Black Fraternities: Part Of Pan-Hellenic?

are black fraternities apart of pan hellenic

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a governing body for nine historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly referred to as the Divine Nine. The NPHC was established in 1930 at Howard University to promote unity and protect the interests of its members. The council's fraternities and sororities have a distinctive African American style in their activities, both social and philanthropic, and promote a service-oriented philosophy and service for life. The NPHC has a diverse membership of over 1.5 million members internationally, including students, celebrities, and political leaders.

Characteristics Values
Governing body Unity, leadership, scholarship, service, brotherhood, and social action
Established in 1930 To spark unity and protect the members' collective interests
Nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities Community awareness, action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities
Founded at Howard University Fellowship and shared principles
Also known as Divine Nine Nearly 4 million members

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The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The NPHC's stated purpose and mission are to foster cooperative actions among its members and deal with matters of mutual concern. The council serves as a communication link between its constituent fraternities and sororities, especially in matters such as scheduling workshops and national meetings. The NPHC also conducts periodic workshops or training sessions with the officers of the local councils to ensure a clear understanding of common operational procedures.

The founding members of the NPHC were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1996/1997) later joined. The NPHC incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.

The primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations remain community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities. The individual member is expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter, attend regular chapter meetings, regional conferences, and national conventions, and take an active part in matters concerning and affecting their community.

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NPHC's role as a governing body

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a governing body composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly referred to as the Divine Nine or Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs). The NPHC was established on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., during the Jim Crow era, to foster cooperative actions and promote the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities. The council's founding members were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta.

The NPHC's role as a governing body is to promote interaction and exchange of information between its members, and to engage in cooperative programming and initiatives. The council facilitates the establishment and development of local councils and provides leadership training for its constituents. It also assists in scheduling workshops, national meetings, and leadership conferences for its members.

The supreme governing authority of the NPHC is the Council of Presidents (COP), composed of the elected president of each member fraternity or sorority or their authorized representative. The National Executive Board of Directors (NEBD) serves in an advisory role to the COP and has the authority to establish local chapters and provide direction on matters pertaining to the NPHC.

The NPHC also works cooperatively with other community groups, such as the National Black Leadership Roundtable, National Coalition of Black Voter Participation, NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women, among others.

Today, the primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations remain camaraderie, academic excellence, and service to their communities. They continue to promote social change through educational, economic, and cultural service activities, with a commitment that extends beyond the collegiate experience.

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NPHC's founding in 1930

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The NPHC is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly referred to as the Divine Nine or Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs). The NPHC was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to affiliate with those founded by African Americans.

The NPHC's founding members were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma joined in 1931, followed by Sigma Gamma Rho in 1937, and Iota Phi Theta in 1996 or 1997. The NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.

The NPHC's purpose is to foster cooperative actions among its members, promoting the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, and facilitating the establishment and development of local councils. The organization promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information and engage in cooperative programming and initiatives. The primary focus of NPHC member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities, with a commitment to social change and creating positive change for the Black community.

The NPHC also works cooperatively with other community groups, including the National Black Leadership Roundtable, National Coalition of Black Voter Participation, NAACP, Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, and the Congressional Black Caucus, among others. The first permanent national office for the NPHC was established in 1992 in Bloomington, Indiana, on the campus of Indiana University.

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The Divine Nine

The founding members of the NPHC were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1996/1997) later joined. The phrase "The Divine Nine" was coined by Lawrence Ross in his 2001 book, "The Divine Nine: The History of African-American Fraternities and Sororities in America".

The primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations today remain camaraderie and academic excellence for their members, as well as service to the communities they serve. They have had an impact on community service and civic engagement through outreach programs that include literacy, professional development, and voter registration initiatives. Members of these sororities and fraternities have also been heavily involved in various social justice movements, including the Women's Suffrage, Civil Rights, and Black Lives Matter movements.

The individual member is expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter after graduation from college and to remain actively involved by attending regular chapter meetings, regional conferences, and national conventions. Notable members of the Divine Nine include Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination; Kamala Harris, the first African American elected to the US Vice Presidency; Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Oscar for her role in "Gone with the Wind"; and Richard Sherman, a five-time Pro Bowl NFL cornerback and philanthropist.

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NPHC's commitment to community service

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly referred to as the Divine Nine or Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs). The NPHC was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with those founded by African Americans. The council was formed on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, DC, with the purpose of fostering cooperative actions among its members and dealing with matters of mutual concern.

NPHC organizations are committed to community service and academic excellence, providing scholarships and programs to support its members and the general student body. The primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations remain community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.

NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media to exchange information and engage in cooperative programming and initiatives. It assists in establishing and facilitating local councils on campuses and within communities, serving as a communication link between its constituent fraternities and sororities. NPHC also conducts workshops and training sessions for the officers of local councils to ensure a clear understanding of common operational procedures.

The individual member is expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter after graduation and actively participate in matters concerning their community. NPHC members are encouraged to take on leadership roles, educate others about issues, organize their teams, and execute their plans with excellence.

Overall, the NPHC's commitment to community service is evident through its various initiatives and programs aimed at fostering cooperation, promoting academic excellence, and creating positive social change through educational, economic, and cultural activities.

Frequently asked questions

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collective of historically African American fraternities and sororities, founded at Howard University in 1930 to foster unity and protect the interests of its members.

The NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils, and provides leadership training for its constituents. The NPHC also holds events throughout the year to introduce students to different organisations.

The Divine Nine is a collective of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, founded during a time when African Americans faced systemic barriers to education and societal participation. These organisations provided a sanctuary for intellectual growth, civic engagement, and mutual support.

The Divine Nine was founded by Black students during a time of critical racial strife in the U.S., when equality was absent on many college campuses. Five of the nine organisations were founded at Howard University, with the remaining four founded at predominantly white universities.

Examples of fraternities in the Divine Nine include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., founded in 1906 at Cornell University, and Kappa Alpha Psi, founded in 1911 at Indiana University.

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