[CrimsonTide4]

Doc’s College Notes
Cultivating Black Fraternities/Sororities and Reclaiming
Our Africaness

By Dr. Pamela Hill
African-American News&Issues
Dallas Fort-Worth, Texas


Black culture centers can play a vital role in cultivating and strengthening relationships among Black fraternity and sorority members in reclaiming their "Africaness". As a member of a Black sorority who has worked professionally in the cultural center setting, I still cringe when I hear Africana people refer to themselves as Greek. I concluded that it was necessary to redirect their language and to assist them in their journey back home, to their Africaness. I have been very successful in efforts to get members of these organizations involved with all aspects of the Cultural Center, while also increasing their interest in African centered programs and sparking their desire for knowledge of self.

During the turn of the century, in 1906, the first Black fraternity grew out of a necessity for collective survival on a white campus. By 1922, eight such organizations had been formed on three white campuses and on one black campus. Today there are nine organizations under the umbrella of the National Pan Hellenic Council (as I continue to advocate the name be changed to the National Pan African Council).. The uniqueness of these organizations is that membership consist solely of college educated men and women, they are selective, secretive, exclusive, and lifetime. Many members of these fraternities and sororities contributed greatly to civil and human rights movements, and strongly impacted policies for social change. Additionally, members were instrumental in knocking down the doors of injustice, particularly at institutions of higher learning, and taking on leadership roles. No doubt that members participated in campus protest and activism that led to the creation of culture centers on predominantly white campuses and may have even raised their clinched fist with chants of "Black Power".

There have been some drastic changes in the quality and perception of membership. In recent years, some members of these organizations have tarnished the image of Black fraternities and sororities by illegal activity and violent behavior in the "so-called name of brotherhood or sisterhood". Additionally, some chapters, particularly at the collegiate level, have ceased to work for the good of their communities, and gained reputations that are damaging to the historical principles set forth by their Founders. There also seems to be an increase of individualistic attitude that moves the "friendly rivalry" to another level, pitting one organization against another and often non-members criticize such organizations for referring to themselves as Greek, rather than African. The sense of communal and collective survival is now in question.


I believe that the success in cultivating a positive relationship among these fraternal organizations through increasing their interaction within my former cultural center setting, was in some way, attributed to my membership, yet, I know the bigger part is the understanding that I have regarding the process of Black student development. It is imperative that students are made to feel apart of, rather than apart from any activity. I have found students, overall are more likely to support and participate if they have some level of ownership and if their organization can benefit as a whole. I have found that positive relationship with not only fraternal organizations, but also social and political can be achieved through the following:

Invite fraternities and sororities to co-sponsor programs with center as well as other organizations (Black Student Union, NAACP, etc)

Ask members to serve as tutorial volunteers, and peer mentors

Suggest that members serve as ushers for various programs, which may include greeting guest and passing out programs, or to sponsor a reception for guest speaker(s)

Encourage fraternities/sororities (as well as other Black organizations) to plan and sponsor a black history month program or give them a role in one you plan….have them to give the welcome, introduce the speaker, etc.

Offer to assist with their programs, either through funding, scheduling rooms, planning and advertising.

While the type of programs these organizations may be involved in will vary, it is vital that they are African centered. A couple of years ago, one of the Black fraternities had a fundraiser event which they called a “date auction”. I took it upon myself to ‘educate” them, in a very direct manner, in suggesting that what they really was promoting was a slave auction, as the so called date being auctioned, went to the highest bidder…just as our African Ancestors did. I was please when this organization found other methods of fundraising.

I believe it is essential that students first understand the symbolism of their organization in relationship to Africa. As they begin to move towards reclaiming their Africaness, they will be less concerned with being Greek and more concerned with being African.


Doc has worked in higher education for over 14 years, serving in such capacities as Admissions Counselor/Recruiter, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Cultural Diversity, Professor, teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level, and Associate VP. She is the author of “An Afrocentric Perspective Towards Black Student Development: From Theory to Practice”. Additionally, she has a history of working with Black students from around the country in assisting them with strategic leadership development.