African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision

by Tamara L. Brown

Book Overview

African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision explores the rich past and bright future of the nine Black Greek-Letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. In the long tradition of African American benevolent and secret societies, intercollegiate African American fraternities and sororities have strong traditions of fostering brotherhood and sisterhood among their members, exerting considerable influence...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813123445
• ISBN13: 9780813123448
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.3"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A piece for every black greek

This is the most extensive work I have ever read on Black Greek-Letter Organizations. There are other works out there, but this book has managed to capture the true essence of us and our significance. The contributors to this book touched on just about every topic imaginable, so to me, anyone from old-school greeks, to new-school ones can relate. The authors do an exceptional job of tracing the origins of BGLOs back to Africa with the customs, rituals, dances, etc. They also do a remarkable job explaining what issues were facing not only BGLO's, but black people in general at the time. There was some information in the book I already knew, but there was so much more that I never knew existed, and seeing it for the first time is indeed a blessing. There was so much knowledge gained from this book from start to finish, for one, because the authors did their research, and because they touched on issues rarely touched. It shows much of an influence BGLOs have and will continue to have in the future.

A Quilt of Pride

I found this book mesmerizing as the author quilted together the prideful yet powerful legacy of the black college experience. What a detailed and delicately woven masterpeice! A must read for my daughters as they depart for college.

Please support the Legacy and the Vision

African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision is a book celebrating a wonderful aspect of the college experience for African Americans. It doesn't matter which organization you belong to, this book is dedicated to you. I highly recommend this book and I agree it's about time a nice tasteful book is brought to the forefront commemorating OUR history....not only during black history month, but 365 days a year. Applause!

You Won't Regret Purchasing ... A MUST HAVE!

To put it simply, I was in awe when I first received my copy of African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. "Insightful," "thorough," "tasteful," and "definitive" all come to mind as I think about ways to describe this comprehensive book. Every member of these organizations should have this on their shelves. Also, very interesting for anyone interested in African Americana ... It is a must read, a must!!!!

Finally!!!!

There is only one glaring flaw with this book--that the editors did not bring it out years ago! African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision is what every member or aspiring member of a black Greek-letter organization has been waiting for. FINALLY, a book on these groups with substance, depth, and that covers a wide range of issues. For the first time, a book places the history of these groups in context--tying them to organizations that predated them, the racial climate of the time, and movements that came later. The other two sections provide an incredible amount of insight into their culture and those issues with which they struggle. The scholarship in this book is groundbreaking yet at the same time provides a pleasant read for non-academics. If you are interested in fluff or a mere primer on these groups, African American Fraternities and Sororities is not the book for you. For those who want a deeper understanding of black Greek-letter organizations, this is THE book for you!!!!