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Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades

Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades

This Black History Month, we look back at some of our favorite throwback photos of members of the men and women of the Divine Nine.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members wearing tee shirts with “AKA” photographed on campus at Claflin University in the 1980s.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members wearing tee shirts with “AKA” photographed on campus at Claflin University in the 1980s.
Photo: Cecil Williams (Getty Images)

Since the early 1900s, Black Greek Letter Organizations have been a source of support for students of color on college campuses. Promoting scholarship and service to the greater community, the five fraternities and four sororities that make up the Divine Nine have produced leaders in practically every field – even our first Black female Vice President.

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There may be a few more weeks left of summer vacation, but we’re looking back at the rich history of Black Greek Letter Organizations at colleges around the country. Check out these throwback photos of members of the Divine Nine.

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Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta

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This throwback photo shows members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. strutting their stuff on the yard – and they’re doing it in heels!

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Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Alpha Psi

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Members of Kappa Alpha Psi on the campus of the University of Florida in 1990.

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Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta

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Look out! These Deltas at Howard University were serving in 1980.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Alpha

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Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. keep it all in the family in this throwback pic taken on the campus of Northwestern State University in Louisiana.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Cecil Williams/Claflin University (Getty Images)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members wear their letters with pride on campus at Claflin University in the 1980s.

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Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Alpha Psi

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These brothers representing the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Johnson C. Smith University are rocking the red bow ties.

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Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta

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The afros and trench coats these lovely ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are rocking are giving us life.

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Zeta Phi Beta

Zeta Phi Beta

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Come through with the clutches! Zetas from Florida A&M University in 1977 are slaying with coordinating handbags.

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Omega Psi Phi

Omega Psi Phi

Omega Score with Charity Dance in 1964
Omega Score with Charity Dance in 1964
Photo: North Carolina Central University (Getty Images)

Service to others is a big part of Greek life. These members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held a Thanksgiving charity dance to collect food for needy families at North Carolina Central University in 1964.

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Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Kevin Winter (Getty Images)

These Alpha men showed off their moves with a step performance at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles in 2006.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha

Alpha Kappa Alpha

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There isn’t a hair out of place in this 1970s throwback photo of AKAs at Paul Quinn College in Texas.

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Zeta Phi Beta

Zeta Phi Beta

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Afro American Newspapers/Gado (Getty Images)

Lovely ladies of Zeta Phi Beta in 1951.

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Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta

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This throwback photo of Delta Sigma Theta ladies wearing matching dresses and white gloves just says glamour.

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Omega Psi Phi

Omega Psi Phi

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Robert Abbott Sengstacke (Getty Images)

Omega Psi Phi pledges wear all black on the Fisk University campus in 1969 while fellow students look on.

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Phi Beta Sigma

Phi Beta Sigma

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Cecil Williams/Claflin University (Getty Images)

Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity hanging out at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Scott Kennedy/Authenticated News/Archive Photos (Getty Images)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. members at Virginia Union University in 1960.

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Zeta Phi Beta

Zeta Phi Beta

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Afro American Newspapers/Gado (Getty Images)

What’s not to love about this beautiful photo of members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. from 1961.

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Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Charles ‘Teenie’ Harris/Carnegie Museum of Art (Getty Images)

Alpha Phi Alpha members playing basketball at the Central Avenue YMCA in Pittsburgh, PA in 1946.

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Sigma Gamma Rho

Sigma Gamma Rho

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Auroras of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on the campus of Wilberforce University in 1984.

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Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Alpha Psi

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Prairie View A&M University (Getty Images)

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. members looking smooth on the campus of Prairie View A&M University.

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Sigma Gamma Rho

Sigma Gamma Rho

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This may be a throwback photo of Sigma Gamma Rho members, but the glamour is timeless.

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Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta

Image for article titled Throwback Pics of Black Sorority-Fraternity Life Through the Decades
Photo: Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register (Getty Images)

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. march in the Orange County Black History Parade in 2014.

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Iota Phi Theta

Iota Phi Theta

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A throwback photo of Iota Phi Theta men hanging out on campus.

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Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha

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The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc’s Delta Delta Chapter strut their stuff on the campus of Albany State University in 1971.

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