African Americans have been supported throughout the years by amazing community institutions that have educated, empowered, and emboldened generations. Through engagement with organizations like HBCUs, the black church, and community groups, we leverage the strength of our collective to build our own legacies and live our best lives.
#StoryTime : At the turn of the 20th century, although Black students were finally being admitted into universities, they weren’t fully integrated into university life. Black Greek letter organizations, known as the Divine Nine, were founded to provide them with a safe space to cultivate Black identity, and foster academic excellence, leadership skills, and an overarching mission to strengthen the community.
Many members of Black Greekdom have become trailblazers—disrupting industries, breaking boundaries, and making history that we’ve all benefited from. Today, we’re highlighting five famous fraternity members, who are dedicated to their letters for the life, and have adopted community involvement as their motto.
1Terrence J
This blockbuster movie star, and former 106 & Park host, joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. while attending North Carolina A&T State University. During a White House panel, Terrence J shared: “When I was 17 years old just going into college, completely rough around the edges and unfocused and my first semester I don’t think I got past a 2.3 maybe a 2.5 that first semester. But I remember being there, for the four years and working with different professors and joining Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and getting in with the right crowd and meeting the right people and just really being mentored and nurtured by the right guidance. By the time I graduated college, I graduated with a 3.6 [GPA], I was the student body president, I was at the forefront of my class with a lot of different job prospects.” (1) His membership in Omega Psi Phi played a role in shaping his life and career, allowing him to show up as the person we all know and love. He is currently the National Ambassador for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Excellent article, very informative! One shout out to the brothers of the Black and Good!
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY
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[…] trailblazers—disrupting industries, breaking boundaries, and making history. Last month’s installment of the #ChevyLegacyTrailblazer series highlighted famous members of Black Fraternities. Today, we’re honoring […]