Since the early 1900s, Black Greek Letter Organizations have been a source of support for students of color on college campuses. Promoting scholarship and service to the greater community, the five fraternities and four sororities that make up the Divine Nine have produced leaders in practically every field – even our first Black female Vice President.
There may be a few more weeks left of summer vacation, but we’re looking back at the rich history of Black Greek Letter Organizations at colleges around the country. Check out these throwback photos of members of the Divine Nine.
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Delta Sigma Theta
This throwback photo shows members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. strutting their stuff on the yard – and they’re doing it in heels!
Kappa Alpha Psi
Members of Kappa Alpha Psi on the campus of the University of Florida in 1990.
Delta Sigma Theta
Look out! These Deltas at Howard University were serving in 1980.
Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha
Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. keep it all in the family in this throwback pic taken on the campus of Northwestern State University in Louisiana.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members wear their letters with pride on campus at Claflin University in the 1980s.
Kappa Alpha Psi
These brothers representing the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Johnson C. Smith University are rocking the red bow ties.
Delta Sigma Theta
The afros and trench coats these lovely ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are rocking are giving us life.
Zeta Phi Beta
Come through with the clutches! Zetas from Florida A&M University in 1977 are slaying with coordinating handbags.
Omega Psi Phi
Service to others is a big part of Greek life. These members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held a Thanksgiving charity dance to collect food for needy families at North Carolina Central University in 1964.
Alpha Phi Alpha
These Alpha men showed off their moves with a step performance at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles in 2006.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
There isn’t a hair out of place in this 1970s throwback photo of AKAs at Paul Quinn College in Texas.
Zeta Phi Beta
Lovely ladies of Zeta Phi Beta in 1951.
Delta Sigma Theta
This throwback photo of Delta Sigma Theta ladies wearing matching dresses and white gloves just says glamour.
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi pledges wear all black on the Fisk University campus in 1969 while fellow students look on.
Phi Beta Sigma
Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity hanging out at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. members at Virginia Union University in 1960.
Zeta Phi Beta
What’s not to love about this beautiful photo of members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. from 1961.
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha members playing basketball at the Central Avenue YMCA in Pittsburgh, PA in 1946.
Sigma Gamma Rho
Auroras of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on the campus of Wilberforce University in 1984.
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. members looking smooth on the campus of Prairie View A&M University.
Sigma Gamma Rho
This may be a throwback photo of Sigma Gamma Rho members, but the glamour is timeless.
Delta Sigma Theta
Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. march in the Orange County Black History Parade in 2014.
Iota Phi Theta
A throwback photo of Iota Phi Theta men hanging out on campus.
Alpha Phi Alpha
The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc’s Delta Delta Chapter strut their stuff on the campus of Albany State University in 1971.
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