National Pan-Hellenic Council

www.nphchq.com

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC Greek-letter organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine".

Colors: Black & White

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded on May 10, 1930 at Howard University in Washington, DC. The chartering organizations were:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.,
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., joined the council, followed by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 1937.

The NPHC incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. joined the NPHC as its ninth (9th) affiliate member in 1997

The nine National Pan-Hellenic organizations
listed in the order of their founding are:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Why the Tradition Must Continue

Each of the nine (9) NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for African Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing common goals and ideals.
With the realization of such a need, the African American (Black) Greek-lettered organization movement took on the personae of a haven and outlet, which could foster brotherhood and sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change through the development of social programs that would create positive change for Blacks and the country. Today the need remains the same.
The primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.
Greek membership goes beyond your collegiate experience.
“This is a Life Time Commitment!” The individual member is expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter, following graduation from college, with the expectation that he/she will attend regular chapter meetings, regional conferences and national conventions, and take an active part in matters concerning and affecting the community in which he or she lives.
NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.