Founded at USC in 1993 by MBA student Gregory Wright, 100 Black Men is a support group for African-American men at the University of Southern California. Membership in 100 Black Men is open to all USC students, regardless of race or gender. The aim of 100 Black Men is to build strong, focused, positive role models that are held in high esteem on USC's campus and the surrounding community. The organization thrives on community service, leadership, scholarship and promoting a positive image of Black Men. Annual events include 100 Black Men Jazz Night, Homeless Shelter Clothes & Food Distribution, USC Men's Basketball Pre-game Party, the 100 Black/Black Women's Caucus (BWC) Black Love Forum, and the Annual End-of-the-Year Banquet (also held in conjunction with BWC).
For more information about 100 Black Men of USC, email onehunbm@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~onehunbm
AFRICA SC (ASC) Africa SC seeks to foster fellowship amongst native African students attending the University of Southern California.
For more information about the Africa SC, contact africasc@usc.edu, or visit their website at www-scf.usc.edu/~africasc
AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN MEDICINE (AAIM)
AAIM is a pre-health organization dedicated to helping African-American students enter health-related professional degree programs. AAIM provides an opportunity for networking, and serves as a resource for graduate school preparation. In addition, AAIM offers its members opportunities for community involvement through high-school outreach programs, and tutoring for the required pre-health classes such as biology, chemistry and physics. AAIM's annual events include participation in the LA AIDS Walk, the USC Pre-Medical Conference, and a Blood Drive
For more information about African Americans in Medicine, contact Sarah Shakir at sshakir@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~aaim
ASSOCIATION OF BLACKS IN PRE-LAW EDUCATION (ABLE)
ABLE is dedicated to assisting African-American students in pursuing careers in the legal field. It serves as a resource and networking opportunity for students who plan to attend law school upon graduation. Events include informational sessions offered by the Kaplan Test Center and the Black law student's forum which is co-sponsored with USC Law School's Black Law Students Association (BLSA).
For more information about the Association of Blacks in Pre-Law Education, contact Ayesha Williams at ayeshawi@usc.edu or visit the USC Pre-Law website at www.usc.edu/pre-law
BLACK BUSINESS STUDENT ASSOCIATION (BBSA)
BBSA is dedicated to creating an awareness of and desire to attain the skills needed to be a successful business professional. BBSA, which is open to all majors, is designed to cultivate professional development and assist African-American students in gaining admission to the USC Marshall School of Business. BBSA's main events include the Icebreaker, a Black Business Career Fair, and various panel discussions.
For more information about the Black Business Student Association email bbsa@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~bbsa
BLACK GRADUATION (BG)
The Black Graduation Committee is responsible for the planning and promotion of the USC Annual Black Graduation Ceremony and its corresponding activities. In addition, BG seeks to create unity in the African-American community of USC. Some of this past year's BG events included: USC Apollo Night, the Black Graduation Reception, and, of course, the Black Graduation Ceremony. Black Graduation 2002 is scheduled for Thursday May 9, 2002.
For more information about Black Graduation, email blkgrad@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~blkgrad
BLACK STUDENT UNION (BSU)
The primary purpose of BSU is to inform the USC community about the current political atmosphere surrounding African-Americans, and, when necessary, stimulate community action. Although BSU is known for its political activism, we also focus on various aspects of cultural, social and academic campus life. The Black Voices Newsletter serves as the official publication of the USC Black Student Union. In 1996, BSU played an instrumental role in the abolishment of the "hanging the bear" ritual which preceded the annual USC vs UCLA football contest. Some of the events planned for the 2001-2002 school year include Monthly Political Awareness Forums, Community Service Projects, and the ever popular BSU Poetry Night.
For more information about the Black Student Union, contact Nadia Shash at shash@usc.edu
BLACK WOMEN'S CAUCUS (BWC)
In its 29th year, BWC is a support group comprised of both graduate and undergraduate women whose mission is to assist one another with the issues that affect black women at the University of Southern California. We actively strive to enlighten sistahs by raising their mental, physical, social, and spiritual awareness. While doing so, we hope to create a meaningful, nonjudgmental atmosphere amongst sistahs where we can contribute to the positive growth of one another. Past events include: Black Love: The Problem, the Process and the Promise, Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar, and Nakumbuka Day (remembering and honoring our ancestors who died in the Middle Passage).
For more information about the Black Women's Caucus, contact Andrea Magee at amagee@scf.usc.edu
Fly Girls is an organization dedicated to the expression of African-American culture through dance. Founded in November 1998 out of the need for a dance group that represented USC's African-American population, Fly Girls employs different types of dance such as jazz, modern and hip-hop in a way that illustrates our diverse culture. Whether it be our deep rooted gospel heritage or the more recent emergence of a hip-hop mainstream, dance is a powerful tool of presentation.
For more information about the Fly Girls contact Pilaar Terry at ataikelah@hotmail.com or Meena Singh at mks@usc.edu
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP)
The University of Southern California Chapter of the NAACP was established by Lisha Bell ('01) in conjunction with Regional Youth and College Division Chapter Director Amy Freeman. An organization with a rich civil rights history, the USC chapter maintains many of the same passions and pursuits as the original chapters; economic, social, educational and racial rights of minorities must be protected and advanced. The USC chapter is determined to display a positive image to the press, the surrounding communities and the university by paying special attention to the racial and social climate existing between students and faculty. One main goal is to elicit healthy exchange regarding the problems of intercultural and interracial relations between all ethnic groups. On campus workshops, volunteer service, and constructive criticisms of the policies and procedures of the university that display perceived or real discrimination are just some of the ways in which the NAACP will bring about a new civil rights agenda in the 2001-2002 school year. We must set a precedent for networking and forming reputable relationships with those able to make lasting decisions, and those with open minds.
For more information about the NAACP, contact Adrienne Bankert at uneeque_1@hotmail.com.
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS (NSBE)
NSBE, which was founded in 1975 at Purdue University, is currently the largest student organization in the country. Our mission is to increase the number of Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
For more information about the National Society of Black Engineers, email Tishawna Kennebrew, (President) at uscnsbe_chair@hotmail.com or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~nsbe
Rites of Sisterhood is a USC-based mentoring organization of college and professional women dedicated to fostering the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of young women of color ages 12-16. Through defining the essence of sisterhood and reinforcing the principles of self-discovery, self-determination, and self-responsibility, this diverse pool of mentors aim to provide support and friendship to every "little sister" involved. Founded in 1998, ROS was developed with hopes of strengthening our community and leading its young women through the uncertain years of adolescence. We take great pride in acting on the ancient African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child."
For more information about Rites of Sisterhood, email ros@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~ros
Created in 1997 by residents of the special interest floor Somerville Place, Somerville Scholars is a social organization which strives to promote unity within the African American community as well as in the general population on the USC campus. Somerville was founded in the spirit and memory of John and Vada Somerville, the first African-Americans to graduate from the USC School of Dentistry. Somerville Scholars sponsors Television Tapings, a 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament, as well as a campus-wide fashion show.
For more information about Somerville Scholars, contact Kelechi Okoro at kokoro@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~svpage
NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL (NPHC)
The National Pan-Hellenic Council was established in 1930 at Howard University as a national coordinating body for the nine historically African American Fraternities and Sororities which had evolved on American college and university campuses by that time. Blatant racism had prevented many African American students on historically white campuses from joining general fraternities and sororities. In addition, African American students were denied admission to many campuses which continued to prohibited blacks from attending. Therefore, African American students established fraternities and sororities to enhance their collegiate experiences. These organizations did not restrict membership to African Americans. However, they have maintained an African American focus in both their social and philanthropic activities. The nine Historically African-American Fraternities and sororities operating under the NPHC umbrella are: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated - Cornell University, 1906 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Howard University, 1908 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated - Indiana University, 1911 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated - Howard University, 1911 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated - Howard University, 1913 Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated - Howard University, 1914 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated - Howard University, 1920 Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated - Butler University, 1922 Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated - Morgan State University 1963
For more information about the National Pan-Hellenic Council, email nphc@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~nphc
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED (AFA)
Nearly 40 years after the Civil War, a group of 7 black men attending an Ivy League school, Cornell University, founded the first Black-Greek letter organization on December 4, 1906. Some of the nation's most prominent figures have been Alpha men including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Ownes, Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, Thurgood Marshall, and Paul Robeson, Stuart Scott (ESPN Analyst). This legacy of greatness continues with the Ice Cold brothers of the Alpha Delta Chapter. It was chartered at USC on February 2, 1921 as the third oldest Greek organization on campus. The aims of an Alpha man are scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind. The Alpha Phi Alpha National Programs include: Go to High School . . . Go to College, A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, and Project Alpha. In keeping with these aims, the Alphas sponsor several events on campus including: College Days, Hot Topic Discussions, Study Nights, and the Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant.
For more information about Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, contact Vaughn Horn at alphaphi@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~alphaphi
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED (AKA)
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest Greek letter organization established in America by Black collegiate women. She was formed in January 1908 at Howard University by 16 remarkable women. Today, that tradition has continued--internationally, nationally and locally. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind through a nucleus of more than 170,000 women in over 900 chapters. Our existence at USC started with Sigma Chapter, a citywide chapter, in 1922. As the chapter grew, so did interest in the sorority and there was a need for a separate chapter to be started. With the help of Dr. Barbara Solomon, Marguerite Phillips and other graduate sorority members, USC students successfully chartered Iota Beta Chapter in May 1974. Since then, the Iota Beta Chapter has made great strides at upholding our national targets and ideas. Here at USC, we serve the community and our school through a variety of activities. We have hosted events such as King of the Nile: A Tribute to African-American Men, The Black Cultural Dinner, Coat Day, and Pink Ice: A discussion for women. For the members of Iota Beta, Alpha Kappa Alpha has become more than a sorority but a way of life.
For more information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, email akausc@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~akausc
KAPPA ALPHPA PSI FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED (KAY)
Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at Indiana University in 1911. Beta Omega Chapter participates in a number of social events including a Thanksgiving Dinner and Kappa Court.
For more information about Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, contact Bryan Johnson at bej@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~kapsi
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC. (DSQ)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women on the campus of Howard University. At its inception, the founders envisioned that the use of their collective strength would form an organization of college women who would demonstrate academic excellence and advocate strong and serious community endeavors. The first public act performed by the Delta Founders was their participation in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington D.C., March 1913. Their ideals have withstood the test of time, and today she is a public service sorority whose members are dedicated to providing services in the public interest.
The Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., one of three single letter chapters in the Farwest Region, was chartered in 1924 at the University of Southern California. Its birth was spearheaded by Vivian Marsh and included six freshmen women. Upsilon Chapter has maintained a rich tradition of excellence on campus throughout its more than 70 years of existence. Members enjoy the proud achievements of everything from being the first African-American on the Mortar Board, to having been instrumental in the creation of the Black Graduation ceremonies. The Upsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was the first Black organization to be pictured in the USC yearbook. The chapter's involvement has included, but is not limited to voter registration drives, can food drives, inner-city schoolbook drives, the Watts Summer Games, USC's Spirits in Action, Revlon Breast Cancer Run/Walk, AIDS Walk, AIDS and STD Awareness Information Tables, Clean Sweep Saturdays, Hip-Hop Aerobics Workshops, Corporate Seminars and various social events.
For more information about Delta Sigma Theta, email delta@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~delta
PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, INC (FBS)
In the year 1913, three students at Howard University saw the need to create an organization with the purpose of serving the general community rather than a select group of individuals. On January 9, 1914, the efforts of these remarkable men crystallized into the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Fueled by the principles of BROTHERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP and SERVICE, Phi Beta Sigma has been instrumental in all facets of American life. This commitment to social prosperity is expressed in our motto, "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity." Phi Beta Sigma has three national programs designed to uplift people of color through special projects. Each project targets a specific aspect of social concern. They are: Project S.A.T.A.P. (Sigmas Against Teen-Age Pregnancy); Project S.W.W.A.C. (Sigmas Waging War Against Cancer); Project S.A.D.A. (Sigmas Against Domestic Abuse); and the Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation. In addition to these programs, Phi Beta Sigma provides assistance to small businesses to expand their development. We are the first and only fraternity to establish a National Credit Union for our members and family. One of the gems of Phi Beta Sigma is our Sigma Beta Clubs. These clubs are give the men of Sigma the opportunity to provide mentoring guidance, educational tutorial assistance and advise to young men between ages 6 to 18.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is the only fraternity to be constitutionally bound to a sister organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sigmas and Zetas work jointly in an effort to further the quality of life for people of color. Sigma has grown into an international organization, including more that 650 chapters in the continental United States, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and Korea. The "Untouchable" Nu Upsilon Chapter was chartered in 1981. The Brothers of Nu Upsilon hold the distinction of being the first NPHC organization to hold a function in Bovard Auditorium. After a period of inactivity, Nu Upsilon has returned to USC, keeping up with the legacy. We have the distinction of holding offices in organizations such in the Black Students Union, the Greek Student Assembly, and the NPHC. We are also involved in Residential Life and hold membership groups such as Blue Key Honor Fraternity and the Order of Omega. Our members have received the highest recognition of the University, being awarded the Palm and Laurel award.
For more information about Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, please email pbs@usc.edu or call (213) 842-0179 or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~pbs
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. (ZFB)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920 by five dynamic women on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. These women set out to build an organization that represented Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, and Finer Womanhood. Today, Zeta Phi Beta has over 600 chapters around the world and over 100,000 members. The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta strive to fulfill the Seven Point Plan of Action: Education, Economic Development, Governmental Affairs, Drug Prevention, Volunteerism, Health and Wellness, and Chapter Management.
The "Glamorous" Gamma Lambda Chapter was chartered on May 24, 1981 by 8 women here at the University of Southern California. Since it's birth, Gamma Lambda has carried with it a reputation for getting business accomplished and letting the Zeta light shine bright for all to see. Signature events such as "Honoring African-American Men" have had lasting impacts on campus and in the community at large.
For more information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, email zphib@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~zphib
SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INCORPORATED (SGR)
Seven dynamic schoolteachers founded Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on November 12, 1922. Chartered at Butler University, Sigma Gamma Rho is the only African-American sorority founded on a predominantly white campus. At a time when education was difficult for minorities and women to attain, our founders became educators. These exquisite ladies gave Sigma Gamma Rho the legacy of interest and emphasis in all phases of education. Sigma Gamma Rho was incorporated into the National Pan-Hellenic Council in 1929. Currently there are over 80,000 Ladies of Rho in more than 400 chapters internationally. Since 1922, Sigmas have continually worked to serve their communities through sisterhood, scholarship, and service. The sorority's national programs focus on educational, economic, health, and social issues that affect our communities across the nation and in Africa. As always, our actions are guided by our belief in "Greater Service, Greater Progress". Our national programs are aimed at promoting educational opportunities to the African and African-American community. They include: Big Book Bag Project, Judie Davis Bone Marrow Recruitment Program, Habitat for Humanity International, Mwanamugimu Essay Contest, Program for Africa, the Rejesta V. Perry Birthright Program, and Wee Savers.
The "Elite" Theta Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc was chartered on May 9, 1980, and reactivated on November 30, 1992. The members of Theta Epsilon chapter have been involved in various campuses organizations; holding several leadership positions. Furthermore, Theta Epsilon chapter was recently named "Chapter of the Region" at the 2001 Western Regional Conference. Theta Epsilon continues to do great work on the USC campus and in the community. Some of the programs sponsored this year included: the Golden Scholastic Collegiate Competition, Wee Savers, and Soles for Little Souls. In the coming year, will continue to strive toward the example set by our founders of "Greater Service, Greater Progress" serving USC and the community at large.
For more information about Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, email sgrho@usc.edu or visit their website at http://www-scf.usc.edu/~sgrho