Download or read book Black Greek Letter Organizations in the 21st Century written by Gregory S. Parks and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2008-06-13 with total page 803 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A masterpiece of multidisciplinary scholarship that clearly demonstrates the contemporary relevance of black fraternities and sororities.” —Hasan Kwame Jeffries, author of Bloody Lowndes During the twentieth century, black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) united college students dedicated to excellence, fostered kinship, and uplifted African Americans. Members of these organizations include remarkable and influential individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, novelist Toni Morrison, and Wall Street pioneer Reginald F. Lewis. Despite the profound influence of these groups, many now question the continuing relevance of BGLOs, arguing that their golden age has passed. To foster a greater engagement with the history and contributions of BGLOs, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century brings together an impressive group of authors to explore the contributions and continuing possibilities of BGLOs and their members. Editor Gregory S. Parks and the contributing authors provide historical context for the development of BGLOs, exploring their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. Both internally and externally, BGLOs struggle to forge a relevant identity for the new century. Internally, these groups wrestle with many issues, including hazing, homophobia, petty intergroup competition, and the difficulty of bridging the divide between college and alumni members. Externally, BGLOs face the challenge of rededicating themselves to their communities and leading an aggressive campaign against modern forms of racism, sexism, and other types of fear-driven behavior. By embracing the history of these organizations and exploring their continuing viability and relevance, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century demonstrates that BGLOs can create a positive and enduring future and that their most important work lies ahead.

Download or read book Black Greek letter Organizations in the Twenty First Century written by Gregory S. Parks and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2008-06-13 with total page 521 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the twentieth century, black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) united college students dedicated to excellence, fostered kinship, and uplifted African Americans. Members of these organizations include remarkable and influential individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, novelist Toni Morrison, and Wall Street pioneer Reginald F. Lewis. Despite the profound influence of these groups, many now question the continuing relevance of BGLOs, arguing that their golden age has passed. Partly because of their perceived link to hip-hop culture, black fraternities and sororities have been unfairly reduced to a media stereotype—a world of hazing without any real substance. The general public knows very little about BGLOs, and surprisingly the members themselves often do not have a thorough understanding of their history and culture or of the issues currently facing their organizations. To foster a greater engagement with the history and contributions of BGLOs, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun brings together an impressive group of authors to explore the contributions and continuing possibilities of BGLOs and their members. Editor Gregory S. Parks and the contributing authors provide historical context for the development of BGLOs, exploring their service activities as well as their relationships with other prominent African American institutions. The book examines BGLOs' responses to a number of contemporary issues, including non-black membership, homosexuality within BGLOs, and the perception of BGLOs as educated gangs. As illustrated by the organized response of BGLO members to the racial injustice they observed in Jena, Louisiana, these organizations still have a vital mission. Both internally and externally, BGLOs struggle to forge a relevant identity for the new century. Internally, these groups wrestle with many issues, including hazing, homophobia, petty intergroup competition, and the difficulty of bridging the divide between college and alumni members. Externally, BGLOs face the challenge of rededicating themselves to their communities and leading an aggressive campaign against modern forms of racism, sexism, and other types of fear-driven behavior. By embracing the history of these organizations and exploring their continuing viability and relevance, Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the Twenty-first Century demonstrates that BGLOs can create a positive and enduring future and that their most important work lies ahead.

Download or read book Black Greek Letter Organizations 2 0 written by Matthew W. Hughey and published by Univ. Press of Mississippi. This book was released on 2011-02-18 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the turn of the twentieth century, black fraternities and sororities, also known as Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs), were an integral part of what W.E.B. Du Bois called the “talented tenth.” This was the top ten percent of the black community that would serve as a cadre of educated, upper-class, motivated individuals who acquired the professional credentials, skills, and capital to assist the race to attain socioeconomic parity. Today, however, BGLOs struggle to find their place and direction in a world drastically different from the one that witnessed their genesis. In recent years, there has been a growing body of scholarship on BGLOs. This collection of essays seeks to push those who think about BGLOs to engage in more critically and empirically based analysis. This book also seeks to move BGLO members and those who work with them beyond conclusions based on hunches, conventional wisdom, intuition, and personal experience. In addition to a rich range of scholars, this volume includes a kind of call and response feature between scholars and prominent members of the BGLO community.

Download or read book African American Fraternities and Sororities written by Tamara L. Brown and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2012-02-29 with total page 744 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The rich history and social significance of the “Divine Nine” African American Greek-letter organizations is explored in this comprehensive anthology. In the long tradition of African American benevolent and secret societies, intercollegiate African American fraternities and sororities have strong traditions of fostering brotherhood and sisterhood among their members, exerting considerable influence in the African American community and being in the forefront of civic action, community service, and philanthropy. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Toni Morrison, Arthur Ashe, and Sarah Vaughn are just a few of the trailblazing members of these organizations. African American Fraternities and Sororities places the history of these organizations in context, linking them to other movements and organizations that predated them and tying their history to the Civil Rights movement. It explores various cultural aspects of the organizations, such as auxiliary groups, branding, calls, and stepping, and highlights the unique role of African American sororities.

Download or read book Black Greek 101 written by Walter M. Kimbrough and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2023-09-12 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Black Greek 101 analyzes the customs, culture, and challenges facing historically Black fraternal organizations. The text provides a history of Black Greek organizations beyond the nine major organizations, examining the pledging practice, the growth of fraternalism outside of the mainstream organizations, the vivid culture and practices of the groups, and challenges for the future.

Download or read book Diversity in Black Greek Letter Organizations written by Wendy Marie Laybourn and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-04-06 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Starting in the early twentieth century and still thriving in the contemporary era, Black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) provide social support, networking opportunities, and service for the Black community. Although BGLOs have always been majority-Black organizations, there are small numbers of non-Black individuals who choose to pledge their membership. Diversity in Black Greek-Letter Organizations: Breaking the Line explores the experiences of these non-Black members who have immersed themselves in organizations rich with Black history and culture. Through in-depth interviews with thirty-four such members, Wendy Marie Laybourn and Devon R. Goss reveal how and why these individuals come to identify with organizations designed for the uplift of races other than their own. For non-Black BGLO members, the association with a Black organization provides them the opportunity to consider the meaning of racial inequality and their own racial identities. Although many non-Black BGLO members recount challenges to their membership, the participants in Diversity in Black Greek-Letter Organizations ultimately find a sense of belonging with their Black brothers and sisters, which Laybourn and Goss argue can provide an example of the challenges and promises of cross-racial interactions as a whole.

Download or read book The Divine Nine written by Lawrence C. Ross and published by Dafina Books. This book was released on 2000 with total page 538 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: INCLUDES INTERVIEWS WITH FAMOUS MEMBERS OF THE DIVINE NINEJOHN CHANEY Head Basketball Coach, Temple UniversitySPENCER CHRISTIAN Former weather anchorman, ABC-TVs "Good Morning America"KEITH CLINKSCALES President and CEO, Vibe magazineJOHN HOPE FRANKLIN HistorianNIKKI GIOVANNI Poet, author of Blues: For All the ChangesDR. GWENDOLYN GOLDSBY-GRANT Psychologist, Essence magazine columnist, authorJOHN H. JOHNSON Owner of Ebony PublishingSTAR JONES Co-host, ABC-TV's "The View"SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Star center for the Los Angeles LakersTAVIS SMILEY Host, "BET Tonight"PLUS INSPIRING PROFILES OF OTHER FAMOUS MEMBERS -- FROM HISTORICAL FIGURES TO MODERN LEGENDSHANK AARONMARIAN ANDERSONMAYA ANGELOUARTHUR ASHECOUNT BASIETONI BRAXTONGEORGE WASHINGTON CARVERWILT CHAMBERLAINSHIRLEY CHISHOLMBILL COSBYW.E.B. DUBOISDUKE ELLINGTONELLA FITZGERALDLANGSTON HUGHESREVEREND JESSE JACKSONMICHAEL JORDANMARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.THURGOOD MARSHALLHATTIE MCDANIELTONI MORRISONJESSE OWENSCOLIN POWELLPHYLICIA RASHADPAUL ROBESONCORETTA SCOTT KINGBLAIR UNDERWOODDIONNE WARWICK

Download or read book African American Fraternities and Sororities written by Tamara L. Brown and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2012-01-01 with total page 554 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This second edition includes new chapters that address issues such as the role of Christian values in black Greek-letter organizations and the persistence of hazing. Offering an overview of the historical, cultural, political, and social circumstances that have shaped these groups, African American Fraternities and Sororities explores the profound contributions that black Greek-letter organizations and their members have made to America.

Download or read book Alpha Phi Alpha written by Gregory Parks and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2012 with total page 412 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On December 4, 1906, on Cornell University’s campus, seven black men founded one of the greatest and most enduring organizations in American history. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. has brought together and shaped such esteemed men as Martin Luther King Jr., Cornel West, Thurgood Marshall, Wes Moore, W. E. B. DuBois, Roland Martin, and Paul Robeson. “Born in the shadow of slavery and on the lap of disenfranchisement,” Alpha Phi Alpha—like other black Greek-letter organizations—was founded to instill a spirit of high academic achievement and intellectualism, foster meaningful and lifelong ties, and racially uplift those brothers who would be initiated into its ranks. In Alpha Phi Alpha, Gregory S. Parks, Stefan M. Bradley, and other contributing authors analyze the fraternity and its members’ fidelity to the founding precepts set forth in 1906. They discuss the identity established by the fraternity at its inception, the challenges of protecting the image and brand, and how the organization can identify and train future Alpha men to uphold the standards of an outstanding African American fraternity. Drawing on organizational identity theory and a diverse array of methodologies, the authors raise and answer questions that are relevant not only to Alpha Phi Alpha but to all black Greek-letter organizations.

Download or read book Pledged written by Alexandra Robbins and published by Hachette Books. This book was released on 2011-05-24 with total page 466 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alexandra Robbins wanted to find out if the stereotypes about sorority girls were actually true, so she spent a year with a group of girls in a typical sorority. The sordid behavior of sorority girls exceeded her worst expectations -- drugs, psychological abuse, extreme promiscuity, racism, violence, and rampant eating disorders are just a few of the problems. But even more surprising was the fact that these abuses were inflicted and endured by intelligent, successful, and attractive women. Why is the desire to belong to a sorority so powerful that women are willing to engage in this type of behavior -- especially when the women involved are supposed to be considered 'sisters'? What definition of sisterhood do many women embrace? Pledged combines a sharp-eyed narrative with extensive reporting and the fly-on-the-wall voyeurism of reality shows to provide the answer.

Download or read book Black Greek Letter Organizations 2 0 written by Matthew W. Hughey and published by Univ. Press of Mississippi. This book was released on 2011-02-18 with total page 526 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the turn of the twentieth century, black fraternities and sororities, also known as Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs), were an integral part of what W.E.B. Du Bois called the “talented tenth.” This was the top ten percent of the black community that would serve as a cadre of educated, upper-class, motivated individuals who acquired the professional credentials, skills, and capital to assist the race to attain socioeconomic parity. Today, however, BGLOs struggle to find their place and direction in a world drastically different from the one that witnessed their genesis. In recent years, there has been a growing body of scholarship on BGLOs. This collection of essays seeks to push those who think about BGLOs to engage in more critically and empirically based analysis. This book also seeks to move BGLO members and those who work with them beyond conclusions based on hunches, conventional wisdom, intuition, and personal experience. In addition to a rich range of scholars, this volume includes a kind of call and response feature between scholars and prominent members of the BGLO community.

Download or read book Disciplining Women written by Deborah Elizabeth Whaley and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2010-09-01 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An interdisciplinary look Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the first historically Black sorority.

Download or read book Before You Pledge Essential Information You Should Know About the Divine Nine written by Dr. Michael J. R. Winfield and published by MJW Enterprises, LLC. This book was released on with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Before You Pledge: Essential Information You Should Know About the Divine Nine is an important read for all those considering joining a Black Greek Letter Organization or for anyone wanting to simply learn about the origin of this august body of black men and women. The dawn of the twentieth century brought many challenges to young African American students seeking enrollment at all-white college campuses. Intense racial prejudice forced many black students to leave predominantly white universities. And at the same time, on Historically Black College campuses, the desire for fellowship through shared social experiences led to the rise of Black Greek life, starting with Cornell University in New York. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first black fraternity formed at a predominantly white university in 1906, would point the way for similar organizations to develop. Between 1906 and 1922, eight Black Greek Letter Organizations were formed, with a ninth in 1963. Known collectively as the “Divine Nine,” these five fraternities and four sororities would go on to shape the course of Black America. Together, these young black men and women would face down racial prejudice, take the lead in the fight for social justice, in the end, reshape the American cultural landscape. Finally, no other group of people can claim to have the sheer degree of accomplishments in all areas of human activity in the United States and in many other parts of the world compared to the Divine Nine.

Download or read book The Divine Nine written by Lawrence C. Ross and published by Dafina. This book was released on 2019-08-27 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This comprehensive history of African American fraternities and sororities celebrates the spirit of Black Excellence in higher education that has produced American leaders in politics, sports, arts, and culture such as Kamala Harris, Colin Kaepernick, Michael Jordan, Thurgood Marshall, and Toni Morrison, and is sure to be a treasured resource for generations to come. America’s Black fraternities and sororities are a unique and vital part of 20th century African American history, providing young black achievers with opportunities to support each other while they serve their communities and the nation. From pioneering work in the suffragette movement to extraordinary strides during the Civil Rights era to life-changing inner-city mentoring programs, members of these organizations share a proud tradition of brotherhood, sisterhood, and service. Today, America’s nine black fraternities and sororities are millions of members strong with chapters at HBCUs, Ivy League Schools, and colleges across the nation including Stanford University, Howard University, and the University of Chicago.

Download or read book Diversity in Black Greek Letter Organizations written by Wendy Marie Laybourn and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-04-17 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Starting in the early twentieth century and still thriving in the contemporary era, Black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) provide social support, networking opportunities, and service for the Black community. Although BGLOs have always been majority-Black organizations, there are small numbers of non-Black individuals who choose to pledge their membership. Diversity in Black Greek-Letter Organizations: Breaking the Line explores the experiences of these non-Black members who have immersed themselves in organizations rich with Black history and culture. Through in-depth interviews with thirty-four such members, Wendy Marie Laybourn and Devon R. Goss reveal how and why these individuals come to identify with organizations designed for the uplift of races other than their own. For non-Black BGLO members, the association with a Black organization provides them the opportunity to consider the meaning of racial inequality and their own racial identities. Although many non-Black BGLO members recount challenges to their membership, the participants in Diversity in Black Greek-Letter Organizations ultimately find a sense of belonging with their Black brothers and sisters, which Laybourn and Goss argue can provide an example of the challenges and promises of cross-racial interactions as a whole.

Download or read book The Black Intellectual Tradition written by Derrick P. Alridge and published by University of Illinois Press. This book was released on 2021-08-03 with total page 447 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Considering the development and ongoing influence of Black thought From 1900 to the present, people of African descent living in the United States have drawn on homegrown and diasporic minds to create a Black intellectual tradition engaged with ideas on race, racial oppression, and the world. This volume presents essays on the diverse thought behind the fight for racial justice as developed by African American artists and intellectuals; performers and protest activists; institutions and organizations; and educators and religious leaders. By including both women’s and men’s perspectives from the U.S. and the Diaspora, the essays explore the full landscape of the Black intellectual tradition. Throughout, contributors engage with important ideas ranging from the consideration of gender within the tradition, to intellectual products generated outside the intelligentsia, to the ongoing relationship between thought and concrete effort in the quest for liberation. Expansive in scope and interdisciplinary in practice, The Black Intellectual Tradition delves into the ideas that animated a people’s striving for full participation in American life. Contributors: Derrick P. Alridge, Keisha N. Blain, Cornelius L. Bynum, Jeffrey Lamar Coleman, Pero Gaglo Dagbovie, Stephanie Y. Evans, Aaron David Gresson III, Claudrena N. Harold, Leonard Harris, Maurice J. Hobson, La TaSha B. Levy, Layli Maparyan, Zebulon V. Miletsky, R. Baxter Miller, Edward Onaci, Venetria K. Patton, James B. Stewart, and Nikki M. Taylor

Download or read book Alpha Phi Alpha written by Gregory S. Parks and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2012-01-27 with total page 658 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A “thoughtful” historical and sociological look inside the fraternity that’s shaped men from W.E.B. DuBois to Martin Luther King, Jr. to Thurgood Marshall (Choice). On December 4, 1906, on Cornell University’s campus, seven black men founded one of the greatest and most enduring organizations in American history. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. has brought together and shaped such esteemed men as Martin Luther King Jr., Cornel West, Thurgood Marshall, Wes Moore, W.E.B. DuBois, Roland Martin, and Paul Robeson. “Born in the shadow of slavery and on the lap of disenfranchisement,” Alpha Phi Alpha—like other black Greek-letter organizations—was founded to instill a spirit of high academic achievement and intellectualism, foster meaningful and lifelong ties, and racially uplift those brothers who would be initiated into its ranks. In Alpha Phi Alpha, Gregory S. Parks, Stefan M. Bradley, and other contributing authors analyze the fraternity and its members’ fidelity to the founding precepts set forth in 1906. They discuss the identity established by the fraternity at its inception, the challenges of protecting the image and brand, and how the organization can identify and train future Alpha men to uphold the standards of an outstanding African American fraternity. Drawing on organizational identity theory and a diverse array of methodologies, the authors raise and answer questions that are relevant not only to Alpha Phi Alpha but to all black Greek-letter organizations.