AKAlades!!!

[abaici]

It's Greek to Me



September 6, 2002

With September here, and students returning to college, a lot of terms begin to rise on the Lycos search logs. One of those staples of college life is Greek life, and Lycos gets a fair number of searches for fraternities and sororities. We decided to see which were the most popular with our users.

Here are the top 20 Greek organizations searched on Lycos. We combined searches from the first six months of 2002 with searches from the last two weeks, since students returned to school. As you'll see later in this article, the top eight terms make a strong statement:

1) Alpha Kappa Alpha
2) Delta Sigma Theta
3) Omega Psi Phi
4) Kappa Alpha Psi
5) Zeta Phi Beta
6) Alpha Phi Alpha
7) Phi Beta Sigma
8) Sigma Gamma Rho
9) Phi Delta Kappa
10) Sigma Phi Epsilon


11) Phi Beta Kappa
12) Phi Theta Kappa
13) Sigma Alpha Epsilon
14) Chi Omega
15) Pi Kappa Alpha
16) Sigma Chi
17) Kappa Kappa Gamma
18) Sigma Theta Tau
19) Kappa Alpha Theta
20t) Delta Zeta
20t) Zeta Tau Alpha


Not all of these organizations are conventional fraternities. Phi Beta Kappa, of course, is a student honor society, and Phi Theta Kappa is a similar society for students at two-year colleges. Phi Delta Kappa is an professional society for teachers, while Sigma Theta Tau is a professional society for nurses.

The remaining organizations are split pretty evenly between the men and the women, with eight fraternities and nine sororities (including the two tied for #20). But what really stands out is that the top eight most-searched Greek organizations are all historically African-American, led by the sororities Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta (with almost, but not quite, the same number of searches).

The top two black sororities get more than 10 times the number of searches as the top "conventional" sorority, Chi Omega. The difference is a bit less pronounced for the men, but Omega Psi Phi gets about four times as many searches as the top "conventional" frat, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Many readers will find this surprising, but delving deeper into the culture of these organizations shows why they get so many searches. Black Greek life holds a very important place in African-American history. One hundred years ago, Americans of European ancestry had plenty of lodges, societies, and professional unions to connect them, many of which dated back to before 1776. But African-Americans did not -- so fraternities and sororities were some of the strongest, earliest national African-American organizations, dedicated to community service and political activism as well as life on and off campus.

That strength has continued to the present day. The alumni chapters of black Greek organizations are much more active than those of corresponding "conventional" fraternities. A majority of members consider themselves active even after graduation, with up to 60 percent of active membership made up of alumni.

And most historical African-American leaders were members of these organizations. The most famous is Martin Luther King Jr., who gets a whole section on the Alpha Phi Alpha website dedicated to building an MLK memorial.

Modernity brings changes, of course. Now "conventional" fraternities are open to all races, and so are historically black fraternities. Like MLK, former Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Of course, fraternities aren't the only searches that involve Greek letters. Check out today's bonus list to the right for more searches that are Greek to me.

[Little32]

The top two black sororities get more than 10 times the number of searches as the top "conventional" sorority, Chi Omega. The difference is a bit less pronounced for the men, but Omega Psi Phi gets about four times as many searches as the top "conventional" frat, Sigma Phi Epsilon.


What does he mean by "conventional'?

[Steeltrap]

Basically good article, but I'm that the term soror was used.

Sorority looks at television, race, values


By CHRISMAS BAILEY & NIKKI SCHWAB
Staff Report
January 19, 2005

"The Cosby Show" is a well-known cultural depiction of a black family.
But the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. questioned whether it is a true representation of the black family at their Wednesday event, "The Black Family Through the Camera Lens: Does Prime Time Reflect Our Time?"

The members of the Iota Chapter hosted the event as one of the sorority's "Skee-Week" events. The program featured an episode of "The Cosby Show," followed by a discussion of the definition of the black family, how it varies from place to place, and how it has changed over time.

After viewing the episode, program coordinator and AKA soror Lauren Evette Williams split the audience into several groups, giving them quotations from a controversial speech Bill Cosby made to mark the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. the Board of Education judicial decision. Williams explained that the speech had been controversial because of how harshly Cosby criticized the black community.

"With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and all of them are in jail," Cosby said, "Brown versus the Board of Education is no longer a white person's problem. We have got to take the neighborhood back."

The groups were asked to compare what they'd seen in the television show, Cosby's speech, and what they felt were the real issues involving the modern black family.

Though "The Cosby Show" is known for transcending and revamping the model of a typical black family, several of the groups felt that the reality portrayed on the show was not, for most families, relatable.

Williams, also president of the Black Action Society, opened up the discussion to individual comments about the top issues facing black families.

"Family values aren't really getting passed down," said Angelina Riley, a graduate student from Carnegie Mellon University.

Another audience member, Pitt freshman Jennifer Blemur, felt the most pressing issue was the conflict between what young people see in the media and how they perceive their actual families.

"It's about perpetuating this image of what a 'baller' is," Blemur said.

Pitt alumna Nicole Cofer explained the importance of getting involved in politics. She pointed out that men can get their medical insurance to cover Viagra, but women cannot get insurance to cover birth control.

"The balance of women and things are not fair," Cofer said. She urged the audience to make political differences now.

Justine Wilmot, a Pitt senior, said that people know right from wrong, and that the black community needs to own up to its own mistakes.

"We need to do something better with our lives," Wilmot said.

The discussion of the black family was just one event in the weeklong "Skee-Week," sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The sorority sponsored an event each day dealing with education, the black family, health, economics and the arts.

[CrimsonTide4]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...anderson_stamp

[Rain Man]

Thanx for the heads up, CT4!

I'm a Black History stamp collector, and I want to add this one to my library. Also, I did a composition paper on Marion Anderson back in 10th grade and got a A on it.

I'll get a few of those stamps from the USPS tomorrow.

Thanx again.!!

[Jill1228]

I will be getting some tomorrow (I really missed my calling of being a stamp collector).

It was big news in Canada because the artist that did the stamp is Canadian

I practically froth at the mouth toward the end of January because I can't wait to see who gets on the Black Heritage Stamp (yes I am a weird geek)

[AKA2D '91]

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publication...tivitybook.cfm

An Activity Book For African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crisis


We are all looking for ways to help our children cope with the fears and uncertainties that are part of our world.

This new activity book, from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), provides information and resources that can help parents instill a sense of safety in their children during times of crisis.

[AKA2D '91]

From the GL forum:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=64114

[1_zetaemerald]

Hello to my sistergreeks of AKA!

I just wanted to share some good news with you about your sorors at Clayton State University! They just chartered a chapter here on April 24, and they are the Sigma Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The Zetas also just chartered the Sunday previous to that and we are the Iota Sigma chapter! The AKA's on campus are very nice youngladies and we get along great!

Once again, congratulations to the Sigma Sigma chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, inc!!

*thanks again to AKA2D'91 for giving me the okay to post it. I didn't want to be out of order or anything like that in the House of AKA!*

Be blessed Sistergreeks!!

[Marie]

Originally posted by Little32
The top two black sororities get more than 10 times the number of searches as the top "conventional" sorority, Chi Omega. The difference is a bit less pronounced for the men, but Omega Psi Phi gets about four times as many searches as the top "conventional" frat, Sigma Phi Epsilon.


What does he mean by "conventional'?

I think that he is responding to the portion of his article that says "Not all of these organizations are conventional fraternities. Phi Beta Kappa, of course, is a student honor society, and Phi Theta Kappa is a similar society for students at two-year colleges. Phi Delta Kappa is an professional society for teachers, while Sigma Theta Tau is a professional society for nurses." He's just removing professional orgs and honor societies from the comparison.

Marie

[Little32]

Thanks, I guess I missed that, and I was also feeling a little militant that day.

Originally posted by Marie


I think that he is responding to the portion of his article that says "Not all of these organizations are conventional fraternities. Phi Beta Kappa, of course, is a student honor society, and Phi Theta Kappa is a similar society for students at two-year colleges. Phi Delta Kappa is an professional society for teachers, while Sigma Theta Tau is a professional society for nurses." He's just removing professional orgs and honor societies from the comparison.

Marie

[Choo-ChooAKA]

The author's "conventional" does not include all social greek organizations, just as non-conventional is not limited to professional greek organizations.

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Omega Psi Phi (the sororities and fraternities he referenced) are not professional organizations and yet he's obviously including them among the non-conventional.

His use of "conventional" refers to members of the IFC and the Panhellenic Council. Non-conventional seems to be all other greek orgs. He may have wanted to define his term within the article.

[AKA2D '91]

I'm using a MAC at work, so I don't know how to post pics of the author or book cover(properties, etc).

From BlackPRpress.com


Atlanta, GA(BlackNews.com) - Fresh Publishing, LLC has done it again with the release of its forthcoming title My Mommy Is An AKA due to release on Mothers Day, 2005. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will be impressed with the dynamic portrayal of their great organization in this first-ever children's book about the first African American sorority ever established.

Fresh Publishing and Teach Me Greek continue with their mission of releasing educational periodicals about the positive influences of the Divine 9 African American greek lettered organizations and author Audra P. Jackson continues to depict all organizations at the highest levels of excellence in her vibrant, colorful children's book series.

When asked how she can write about other organizations, Audra simply states, "All of our organizations were based on the same premise, public service and the cultural, social and civic betterment of our communities. The historical information of all of our organizations is public domain, and since I am a writer, I do extensive research, have focus groups from each of the organizations to help keep me in line and I let my natural, creative talent and ability do the rest."

Her natural talent continues to pay off as the resounding appreciation for this trend setting idea is noted throughout the African American greek community to the music industry where she was a publicist and marketing executive for many years. Audra has also received many accolades for her literary contributions including those from New Jersey's Secretary of State, Regena Thomas as well as a congressional recognition and an official proclamation from Dr. Joyce Beatty from the Ohio House of Representatives just to name a few.

Audra's unique delivery of information about fraternities and sororities continues to keep members in the greek community happy as they struggled to find periodicals to explain their organizations to their children.

Fresh Publishing has managed to fill a void in the marketplace for positive children's books about African American fraternities and sororities and honestly boasts the originators of the Divine Nine children's book series. "All of my sorority sisters will be really proud of My Mommy Is An AKA, it is truly a one of a kind, literary masterpiece and an heirloom to pass down to our children that is done in a cute and colorful format promoting literacy," states AKA member Cheryl Bell from the Atlanta Tribune.

Interested parties will have a one-of a kind opportunity to meet the author and personally get their book signed on Saturday, May 7th at Tarrazu Gourmet Coffee Bar located at 265 Ponce DeLeon Avenue, N.E., in Midtown Atlanta from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Executive Realty Group and A Class Scholars Day Care are sponsoring the event, which will prove to be an exciting and fun filled afternoon for those patrons receiving their books one day prior to the release date of Mothers Day, Sunday, May 8th. The only other way to receive a specially autographed copy of the book is to be one of the first 100 pre-ordered copies at www.teachmegreek.com or call 1-866-302-2669. The retail price is $18.99 plus tax.

The first-ever children's book series chronicles the nine existing, also known as the Divine 9 African American greek letter organizations in an inspiring light that will educate young children and youth about the positive influences of sororities and fraternities and their historical contribution to African American culture and history as we know it today. Other titles in the series include: My Mommy is a Delta (www.mymommyisadelta.com), My Mommy is a Sigma Gamma Rho (Mothers Day 2006), My Mommy is a Zeta (Mothers Day 2006), My Daddy is a Kappa (Christmas 2005), My Daddy is an Omega (Christmas 2005) My Daddy is an Alpha (Fathers Day, 2005), My Daddy is a Phi Beta Sigma, (Fathers Day, 2006) and My Daddy is an Iota Phi Theta (Fathers Day, 2006). Visit www.teachmegreek.com for these other titles.

Here Is What Is Being Said About "My Mommy Is An AKA":

"I just love it! It's a really nice book , and it just goes to show that there was no biasness in the writing of My Mommy Is An AKA. Actually, somebody told me that this book is better than the other one." -- Dr. Yvonne Culbreath - AKA/Assistant Principal-Heritage Academy

"Ths is a wonderful children's book that a fellow greek sister has done to acknowldedge all of our ogranizations with illustrations so that all of our children can enjoy." -- Jolene Butts Freekman/AKA/1987 Fall - Clark University

"This book is just adorable." -- Tangela Johnson- AKA/ Nu Lambda Omega/March 2005

"I love it." -- Pamela Hurt/ AKA/ Nu Lambda Omega '92

"The book is beautifully done. My daughter loved it and it was a joy to see her capitivated with the bright illustrations and well written verse." -- Felicia Waldon AKA - Spring 1989 Beta Alpha FAMU


Don't miss your chance to get your autographed copy for Mother's Day on Saturday, May 7th from 3:00-500 p.m. at Tarrazzu Gourmet Coffee Bar located at 265 Ponce de Leon Ave. in Midtown Atlanta.

For other Divine 9 children's books, visit www.teachmegreek.com
PRESS CONTACT: Audra P. Jackson, Fresh Publishing, 679-933-1597, ajfresh1@comcast.net

[carnation]

I'd like to salute the counselor at my kids' high school, who's an AKA! On Awards Night this week, she went up to the podium and said, "And now, I'd like to award a scholarship from my sorority, ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA!"

People jumped, she said it with so much volume and pride!

[AKA2D '91]

I had the extreme honor of meeting someone whom I would consider to be a very distinguished member of your organization. Her name is Dr. Alice H. Young. She was initiated into your University of Rochester chapter. If I even tried to list all of her accomplishments we'd be here ALL day!

(Just a few though... She was the first African American to be accepted into the doctoral program at Cornell. She wrote her thesis on school integration...pretty risky for 1962!!! She was a founding member of the Monroe county community college. She started an internship program at MCC for deserving students in entering the education field. )

She and her husband have a camp close to where my family does. I had the pleasure of spending some time with she and her husband, and hearing some of her fascinating stories about the old days. I was excited that she knew my NPC GLO, and she raved about our philanthropy.

Sorry to crash...but I just wanted to share this amazing experience with you all. For being 80-something, she is still doing so much for Alpha Kappa Alpha (scholarship programs) and her community! I hope to see her again soon!



Originally posted by:AnonAlumna