As Black History Month begins to wrap up, the University of Iowa’s National Pan-Hellenic Council of Greek organizations hosted a week to educate those affiliated in Greek life on campus.

As Black History Month begins to wrap up, the University of Iowa’s National Pan-Hellenic Council of Greek organizations hosted a week to educate those affiliated in Greek life on campus.

UI’s National Pan-Hellenic Council is home of seven of the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

These organizations were created at a time when black students were excluded from main-stream college experiences and Greek life.

Today, these groups carry cultural traditions including strolling, a stomp dance usually performed in a line.

Ancient African dance influences the strolling tradition, that focuses on foot stomps, spoken word and hand claps.

“It’s extremely important to maintain the tradition of strolling and stepping here at the University of Iowa,” Delta Sigma Theta member Ar’tesia McCoy said. “We are at a primarily white institution and a lot of things about minorities can be lost, so it is important to have African-American organizations on campus in general.”

The Daily Iowan TV has the full story

UI’s National Pan-Hellenic Council is home of seven of the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

These organizations were created at a time when black students were excluded from main-stream college experiences and Greek life.

Today, these groups carry cultural traditions including strolling, a stomp dance usually performed in a line.

Ancient African dance influences the strolling tradition, that focuses on foot stomps, spoken word and hand claps.

“It’s extremely important to maintain the tradition of strolling and stepping here at the University of Iowa,” Delta Sigma Theta member Ar’tesia McCoy said. “We are at a primarily white institution and a lot of things about minorities can be lost, so it is important to have African-American organizations on campus in general.”

The Daily Iowan TV has the full story