Before You Pledge: Essential Information You Should Know About the Divine Nine is an important read for all those considering joining a Black Greek Letter Organization or for anyone wanting to simply learn about the origin of this august body of black men and women. The dawn of the twentieth century brought many challenges to young African American students seeking enrollment at all-white college campuses. Intense racial prejudice forced many black students to leave predominantly white universities. And at the same time, on Historically Black College campuses, the desire for fellowship through shared social experiences led to the rise of Black Greek life, starting with Cornell University in New York. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first black fraternity formed at a predominantly white university in 1906, would point the way for similar organizations to develop. Between 1906 and 1922, eight Black Greek Letter Organizations were formed, with a ninth in 1963. Known collectively as the “Divine Nine,” these five fraternities and four sororities would go on to shape the course of Black America. Together, these young black men and women would face down racial prejudice, take the lead in the fight for social justice, in the end, reshape the American cultural landscape. Finally, no other group of people can claim to have the sheer degree of accomplishments in all areas of human activity in the United States and in many other parts of the world compared to the Divine Nine.

INCLUDES INTERVIEWS WITH FAMOUS MEMBERS OF THE DIVINE NINEJOHN CHANEY Head Basketball Coach, Temple UniversitySPENCER CHRISTIAN Former weather anchorman, ABC-TVs "Good Morning America"KEITH CLINKSCALES President and CEO, Vibe magazineJOHN HOPE FRANKLIN HistorianNIKKI GIOVANNI Poet, author of Blues: For All the ChangesDR. GWENDOLYN GOLDSBY-GRANT Psychologist, Essence magazine columnist, authorJOHN H. JOHNSON Owner of Ebony PublishingSTAR JONES Co-host, ABC-TV's "The View"SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Star center for the Los Angeles LakersTAVIS SMILEY Host, "BET Tonight"PLUS INSPIRING PROFILES OF OTHER FAMOUS MEMBERS -- FROM HISTORICAL FIGURES TO MODERN LEGENDSHANK AARONMARIAN ANDERSONMAYA ANGELOUARTHUR ASHECOUNT BASIETONI BRAXTONGEORGE WASHINGTON CARVERWILT CHAMBERLAINSHIRLEY CHISHOLMBILL COSBYW.E.B. DUBOISDUKE ELLINGTONELLA FITZGERALDLANGSTON HUGHESREVEREND JESSE JACKSONMICHAEL JORDANMARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.THURGOOD MARSHALLHATTIE MCDANIELTONI MORRISONJESSE OWENSCOLIN POWELLPHYLICIA RASHADPAUL ROBESONCORETTA SCOTT KINGBLAIR UNDERWOODDIONNE WARWICK

In Search of Sisterhood is the definitive history of the largest Black women's organization in the United States, and is filled with compelling, fascinating anecdotes told by the Delta Sigma Theta members themselves, illustrated with rare early photographs of the Delta women. This book contains the story of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (DST), and details the increasing involvement of Black women in the political, social, and economic affairs of America. Founded at a time when liberal arts education was widely seen as either futile, dangerous, or impractical for Blacks—and especially Black women—DST is, in Giddings's words, a "compelling reflection of Black women's aspirations for themselves and for society." Giddings notes that unlike other organizations with racial goals, Delta Sigma Theta was created to change and benefit individuals rather than society. As a sorority, it was formed to bring women together as sisters, but at the same time to address the divisive, often class-related issues confronting Black women in our society. There is, in Giddings's eyes, a tension between these goals that makes Delta Sigma Theta a fascinating microcosm of the struggles of Black women and their organizations. DST members have included Mary McLeod Bethune, Mary Church Terrell, Margaret Murray Washington, Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, and, on the cultural side, Leontyne Price, Lena Horne, Ruby Dee, Judith Jamison, and Roberta Flack.

From the creation of the first black fraternity at Cornell in 1906 to the present day, a fascinating history of America's nine black fraternities and sororities explores the roles of these organizations in shaping generations of African-American leaders. Reissue.

During the twentieth century, black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) united college students dedicated to excellence, fostered kinship, and uplifted African Americans. Members of these organizations include remarkable and influential individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, novelist Toni Morrison, and Wall Street pioneer Reginald F. Lewis. Despite the profound influence of these groups, many now question the continuing relevance of BGLOs, arguing that their golden age has passed. Partly because of their perceived link to hip-hop culture, black fraternities and sororities have been unfairly reduced to a media stereotype—a world of hazing without any real substance. The general public knows very little about BGLOs, and surprisingly the members themselves often do not have a thorough understanding of their history and culture or of the issues currently facing their organizations. To foster a greater engagement with the history and contributions of BGLOs, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun brings together an impressive group of authors to explore the contributions and continuing possibilities of BGLOs and their members. Editor Gregory S. Parks and the contributing authors provide historical context for the development of BGLOs, exploring their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. The book examines BGLOs' responses to a number of contemporary issues, including non-black membership, homosexuality within BGLOs, and the perception of BGLOs as educated gangs. As illustrated by the organized response of BGLO members to the racial injustice they observed in Jena, Louisiana, these organizations still have a vital mission. Both internally and externally, BGLOs struggle to forge a relevant identity for the new century. Internally, these groups wrestle with many issues, including hazing, homophobia, petty intergroup competition, and the difficulty of bridging the divide between college and alumni members. Externally, BGLOs face the challenge of rededicating themselves to their communities and leading an aggressive campaign against modern forms of racism, sexism, and other types of fear-driven behavior. By embracing the history of these organizations and exploring their continuing viability and relevance, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century demonstrates that BGLOs can create a positive and enduring future and that their most important work lies ahead.

Black Greek 101 analyzes the customs, culture, and challenges facing historically Black fraternal organizations. The text provides a history of Black Greek organizations beyond the nine major organizations, examining the pledging practice, the growth of fraternalism outside of the mainstream organizations, the vivid culture and practices of the groups, and challenges for the future.