Iota Phi Theta

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Iota Phi Theta (ΙΦΘ)
Founded	September 19, 1963 (1963-09-19) (age 44) Morgan State University
Type	Social
Scope	International  United States  Bahamas  South Korea
Motto	Building A Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!
Colors	Charcoal Brown █ Gilded Gold █
Symbol	Centaur
Flower	Yellow Rose
Chapters	270
Free label	Iotas, Centaurs, Outlaws
Headquarters	Founders Hall 1600 North Calvert Street Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Homepage	Iota Phi Theta Website

The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (ΙΦΘ) is a nationally incorporated, predominantly African-American fraternity was founded at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Iota Phi Theta presently consists of 35,000 members. There are currently around 270 undergraduate and alumni chapters, as well as colonies located in over 40 US states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas and South Korea.

Contents 1 History 2 Founders 3 National Programs [1] 4 Notable Members [2] 4.1 Business 4.2 Politics and Government 4.3 Academic 4.4 Athletics 4.5 Media and Entertainment 5 External links 6 References

[edit] History

The fraternity was founded by twelve men in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. Influenced by the times and by people and organizations such as the Black Panthers, SNCC, Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael. Iota brothers participated in various protests and sit-ins throughout the city of Baltimore. The founders of the fraternity were themselves not of the norm as they were all non-traditional students. They were older than their peers with many of them having served in the military, working full-time while attending classes, and having families. On September 19, 1963, in the height of the Civil Rights' Movement, these twelve founders gathered together on the steps of Hertz Gymnasium on the campus of Morgan State College (now known as Morgan State University) and formed Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity was formed as a support system for men of color living during the turbulent social climate of the U.S. at the time.

Since its founding date, Iota Phi Theta has continued to grow and has become the fifth-largest predominantly black organization in the United States. As of now, there are over 35,000 members in the United States and overseas. Part of Iota Phi Theta's appeal is that, as an organization, it refuses to have its members bind themselves to a certain fraternal image while celebrating the individuality of its members. More importantly, its members continue to build upon the fraternity's commitment to success and excellence with their individual and collective achievements in various fields such as: politics, education, law, business, medicine, performing arts. The brothers strive to uphold its five principles: Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood.

The fraternity is a member of both the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization comprised of nine (9) International Historically African-American Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

Iota Phi Theta has a similar, non-Greek "little sister" organization known as the Iota Sweethearts. Iota Sweethearts are Nationally known throughout the fraternity. Founded by Audrey S. Brooks in 1964, one year later than the fraternity itself, the goal and incentives of the Iota Sweethearts is to assist, support, and market the brothers of the fraternity. Iota sweethearts do not participate in a membership intake process.

[edit] Founders

• Albert Hicks
• Lonnie Spruill, Jr.
• Charles Briscoe
• Frank Coakley
• John Slade
• Barron Willis
• Webster Lewis
• Charles Brown
• Louis Hudnell
• Charles Gregory
• Elias Dorsey, Jr.
• Michael Williams

[edit] National Programs ^[1]

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. takes pride in its continued effort of facilitating and partaking in various community service events and initiatives throughout various communities, especially those that are disenfranchised.

• The National Iota Foundation - 501(c)3 non-profit organization utilized to obtain funding for charitable causes and philanthropic programming.
• The I.O.T.A. Youth Alliance - Youth Mentoring Program
• The Digital Heritage Initiative - African-American History Education Initiative.
• The Afya (aah-fee-yah) Njema (j-ma) Program - Physical/Mental/Spiritual Health program.
• The Developing Better Fatherhood Project - Initiative to combat the issue of the retention of fathers in the lives of their children.
• The IOTA Political Mobilization Campaign - Political Action, Political Education, Voter Mobilization Program.
• Community Reclamation Initiative - Program to address the breakdown of the African-American community.
• Cultural Education Movement - Initiative to promote the historical value and the contributions of the African and African-American cultures to the world-at-large.

[edit] Notable Members ^[2]

[edit] Business

• Raymond Grady: President & CEO, Evanston Hospital, Evanston Illinois
• Zemira Jones: Vice-President of Operations, Radio One, Inc.
• Earl King: Vice President/Investment Center Manager, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
• Kevin Lofton: President and CEO, Catholic Health Initiatives
• Shelley Stewart: Vice President, Supply Chain, Tyco Corporation
• Joseph Williams: President & CEO, Hibernia Southcoast Capital, New Orleans, LA
• Ed Wood: Senior Vice President, Liberty Bank & Trust, New Orleans, LA
• David A. Jackson, Vice President, Southern Division, One Economy Corporation

[edit] Politics and Government

• Tim Baylor: Lt. Governor Candidate (DFL, 2006), State of Minnesota
• Ashley Bell: Past National President, College Democrats of America
• Iota Founder Elias Dorsey, Jr.: Former Deputy Commissioner of Health, City of Baltimore, MD
• Norman Johnson, Esq.: Judge, District Court of Maryland
• Daniel Henson: Former Commissioner of Housing, City of Baltimore, MD
• Rickey Jones, Esq.: Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
• Billy Ocasio: Alderman, Chicago, Illinois
• Bobby Rush: United States Congressman, D-Illinois
• Theodore N. Stephens, II, Esq.: Judge, City Municipal Court, Orange NJ
• James L. Walls Jr.: Mayor, City of District Heights, MD
• SGM Karl A. Roberts, US Army, Iota Phi Theta National Director of Military Affairs
• W.Montegue Winfield, Major General, Commanding General United States Army Cadet Command; Fort Monroe, Virginia.

[edit] Academic

• Dr. Brian K. Johnson http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/president/: President, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
• Sterling Hudson, III: Dean of Admissions, Morehouse College
• Dr. J. Keith Motley: Chancellor, University of Massachusetts, Boston
• Dr. Steven Ray: Associate Professor of African American Studies; Director, Urban Theological Institute, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
• Dr. Michael Toney: Director, Student Programs & Assessment, University of Illinois, Chicago
• Robert Flot: Associate Dean of Students, Lake Forest College
• David A. Jackson: Adjunct Professor, Institute for Urban and Global Economic Development, Beulah Heights University, Atlanta
• Shaggy Flores: Nuyorican Writer, Poet, African Diaspora Scholar Virginia State University

[edit] Athletics

• Elvin Hayes: NBA Hall of Fame
• Chidi Iwuoma: former Defensive Back, Pittsburgh Steelers. Super Bowl Champion
• Dave Leitao: Head Basketball Coach, University of Virginia
• Melvin Lister: 2000 and 2004 Olympic Team, Long Jump / Triple Jump
• Calvin Murphy: NBA Hall-of-Fame
• Kirby Wilson: Assistant (Running Backs) Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Tommie Frazier: Quarterback, University of Nebraska. Arguably one of the greatest college football players of all time. 2-time consensus National Champion 1994-1995 Led the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers who were voted the best College team of all-time by ESPN.com. Individually, he is ranked #33 on the Top Greatest College Football Players of All-Time (CollegeFootballNews.com)

[edit] Media and Entertainment

• Iota Founder Webster Lewis: Composer, Musician, Educator
• Terrence "T.C." Carson: Television, Film, & Theatre Actor, (Formerly of "Living Single")
• Spencer Christian: former Weather Anchorman, "Good Morning America"
• Michael ("Mike City") Flowers: Music Producer/Composer
• Desi Arnez Hines, II: Film Actor, (Boyz in the Hood, Harlem Nights, House Party)
• George Nock: Award-winning Fine Artist (and former Washington Redskins Running Back)
• Jason Manuel Olazabal: Film, Theatre, & Television Actor (Bad Boys II, Inside Man, Law & Order)

[edit] External links

• Iota Phi Theta's official website
• The National Iota Foundation website

[edit] References

1. <cite id="endnote_<service>" style="font-style: normal;">^  Iota Phi Theta Service Initiatives
2. <cite id="endnote_<notable>" style="font-style: normal;">^  Iota Phi Theta Notable Iota Men

• Ross, Lawrence, Jr. "The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities", 2000

v • d • e National Pan-Hellenic Council (In order by founding Date) Alpha Phi Alpha 1906  · Alpha Kappa Alpha 1908  · Kappa Alpha Psi 1911  · Omega Psi Phi 1911 · Delta Sigma Theta 1913  · Phi Beta Sigma 1914  · Zeta Phi Beta 1920  · Sigma Gamma Rho 1922  · Iota Phi Theta 1963

v • d • e North-American Interfraternity Conference Acacia • Alpha Gamma Rho • Alpha Gamma Sigma • Alpha Delta Gamma • Alpha Delta Phi • Alpha Epsilon Pi • Alpha Kappa Lambda • Alpha Sigma Phi • Alpha Tau Omega • Alpha Phi Alpha • Alpha Phi Delta • Alpha Chi Rho • Beta Sigma Psi • Beta Theta Pi • Beta Chi Theta • Delta Kappa Epsilon • Delta Sigma Phi • Delta Tau Delta • Delta Upsilon • Delta Phi • Delta Chi • Delta Psi • FarmHouse • Zeta Beta Tau • Zeta Psi • Theta Delta Chi • Theta Xi • Theta Chi • Iota Nu Delta • Iota Phi Theta • Kappa Alpha Order • Kappa Alpha Psi • Kappa Alpha Society • Kappa Delta Rho • Kappa Delta Phi • Lambda Theta Phi • Lambda Sigma Upsilon • Lambda Phi Epsilon • Lambda Chi Alpha • Omega Delta Phi • Pi Kappa Alpha • Pi Kappa Phi • Pi Lambda Phi • Sigma Alpha Epsilon • Sigma Alpha Mu • Sigma Lambda Beta • Sigma Nu • Sigma Pi • Sigma Tau Gamma • Sigma Phi Delta • Sigma Phi Epsilon • Sigma Phi Society • Sigma Chi • Tau Delta Phi • Tau Epsilon Phi • Tau Kappa Epsilon • Triangle • Phi Gamma Delta • Phi Iota Alpha • Phi Kappa Theta • Phi Kappa Sigma • Phi Kappa Tau • Phi Kappa Psi • Phi Lambda Chi • Phi Mu Delta • Phi Sigma Kappa • Phi Sigma Phi • Chi Phi • Chi Psi • Psi Upsilon