When leaders of the historically African-American Greek fraternities and sororities at the College discuss their organizations, they don't emphasize parties, alcohol or the need for short-term social options.
All four founded nationally before 1920, the historically black fraternities and sororities focus on lifetime commitments to the community -- some dealing primarily with the African-American community, and others trying to cater to their general college and national communities as well.
Leaders of these organizations say joining a historically black Greek organization means commitment to a purpose -- helping others, teaching and creating common bonds of friendship.
"When you become a member of our fraternity, you become a member for life," said Kesner Bienvenu '99, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Theta Zeta Chapter. "It isn't something that you just do at Dartmouth -- it's something you take very seriously."
Alpha Phi Alpha's alumni include Martin Luther King, Jr., former Supreme Court Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall and writer Paul Robeson.
A Unique Purpose
Opinions among the organizations' leaders were mixed as to whether the mainstream Greek organizations provide a comfortable environment for African-Americans.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Pi Theta Chapter President Mikisha Brown '00 said she knows some African-Americans who have de-pledged other organizations because they felt uncomfortable, but she thinks some of the mainstream organizations create open environments for their members.
All four leaders of the four historically African-American groups said they would not necessarily have been uncomfortable in a mainstream Greek house, but they thought the African-American groups would be the best route for reaching out to their communities.
The historically African-American organizations all belong to the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council.
Janelle Toles '00 said she has always been aware of the services provided by historically African-American sororities. The president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Xi Lambda Chapter said members of the international organization were models and mentors for her as she grew up.
"I respected what they did in terms of mentoring and giving back to the community," Toles said. "It opened my eyes to the sorority, and it made me want to be a part of that."
The organization's alumni include Coretta Scott King and writers Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison.
Reaching Out
Toles said Alpha Kappa Alpha attempts to "reach the Dartmouth community as a whole" by holding panels and discussions on topics ranging from relationships to making Dartmouth work for individuals.
Brown said Delta Sigma Theta also usually caters to the general community, although it sometimes focuses on African-Americans. The organization recently held a panel about opportunities at Dartmouth outside of the classroom, and it ran a program during Fall term called "Petals in the Wind: Children in the African-American Diaspora."
But not all of the historically African-American organizations aim for a wide range of people.
Gerald Taylor '00, president of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated, Mu Chi Chapter, said his fraternity focuses on the "upliftment of the black community."
"Our main focus is national brotherhood, and a source of networking," he said.
Founded on a predominantly white campus at Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Psi originally helped African-Americans graduate and find jobs, but now it focuses primarily on community service, Taylor said.
The Dartmouth chapter raises money for the Arthur Ashe AIDS Foundation, created in honor of a Kappa Alpha Psi alumnus, and it works on a program called Kappa Tuck-ins in which the members read bedtime stories to children.
Bienvenu said Alpha Phi Alpha also mostly focuses on the African-American community, through both social and service events.
He said the group tries to promote cultural awareness and discuss issues relevant to the African-American community. It is running its annual Knowledge Bowl, a black history trivia game, from Feb. 8 to 14.
Common Bonds
While historically African-American Greek organizations do not host many social events, their leaders say they still foster the sense of internal camaraderie and history that exist among the other fraternities and sororities at the College.
"The whole history, especially ours, is quite different," Taylor said. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded "out of a real need for a sense of brotherhood, because it was on a predominantly white campus."
"I think the community is a lot more friendly toward African-Americans than it was, say, in the early '80s and late '70s ... but it just has a really deep history," Taylor added.
Ashe, attorney Johnnie Cochran and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Wilt Chamberlain are all alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi, which is known for its use of special canes.
Brown said her sorority fosters an environment with a "group of women who are there for you on a personal as well as a professional level." Among Delta Sigma Theta's alumni are Olympic runner Wilma Rudolph, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and educator Mary McCleod Bethune.
Brown said Dartmouth is a very different atmosphere from the home environments of many minorities, and the sorority is one place where they can find support.
Although they are historically African-American, all four organizations allow people of any ethnic or racial background to join. Alpha Kappa Alpha is the only one that holds a formal rush once a year.
