AHΩ Alumni Chapter Columbus, Ohio
Watch: ΙΦΘ – The Story Behind 63
Iota Phi Theta was founded on September 19, 1963, at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated is an international organization dedicated to social service and remains true to the original aims of its founders.
Additionally, the fraternity’s membership is not limited to African Americans, it has expanded to include all races, creeds, or national origins. The fraternity’s colors are Charcoal Brown and Gilded Gold.
From coast to coast, Iota Phi Theta continues to be committed to our founders’ vision of “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”
The Honorable Founders of ΙΦΘ
Watch: ΙΦΘ – The Founders Speak
Most Honorable Founder John D. Slade’s Literary Legacy
The Fall of 1963 was a wonderful time to be young, Black, and a college student in America. For African Americans, hope was not only alive, it was brighter than ever. It was students who filled the buses and took the freedom rides in the Deep South. Sometimes they were jailed, injured, and killed. But in 1963 the movement was in full swing. At Morgan State College (within view of the memorial statue of Frederick Douglas) Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill Jr., Charles Briscoe, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey Jr., Michael Williams, Frank Coakley, John D. Slade, Barron Willis and Webster Lewis congregated on the steps of Hurt Gymnasium and conceived IOTA PHI THETA.
In this autobiography, John Slade reveals how his life has been on a direct but sometimes confusing track to happiness. The bold choices he made often could have been disastrous, but instead supported his righteous indignation about social injustice. Furthermore, his moral courage enhanced his certainty that the course of our lives is directed by a divine power. We simply have to heighten our awareness and receive God’s signals.
Finally, as a husband, father, grandfather, and Founder of Iota Phi Theta one of the largest fraternities in the world; he allows you to see in this autobiographical novel his life evolve into its perfect self-actualized state of constant happiness and love.
“As a young man, along with 11 other young men, we felt as though as we want to start our own…”
Most Honorable Founder Lonnie Spruill, Jr.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. was featured on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show on its 59th Founders’ Day. Our Most Honorable Founder, Lonnie Spruill, Jr. was the guest. He is the last living Founder of one of the Divine 9 Black Greek organizations.
BLACK PAST AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
