Introduction

The Black Greek letter movement commenced in 1906 growing out of the needs of African American college students on predominantly white college campuses to come together, have meaningful cultural interaction and work together to render services in their local communities.
Over a 16-year period from 1906 to 1922 eight of the nine affiliate organizations were founded. The ninth was established in 1963.
• 1906 Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Cornell University
• 1908 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Howard University
• 1911 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Indiana University
• 1911 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Howard University
• 1913 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Howard University
• 1914 Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Howard University
• 1920 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Howard University
• 1922 Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Butler University
• 1963 Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Morgan State University
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was established in 1930 at Howard University as a national coordinating body for these historically African American fraternities and sororities, which were growing on American college and university campuses.
The collegiate Pan-Hellenic Council, as well as the individual chapters are valuable assets to university life.
Studies have shown that fraternity and sorority members are among the most loyal alumni following graduation and tend to provide the bulk of alumni contributions. Frequently, fraternity and sorority members provide much of the campus student leadership.
The undergraduate council of National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) provides:
• Promotion of the programs and activities of the college or university
• Preservation of the cultural heritage of community-service Greek-letter organizations in NPHC.
• Promotion of the service oriented philosophy of the NPHC affiliate organizations.
• Sponsorship of education programs and activities which promote academic excellence and develop leadership skills.
• Sponsorship of programs that address health care problems increase the effort to eliminate substance abuse and encourage involvement in addressing social concerns.
• Development of programs which are designed to enhance the education and social life of the minority communities in particular and the general collegiate community at large.
• Encouragement of high scholastic achievement.
• Coordination of joint programming with National Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) groups.