CLEVELAND -- Because of the popularity of "Stomp The Yard," there is an increased interest in black Greek organizations.

Although the movie features the dynamic art of stepping, the organizations are involved in more than stepping.

In fact, black Greek organizations have a deep, rich history and serve as a support group to black students at universities across the country. These organizations' members are also deeply involved in community service efforts that involve leadership, scholarship, health and education.

The four sororities and five fraternities make up what many refer to as the Divine 9.

Below are synopses of black Greek fraternities and sororities.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founded 1906, Cornell University

According to the official Web site, "The objectives of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are to stimulate the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic, and intellectual status."

Founded: Dec. 4, 1906, at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

Official Colors: black and old gold

Official Symbol: sphinx

Famous members: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, civil rights leader; Thurgood Marshall, supreme court justice; Duke Ellington, jazz musician; W.E.B. Dubois, writer, histoiran, civil rights activist; Jesse Ownes, olympic gold medalist; Frederick Douglass, anti-slave activist; Donny Hathaway, musician.

Official Web site: www.alphaphialpha.net

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Founded 1908, Howard University

According to the official Web site, "Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood composed of women who have consciously chosen this affiliation as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind..."

Founded: Jan. 15, 1908 at Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Official Colors: salmon pink and apple green

Officials Symbol: ivy leaf

Official Web site: www.aka1908.com

Famous Members: Marian Anderson, first Black woman to sing at the Metropolitan Opera; Dr. Maya Angelou Renowned novelist, poet, educator, dancer. National Ambassador for the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, Grammy winner for Best Spoken Word; Ella Fitzgerald Internationally famous jazz singer, known as the "First Lady of Song". Dr. Mae Jemison An accomplished physician, she became the first African-American woman astronaut as a member of the Shuttle Endeavour crew in 1992; Star Jones Lawyer, former assistant district attorney and former NBC news correspondent. She is also a past 2nd Supreme President of AKA. She was also a co-host of TV Show "The View"; Coretta Scott King, civil rights activist, director of Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change and Civil Rights Activism; Toni Morrison, Nobel prize winning novelist and poet whose works include Song of Solomon and Beloved.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Indiana University

According to the official Web site, "Membership in Kappa Alpha Psi is a lifelong dedication to the ideas and lofty purposes of Kappa Alpha Psi, which considers for membership only those aspirants whose personal, social and academic qualifications are acceptable to both the College and Fraternity."

Founded: Jan. 15, 1911 at Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind., incorporated as a perpetual body in May 1911.

Official Colors: Crimson and Cream

Official Symbol: Kappa Diamond

Famous Members: Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., prominent Los Angeles Attorney; Robert Johnson, BET Founder; Percy Sutton, entrepreneur and Owner of the Apollo Theater; Keith Clinkscales, CEO/President of Vibe Magazine; John Singleton, Oscar nominated Director/Screenwriter; Dr. Billy Taylor, jazz musician; Cedric the Entertainer, comedian; Tavis Smiley, BET Talk Show Host; Montell Jordan, R&B Singer.

Official Web Site: www.kappaalphapsi1911.com

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Howard University

According to the official web site, "Omega continued to flourish, largely because Founders Love, Cooper, Coleman and Just were men of the very highest ideals and intellect. The Founders selected and attracted men of similar ideals and characteristics. It is not by accident that many of America's great black men are/were Omega Men. To this date, there are very few Americans whose lives have not been touched by a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity."

Founded: Nov. 17, 1911 at Howard University, Washington D.C., incorporated as a perpetual body in 1914.

Official Colors: purple and gold

Official Flower: white carnation

Famous Members: Langston Hughes, Black Poet Laureate, playwright, novelist, lyricist, and humorist; William H. Cosby, comedian, author, actor, producer; Michael Jordan, basketball player with the Chicago Bulls; Shaquille O'Neal, star center with Miami Heat; Rev. Jesse Jackson, former Director of Operation PUSH; Founder, Rainbow Coalition; Benjamin Hooks, served as executive Director of the NAACP; Dr. Charles Drew, perfected the use of blood plasma and professor of surgery at Howard University.

Official Web site: http://www.omegapsiphifraternity.org/

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founded 1913, Howard University

Founded: Jan. 13, 1913 at Howard University, Washington, D.C., incorporated as a perpetual body in 1930.

Official Colors: crimson and cream or red and white

Official Flower: African violet

Famous Members: Aretha Franklin, "Queen of Soul," Dr. Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcom X; Carol Moseley Braun, first black elected to the U.S. senate; Camille Cosby, philanthropist and wife of Bill Cosby; Cicely Tyson, 1974 Emmy winner; Kim Whitley, actress; Lena Horne, legendary singer; Nancy Wilson, singer; Natalie Cole, singer; Shirley Chisholm, first black woman elected to U.S. Congress.

Official Web site: www.deltasigmatheta.org

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

According to the official Web site, "Today, eighty-seven years later, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, the Fraternity has now established the Phi Beta Sigma Educational Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Housing Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union, and the Phi Beta Sigma Charitable Outreach Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization. No other fraternity and sorority is constitutionally bound as Sigma and Zeta. We both enjoy and foster a mutually supportive relationship."

Founded: Jan. 9, 1914 at Howard University, Washington D.C., incorporated as a perpetual body in 1930.

Official Colors: royal blue and pure white

Official Symbol: Dove

Famous Members: George Washington Carver, scientist and investor; A. Phillip Randolph, civil rights leader; James Weldon Johnson, author of "Life Every Voice And Sing"; Huey P. Newton, founder of Black Panthers; Blair Underwood, actor; Bobby Jones of Bobby Jones Gospel Hour; Jay Anthony Brown, comedian of Tom Joyner Morning Show; Rick James, singer; Morris Chestnut, actor; Benjamin Chavis Muhammad, organizer of Million Man March.

Official Web site: www.pbs1914.org

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Founded 1920, Howard University

According to the official Web site, "The purpose of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is to foster the ideas of service, charity, scholarship, civil and cultural endeavors, sisterhood and finer womanhood. These ideals are reflected in the sorority's national program for which its members and auxiliary groups provide voluntary service to staff, community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change."

Founded: January 16, 1920 at Howard University, Washington D.C., incorporated as a perpetual body in 1923.

Official Colors: royal blue and pure white

Official Symbol: Dove

Famous Members: Dionne Warwick; recording artist; Zora Neale Hurston, antrhropologist, author and folklorist; Sheryl Underwood, comedian.

Official Web site: www.zphib1920.org

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

According to the official web site, "Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority's aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and education of youth are the hallmark of the organization's programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically."

Founded: Nov. 12, 1922, in Indianapolis, incorporated as a perpetual body in December 1929.

Official Colors: Royal Blue and Gold

Official Flower: Yellow Tea Rose

Famous Members: Mother Love, Corinne Brown and Vanessa Armstrong.

Official Web site: www.sgrho1922.org

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity

According to the official Web site, "As Iota Phi Theta continues to grow and strengthen, so will its commitment to make meaningful contributions to society in general, with particular emphasis in the African-American community. Throughout America, Iota Phi Theta has come to represent excellence in all areas. The Fraternity is, and shall forever remain dedicated to its founders' vision of 'Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!'"

Founded: Sept. 19, 1963 at Morgan State University, Baltimore, incorporated as a perpetual body in November 1968.

Official Colors: charcoal brown and gilded gold

Official Symbol: The Centaur

Famous Members: Calvin Murphy, T.C. Carson and Bobby Rush.

Official Web site: www.iotaphitheta.org

Source: http://www.blackgreek.com/index.html, http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2002/02/18/News/Black.Greek.Organizations.Have.Long.Campus.History-2297448.shtml?sourcedomain=barometer.orst.edu&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

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