African American Fraternal Organizations: Fostering Leadership and Civic Engagement Samantha Martin History of African American Fraternal Organizations . Fraternal organizations began to gain popularity in the United States during the American Revolutionary period . The oldest African American fraternal organization is the Prince Hall Masonic Order which was founded in 1787 as African Lodge No. 459 . African American fraternal organizations continued to develop as centers of camaraderie in the face of segregation and discrimination . Thousands of “old line societies” and “benevolent societies” were founded during Reconstruction . From 1915-1920 membership began to decline due to the rise of voluntary groups such as social and civic clubs and business and professional organizations African American Fraternal Organizations . Prince Hall Masonic Order-1787 . Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America-1843 . Knights of Pythias of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa-1869 . Mosaic Templars of America-1882 . Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World-1897 . Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star-1874 . Daughters of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World-1907

Image courtesy of National Afro- American Museum & Cultural Center Significance of African American Fraternal Organizations

. The existence of these organizations: . Provided vital academic, social, and economic support for their communities . Provided mutual aid and protection in the form of burial insurance, food for the needy, and scholarships . Fostered solidarity, built identity, and encouraged collective action . Provided a venue for the development of civic skills and a social sensibility that translated into community service and political activism Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLO’s)

. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity-1906 . Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-1908 . Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity-1911 . Omega Psi Phi Fraternity-1911 . Delta Sigma Thea Sorority-1913 . Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity-1914 . Zeta Phi Beta Sorority-1920 . Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority-1922 . Iota Phi Theta Fraternity-1963 Significance of Black Greek-Letter Organizations . During the early 1900s, when many of these BGLO’s were founded, African Americans were not allowed, or could not afford an education. . BGLO’s were created to unite African American students with common ideas and principles and to provide support and community . Today, these organizations claim approximately 800,000 members . They continue to promote personal excellence and civic action by offering scholarships and conducting service programs Local Leaders – 1 James Dunn Hazey P. Loritts Local Leaders – 2 Mrs. Edith Hodge John Henderson, Sr.

Source: Dayton’s African American Heritage by Margaret Peters Public History Leaders – 1 .Arturo Alfonso Schomburg Public History Leaders - 2

.C.J. McLin, Jr. Public History Leaders – 3

.Carter G. Woodson Public History Leaders – 4 .Charles H. Wesley Public History Leaders – 5

.Omega Psi Phi

Images courtesy of the National Park Service