List of African American Greek and Fraternal Organizations

List Of African American Greek And Fraternal Organizations

Beginning with the Prince Hall Freemasonry, there are many historically Black fraternal organizations. The organizations include members such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi; Jesse Jackson, a member of Omega Psi Phi; and Wilt Chamberlain, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Some organizations, such as the Prince Hall Masons, Swing Phi Swing and Groove Phi Groove don't use Greek letters solely. The first and oldest successful African-American collegiate fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, was formally established as a fraternity at Cornell University in 1906, though it operated as a social study club in 1905. Precursors to Alpha Phi Alpha included Sigma Pi Phi (a non-collegiate fraternity), and unsuccessful attempts such as Gamma Phi Fraternity at Wilberforce University (first campus recognition documented in 1923; a 1923 yearbook entry reported operation as early as 1905), Alpha Kappa Nu at Indiana University (formation attempted in 1903, but involved too few registrants to assure continuing organization), and Pi Gamma Omicron at Ohio State University (formation originally reported in the Chicago Defender in 1905; but organization failed to receive school recognition). Through 1920, the eight organizations who made up the National Pan-Hellenic Council until 1996 would be formed. Black fraternities and sororities were based on existing fraternities and sororities but cultural additions were made including calls, open hand signs, and step shows; though social in nature, many African-American fraternal organizations were formed with an emphasis on public service and civil rights.