NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt University will examine the legacy of African American fraternities and sororities, which celebrate their 100th birthday this year, during a week of activities Feb. 6-10.
Display tables highlighting fraternities and sororities, panel discussions, a screening of the Spike Lee film School Daze and a poetry slam will be featured.
The first African American Greek organization in the United States, Alpha Phi Alpha, was founded at Cornell University in December of 1906. An early member was W.E.B. Du Bois, who helped form the NAACP in 1909.
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt will host activities through the week marking the anniversary. Events include:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Feb. 6-10, display tables with information about the culture and history of historically black fraternities and sororities will be on display.
6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, the current state of Greek life will be discussed by two scholars. Tamara Brown, associate professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, is co-editor of African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. Ricky Jones is chair of Pan Africa Studies at the University of Louisville, and the author of Black Haze. A reception will follow.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, the film School Daze will be screened followed by a group discussion about how accurately the Spike Lee production depicts black Greek life.
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, a panel of black Greeks will discuss their experiences and give their opinions on black Greek life, past and present.
9 to 11 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, there will be a poetry slam, with all poets, singers, instrumentalists and freestylists invited.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, a game of Greek Jeopardy will be held, with Greeks competing to see who knows the most about Greek history.
All events are free and open to the public.
The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center provides educational and cultural programming on the African and African American experience for the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities. Dedicated in 1984, the Center is named for the first African-American student admitted to Vanderbilt.
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu