BLACK MEN MATTER SERIES┃ Beta Sigma Omega ┃ Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: The Men of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 Beta Sigma Omega Alumni Chapter Evanston, Illinois Chartered in 2009 This episode of "The Male Perspective" features Bro. Kendric Johnson, the chapter’s current Polaris, and Bro. Carlos Garrido, one of the charter members of the chapter. As the chapter sees an influx of new members and expands its presence in Evanston, they highlight the ongoing community service efforts of Beta Sigma Omega, through local and national initiatives of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. For more information on Beta Sigma Omega: https://www.facebook.com/BSOIotas https://www.instagram.com/bso_iotas/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/294578930971 . . . On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded what is now the nation's fifth largest, predominately African-American social service fraternity: The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated. The Honorable Founders of Iota Phi Theta were: Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill, Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Lewis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey, Jr., and Michael Williams. …many of these men were what are now referred to as "Non-Traditional Students" and were 3-5 years older than the average college student. Gregory, Willis, and Brown were all service veterans, and Brown, Hicks, and Briscoe were married with small children. Of this group of 12, several were also working full-time jobs and all were full-time students.   Based upon their ages, heightened responsibilities, and increased level of maturity, this group had a slightly different perspective than the norm for college students. It was this perspective from which they established the Fraternity's purpose, “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.” Additionally, they conceived the Fraternity's motto, "Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!” (https://iotaphitheta.org) #BlackMenMatter #BlackMenAreDope #BlackCulture #DopeBlackness #IotaPhiThetaFraternityInc #IotaPhiTheta #Iotas #IPT1963 #IotaMen "The Male Perspective" is hosted by Lana Reid, the founder of ⁠Conversations in Color⁠, a nonprofit 501(c)3 grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.