National Pan-Hellenic Council of UCLA
About Us
On May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University in Washington DC, the National Pan-Hellenic Council was formed as a permanent organization by Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternities and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities recognized the need for “unanimity of thought and action” among Black Greek letter organizations. These organizations served as the charter members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and were joined the following year by Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities. Sigma Gamma Rho joined in 1937 and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity completed the list of member organizations in 1997. Each of the nine NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African-Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for African-Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing common goals and ideals. With the realization of such a need, the African-American Greek-lettered organization movement took on the personae of a haven and outlet, which could foster brotherhood and sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change through the development of social programs that would create positive change for Blacks and the country.
Today the need remains the same. The stated purpose and mission of the NPHC in 1930 was and currently remains:
“Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.”
Early in 1937, the organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois and became known as:
"The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated."
Fun Fact:
Council Official Colors are Black & White
At the University of California, Los Angeles, while the NPHC has existed since its founding, our organizations have been existent since 1923 with the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pi Chapter, who were the first Greek-letter organization of any kind on UCLA's campus, chartered January 23, 1923, followed by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Chapter, in April of 1923, making them the first Black fraternity on campus. Across town at the University of Southern California saw the chartering of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Lambda Chapter in 1923 as well, which now encompasses UCLA students as a city-wide chapter. In 1925, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Gamma Chapter was chartered. A couple of decades after, drove the initiation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Xi Chapter in 1947. After a long hiatus, the campus saw two organizations join the council with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Nu Delta Chapter in 1981 and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Nu Lambda Chapter in 1982. Originally granted a charter here at UCLA in 1940, the Kappa Chapter (formally and now currently of Wilberforce University), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was later chartered as the Mu Alpha Chapter in 1991. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. has yet to be chartered here on campus.
The NPHC has had a huge impact on the UCLA campus with men of the Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. having UCLA buildings named after Fraternity members: both Tom Bradley International Hall and the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Xi Chapter became the first chapter in its region to be named the highest honor of the fraternity “Outstanding College Chapter of the Year” and having huge participation and influence in the creation of the UCLA Black Male Institute. Since then, the Mu Alpha Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., also has been named “Collegiate Chapter of the Year” within their organizations, respectfully. In the Los Angeles Community, members of Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., have established libraries and radio stations. NPHC alumni also have had positions in local government, politics, education, law, finance, and much more! Members of our organizations have had campus leadership positions in the Undergraduate Student Association Council, the Academic Advancement Program, worked as Resident Assistants in our Residential Housing, excelled in athletic programs, our Afrikan Student Union, and maintained high academic standing. We also appreciate and value members of our organizations that work as faculty and staff at UCLA, that could have been initiated here or at their respected undergraduate institutions, which reifies the lifetime commitment we pledge to the organization.
Today, the NPHC’s legacy rich in history continues with approximately 30-35 students dispersed throughout the organizations listed above. Please visit our chapter profiles to learn more about our illustrious organizations.