Black Greek Paraphernalia Shows Something to Be Proud Of

Black Greek paraphernalia shows more than just a temporary membership. It shows a long history that stands out among all other Greek organizations.

The fraternity system as we know it began with the founding of Phi Beta Kappa at William and Mary, which later became an honorary society rather than a social society. In response to criticisms of Phi Beta Kappa, Modern Greek organizations began emerging, such as the Kappa Alpha Society. While still different, the Greek system as we know it today began evolving.

Browse our black Greek paraphernalia.

The problem is that while many Greek organizations claimed to accept the best, they often had restrictive clauses in their charters which forbade minorities such as Jews and African-Americans. Left out of the running, many Greek organizations began emerging for these ostracized groups.

Black Greek apparel traces its origins back to this time, when many African-American students finally had a membership to be proud of. Some of the Black Greek paraphernalia has sentimental value, and is passed down from generation to generation. With its history of unusually strong brotherhood, relics such as old black Greek shirts take on a more special meaning.

Black Greek organizations began emerging with Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell University in New York. As the prototype for black Greek organizations to follow, the group soon spawned many branch campuses and imitators who sought to follow in Alpha Phi Alpha’s footsteps but bring their own unique spin.

Today the restrictive clauses that kept minorities from joining mainstream Greek organizations have been lifted, and the circumstances which made black Greek organizations necessary are no longer in play. Nevertheless, black Greek organizations will always continue. They have a history forged from adversity that can’t be easily forgotten.

Many of the earliest black Greek organizations no longer exist, but a surprising number have remained, mostly at predominantly black universities. Not only do they offer a sense of belonging that other Greek organizations cannot match, proponents argue that they also provide the crucial understanding and belonging.

That belonging is something to show to the world. You can fly your Greek pride in a number of ways, from your license plate to your clothes, shoes, hat and jewelry. Depending on how you want to display your Greek pride, the options are out there for you to choose. Depending on your tastes, they can range from subtle to loud.

The fraternity system as we know it began with the founding of Phi Beta Kappa at William and Mary, which later became an honorary society rather than a social society. In response to criticisms of Phi Beta Kappa, Modern Greek organizations began emerging, such as the Kappa Alpha Society. While still different, the Greek system as we know it today began evolving.

The problem is that while many Greek organizations claimed to accept the best, they often had restrictive clauses in their charters which forbade minorities such as Jews and African-Americans. Left out of the running, many Greek organizations began emerging for these ostracized groups.

Black Greek apparel traces its origins back to this time, when many African-American students finally had a membership to be proud of. Some of the Black Greek paraphernalia has sentimental value, and is passed down from generation to generation. With its history of unusually strong brotherhood, relics such as old black Greek shirts take on a more special meaning.

Black Greek organizations began emerging with Alpha Phi Alpha at Cornell University in New York. As the prototype for black Greek organizations to follow, the group soon spawned many branch campuses and imitators who sought to follow in Alpha Phi Alpha’s footsteps but bring their own unique spin.

Today the restrictive clauses that kept minorities from joining mainstream Greek organizations have been lifted, and the circumstances which made black Greek organizations necessary are no longer in play. Nevertheless, black Greek organizations will always continue. They have a history forged from adversity that can’t be easily forgotten.

Many of the earliest black Greek organizations no longer exist, but a surprising number have remained, mostly at predominantly black universities. Not only do they offer a sense of belonging that other Greek organizations cannot match, proponents argue that they also provide the crucial understanding and belonging.

That belonging is something to show to the world. You can fly your Greek pride in a number of ways, from your license plate to your clothes, shoes, hat and jewelry. Depending on how you want to display your Greek pride, the options are out there for you to choose. Depending on your tastes, they can range from subtle to loud.

You can find your black Greek paraphernalia, apparel, and black Greek shirts on our Divine Nine pages:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.