Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) have played a crucial role in Black history and continue to uplift communities. While members may sometimes be passionate about their affiliations, their contributions deserve recognition. Beyond well-known figures, these organizations have implemented initiatives that benefit Black people in meaningful ways.
Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice, was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, which has registered millions of voters and introduced the “Go-to-High School, Go-to-College” campaign in 1919. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, was a Delta Sigma Theta member. DST has long advocated for anti-lynching laws and supported Black women’s involvement in the suffrage movement.
Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week (now Black History Month), was an Omega. Members of Omega Psi Phi contributed significantly to organizations like the Southern Negro Congress and the National Urban League. Vice President Kamala Harris, an Alpha Kappa Alpha member, is part of a sorority that was the first to have a life membership with the NAACP and continues to focus on Black women’s health.
Kappa Alpha Psi, beyond its well-known stepping traditions, stood in support of Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality. The fraternity sent a letter to the NFL commissioner and held protests outside NFL games and headquarters. Sigma Gamma Rho supported President Johnson’s Anti-Poverty Program and launched nationwide initiatives like the Vocational Guidance Workshop Center.
Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta, constitutionally linked as brother and sister organizations, have had a lasting impact on Black social movements. Black Panther founders Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton were Sigmas, while Zora Neale Hurston and Esther Rolle were Zetas. Sigmas proposed the famous 1963 March on Washington, and Zetas run “Get Engaged,” an initiative that fosters stronger community relationships with law enforcement and educators.
Iota Phi Theta, known for its advocacy for Pan-Africanism and Black nationalism, has remained committed to advancing Black empowerment. Each BGLO has made lasting contributions, and while members may debate which is the best (some may say Alphas), they all share a deep commitment to uplifting Black communities.
