I remember it vividly. It was 1990 and I was visiting the University of Maryland Eastern Shore during a "Springfest". When I saw the red and white canes tossed in the air and caught by the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, I knew that I wanted and would be a Kappa Man. Years later I am still very active in Kappa Alpha Psi, it has provided me with mentors, brothers by choice, a network of committed professional men and acts as a medium through which I work to better my community. I know now that being an Africa-American "greek" is about much more than stepping, it is about committing yourself to a purpose larger than you without expecting any benefit and inspiring others to do the same!

Sent by Donald Malcolm Smith | 11:32 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Are the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members in other countries black are made up of other races?

Sent by Chris Johnson | 10:11 AM ET | 07-11-2008

I attended a Jesuit university which prevented Greek Letter Organizations from being on campus. This was the rule because the Jesuits believe that every campus organization should be open to every student on campus. As fraternities an sororities prevent membership based on gender, they were not acceptable campus organizations.

Nearby colleges did offer the opportunity to pledge, but as a full time student working a full time job; I honestly did not have the time to fully commit to the process. And additionally, I agreed with the Jesuit principles, and enjoyed that there were no additional divisions to separate us as students. We were all students of the university and nothing else.

As an adult and graduate student, I have sought to pledge graduate chapter, and it has been a very discouraging experience. There appears to be a super secret process, where you must gain the favor of a super secret person, in a pre-established manner that I must figure out on my own. Or conversely, I have been told that if I have yet to be invited, than I am clearly not worthy.

Are the Black Greek Letter Organizations only for those students who are able to pledge during college, and chose the colleges where they are able to do so?

Are graduate students truly not welcome? Or is it only for the people who naturally socialize in the correct circles? Is it for the men and women of distinction or those in the right cliques?

Sent by Tamela B. | 10:24 AM ET | 07-11-2008

I thought the questions that were asked during the AKA segment were really great even though at times I felt the guests weren't being as forthcoming in acknowledging that sometimes discrimination on the basis of looks/completion, personality or other superficial means, really does exist at some chapters (or may have at happened at sometime during the course of the years) even though its not permitted at the national level. I see a lot of benefits of why someone would become Greek during their college years. There's the sisterhood/brotherhood, public service and the fact that you belong to a national organization of progressive and remarkable people who are doing great things in their professions and public life. I have three problems that I never understood about Black Greek organizations...why does it seem that the process to become an AKA, Delta, etc...seem very exclusive, evasive and non-transparent. I also feel the members from these organizations spend a lot of time looking out for each other in terms of networking, connections, etc...instead of reaching out to their communities at the grassroots level to alleviate some of the social ills that are so pervasive in our community. I also feel sometimes people who become Greek tend to identify and define themselves by being an AKA, Delta, etc...it seems at times they idolize the organization which is really sad to me... when being Greek, should be a part of who you are...and not the only thing that should be revered and celebrated about an individual. Overall I see some of the benefits...but my concern is that such organizations are not another way for us to remain divided instead of unified in helping our community. Congrats AKA on 100 years!

Sent by Lindsay N | 12:12 PM ET | 07-11-2008

Greek? Another story from today answers your question: We also evolve, and that could mean that our anthem does as well, and look how her action has caused us to think and dialogue about this matter in a way that we would not have before. Isn't that a good thing for us all- that we can think critically, and all the better that artists do their jobs with such compassion and courage- and that we, the public, discover new ways of being and expressing, for example, patriotism, but then, perhaps, also what it means to be American in this world.
The Black National Anthem was written by the honorable Brother James Weldon Johnson, a member of my fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma- and we have always been about change. Rene's act reflects the sort of courage that is encouraged by the allegiances, including mentorship, which for me began in high school when I joined the Sigma Beta Club- a mentorship initiative for young men courageous enough to hope for change.

Sent by Diepiriye Kuku-Siemons | 12:57 PM ET | 07-11-2008

I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

I grew up in a church with members of all of the BGLOs. I looked to them as role models in my community. I also have a family member that is member of Delta Sigma Theta. She was my number one influence when it came time to determine which sorority I would join, if I was to join.

As a young child, I recall seeing that A-E-O (with the line in the middle) in her house, on her car, on some of her clothes, etc. and I didn't know what it meant. Over time, I understood and saw Deltas at work in my community, along with the other organizations.

Now, 16 years into my membership (I joined as collegiate), I am striving to serve my community. I've been an active member since I joined, never letting a year lapse without my name on the membership rolls. While I did dial down my service responsibilities while I was graduate school, I never stopped supporting the efforts. I am back in full effect and working in my local community with my chapter now, Baton Rouge Sigma Alumnae.

I count some of my dear friends as members of my sorority, and the other sororities. Though we all made different choices we are all sisters at heart. Given the choice to do it all over again, I would make the same choice again.

Sent by ernise | 1:54 PM ET | 07-11-2008

I wish the White fraternities were as responsible to their communities as the Black fraternities (OK, technically, they aren't White fraternities, but SPARE ME about how integrated they are).

All I get from my old fraternity is a newsletter and a SASE begging for money. Not exactly an inspiration to serve my community.

My son has Kenyan heritage, so, if he decides to pledge, I'd rather he pledge a BGLO than pledge as a legacy of mine. My external experience shows to me that he would get more out of it.

Sent by Matthew C. Scallon | 6:06 PM ET | 07-11-2008

Chris - Members of BGLOs in other countries are of various races. Most of the BGLOs have chapters in various locations around the world, and those chapters are generally started by members who may have relocated there. They aren't limited to those from the states, just members of the organization.

Tamela - as far as I know, all of the BGLO accept members in their graduate chapters. There are many times where a person doesn't have an opportunity to join during college for reasons such as yours. Therefore a process was put in place so those persons may join. I wouldn't say that there is a secret process in place, basically you just have to know when there will an intake by the organization and meet all of the qualifications.

Lindsay - what do you feel is evasive/non-transparent? On another note, though we are different organizations we do have the same basic mission - public service. We just serve the public in different ways, and sometimes we join together to serve the community.

Sent by ernise | 8:04 PM ET | 07-11-2008

Ernise - what I was trying to say was...it seems that the process is "a kept secret" and basically elusive...similar to what Tamela may have experienced at the graduate level. There isn't a college announcement stating: If you want to join Delta or AKA, heres the date, time and place. You practically have to ask "certain" people and get to know "certain" people who belong to the organization in order to be a part of the process of becoming a part of the sorority or fraternity.

Sent by Lindsay N | 11:39 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Congratulations AKA. As a soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I look forward to 13 January 2013 for my sorority's centennial with a Barbie doll with a more chocolate hue. I look forward to seeing my sorors (Alexis Hermann, Shirley Franklin and others) in Denver during the Democratic National Convention. As a financial supporter of NPR, I hope interviews will be granted to the Delta's since our national headquarters is convenient being located in Washington, DC. I love my D S T and much love to all "Divine Nine".

Sent by Debra Darcel | 12:38 AM ET | 07-16-2008

Black Greeks organizations provide nothing that is truly Christian. They do not belong in the church and should remain outside its walls, until ready to meet Christ's commands.

Black Greeks responsible to the black communities? LOL!!!!!!! Whenever they start taking on the moral evils WITHIN our community, they will remain worthless to it.

Sent by Truthfully Speaking | 3:15 AM ET | 07-16-2008

Being a proud, active life member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity augmented my rich HBCU experience with a new network of like minded individuals and family "in the struggle". The principles inculcated by our initiation process are elements I use in my everyday professional life as a change agent within my city. As someone with 10+ in the organization, I will tell you that each of the other BGLO's are extended members of my family as well. Besides embracing the legacies of service that Black Greekdom espouses, it allows many people to begin establishing a wide professional and social network that will last them for life. Oh man, Oh man, Oh man-- I'm proud to be a Sigma Man.

Sent by Timothy " Kamoze" Johnson | 8:29 AM ET | 07-16-2008

I am always heartened that there are dialogs on Tell Me More and other NPR shows about the topics that matter to me. Yet, I can't help but wonder why in 2008 we repeatedly see the negative vs. the positive in any matter. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, I was disheartened to hear a debate about the skin color of the doll, although I expected it from those who are not enlightened. We as African Americans come in all hues, and my daughter recognizes the vast differences in shades will not define her. Likewise, even as AKAs, or members of any Greek letter organizations, we are not all the same. I was happy to hear our organization covered in the media during this past week - but it was evidence of a magnifying glass for an experience and culture that most don't understand. I was disappointed to hear more about our steps and chants, than the legacy of service and sisterhood that prompted my decision to join. As a leader in life, I get a bit tired of the stereotype that the decision to join a group is based on some need to fit and blend in - our motivations are as individual as our membership. I shook my head as I was driving to a non-reflective chant about being conceited, fresh off of reading the 30th story about the doll that looks very much like many of my friends and family members...and I wondered, why couldn't these amazing platforms key in on what really matters. In 100 years of service, there are just so many more worthwhile stories to tell about a sisterhood that has uplifted, educated, inspired, trained, supported, encouraged and welcomed the next generation of women with poise and grace. For professional women of substance, there is a shared opportunity to serve our communities and our country, regardless of hue, affiliation, or any characteristic that separates us. We are most powerful when we realize that uplifting each other is the only true mechanism to uplift ourselves.

Sent by Aimee A Laramore | 8:20 PM ET | 07-20-2008