I grew up in a small town where political and social life in the black community was largely influenced by AKAs, Deltas, Alphas and Ques (Yeah, the Zetas and Kappas were there but in much smaller numbers). My nature seemed to best fit with the Alphas and since there were no black fraternities/sororities at my alma mater (until after I graduated), I became an Alpha at the graduate level. There have been ups and down in our relationship over the 30 years, but I have always been and remain a proud member of the oldest and goldest.
'06

I choose Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. because on my campus, they were active in the community, they were open to discussing their organization with potential members without being too uppity. Some people took their letter way too seriously on my campus so that was a turn off. They also were interested in having a life beyond the sorority and I felt a sisterhood with the members. I have since remain active because I have found the sisters (and brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.) have lived up to what our organizations were based on and I have felt for the most part, blue and white love from all that I have encountered.

Well, I would have to say that I agree with Toya. For me it was a matter of presentation and how the AKA's were presented on my campus. Coming in as a freshman, I was naive and thought the Deltas were HOT because they were always deep when they were on the plot and won all the step shows. But fortunately I had a Kappa as a boyfriend at the time and he gave me the most valuable advice I could ask for. He told me to "Do my research". He explained that greek life is more than just nice jackets and step shows and told me to research the history of ALL the sororities and see what the chapters do on our campus. He said from all of this, I would immediately know in my heart the right choice & to stick with it all the way through.

Needless to say, my heart led me to AKA. Not only did I like what they ladies stood for, but on campus they were so pleasant and were the only ones doing programs of sustenance (not just giving out condoms and saying that it was a safe sex program like other organizations lol). The AKAs on my campus actually cared about people AND each other. I realized that walking around in a pack with nice jackets on campus does not equate sisterhood or making a difference in the community.

But not to go on & on, to answer the question, it was good advice to do my research, follow my heart and persistence that led me to AKA.

I actually always knew I'd be Greek, though I didn't have an organization picked out when I was in high school. I was going to be the first Greek in my family, so I didn't have any internal influences like a lot of people did.

On a social level - when I was at Hampton, I loved how the Alpha Kappa Alpha women carried themselves. I loved the positive assumptions people made about them, the stereotypical "attitude" or AKAtude that my one-day Sorors walked around with, heads high, noses up... at 17, I admired them a bit.

Then I did my research. The things I learned about Alpha Kappa Alpha and their vision for our children, as well as things they've done since their inception as the phirst and phinest, inspired me, moreso than the social projects that another organization (because there was really only one other organization I researched) had done.

And yes, we are ALL service-oriented and dedicated to our communities... but after my research, I discovered that I identified more with the work Alpha Kappa Alpha was doing and had done since 1908 than the work that took place 5 years later...

I married Frat in 2004... and God help my poor unborn daughter... because there's really no other choice for her but the Pink and Green. There will be no crimson of any sort in my home. LOL

All jokes aside... pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha was one of the best decisions I've made. =)

I never imagined myself joining a fraternity when I went off to school. I had no family members that were involved in any of any of the divine nine organizations.

With that said, my undergraduate school didn't have any of the divine nine orgs there so I never really considered it. We were fortunate enough to get the AKAs my freshman year and then during my junior year there was talk that Kappa Alpha Psi would be coming to our campus. Well that's when I decided that I might be interested. I, then began doing research on all the male D9 orgs. I decided that I wouldn't be a Que, Iota, or Sigma. (I didn't really care for the three orgs and didn't feel like I would fit in with what they stood for). I decided that if anything I would be an Alpha or a Nupe(a member of Kappa Alpha Psi for those who don't know the term).

The Kappas presented themselves well to our campus. I definitely felt like I clicked with them and the chapter that I would join were great and really down to earth and seemed like they really believed in Kappa Alpha Psi and what it stood for. They were more than just T-shirt wearers!

I always considered myself an achiever so I felt like I matched up well with what the fraternity stood for and what principles it was founded on. With that said I choose to pledge Kappa Alpha Psi and I have to say it has been one of the best decisions of my life. As black men we often find ourselves facing many obstacles. I feel like I have been able to overcome many of them to become the person that I am today. As black men we need to achieve in every field of human endeavor.

That's basically the just of why I choose Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Sorry for such a long comment I didn't expect to say that much)

I chose Sigma Gamma Rho for many reasons, but the most important was the feeling of Sisterhood among it's members. Not only did they talk about the organization being a sisterhood, they lived that ideal. Being an only child, this was very important to me. I pledged over 10 years ago, and am still in touch my undergraduate Sorors. In fact, we're all still very close. I'm proud of this choice, of the Magnificence of my chapter and Organization, and look forward to many more years in the bond of Sigma.

Hey Soror (Imani95)!!

I choose Sigma Gamma Rho because After all the research, they were the only ones to practice what they preached on my campus.

When it was business, they carried it as such. When it was about sisterhood, it was about helping a soror through the thick and thin. When it was about education, it was about books and school. When it was about community service, they handled it in the community doing all kinds of different projects.

When getting to know the chapter members, to me I made life long friends BEFORE I became a member. They were the most fun, down-to-earth, nice, and intelligent women I had come across in a long time. Needless to say, shortly after that, I crossed and I know I can count on my sorors to be there with me through whatever life hands me and vice versa.

I LOVE my Sigma Gamma Rho!

I had not had much experience with any women of Sigma Gamma Rho until meeting my RA who crossed in the Fall of 97. She changed my perception of Greekdom, especially sororities and that they weren't the personal brothels of the frats nor did all members of x org hate y org.

My then-boyfriend was a Kappa and encouraged me to do my homework. I knew much about AKA & DST because that is what I was raised around. However I needed more than what my family had known, I needed my own legacy of greatness. I found it with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

One of the major things that stood out to me about Sigma Gamma Rho was that it was founded by 7 BLACK WOMEN EDUCATORS in place known as Klan Kountry, and they did by their selves. Even tho they weren't first, they possesed an originality and a work ethic that made big things happen... Namely that Sigma was founded at a white school, by black women, minus the help of men. I found that inspiring and it matched my own attitude of GIRL POWER... LOL. I have been in the bond now for 3 years and while its still a long hard road to Sigma Gamma Rho, I am encouraged by the work that all D9 orgs accomplish for our community.

I choose Phi Beta Sigma because during my freshmen year I attended an interest meeting given by the brothers and I was really impressed with their deep love for our fraternity and how they showed how they were making a difference in the community. Also, I really liked that Sigmas didn't have a sterotype like the Kappas and Ques on my campus. Also, my sister who is one my closet friends pledged Zeta Phi Beta when I was in high school so the only greek organization I really knew about was Zeta. I still love giving back to the community with my Sigma brothers and I encourage all greeks to get involved in the community. we have so much to do......and if we share our talents, money and experiences we can make all our founders proud.....! blu phi always,t

I joined Kappa Alpha Psi about three years ago at the Graduate Chapter Level.

It has been rewarding for me as a legacy. Much like the Jewish Community's right of passage, the Big 9 Fraternities and Sororities represent a right of passage in the Black Community.

We learn about our fraternity/sorority. We learn what a TREMENDOUS effect Black Fraternity/Sorority members have had and continue to have on Black History (see how many of the nine were involved in the Civil Rights Movement). We trust and we understand each other to the point of brotherhood/sisterhood in all nine!

I will never say that there aren't problems between members! But I believe that the small problems are ALL fixable.

Many "Extreme" brothas and sistas see the nine as "Elitist Clubs"!

Many are some of the same persons who could not get into these organizations or were KICKED OUT for various violations.

I myself know that the application process or "initiation process" can be unfair to some!

I have a couple of dear friends who did not get into a certain sorority on some technicalities.

So people have to do their research, NETWORKING, and homework before even beginning.

And on the undergrad level, they should make themselves KNOWN to the brothers/sisters before going to any interest meeting.

There is a process, and many DON'T get in because they don't respect the process.

Those who don't like the process, are usually the ones who criticize it!!!

My first introduction to Greeks was by my childhood friends parents (Kappa & Delta); fast forward to college at Ohio University (only there one year) I hung out and became a Sigma Gamma RHOmeo (99% of them became Kappa’s on that yard), there were only two Ques on the yard (issues) and the Sigma’s didn't interested me at that time, I hated the Alphas on that campus and even squared off with one at a party.

No money, no focus and a "I ain't havin it" moms brought my ass back to L.I., NY. One day while at home from my SUNY at Farmingdale aka 14th grade, aka The Shawshank Redemption - middle management educational track; one of my homeboyz stopped by to borrow some bricks from my back yard (hey that reads funny?), he said he was going on line to pledge Alpha at L.I.U at C.W. Post College (whatever G). Long story short damm near everyone I knew and respected from Uniondale High pledged Alpha, two smokers later (my GPA was only a 2.5 at the 1st smoker NOT GOOD ENOUGH) I was on line. My line brother hated me for all the L.I. - Uniondale H.S. heat I would attract to the weekly sets. These brothers taught me discipline and the ideals of the Frat! Today I’m a 10 year corporate professional, with a Masters from NYU, and my own company that keeps me grounded.

One!

I joined Mu Sigma Upsilon because I wanted to be around people of different cultures. I did not want to be around just one particular race. Also, the organization is very small (just over 500 members) so it is easier to get to know everyone.

#3 - "Shakes"
Rhiannon Line
Celtic Chapter - Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated
"So Sick" - Spring '06
http://www.musigmaupsilon.org