Charles Henry Chapman was born June 20, 1876, in Cayuga County, New York. He is one of the seven founders (Jewels) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity in the United States established for men of African descent.  Charles Chapman served as a professor of agriculture at both Jackson State College in Jackson, Mississippi, and Alabama A&M College in Huntsville, Alabama. His most prestigious appointment came in 1924 when Florida A&M in Tallahassee hired him to chair the agriculture department. He advanced the department by adding coursework in animal husbandry that did not exist before his appointment.

The garden is used to help the surrounding community grow and share fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs. It is also being used to teach urban youth responsibility, cooperation and ecological respect & awareness.  This Garden is named in HONOR of our founding father, JEWEL CHARLES HENRY CHAPMAN, a professor of agriculture.