The nation’s first Black congressman from Rhode Island, Gabe Amo, has officially joined the ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The historic organization initiated Amo through its Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter in Houston, Texas on June 1, 2025, as part of its Southwest Region.
In 2023, Amo made history by becoming the first Black member of Congress from Rhode Island. He now represents the state’s First Congressional District in Washington, where he champions priorities such as economic opportunity, climate resilience, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, and the protection of democracy.
With this induction, Congressman Amo joins the ranks of prominent public servants who have aligned themselves with Alpha Phi Alpha’s legacy of leadership, scholarship, and service.
He was initiated alongside a line of highly accomplished men through the Alpha Eta Lambda Chapter, including:
- Dr. Marcus Stoddard, Cardiologist at University of Louisville Health
- Dr. Christopher Jones, physicist and the first Black Democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas
- James Harris, Senior Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Supplier Diversity at H-E-B
- Judge Joe Stephens, Harris County Justice of the Peace and former professional basketball player in the NBA and Europe
Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Congressman Amo is the son of West African immigrants—his mother from Liberia, a nurse; and his father from Ghana, a small business owner. His rise from a working-class background to serving in the halls of Congress reflects a story deeply rooted in perseverance, public service, and civic engagement.
Amo’s career spans two presidential administrations. He most recently served in the Biden White House as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, where he acted as a key liaison to mayors and local officials across the country. In that role, he played a central part in coordinating responses to national crises and connecting communities to resources from major legislation like the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
His commitment to public service began early. Under President Barack Obama, Amo served in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, focusing on building relationships with governors and state leaders. He later returned to Rhode Island to serve as Director of Public Engagement and Community Affairs for then-Governor Gina Raimondo.
Amo holds a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaton College, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. A Truman Scholar and Student Government President during his time there, he later earned a Marshall Scholarship and studied at the University of Oxford.
With his initiation into Alpha Phi Alpha, Amo deepens his connection to a powerful tradition of Black excellence and civic leadership. His record of service and leadership is closely aligned with the fraternity’s mission of developing leaders, promoting academic excellence, and providing service and advocacy for underserved communities.
