![]() ![]() Spruill, Coakley, Dorsey, and Gregory had known one another since grade school, and Spruill and Coakley had been friends since pre-school. 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) THE HYMN OF IOTA: The Hymn of Iota was composed in 1963 by Brother Richard Johnson.Historically African American fraternity Iota Phi Theta The rose was chosen by Eternal Sweetheart, Ms. THE YELLOW ROSE: The Yellow Rose is the official flower of the Fraternity. ![]() ( Note: The Centaur can appear in Green, Brown, or Gold but must ALWAYS have Red eyes.) Additionally, Iota Phi Theta intakees are referred to as Centaurs. THE CENTAUR: Besides the Fraternity Shield, the next most readily identifying symbol of Iota Phi Theta is The Centaur. A Mythical beast with the head and torso of a man, and the body of a stallion, The Centaur is near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta and its mythology, characteristics, and legacy are a binding force within the Brotherhood. Designed by Founder Charles Briscoe, the Shield of Iota Phi Theta was modified slightly several times during the early years of the Fraternity. It is used by the fraternity upon its official stationery, membership certificates, and other documents. The Shield may be used only by official members of the fraternity on stationery, jewelry, and other personal effects. Its connotation, or meaning, is revealed by the initiation ritual. THE SHIELD OF IOTA PHI THETA: The Shield of Iota Phi Theta (significantly, not a “crest” or “Coat of arms”) is the most commonly used symbol of the Fraternity. THE OFFICIAL COLORS: The Official Colors of Iota Phi Theta are Charcoal Brown (PMS 469) and Gilded Gold(PMS 871 Metallic).
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