Black Greek Life at UNC: A legacy of community, service, and support

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- The year was 1976. With only a handful of Black Greek Letter Organizations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chuck Watts and several others chartered the Theta Omicron chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. The group understood the vital role these organizations played in easing racial isolation and building community on campus.

"It was a support base. It was a situation where older students could advise and counsel sophomores and freshmen in a way that helps them survive this experience," said Watts.

Every Black Greek Letter Organization is represented at UNC-Chapel Hill, except Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. ABC11 spoke with members about the legacy that has lived on for a century, and about what it's like being Greek on the campus of a predominantly White institution.

"I think it's sometimes isolating, but we find community within each other," said Alexis Lee, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. "At the end of the day, we are here to do service, not only for the entire Carolina community, but for the people who look just like us. And so, we have to make sure we're there to fill those gaps in."

New challenges remain.

"Some of the issues that have made it hard to feel like we belong, with DEI being rolled back and things of that nature that affect numbers of Black students in a real, tangible way that come to this campus," said Christopher Williams, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Born from exclusion on unshakeable commitments to scholarship, service, education, and community. Students said those principles don't just endure, they continue to lead and inspire today.

"All of our organizations were built in the face of racism and adversity. With the current political climate today and things people face, like identifying gaps in our community, is really important," said Catherine Green, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.

Chloe Coleman, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., added: "We're constantly raising the bar for service and the initiatives that we do and our programming and the public service. I think the way we interact as sisters and the lifelong commitment is something that's invaluable. The founders would be proud of that."

The mission has remained the same.

"We're still holding events. We're still able to engage in the community. Still being able to reach new people and teach new people," said Nicholas Williams, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Everyone has their own reasons for joining, and sometimes, it's the pride of following in a parent's footsteps.

"My father is part of the fraternity, and he's also part of the chapter. I've seen the networking opportunities that it's created for him as well as for myself," said Chris Crosby, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Though there is a social side to membership, students said the real impact comes from programs they organize to promote education.

"We have the Zeta National Educational Foundation that acquires lots of money and scholarships to give out to those in need," said Zoe Holbrock, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Lifelong bonds are formed here. For these student leaders, being Greek today means carrying forward the torch ignited by the founders generations ago, as they look ahead to a future with new members.

"Holding each other accountable on a personal level, but also on a social and professional level. Making sure we're exceeding the standard that we're placing for each other," said Avery Wilkerson, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

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