NPHC logoThe National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc. is composed of the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities. It was organized in May 1930 at Howard University in Washington D.C. The stated purposed of the organization is: “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.”

NPHC at CU Boulder

There is one NPHC organization currently represented at CU Boulder: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

There are two NPHC organizations with provisional status at CU Boulder: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

NPHC in the U.S.

Nine organizations make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was founded on December 4, 1906, on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country. Alpha Phi Alpha is the first intercollegiate Greek-lettered fraternity established for African-American men still active today. The founders of Alpha Phi Alpha and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington D.C., by 16 collegiate women. Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded on a mission comprised of five basic tenets that have remained unchanged since the sorority’s inception more than a century ago. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “service to all mankind.”

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was founded on January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, by 10 African-American college men. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded on five objectives: to unite college men of culture, patriotism and honor in a bond of fraternity; to encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor; to promote the spiritual, social, intellectual and moral welfare of members; to assist the aims and purposes of colleges and universities; to inspire service in the public interest. 

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington D.C., by three undergraduate college men and one faculty advisor. Omega Psi Phi is the first African-American fraternity to be founded at a historically black university. Since its founding in 1911, Omega Psi Phi’s stated purpose has been to attract and build a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Delta Sigma Theta is an organization of college educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community. The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, physical and mental health, political awareness and involvement and international awareness and involvement.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship and service. Today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, members of the fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of the Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union and The Sigma Beta Club Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization of the fraternity.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Zeta Phi Beta’s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations. Zeta chapters and auxiliaries have given numerous hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities and promote legislation for social and civic change.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922, on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven young educators. Sigma Gamma Rho is a non-profit whose aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and the education of youth are the hallmark of the organization’s programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho is the only National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sorority to be founded at a predominantly white institution (PWI).

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. was founded on September 19, 1963, on the campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, by 12 non-traditional students who had a slightly different perspective than the norm for college students. The founders of Iota Phi Theta established the fraternity’s purpose as: “The development and perpetuation of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity and brotherhood among men.”