Influencers of Iota Phi Theta include organizations such as the Black Panthers, SNCC, the original Rainbow Coalition (Fred Hampton) and individuals like Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael.Īdditionally, unlike most of their fraternity peers, the founders were all non-traditional students. Many early members of the fraternity were also actively involved in the Black Power and Pan-Africanism Movements, both begun due to perceived and actual failures of Civil Rights Movement initiatives. Like those organizations, Iota Phi Theta's founders were extremely devoted to Civil Rights and energizing the movement. Many new organizations devoted to the plight of African Americans arose during the 1960s. At the time of the fraternity's founding, several NPHC organizations “existed on Morgan State’s campus”. On September 19, 1963, the twelve founders gathered together on the steps of Hurt Gymnasium on the campus of Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) and unyielding desired & agreed to form Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., a support system for militant men of color in the era's turbulent social climate. and Michael Williams - during the Civil Rights Movement. The fraternity was founded by 12 men (giving the organization the distinction of having more founders than any other NPHC fraternity) - Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey Jr. The fraternity also holds membership in the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). The fraternity holds membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization commonly referred to as the Divine 9 which is composed of international historically African American Greek letter sororities and fraternities. states, the District of Columbia, The Bahamas, Colombia, South Korea, and Japan. Today there are over 301 undergraduate and alumni chapters (including colonies), as well as colonies located in 40 U.S. As a contemporary organization, many members have had the great honor of meeting, fellowshipping with and/or engaging in personal or virtual discussions with one or more of their founders. Members of the close-knit afrocentric fraternity proudly embrace the organization’s youth, uniqueness, individualism (stereotyping discouraged) and modern idealism. It was founded on September 19, 1963, at Morgan State University (then Morgan State College) in Baltimore, Maryland, and is currently the 5th largest Black Greek Lettered Fraternity. ( ΙΦΘ) is a historically African American fraternity. Not Resting Upon One! and/or It Takes A Man! Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) That’s how continue to grow and elevate our chapter, and that’s how we’ve begun to better meet the diverse needs of the people of the Chicagoland community.įeel free to reach out to us for any questions by emailing and we’ll return your message in 24-48 hours.Historically African American fraternity Iota Phi Theta We continue to promote individuality and diversity - diverse backgrounds, diverse experiences, diverse mindsets - all operating under the same mission. Having copies of each brother is not how we’ll grow and not how we’ll continue to positively impact people. So even though what we’ve done to date brought us this far, we know it’s not what will sustain us. Our fraternity motto is “building a tradition not resting upon one”. This allowed for an easy and quick bond between the Alpha Theta Omega brothers while generating the momentum needed to progress the young chapter towards its goals - development of scholarships, mentorship programs, programs for youth & families like the non-Greek step show, community events such as family summer BBQs, etc. Our origin and the early years of our chapter is born from brothers that all went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. We’re made up of not just members of an organization but of brothers with a bond. Our chapter is well-positioned to step up to the challenge. Though we’re made of strong black men like every Iota chapter across the nation and the world, Alpha Theta Omega has a specific role and focus under the leadership of our national fraternity - to positively impact the lives of the people in the Chicagoland area.ĭoing this requires a connection to the community, an understanding of the issues that need to be addressed, a willingness to serve and the resources to help. Whether you are a brother, an interest, or a future partner, this site gives a small taste of who we are, what we’re about and why we do what we do. My name is John Maynie, and I have the pleasure of serving as the 2023-2024 Chapter Polaris. Welcome to the official website of the Alpha Theta Omega Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated.
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