NAACP Connects
Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) began to come into fruition in the early 20th century due to the trials and tribulations that many black people were facing within the United States at the time. The inclusion of African Americans in universities proved to be trying times for black students in the early 1900s. Often ostracized and banned from joining many social organizations, black students began searching for ways to cope with these struggles. There were a few attempts at creating intercollegiate BGLOs, with Alpha Kappa Nu beginning in 1903 and then disbanding due to a struggle in keeping steady membership, Alpha Phi Alpha was the first successful fraternity to sustain its membership and expand. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was initially started as a study and support group for the black male students at Cornell University who were facing harsh racial prejudice at the time. Black students often could go days without seeing each another person of color on campus, so their study group served as their decompression from the struggles they faced.
Following in the footsteps of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., eight other intercollegiate fraternities and sororities were founded on the similar principles of service and the betterment of black men and women. Many different movements and political events effected how these organizations came about as well. Alpha Kappa Alpha paved the way for sororities in 1908 when they were founded at Howard University. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded in Indiana for similar reasons to Alpha Phi Alpha, racial tension and prejudices on campus led them to create their fraternity as well. Omega Psi Phi was the first of the divine nine fraternities to be founded on an HBCU’s campus at Howard. Delta Sigma Theta’s beginnings were strongly influenced by the Women’s Suffrage movement. Springing forward to the most recent of the divine nine organizations, Iota Phi Theta was a product of the civil rights movement and they were very influential in shaping the political landscape of Baltimore after they were founded.
The Divine Nine organizations are as follows:
The Fraternities
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1906)
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1914)
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (1963)
The Sororities
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1908)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1913)
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (1920)
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (1922)
These organizations, some of which are over 100 years old, have contributed countless hours of service, scholarships, and leadership to communities all around the world. Though they all differ in their founding principles in one way or another, they all come together as a unified body to create social change and leave the world as a better place. Yet, each of these organizations deserves recognition and a deeper insight into the work they really do day in and day out in the honor of their fraternities and sororities. Many of our celebrated leaders within the black community are members of Divine Nine organizations and they continue to foster talented individuals over the years. Join us as we celebrate the works and impact that these each of these organizations have had and continue to have in communities of color all over t
