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List of African-American fraternities and sororities

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African-American fraternities and sororities are social organizations that predominantly recruit Black college students. These organizations provide a network that includes both undergraduate and alumni members. These fraternities and sororities were typically founded by Black American undergraduate students, faculty, and leaders at various institutions in the United States.

Fraternities

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Following is a list of active and inactive African American fraternities, in charter date order.

Name Charter date and range Founding location Type Affiliation Status References
Prince Hall Freemasonry September 29, 1784 Boston, Massachusetts Freemasonry, community-based Active [1]
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America 1843 New York City, New York General, community-based Independent Active [2]
International Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor 1872 Independence, Missouri General coed, community-based Independent Active [3]
Grand United Order of True Reformers 1873 General and benevolence, community-based Independent Inactive [4]
Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa 1880 Vicksburg, Mississippi Benevolence society, community-based Independent Active [5][6]
Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World 1897 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania General, community-based Independent Active [7]
Alpha Kappa Nu November 1903 – 1911 Indiana University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [8]
Sigma Pi Phi 1904 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Professional, community-based Independent Active [9]
Pi Gamma Omicron January 1, 1905–c. 1950 Ohio State University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [10][11]
Gamma Phi March 1, 1905 – before 1950 Wilberforce University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [12]
Alpha Phi Alpha December 4, 1906 Cornell University Social collegiate NPHC Active [13]: 61–62 
Kappa Alpha Psi January 5, 1911 Indiana University Bloomington Social, collegiate NPHC, NIC Active [13]: 61–62 
Omega Psi Phi November 17, 1911 Howard University Social, collegiate NPHC Active [13]: 64–66 
Phi Beta Sigma January 9, 1914 Howard University Social, collegiate NPHC, NIC (former) Active [13]: 66–67 
Gamma Tau 1934–c. 1950s Howard University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [14][15]
Wine Psi Phi March 2, 1959 Howard University Social, collegiate and graduate Independent Active [16][a]
Groove Phi Groove October 12, 1962 Morgan State University Social, collegiate Independent Active [13]: 282 
Nu Gamma Alpha 1962 Howard University Social, collegiate and graduate Independent Active [17][18]
Iota Phi Theta September 19, 1963 Morgan State University Social, collegiate NPHC, NIC Active [13]: 67–68, 282 
Phi Eta Psi April 5, 1965 Mott Community College Social, collegiate Independent Active [19][20][b]
Phi Delta Psi March 21, 1977 Western Michigan University Social, collegiate Independent Active [13]: 282 
Chi Alpha Phi 1979 Lincoln University Coed service, collegiate and community Independent Active [21][22]
Sigma Phi Rho April 26, 1979 Wagner College Social, collegiate Independent Active [13]: 282 
Delta Psi Chi April 24, 1985 University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee Social, collegiate Independent Active [23]
Phi Omicron Psi February 16, 1986 Virginia Commonwealth University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [24][13]: 282 
Beta Phi Pi April 6, 1986 Western Illinois University Social and Service, collegiate Independent Active [13]: 282 [25][26][27]
Megisté Areté 1989 Eastern Illinois University Christian, collegiate Independent Active [28]
Upsilon Phi Upsilon March 31, 1990 Southern University Service, collegiate Independent Active [21][29][30]
Pi Psi November 22, 1993 Michigan State University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [13]: 284 
Nu Gamma Psi 1994 Plymouth, North Carolina Social, community-based Independent Active [31]
Phi Rho Eta August 22, 1994 Southern Illinois University Social, collegiate Independent Active [32]
Phi Sigma Chi November 16, 1996 City Tech College Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [13]: 164–165, 284 
Gamma Phi Eta November 17, 1996 Georgia Southern University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [13]: 284 
Men of God 1999 Texas Tech University Christian, collegiate Independent Active [33][34][c]
Gamma Beta Chi November 15, 2002 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Service, collegiate Independent Active [21][35][36]
Nu Alpha Nu 2006 Alabama State University Service, collegiate Independent Active [21][37]
Alpha Tau Mu September 2, 2009 Tuskegee University Coed service, collegiate Independent Active [38][39][21]
Beta Nu Theta 2017 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Coed service, collegiate Independent Active [21][40]
Chi Gamma Kappa January 22, 2017 Georgia Service, communiy-based Independent Active [21][41][42][d]
Psi Delta Tau February 13, 2017 Alabama Military, community-based Independent Active [43][44]

Notes

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  1. ^ In later years, many chapters operated as a co-ed "frarority". Today, only one graduate chapter remains active.
  2. ^ All college chapters are now inactive, although the national alumni association is still active.
  3. ^ Founded by a group of men who talked about God at a Step Show. MOG performs a yearly Step Show filled with mimes, dancers, and singers in honor of their beginning. MOG has grown but prefers to remain small, limiting the number of members in each chapter.
  4. ^ Members must be enrolled in college, have a college degree, or professional certification in her chosen career and live in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina or South Carolina

Sororities

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Following is a list of active and inactive African American sororities and women's fraternities, in charter date order.

Name Charter date and range Founding location Type Affiliation Status References
Alpha Kappa Alpha January 15, 1908 Howard University Social, collegiate NPHC Active [13]: 61–63 
Delta Sigma Theta January 13, 1913 Howard University Social, collegiate NPHC Active [13]: 283 
Zeta Phi Beta January 16, 1920 Howard University Social, collegiate NPHC Active [13]: 281 
Sigma Gamma Rho November 12, 1922 Butler University Social, collegiate NPHC Active [13]: 281 
Phi Delta Kappa May 23, 1923 Jersey City, New Jersey. Professional, education Independent Active [45]
Iota Phi Lambda June 1, 1929 Chicago, Illinois Professional, collegiate Coalition of Black Business Sororities Active [46]
Lambda Kappa Mu January 19, 1937 Manhattan, New York Professional, non-collegiate Coalition of Black Business Sororities Active [46][47]
Eta Phi Beta October 1942 Lewis Business College Professional, collegiate Coalition of Black Business Sororities Active [46][48]
Tau Gamma Delta 1942 Lewis Business College Social, community-based Independent Active [49][50][a]
Gamma Phi Delta February 28, 1943 Lewis Business College Service, collegiate and graduate Coalition of Black Business Sororities Active [46]
The Links November 9, 1946 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Social and service, non-collegiate Independent Active [51]
Zeta Delta Phi 1962 Bronx Community College Service, collegiate Independent Active [52][b][53]: 100 
Alpha Pi Chi January 7, 1963 Chicago, Illinois Service, community-based Independent Active [21][54][c]
Swing Phi Swing April 4, 1969 Winston-Salem State University Social, collegiate Independent Active [55]
Kappa Psi Epsilon September 24, 1982 Rutgers University–Newark Social, collegiate Independent Active [18][13]: 284 
Phi Alpha Psi February 6, 1991 Virginia Commonwealth University Social, collegiate Independent Inactive [56][d]
Psi Delta Chi October 2, 1994 University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Social, collegiate Independent Active [57][45][e]
Gamma Pi Alpha November 12, 1994 Tuskegee University Service, collegiate Independent Active [58][21]
Delta Rho July 1, 2004 Orlando, Florida Service, community-based Independent Active [21][59][f]
Kappa Theta Epsilon February 24, 2009 Houston, Texas LGBTQ professional, community-based Independent Active [60]
Alpha Pi Delta June 28, 2010 Dallas, Texas Service, lesbians, community-based Independent Active [61][62]
Nu Alpha Omicron 2012 Alabama State University Service, collegiate Independent Active [21]
Gamma Pi Chi July 16, 2016 Georgia Professional service, community-based Independent Active [21][63][g]
Zeta Sigma Psi June 7, 2019 Hampton, Virginia Military, community-based Independent Active [64][65]
Psi Delta Chi MSI November 8, 2019 Jacksonville, Florida Military, community-based Independent Active [66]
Gamma Theta Xi 2024 Texas Service, collegiate NAAGLA Active [67][68]

Notes

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  1. ^ Sorority was formed as Phi Gamma Delta Sorority in 1942. Its name changed to Tau Gamma Delta Sorority Inc. on October 17, 1951.
  2. ^ Sorority starte as Houseplan (Zeta Delphi) in 1962 and was incorporated as Zeta Delta Phi Sorority in 1964.
  3. ^ Its founders were all associated with Alpha Gamma Chi. Members are mostly African American professionals.
  4. ^ The sorority had four chapters, including Alpha - VCU (1992), Beta - Morgan State University (1994), Gamma - Coppin State College (1994), and Epsilon - University of the Virginia Islands.
  5. ^ Not affiliated with the Psi Delta Chi military sorority.
  6. ^ Members must be at least 25 years old. Most members are professional women.
  7. ^ Members must be enrolled in college, have a college degree, or professional certification in her chosen career and live in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina or South Carolina

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Maurice Wallace, "Are We Men?: Prince Hall, Martin Delany, and the Masculine Ideal in Black Freemasonry," American Literary History, Vol. 9, No. 3.
  2. ^ "History of the Order". Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Dickson, Moses (1879). A manual of the Knights of Tabor and Daughters of the Tabernacle, including the ceremonies of the order, constitutions, installations, dedications, and funerals, with forms, and the Taborian drill and tactics. G. I. Jones [printer].
  4. ^ Hollie, Donna Tyler. "Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "Through Collective Effort: The Success of S. W. Green & the Knights of Pythias". September 11, 2018.
  6. ^ "History". Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias, Jurisdiction of Florida. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "History of the IBPOEW". Improved Benevolent and Protective Order Elks of the World. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  8. ^ "Greek News". The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta. 4 (3): 134. June 1904. Retrieved February 24, 2025 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity". sigmapiphi.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  10. ^ Kofi Lomotey (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Education. SAGE Publications. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-4129-4050-4.
  11. ^ "Tracking the early history of African-American fraternities at OSU". "From Woody's Couch" - Official Ohio State University Archives’ blog. March 28, 2012.
  12. ^ "History". www.csus.edu. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Torbenson, Craig L.; Parks, Gregory S., eds. (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Madison: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. ISBN 978-1611474022
  14. ^ Kimbrough, Walter D. Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2003. pp. 44 and 47. ISBN 1-61147-281-4
  15. ^ Anson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20th edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991. ISBN 0-9637159-0-9
  16. ^ Elizabeth Calvert Fine (2003). Soulstepping: African American Step Shows. University of Illinois Press. pp. 159–. ISBN 978-0-252-02475-7.
  17. ^ Hazelwood, Janell (February 21, 2018). "Black History Month: The Divine Nine". Black Enterprise. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Home". Nu Gamma Alpha. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  19. ^ "Founding Fathers". Phi Eta Psi Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  20. ^ "Emeralds of Phi Eta Psi Fraternity, Inc". Eastern Michigan University Archives. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Service Sororities and Fraternities". BlackOrgs.net. November 25, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  22. ^ "CHI ALPHA PHI Service Fraternity Inc". www.facebook.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  23. ^ "UWM's first Black Greek-letter organization 'Delta Psi Chi' was founded in 1985". UWM REPORT. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "The Founding Fathers". Phi Alpha Psi Sorority, Inc. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  25. ^ "Beta at a Glance". www.betaphipi.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020.
  26. ^ Seo, Byung-In; Haykal, Aaisha N. (2018). Chicago State University. Arcadia Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4671-2979-4.
  27. ^ "History of Beta Phi Pi". Beta Phi Pi. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  28. ^ Hodge, Roberto. "Sisterhood acts on foundations of Christianity, friendship". The Daily Eastern News. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  29. ^ "The U." Upsilon Phi Upsilon. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  30. ^ "Chapters of P.H.I." Upsilon Phi Upsilon. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  31. ^ "About | Nu Gamma Psi Fraternity INC". www.nugammapsi1994.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023.
  32. ^ "Home". Phi Rho Eta Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  33. ^ "Christian Fraternities and Sororities – BlackOrgs". Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  34. ^ Moses, Megan (April 18, 2019). "Men of God Christian fraternity serves community". The Daily Toreador. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  35. ^ "About Us". Gamma Beta Chi NSFI. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  36. ^ "Registered Chapters". Gamma Beta Chi NSFI. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  37. ^ "About Us :: Nu Alpha Nu". nualphanu.webnode.page. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  38. ^ "About Us | United States | Alpha Tau Mu Fraternity Inc". phoenix. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  39. ^ "Chapters | Alpha Tau Mu Fraternity Inc". phoenix. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  40. ^ "Home". Beta Nu Theta. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  41. ^ "Home". Chi Gamma Kappa Social Service Fraternity. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  42. ^ "History". Chi Gamma Kappa Social Service Fraternity. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  43. ^ "Psi Delta Chi MSI". Psi Delta Tau. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  44. ^ "History & Mission". Psi Delta Tau. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  45. ^ a b "UWM's first Black Greek-letter organization 'Delta Psi Chi' was founded in 1985". UWM REPORT. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  46. ^ a b c d "History". Omicron Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  47. ^ "LKM History". Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  48. ^ Nina Mjagkij (2013). Organizing Black America. Routledge. pp. 195–. ISBN 978-1-135-58123-7.
  49. ^ "Tau Gamma Delta Meets in Baltimore". Newspapers.com. New Pittsburgh Courier. August 14, 1971. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  50. ^ "History – Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc". Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  51. ^ Hudson, Christina (January 25, 2022). "The Links, Incorporated (1945- )". BlackPast.org. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  52. ^ "History". Zeta Delta Phi Sorority, Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  53. ^ Walter M. Kimbrough (2003). Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press. ISBN 978-0-8386-3977-1.
  54. ^ "History | Alpha Pi Chi". alphapichi.org. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  55. ^ Chandler, D. L. (April 4, 2016). "Little Known Black History Fact: Swing Phi Swing". Black America Web. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  56. ^ "Phi Alpha Psi Sorority, Inc". Phi Alpha Psi Sorority, Inc. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  57. ^ "Psi Delta Chi Sorority Inc". Psi Delta Chi Sorority Inc. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  58. ^ "Gamma Pi Alpha Sorority, Inc". tuskegee.campuslabs.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  59. ^ "Our History". deltarho. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  60. ^ "Our Story". Kappa Theta Epsilon Sorority, Inc. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  61. ^ "About APD". Alpha Pi Delta. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  62. ^ "Alpha Pi Delta Sorority, Inc". GuideStar. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  63. ^ "Gamma Pi Chi Social Service Sorority". gammapichisisterhood.yolasite.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  64. ^ "About us". Zeta Sigma Psi, Military Sorority, Inc. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  65. ^ "Zeta Sigma Psi Military Sorority - GuideStar Profile". Guidestar. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  66. ^ "About Us". Psi Delta Chi Military Sorority Inc. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  67. ^ "Gamma Theta Xi Sorority, Incorporated | Black Greek Sororities | Non Profit | Community Service |". Gamma Theta Xi. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  68. ^ "NAAGLA Charters First African American Greek Letter Organization, Gamma Theta Xi Sorority, Incorporated". News Channel Nebraska. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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