Iota Phi Theta
| Iota Phi Theta Inc. | |
|---|---|
| ΙΦΘ | |
 |
|
| Founded | September 19, 1963 Morgan State University |
| Type | Social |
| Emphasis | Service |
| Scope | International United States The Bahamas Colombia South Korea Japan |
| Motto |
Building A Tradition, Not Resting Upon One! and/or It Takes a Man! |
| Colors | Charcoal Brown █ and Gilded Gold █ |
| Symbol | Centaur |
| Flower | Yellow Rose |
| Chapters | 300+ |
| Members | 30,000+ collegiate |
| Nickname | Iotas, Centaurs, Outlaws, Thetaman |
| Headquarters |
Founders Hall 1600 North Calvert Street Baltimore, Maryland USA |
| Homepage | www.iotaphitheta.org |
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (ΙΦΘ) Incorporated is a nationally incorporated, historically African-American, collegiate fraternity whose purpose is the development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood among Men. It was founded on September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University (then Morgan State College) in Baltimore, Maryland. At present, it consists of over 70,000 members. There are currently over 300 undergraduate and alumni chapters, as well as colonies located in 40 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, The Bahamas, Colombia, South Korea, and Japan.
The fraternity holds membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization comprising nine international historically African-American Greek letter sororities and fraternities, and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). The Centaur magazine is the official publication of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. First published as a newsletter, the Centaur has evolved into a biannual magazine.
The fraternity was founded by 12 men — Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey Jr. and Michael Williams. It was begun in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, even though there were already four other prominent historically Black fraternities at the time. Influences included organizations such as the Black Panthers, SNCC, plus individuals like Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael. Iota brothers participated in various protests and sit-ins throughout the city of Baltimore. The Iota founders were distinguished from their peers as they were all non-traditional students. Three to five years older than their peers, many had served in the military, worked full-time while attending classes full-time, and had families with small children. These elements gave the founders a different perspective than the typical fraternity member.
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