
How many black Greek letter organizations are there?
There are nine historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Collectively, these organizations are referred to as The Divine Nine..
How many black organizations are there in the US?
If you’re looking to organize against the current, unstable political atmosphere, here’s a list of 28 active organizations that service a range of black communities. 1. Black Lives Matter
Can black Greek institutions play a role in political organizing?
Over the past year, much attention has been paid to the role of these Black Greek institutions in political organizing—specifically in the rise of Vice President–elect Kamala Harris, who was an Alpha Kappa Alpha at Howard.
What are the biggest black sororities and fraternities?
With our A to Z guide to the “Divine Nine,” Essence gives you the lowdown on Black Greek life. This January marks the founding of five of the biggest Black sororities and fraternities, including the Deltas, AKAs, and the Kappas.

How many All black sororities are there?
There are four major sororities, all of which were established in early twentieth century, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Howard University, 1908), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Howard University, 1913), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Howard University, 1920), and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Butler University, 1922).
How many black fraternities are there?
There are four African-American sororities and five fraternities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, together known as the Divine Nine. Each has their own colors, meaningful symbols, unique hand gestures and even calls that you'll hear during social events.
What's the largest black Greek fraternity?
It is the largest predominantly African-American intercollegiate fraternity and one of the ten largest intercollegiate fraternities in the nation....Alpha Phi AlphaMascotGreat Sphinx of GizaPublicationThe SphinxChapters900+Members290,000+ lifetime16 more rows
Are there any all black fraternities?
African American fraternities and sororities are social organizations that predominantly recruit Black college students and provide a network that includes both undergraduate and alumni members....Fraternities.NameAlpha Phi AlphaFounded1906IncorporatedYesCollegiateYesGreek letteredYes17 more columns
What is the largest black sorority?
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is one of four college sororities for African American women, and is the largest African American Greek-letter sorority in the world. Since its founding, more than 350,000 women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds hold membership in Delta Sigma Theta.
What is the most prestigious black fraternity?
The country's first African-American intercollegiate Greek-lettered fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906 at Cornell University and—in addition to a prestigious program of academic excellence and political and social leadership—boasts some serious star-wattage.
How many Delta Sigma Theta Founders were AKAs?
22Soror Bertha Pitts Campbell acknowledged that all 22 were initiates of AKA. In Search of Sisterhood (Soror Paula Giddings) and Shaped to Its Purpose: The First Fifty Years of Delta Sigma Theta (Soror Mary Elizabeth Vroman) both state that our founders were initially AKAs.
Is Delta Sigma Phi a black fraternity?
Historically Black Sororities and Fraternities Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
What is the oldest African American fraternity?
Alpha Phi AlphaAlpha Phi Alpha, the oldest black collegiate fraternity, was established in 1906 on the campus of Cornell University in the midst of racial divide. Seven gentlemen forged a union, binding them together in order to ensure their survival. They have become known as the seven jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Is Oprah Winfrey a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority?
Oprah Winfrey is "NOT" a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Is Kappa Alpha Theta a black sorority?
Kappa Alpha Theta is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), an umbrella organization that encompasses 26 social sororities found throughout North America....Kappa Alpha ThetaMottoLeading WomenColorsBlack GoldSymbolKite, Twin StarsFlowerBlack and Gold Pansy12 more rows
How many black frats and sororities are there?
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which created the nine fraternities and sororities for African-American students is an international organization dedicated to ensuring solidarity, fellowship and progress of what some have nicknamed the “Divine Nine” black frats and sororities.
How many Zeta Phi Beta sorors are there?
Today, the more than 125,000 Zeta Phi Beta sorors head up advocacy programs like Z-HOPE, which provides community service and mentoring. Famous sorors include Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston, comedian Sheryl Underwood – who also served a stint as president – and singers Syleenah Johnson and Dionne Warwick.
What is the oldest sorority in the Divine Nine?
With our A to Z guide to the “Divine Nine,” Essence gives you the lowdown on Black Greek life. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. – Established in 1908 at Howard University, it’s the oldest sorority among the Divine Nine.
What is the Iota Phi Theta?
Iota Phi Theta— Boasting the motto: “Building A Tradition, Not Resting Upon One,” Iota Phi Theta is the youngest of the “Divine Nine” organizations, founded in 1963 at Morgan State University during the height of the Civil Rights Movement . The fraternity actively participated in the movement – one of it’s first coordinated actions was a successful picket line of the white-only Northwood Theater across the street from Morgan State.
Why do black people tattoo?
Tattoos – or brands to be more precise – are a longstanding, yet extremely painful tradition among some black Greeks to express devotion to their sorority or fraternity. The technique involves heating a metal brand shaped into Greek letters, and then searing the skin with it.
What are the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha?
Green (and pink!)— Salmon pink and apple green are the signature colors of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
When was Kappa Alpha Psi founded?
Kappa Alpha Psi —Established in 1911 at Indiana University, it’s the third oldest fraternity among the Divine Nine. The motto of the organization is decidated to “ the principles of achievement through a truly democratic Fraternity.”. Getty Images.
When was Delta Sigma Theta founded?
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc — Sisterhood, scholarship and service are the tenets this sorority was founded upon back in 1913, when the group splintered with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
When was Alpha Kappa Alpha founded?
The first BGL sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington D.C., an HBCU. During this time, founder Ethel Hedgeman Lyle thought it was necessary to connect the most prominent and educated women at the university.
When was Phi Beta Kappa founded?
The first White Greek-lettered organization was Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776 at The College of William & Mary, Virginia. The Greek collegiate system quickly developed and evolved to enhance the social atmosphere for white American males, Cilia María Ruiz-Paz states in her essay Rituals, Symbols & Non-Traditional Greek Letter Organizations.
What is Alpha Phi Alpha?
According to Alpha Phi Alpha's official website, the fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The first BGL sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington D.C., an HBCU.
What happened to African Americans in the early 1900s?
During the early 1900s, when many of the D9 fraternities and sororities were established, African Americans were not allowed, or could not afford an education . The few African American students on college campuses bonded together to create the strong brotherhoods and sisterhoods that still stand today, 100+ years later.
How many Greek organizations were there in HBCU?
The Story of Greek Organizations on HBCU Campuses: Stepping Up to Support. There were seven of them. Some were members of the Prince Hall Masons, a secret society, and others were the sons of members. It was a cold and stormy night on December 4, 1906 when they gathered in upstate New York. These black Cornell University students decided ...
How did the Black Fraternity and Sororities help the Black community?
But with the black fraternity and sororities, they found a support system to help them socialize and survive. As more fraternities and sororities were formed, community service became a mechanism for racial uplift.
How did Omega form?
Hobson said Omega was formed during a time when a lot of black college students were being lynched. It was just before World War I and during the first wave of the Ku Klux Klan when there was a series of lynchings in D.C.
What was the first African American intercollegiate fraternity?
Still, they were determined. They started the first continuous African American intercollegiate fraternity in the nation, Alpha Phi Alpha.
Where did Alpha Phi Alpha start?
The founders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held their first rituals in an Ithaca Masonic lodge. All the black Greek-letter organizations, whether conscious or unconscious, have their roots in African-influenced Masonic rituals and practices.
When was the second black fraternity founded?
The second black fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, was started at Indiana University in 1911 by 10 black students, the only ones on campus. In 1922, a sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, was formed at Butler University, then a teachers’ college.
Who is the member of Omega?
Hobson, a member of Omega, said he knows of the connection between the organizations and the Masons, but none of the specifics. It is believed that their secret rituals, restrictive membership and focus on charity through community and public service were adopted from the Masons. Hobson said the Greek-letter organizations also adopted ...
What is the oldest black fraternity in the world?
Warnock was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., the oldest historically Black fraternity in the country, in Harlem, New York in 1993. “In a word, it means ‘service’ for me,” Warnock explained in a video on Twitter late last year. “It’s also a great fellowship.
Where was Alpha Phi Alpha rally?
While there was an underlying sense of grief at a drive-in rally last month in Albany, Georgia —home to one of the earliest coronavirus superspreader events, which particularly impacted the local Black community—the men donning the colors of Alpha Phi Alpha were still joyful, excitedly calling back and forth to each other, laughing, bumping elbows. While a few pleas made from the rally stage to physically distance were clearly pointed at them, they’re brothers, and one of their own is in a nail-biting runoff for a US Senate seat. And if he wins, he’ll make history as Georgia ’s first Black senator. Following a year with so much grief and anguish, of course they wanted to celebrate.
Does Alpha Phi Alpha endorse political candidates?
And while I am a proud Alpha man…there’s a lot of love between all these fraternities and sororities.”. As a nonprofit, Alpha Phi Alpha cannot and does not endorse political candidates, but members do fiercely believe in supporting one another and in being a force of good in their communities.
Is Warnock a member of Delta Sigma Theta?
And Warnock wouldn’t be the first member of Congress from the Divine Nine, as the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities are known; beyond Harris, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) is a member of Delta Sigma Theta , and Georgia’s new congresswoman, Rep. Nikema Williams, is also an Alpha Kappa Alpha.
What is the Black Alliance?
Black Lives Matter was formed in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in 2013 and quickly became a national movement to end police brutality. The organization continues to mobilize and amplify national dialogue around state-sanctioned violence. 2. Black Alliance For Just Immigration.
How many members does Color of Change have?
With over a million members, Color of Change works to end racial injustice manifested in the media, economy and criminal justice system.
What is the organization of black aerospace professionals?
Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers.
What is the National Black MBA Association?
National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) leads in the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African Americans. National Black Nurses Associatio n (NBNA) is a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color.
What is the National Society of Black Engineers?
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is dedicated to serving culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) promotes the professional well-being of African American physicists and physics students.
What is the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals?
National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) is a non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American meeting planners. National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) is an association of lawyers, scholars, judges, legal workers, law students and legal activists.
What is the National Black Public Relations Society?
National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) is a membership-based organization for black professionals in the public relations, media relations, and corporate communication fields.
What is the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers?
National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) is a national organization serving as an advocate for the concerns and issues of law enforcement officers of color throughout the United States.
What is the National Alliance of Black School Educators?
National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) is devoted to the success of the nation’s children, particularly children of African descent.
