Our History

Founded in 1948, the Tampa Chapter of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (FAMU NAA) stands as one of the oldest and most distinguished alumni chapters in the country. Originally part of the Southeastern Region which spanned chapters across Florida and Georgia the Tampa Chapter helped pave the way for the creation of the Florida Region in 1984, now representing 27 cities statewide.

 

Rich in both history and leadership, the Tampa Chapter is proud to be the only FAMU alumni chapter to include among its members a former university president, Dr. Walter L. Smith, the 7th President of Florida A&M University, as well as Dr. Carolyn Collins, the first female president of the FAMU National Alumni Association. Their legacies of service and leadership continue to inspire our mission today.

 

For generations, the Tampa Chapter has remained committed to fostering academic excellence and Rattler pride recruiting and guiding thousands of high school students to pursue their education at Florida A&M University. Through outreach, mentorship, and community engagement, we continue to shape the next wave of FAMU leaders right here in Tampa Bay.