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.