Thanks for sharing this Sorhor. Sorhor Blakeney is very thorough and extremely helpful. Maybe I can get her to tell her story on GC.:)

Yes, I knew that I was going to be a Delta since I was a small child. My mother is a Delta and actually was a chartering member of an Alumnae chapter in Atlanta which she and some other sorors chartered following their undergraduate studies when they pledged in the 70's. Growing up I learned so much about what it really meant to be a Delta woman as I saw my mother carrying out business in the Sorority as well as being such a good mother and taking care of our family. She is the best example I have ever had of a strong Delta woman. Because I had such first hand knowledge of what it took and meant to be a Delta, as I got older, the stereotypes didn't bother me. I was fortunate to know that they were based on marginal situations and not the true essence of the purpose and existence of Delta Sigma Theta.

You mean, you knew you wanted to be a Delta and hypothetically would not stop until you became one. ;)

Well, since I am one now, I think it is safe to say that I ALWAYS KNEW I would be a Delta. ;)

I saw the light!
 

After transfering from one PWI to another after 3 years of college, I found myself to be a bit of an outsider. I was never into parties, and I didn't have any friends in the area. I decided to become a member of Black United Students (BUS). As I worked with BUS I discovered that very little happened in terms of black-sponsored events without the participation of the NPHC greeks. Unfortunately, none of the CHAPTERS were doing much.

I got a little frustrated, so I submitted an editorial to the campus newspaper addressed to the NPHC greeks. I wanted them to understand the power they had on campus, and I couldn't understand why they weren't doing more with it. Nothing really happened afterward. Still frustrated, I decided I had to see why these greeks had so much clout. I went to the Greek Forum, an event where all of the NPHC orgs presented themselves and their respective orgs. Then each group gets a break-out room and all of the orgs get to speak to the interests in private. Of course their were introductions in each room, and in each room, they recognized my name from the editorial. Apparently most of them were pissed and had discussed it at length, including the Sigmas. I remember walking into the Sigmas room and this 300+ lb. brother was looking at me kinda crazy and he said, "I'm surprised you would even show up here."

I was leaving the event pretty much thinking that I had wasted my time. As I was leaving, this brother came up to me and started talking to me about my article. Our converstion led to us discussing all kinds of things, including his frustrations with greek life, and campus life in general. He talked about his experiences and accomplishments on campus, including being Homecoming King. I thought it was pretty impressive for a brother to be elected homecoming king at this PWI and still be the kind of brother that is well connected to the black folks on campus. Needless to say that Tierney Bates was then, and is now a mentor for me. He introduced me to Sigma and the men of Iota Beta chapter. I was subsequesntly initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and have not looked back since. (Except to shine the light on brothers coming behind me!)

I think my story may sound the same as the other ones, but it's my story, so I guess it's unique to me :D

I knew I wanted to be a Delta before I knew what college I wanted to attend. I went to Berkeley High and Cal Berkeley was a stones throw away, so various NPHC members would come to perform community service, i.e., tutoring, mentoring and so on. I really didn't have a full understanding of what a member of a greek org. was, but it looked fun. I would attend various social events and step shows and the ladies in red always won and they always looked like they were having fun. Even if they didn't know each other, they never let that on. Mind you, I didn't know Sigma Theta..all I knew was Delta and that they wore red.

It wasn't till my senior year that I learned more about the Fab Four ;) and more about Delta Sigma Theta. When I got to college, I was paired up with a young lady who looked out for me, letting me know what teachers to take and avoid. When I would see her on campus, she always made a point to speak and include me in things. She became a member that same year and my big sister a year later! :D

I appreciate you sharing your story. It was indeed beautiful and I know it will serve as motivation for someone. Many times individuals let the hype of becoming initiated during their undergraduate career take precedence over more pressing issues. It seems that the lifetime commitment is somehow forgotten and only the thoughts of "wearing letters" on campus envisioned. Congratulations on achieving your goal and your diligence gains my utmost respect.

Another story
 

Bringing this back to the top because I like to educate... it's the teacher in me.

I attended a coming out show last week of my newest Sorors at Howard U. I always bring my daughter and this time I made my sons tag along. All of the D9 fraternities were there of course but one made a lasting impression on my oldest son. I don't know if it was their call, colors or what. I believe it was their overall representation. I won't say which one. :wink: (discretion) He has made up his mind that this is what he wants to be BEFORE college.

Whatever they did last week caught his interest and I began to tell him that some of his teachers, a former principal, and other men in his life who have made an impression on him are members of this fraternity. He was even more intrigued. He has already started reading and finding out more about this great organization. I was very surprised at him and his interest. He is also reading my Divine 9 book

I posted this because this is another example of how SOME of us are able to make this decision so early and how unique that is to the NPHC and the history of our organizations in the black community.:cool:

Re: Another story
 

I absolutely *heart* this story. Good to know that there are so many men in your son's life that he can look up to. :cool:

Re: Another story
 

Good for you for taking him! May he work hard and have the opportunity to join the org of his choice.

I have learned a lot from this thread. Thanks for sharing.

To build a tradition and not rest upon one. :cool:
also for networking.

My family is West Indian, so growing up I knew no black Greeks whatsoever. I think my first exposure even to the IDEA of black greek life was the movie School Daze, and the stereotypes of sororities in that movie. I saw that movie when I was 8 and I carried those images around with me for a good long time, thinking members of x org were all like this and y org were all like that.

Then I had my first real job, and it was something of a nightmare. I hated working in that law firm, and throughout my whole experience there was one friend I had who was kind to me, and in large part kept me going throughout. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and completely changed my mind about what it meant to be a part of such a wonderful organization. The sisterliness that she showed to me when she was under no obligation touched me deeply, and throughout the years I have tried my best to model that behavior- always giving a hand up to people, regardless of what we share or don't share.

When I got to college, there were no active NPHC sororities. Both had gone dormant. My sophmore year there were rumblings that two would be coming back to our campus. I was still torn because of the stereotypes that I'd assumed for so long were the truth as a child, but I did my research, and was blown away when I realized all of the women that I considered to be my idols who were members of Alpha Kappa Alpha (not to leave out other organizations- I had a similar sense of pride in black women, and wonder at all that we do reading about the history of every sorority in the D9). Ultimately, it was a matter of personal experience. I didn't have any with members of Delta Sigma Theta, but I had a very special place in my heart for AKA.

And that was it for me.

The funny thing was that looking at my line, we broke every steroetpye on record. We range from dark to light, short to tall, slim to 'thick'. Some are very 'ladylike' and some are unconventional in many ways, but we all had incredible ambition, drive and I have rarely been in the company of a more intelligent and learned bunch of young women. I respect that immensely.

hardyharharharrrrrr...and goonygoogoo......

This is an old post but Phasad is still a sucka. :p