NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Do black fraternities and sororities play a
significant role in African-American culture? What contributions do
these organizations make to life on college campuses? Walter Kimbrough,
a national expert on black Greek organizations, will discuss the
history and traditions of black Greek life during a lecture at
Vanderbilt University on Monday, Feb. 23.
Kimbrough’s lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Langford Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
Kimbrough is the author of Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and
Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Based on more than 10
years of research, Kimbrough’s book provides a detailed history of
black fraternalism, chronicles the history of pledging and identifies
the contemporary issues facing black Greek organizations.
The Black Issues book review says Kimbrough "accomplishes a feat
that few have dared: capture more than a peripheral snapshot of black
Greek life…discuss[ing] not only the trials of black fraternities and
sororities, but also the amazing historical legacy that these
organizations have made to the plight of African Americans."
Kimbrough serves as vice president for student affairs at Albany
State University in Albany, Ga. The product of a black fraternity
himself, Kimbrough has built a national reputation as an expert on
black Greek organizations, giving presentations on the subject at more
than 80 colleges and 60 conferences.
For more information on Kimbrough’s lecture, contact Kristin Torrey at 322-2048.
For more information on Greek life at Vanderbilt, visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/greek_life/.
Media contact: Kara Furlong, (615) 322-NEWS
Kara.c.furlong@vanderbilt.edu