Background
The Black fraternal movement traces its roots to the early 20th century, born from Black college students’ need for mutual support in a very racist era in higher education.
They were established to not only provide safe, supportive communities for Black students to develop and express cultural pride, but also intended to advance civil rights, education, and social mobility across generations.
Problem & purpose
Problem:
BGLOs are confronted with a convergence of cultural, structural, and generational challenges that threaten their relevance and sustainability.
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Hazing and ineffective risk-management practices continue to endanger member safety and undermine public trust.​
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Media portrayals and social-media culture often obscure the organizations’ historical commitments to scholarship, service, and social justice, contributing to a weakening of mission-driven engagement.
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Many chapters also struggle with declining membership, reduced programming capacity, and burnout.
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Inconsistent institutional support and limited cultural competency among student-affairs professionals.
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Collectively, these and other conditions have created an environment in which contemporary members may lack a deep understanding of BGLOs’ historical/cultural identity, activist origins, and enduring purpose.
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Purpose:
This study seeks to address these gaps by examining how visual learning and meaning making can strengthen organizational identity, renew civic engagement, and improve structural support for NPHC communities.
research question
How does photo elicitation of archival imagery related to BGLOs influence contemporary undergraduate members' perceptions, knowledge, and historical understanding of BGLO culture?