Just as Black Greek Letter general fraternities and sororities have rich history and traditions, so do black professional fraternities and sororities as listed
here in a previous thread.
I find a few things interesting about black professional GLOs. First, although Phi Beta is the oldest professional fraternity for artists, the first African American fraternity for artists wasn't established until nearly 80 years later with Lambda Phi Lambda at UDC. Even now, there are only three active GLOs for African American artists: Tau Rho Beta (began as a music fraternity and
evolved into an arts fraternity); Nu Rho Sigma Eta Beta Mu,
established in 2005; and Gamma Xi Phi,
established in 2010.
I also find it interesting that while most professional GLOs are coed, all of the black business sororities are single gender. On the other hand, Chi Eta Phi, the nursing sorority, has initiated men. I personally know a gentleman who was initiated at least 30 years ago, and have recently seen men in a new member showcase for the sorority.
The professional GLOs for African Americans don't often have the nationwide brand recognition of large professional GLOs like Phi Alpha Delta, or NPHC orgs, but have a very loyal base and strong presence in different regions of the country.