe adult environment while purposely providing scholarship, leadership, and life skills support to emerging youth leaders. It was a great success, and it set the foundation for a tradition that continues today.
- Founded2004
- Inaugural VenueElk's Lodge, Tallahassee, FL
- Hosted byAELF & Gamma Mu Lambda Chapter
- MissionScholarships, leadership, and youth programs
- ImpactHundreds of guests and donors each year
A Tradition That Evolves
The Vision
Planning began for a safari-themed fundraiser that would unite community, culture, and purpose in one unforgettable night.
The Beginning
The first Alpha Safari was held in September at the Elk's Lodge in Tallahassee, establishing the event as a fellowship fundraiser supporting AELF and Gamma Mu Lambda programs.
One Safari, One Space
The original two-party concept evolved into a single indoor celebration. Limited venues, unpredictable weather, and summer storms made an indoor format the safer, more reliable choice. AELF and Gamma Mu Lambda brought the entire Safari under one roof, keeping the same fellowship, music, and mission intact.
A Growing Tradition
The Safari expanded into a themed annual experience, moving to the Thursday night of FAMU's Homecoming week and welcoming guests from across North Florida. The 2019 Alpha Safari, Safari 2K19, was the last before the pause.
A Thoughtful Hiatus
After the 2019 Alpha Safari, the event paused for six years from 2020 through 2025 due to COVID-19 and other impediments, but the mission never stopped. Planning continued for a strong return.
The Mystic Nile
Alpha Safari returned as a summer event on August 1, 2026, with the same focus on scholarships, leadership, and community.
The Serengeti
Save the date for August 2027 at the National Guard Armory in Tallahassee, Florida. More information will be forthcoming.
A Legacy of Themes
Every year brings a new name, but the mission stays the same: fellowship, culture, and purpose in support of our youth.
A Safari Experience Like No Other
From the beginning, the Alpha Safari was designed to be more than a party. It was a safari-themed event where guests could move between two venues in one location: a lively outdoor atmosphere and an elegant indoor experience.
This dual setting gave supporters, sponsors, and guests the opportunity to explore the event in the fashion they chose, all while supporting a single purpose: investing in the next generation of scholars and leaders.
- Food, fun, and great music in a safe adult environment
- Purpose-driven fundraising for youth leadership
- Community fellowship across Tallahassee and the Big Bend
- A summer celebration honoring a decades-long tradition
The Alpha Safari Modeling Showcase
A long-running favorite of the Alpha Safari returns for the 2027 Serengeti. The Images Modeling Troup, Inc will deliver a wonder show for inspiration, entertainment, and sensation.
Images Modeling Troup, Inc
The Alpha Safari Modeling Showcase has been a hallmark of the evening for years. In 2027, the Images Modeling Troup, Inc returns to bring a wonder show of style, confidence, and creativity to the Serengeti. It is more than a runway moment; it is inspiration, entertainment, and sensation rolled into one unforgettable performance.
Building Leaders for Life
Proceeds from Alpha Safari fund scholarships, educational activities, and leadership initiatives that serve young men in grades 3-12 and community, university, and special initiatives the Board of Directors have deemed priorities throughout Tallahassee, Leon County, and the Big Bend.
Alpha Rise Academy
AELF's newest academy is built for early elementary school males. ARA introduces leadership development through focus skills, communication, critical thinking, and exploratory learning that prepare young boys to rise with confidence.
Alpha Leadership Program for Higher Achievement
ALPHA develops the middle school scholar through public speaking, analytical thinking, decision-making, time management, etiquette, and cultural experiences that shape boys into principled leaders.
Alpha Millennium Academy
AMA promotes leadership, professional development, and career readiness for high school students. Through workshops, community service learning, and cultural excursions, young men prepare for life beyond graduation.
Annual Oratorical Contest
A foundation-wide competition that reaches all grades and all academies with timely topics, where students compete for first, second, and third place cash awards while strengthening public speaking, research, and critical thinking skills.
Alpha Parent Ambassadors
Family engagement and community support for student success.
Academics, Safety & Wellness
Initiatives that promote public speaking, wellness, and personal growth, including the Keep Our Youth Alive (K.O.Y.A.) initiative focused on empowering young people to thrive.
Scholarships & Scholarly Activities
Students across all three academies compete through seven intensive sessions built around key assignments, attendance, and measurable achievement. As they earn points across the program year, top performers qualify for scholarship opportunities awarded at first, second, and third place across ARA, ALPHA, and AMA.
AELF-TEMP Mini Grant Program
Teacher Empowerment Mini Grants that put classroom dollars directly into the hands of teachers in grades 3 to 12, funding supplies, enrichment projects, and creative learning experiences that school budgets often cannot cover.
Collegiate Support Opportunity (CSO)
Support for campus clubs and organizations at Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and Tallahassee State College whose work advances our mission of scholarship, service, and leadership among college students.
APEX Fatherhood Project
A fatherhood initiative that strengthens the bond between fathers, father figures, and their children through mentoring, family engagement, and practical support for men committed to showing up for their sons and daughters.
Local Capital City Partners
Collaborative community efforts with the Tallahassee Alphas, including the Beta Nu, Gamma Mu Lambda, and Iota Delta Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., joining undergraduate and alumni brothers across Tallahassee in shared service, mentoring, and joint projects and initiatives.
Technology Advancement Initiative
Supporting opportunities to innovate our technology infrastructure, communications, and programming for our youth, families, and for our internal and external operations in a changing society.
Dress the Part
Alpha Safari-themed attire is expected and adds to the spirit of the night. Guests are encouraged to wear khaki green, brown, tan, or gold shorts, pants, or skirts with any variation of camouflage or animal prints.
Straw or safari-style hats, boots, safari shoes, and animal-imprinted attire are also welcome. Come dressed for the adventure.
- Khaki green, brown, tan, or gold bottoms
- Camouflage or animal print accents
- Straw or safari-style hats
- Boots, safari shoes, or animal-imprinted footwear
Best Chic Safari Wear Contest
Bring your best safari style and you could take home cash prizes. The 2027 Serengeti will feature a Best Chic Safari Wear Contest with two categories: Male and Female. Winners are decided by audience excitement and participation, so the crowd's energy crowns the champion. Winners in both categories receive a cash prize and recognition for a year on our website until a new winner is named.
Supporting Our Youth
The Alpha Safari event supports annual scholarships, trophies, certificates, field trips, and scholarly activities. All life skills training materials, breakfasts, lunches, and other excursions are supported through this event and its donors.
Students are not charged to participate in these worthwhile program initiatives. Every dollar raised helps remove barriers and open doors for young men in grades 3-12 across Tallahassee, Leon County, and the Big Bend.
EIN 59-3560158. Net proceeds benefit AELF programs.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Join us on August 7, 2027 for The Serengeti. Your ticket, table, or sponsorship keeps the Alpha Safari tradition alive and funds the next generation of leaders.
Hosted by the Alpha Educational & Leadership Foundation, Inc. and the Gamma Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.