African American Greek Life on Campus

Pictured: The Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1951, the first African American sorority at Illinois.

During the first half of the 20th century, many Champaign-Urbana realtors refused to lease to African Americans, making it difficult for them to find housing. Before the 1960's African American Greek life was one of the main ways for African American students to have housing on campus and be involved in some campus activities.