The recent dismissal of General Charles Q. Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has drawn sharp criticism from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity, which counts General Brown as a Spring 1981 initiate of the Eta Upsilon Chapter at Texas Tech, denounced the decision, asserting that it reflects a broader effort to curtail Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and limit the representation of African Americans in leadership roles.

The fraternity criticized former President Donald J. Trump’s decision to remove Brown, who was appointed as chairman of the Joint Chiefs by President Joe Biden in 2023. Brown had previously made history as the first African American to serve as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Over his four-decade career, Brown earned a reputation as a dedicated advocate for diversifying the military ranks. He spoke candidly about race in the armed forces, particularly in the wake of national protests over the police killing of George Floyd. His leadership, the fraternity noted, extended beyond his service record to his efforts in shaping a military that reflects the nation’s diversity.

“As the world’s first and leading intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men, the Fraternity and its Brotherhood has long stood at the forefront for the advancement and equal protections of African Americans and people of color in the public sector, and that is unwavering,” the statement read.

Alpha Phi Alpha recognized Brown’s more than 40 years of honorable and distinguished service, his commitment to attracting more Americans with diverse backgrounds to the military, and his willingness to speak on racial issues. The fraternity’s statement praised his leadership and contributions, emphasizing that his removal is a significant loss to the country.

“Brother General Brown’s dismissal stands as a loss to our nation, and to our history,” the fraternity stated.

Read the full official statement below: