History Alphas Kappas Q's Sigmas Iotas AKA's Deltas Zetas SGRho's Strolling Stepping
African American Fraternities and Sororities Homepage
Greek life is increasing its prominence on most college campuses throughout the United States. For years, the Greek system has been attracting college students to join its brotherhood and sisterhood. Every quarter, thousands of students around the country flock to Greek Open House sessions and participate in "Rush" activities, in hopes of one day becoming a member of their desired organization. As African American students began to attend universities, they too longed for an opportunity to join the ranks of a brotherhood. Due to the racial discrimination of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, African American students were not allowed to join the traditionally White fraternities and sororities. Feeling the need for a brotherhood/sisterhood where they could share their opinions and still be accepted, African Americans formed the Divine Nine, the nine traditionally black fraternities and sororities. The Divine Nine has become "one of the most powerful and influential groups in African American society" (http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble…). Return to Top
Historically Black fraternities and sororities (NPHC organizations) first emerged on the campus of Cornell University in 1906. Although African Americans were not welcomed to join any of the traditionally White fraternities or sororities, university administrators would not allow African Americans to form their own organizations. Facing blatant racism on a daily basis, many African American students saw the need for unity. They believed that if they came together as a whole, it would make them stronger as a people and that the members would be able to support one another in accomplishing their future endeavors. For several years these students worked "underground", without anyone knowing, to begin the formation of their first Greek letter organization. Since then, the nine traditionally Black fraternities and sororities, who today have over 2.5 million members, have provided "young black achievers with opportunities to support one another, while serving their communities and the nation. From pioneering work in the suffragette movement to extraordinary strides during the Civil Rights era to life-changing inner-city mentoring programs in the 1990s, members of these organizations share a proud and vital history of brotherhood, sisterhood, and service. Many of America's most prominent business leaders, scientists, politicians, entertainers, and athletes took their first steps toward making a difference in the world in a fraternity or sorority" (http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble…). Return to Top
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the first Black Greek letter organization, was founded on the campus of Cornell University on December 4, 1906 by 7 men, known to members as the "seven jewels." They recognized the need of a strong and unified brotherhood that would assist its members in working against the racial prejudice and discrimination they faced. The seven founding jewels built the organization upon four principles in which all members are expected to uphold throughout their daily lives. These principles are: scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha’s colors are black and gold, and their mascot is an Egyptian sphinx. Famous brothers include: Martin Luther King Jr, W.E.B. DuBois, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. (www.alphaphialpha.net/) Return to Top
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was founded on January 5, 1911 on the campus of Indiana University at Bloomington. This organization was a dream come true for its ten founders who worked for several years to get Kappa Alpha Psi a phenomenal organization. Members are dedicated to the principles of achievement through a truly democratic fraternity. Their motto "achievement in every field of human endeavor," can best be demonstrated through it thousands of members. The colors of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. are red and white. (www.kappaalphapsi.com) Return to Top
Three ambitious young men founded Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. on November 17, 1911 on the campus of Howard University. The letters Omega, Psi, and Phi were designated to represent the organization because when translated into words, they meant, "friendship is essential to the soul." This phrase has also been adopted as the organizations official motto. The three founders based Omega Psi Phi upon the cardinal principles of: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and uplift. The official colors of Omega Psi Phi are purple and gold. Famous brothers include Bill Cosby and Shaquille O’Neill. Return to Top
The distinguished organization of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. was founded on January 9, 1914 on the campus of Howard University. The three founding fathers: Langston Taylor, Leonard Morse, and Charles Brown created an organization that would base itself upon the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and service. These men believed that the skills in which one was fortunate enough to learn, were no good, unless they were applied back to helping out the community from which you came. Thus, they created the motto, "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity." Phi Beta Sigma has grown to become an international fraternity and has now established their own credit union. Their colors are blue and white. Famous Sigmas include Blair Underwood, A. Phillip Randolph, and NFL sensation Jerry Rice. (http://www.pbs1914.org/main.htm) Return to Top
Iota Phi Theta, the last of the five fraternities established, was founded on September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Twelve phenomenal men who managed to establish this organization while being non-traditional students, working full-time jobs and attending the university as full-time students founded the organization. The purpose of Iota Phi Theta is "The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men." The organization’s official motto is "Building a tradition. Not resting upon one." Today, Iota Phi Theta has over 198 chapters nationwide, strengthening the brotherhood that the founders dreamed of. Their colors are brown and gold (www.iotaphitheta.org). Return to Top
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was the first of the four NPHC sororities to be founded. It was founded at Howard University in 1908. Over 170,000 women across the nation have elected to become members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Mrs. Ethel Hedgeman Lyle founded the organization because she saw the need for a sisterhood that would allow collegiate women to enrich the various aspects of college life through interaction with one another. Alpha Kappa Alpha, whose colors are pink and green, has established chapters throughout the entire United States (http://www.aka1908.com/aka/history/overview.htm). Return to Top
Twenty-one ambitious women on the campus of Howard University founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. on January 13, 1913. Being the largest of the four historically black sororities in the Divine Nine, Delta Sigma Theta continues to promote academic excellence through its various programming. The organizations colors are crimson and cream and their motto is "Keeping the connection, Building on the past, focusing on the future. The organization played a very active role in the women’s suffrage movement in the 1960’s and continues to play a role in establishing justice for all people. Notable Deltas include Mary Church Terrell and Barbara Jordan (http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/d_history/index.htm). Return to Top
Founded on January 16, 1920 at Howard University was Zeta Phi Theta Sorority Inc. Five young women, known to members as the Five Pearls, founded this organization. Based upon the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love, and Finer Womanhood, Zeta Phi Theta attracted the attention of many women, which led to the organization becoming the second largest sorority of the Divine Nine. Its colors are blue and white. It is the sister chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, and these two organizations are the only two constitutionally bound Greek organizations in the Divine Nine. Zeta Phi Theta was the first organization to establish a chapter in Africa, and the first to organize a centralized national headquarters (http://www.zphib1920.org/heritage/index.shtml). Return to Top
Seven schoolteachers in Indiana founded Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc on November 12, 1922. These women based the sorority upon the principle of sisterhood, scholarship and service. Members of Sigma Gamma Rho are expected to uphold these principles through their everyday actions not only in college, but also in life beyond the college years. Their mascot is the poodle and their flower is the yellow tea rose. Their colors are royal blue and gold. Currently Sigma Gamma Rho has established over 400 chapters throughout the United States, Bahamas, and Germany (http://www.sgrho1922.org/history.html). Return to Top
The Divine Nine are known throughout the Greek spectrum for incorporating African traditions into their rituals and events. These fraternities and sororities are widely known for "stepping" and "strolling" in various shows and parties. Strolling is similar to line dancing. When strolling, members of the organization line up one after another in a single file line and perform an original dance that has been choreographed by the members of the organization. Some strolls are designed for faster beats while others go well with slower songs. The members move in a forward or backward motion through the club or dance floor performing these choreographed dances. Each chapter has their own strolls that they design solely for their chapter. However, every organization has national strolls that all members learn, thus allowing brothers and sisters from various chapters to unite as one and stroll together to show the true unity of a sisterhood or brotherhood. Return to Top
In addition to strolling, the Divine Nine are well known for the art of stepping. Having members of an organization perform dance moves without the beat of music being present is stepping. In stepping, members clap, stomp, jump or use other props such as canes, staffs to make their own beats. Sometimes members get creative and use machetes and cans to make beats, while being blindfolded at the same time. Once steps are choreographed and perfected, members register their teams for step shows in which various organizations compete in front of large audiences, in hopes of winning first place and all of the bragging rights that accompany winning the show. Step shows are well known and attract a wide-array of audiences from all over. Return to Top
The Divine Nine has been around since the early 1900’s and has been a major influence for many collegiate students. To this day, the Divine Nine does not restrict its membership to solely African-American students. They are open to anyone who is interested. These organizations have played a strong political role during the civil rights movement. It is for these reasons that membership in NPHC organizations have continuously been rising.
Bibliography
Alpha Kappa Alpha National website (http://www.aka1908.com/aka/history/overview.htm).
Alpha Phi Alpha National website (
www.alphaphialpha.net/)Delta Sigma Theta National website (
http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/d_history/index.htm).Iota Phi Theta National website (
www.iotaphitheta.org).Kappa Alpha Psi National website (
www.kappaalphapsi.com)Omega Psi Phi National Websitehttp
://www.oppf.org/about/history.aspPhi Beta Sigma National website (
http://www.pbs1914.org/main.htm)Sigma Gamma Rho National website (
http://www.sgrho1922.org/history.html).Zeta Phi Beta National website (
http://www.zphib1920.org/heritage/index.shtml)http://www.westga.edu/~stuacts/greeks/bgc/history.shtml
http://www.albany.edu/~nphc/history.html
Stepping:
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall03/Figueroa/stepping.htmStrolling:
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall03/Figueroa/strolling.htm