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The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is an umbrella organization for nine historically black, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. Each of the nine NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African-Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded other college students. The groups are referred to collectively as the "Divine Nine."

NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C. NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.

The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.

Today, the primary purpose and focus of member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities. The individual member is also expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter, following graduation from college to perpetuate the purpose of the council.

History

The National Pan-Hellenic Council was established in an age when racial segregation and disenfranchisement plagued African Americans, the rise of each of the black fraternities and sororities that make up the NPHC bore witness to the fact that despite hardships African Americans refused to assent to a status of inferiority.

The organization's stated purpose and mission in 1930:

Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.

The founding members of the NPHC were Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1996) joined this coalition of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs). In his book on BGLOs, Lawrence Ross coined the phrase "The Divine Nine" when referring to the coaltion.

In 1992, the first permanent national office for NPHC was established in Bloomington, Indiana on the campus of Indiana University through the joint cooperation of Indiana University and the National Board of Directors of NPHC.

Notable programs

The NPHC collectively sponsors programs at the national level and asks that each chapter implement some or all of these initiatives in their local area.

Social initiatives

1. All National "Thrusts" of the Affiliates
2. National Bone Marrow Foundation
3. Get Out the Vote Campaign
4. National Seat Belt Campaign
5. National African American Tobacco Education Network
6. Race for the Cure of Breast Cancer
7. Prostate Cancer Awareness Program

The member organizations spearhead their own national programs as part of their social and service programs. The Pan-Hellenic campaign enlists "Greeks" from all over the world to help construct the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha's "The Ivy Reading AKAdemy" is a reading initiative which focuses on early learning and mastery of basic reading skills by the end of third grade.
• Alpha Phi Alpha sponsors Project Alpha in conjunction with March of Dimes. Other programs of the fraternity are Go To High School, Go To College and Voteless People Is a Hopeless People. The fraternity jointly leads programming initiatives with Head Start, Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
• Delta Sigma Theta's major programs are based upon the organization's Five-Point Programmatic Thrusts: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.
• Iota Phi Theta's The National Iota Foundation is utilized to obtain funding for chartiable causes and philanthropic programming such as the annual IOTA Black College Tour conducted each Spring to introduce graduating High School Seniors to Historically black colleges and universities.
• Kappa Alpha Psi established the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation as the philanthropic arm of the fraternity to assist both alumni and undergraduate chapters support of scholarships, after-school programs, and national projects such as Habitat for Humanity.
• Omega Psi Phi made National Negro Achievement Week an annual observance in 1927, and it continues today as Achievement Week. The fraternity gives an annual gift of $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
• Phi Beta Sigma's Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation, and Phi Beta Sigma Housing Foundation are two of its national programs. In addition, Project S.A.T.A.P.P., assist men in helping them to become strong fathers.
• Sigma Gamma Rho's Public service, leadership development, and education of youth are the hallmark of the organization's programs and activities which include Project Reassurance and Operation Big Bookbag.
• Zeta Phi Beta's Stork's Nest Program encourages women to seek prenatal care and healthy behaviors within the first trimester of pregnancy in an effort to increase the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality.

Members

The members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council are shown below in alphabetical order. :

See also

• National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
• National Multicultural Greek Council
• National Panhellenic Conference
• North-American Interfraternity Conference
• United Council of Christian Fraternities and Sororities
• Concilio Interfraternitario Puertorriqueño de la Florida

Citations

1. "Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions". Houston Public Library. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
2. ^ "About the National Pan-Hellenic Council". nphchq.org. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
3. *Ross, Jr, Lawrence (2001). The Divine Nine: The History of African-American Fraternities and Sororities in America. New York: Kensington. pp. pp. 37-38. ISBN 075820325X. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
4. "Social Initiatives". NPHC. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
5. "Greeks Asking Greeks". Kintera. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
6. "National Programs" (PDF). Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Retrieved 2008-01-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
7. "Projects and Programs". Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
8. "Delta Programs". Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
9. "Service Initiatives". Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
10. "The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation". Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
11. "International Mandated Programs". Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
12. "National Programs". Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
13. "Signature Programs–Stork's Nest". Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Retrieved 2008-01-16.

• 1930 establishments
• National Pan-Hellenic Council