History of Black Greek Life

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (1906) - Founded at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated is credited for being the first intercollegiate fraternity for Black males. Past members include Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Owens.(Photo: Creative Commons via Flickr.com/scrc)

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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (1906) - Founded at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated is credited for being the first intercollegiate fraternity for Black males. Past members include Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesse Owens.(Photo: Creative Commons via Flickr.com/scrc)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (1908) - Much like the aforementioned fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is credited for being the first sorority for Black women. With over a hundred years of service, the AKAs (as they are commonly referred to as) have been active in all areas of social advancement for the African-American community. Notable members include Phylicia Rashad and Star Jones.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (1908) - Much like the aforementioned fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is credited for being the first sorority for Black women. With over a hundred years of service, the AKAs (as they are commonly referred to as) have been active in all areas of social advancement for the African-American community. Notable members include Phylicia Rashad and Star Jones.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (1911) - Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated was the first and only Black fraternity founded on the campus of Indiana University. Besides having over a hundred years of service under its belt, one of the fraternity's signatures is the usage of the "Kappa Kane" during its step shows. Notable members include Cedric The Entertainer and Tavis Smiley.(Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)

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Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (1911) - Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated was the first and only Black fraternity founded on the campus of Indiana University. Besides having over a hundred years of service under its belt, one of the fraternity's signatures is the usage of the "Kappa Kane" during its step shows. Notable members include Cedric The Entertainer and Tavis Smiley.(Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (1911) - The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated have also been active and promoting service and brotherhood for over 100 years. These gentleman are often times referred to as "Que Dogs" and have notable members such as BET's own Terrence J and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (1911) - The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated have also been active and promoting service and brotherhood for over 100 years. These gentleman are often times referred to as "Que Dogs" and have notable members such as BET's own Terrence J and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (1913) - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University by 22 women that looked to promote academic excellence and service to those less fortunate than themselves. Notable members include Roberta Flack and Natalie Cole.(Photo: Delta Sigma Theta)

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (1913) - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University by 22 women that looked to promote academic excellence and service to those less fortunate than themselves. Notable members include Roberta Flack and Natalie Cole.(Photo: Delta Sigma Theta)

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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated (1914) - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1913 by three men and built on the ideas of brotherhood, scholarship and service. Notable members of the fraternity include Bobby Jones and Flex Alexander.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated (1914) - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated was founded in 1913 by three men and built on the ideas of brotherhood, scholarship and service. Notable members of the fraternity include Bobby Jones and Flex Alexander.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (1920) - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on Howard University's campus in 1920 and rested on the values of scholarship, sisterhood and service to the community. They are Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.'s sister sorority, making them the only two Black Greek letter organizations constitutionally bound to each other. Notable members include Syleena Johnson and Zora Neale Hurston.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (1920) - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on Howard University's campus in 1920 and rested on the values of scholarship, sisterhood and service to the community. They are Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.'s sister sorority, making them the only two Black Greek letter organizations constitutionally bound to each other. Notable members include Syleena Johnson and Zora Neale Hurston.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated (1922) - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1922 on the Butler University campus by seven educators. As the organization looks forward to their 90th anniversary, they are still promoting scholarship, sisterhood and service. Notable members include Kelly Price and MC Lyte.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated (1922) - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1922 on the Butler University campus by seven educators. As the organization looks forward to their 90th anniversary, they are still promoting scholarship, sisterhood and service. Notable members include Kelly Price and MC Lyte.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated (1963) - In the midst of the civil rights movement, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on the campus of Morgan State University. Now almost 50 years later, the fraternity is still going strong. Notable members include T.C. Carson and Elvin Hayes.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated (1963) - In the midst of the civil rights movement, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated was founded on the campus of Morgan State University. Now almost 50 years later, the fraternity is still going strong. Notable members include T.C. Carson and Elvin Hayes.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)