We have compiled a list of 28 rare pictures of what pledging a Black Greek fraternity/sorority looked like back in the day. We feel that these pictures honor NPHC history and give you a good look into the past. Enjoy!

Psi E’s Lamp Club pledging Omega Psi Phi, 1949.

[This post was originally posted on (2/11/14)]

Can you believe “The College Dropout” came out 10 years ago?!

Today marks ten years since Kanye West released his debut album, “The College Dropout” and we at Watch The Yard want to celebrate by remembering some of Yeezy’s best NPHC related lyrics. If you don’t remember already, as Kanye was coming up in the game, his main fan base consisted of college students. What better way to relate to them by dropping them a couple of shout outs now and then? Here is a list of some of Ye’s best NPHC related lines.

1. School Spirit

To start is off we can’t forget the most blatant shout out to Black Greekdom which came in the form of the song “School Spirit”

[Verse 2]
I got a Jones like Norah for your soror’
Bring more of them girls I’ve seen in the Aurora (Note: ‘The Aurora’ is the official magazine of the Sigma Gamma Rho)
Tammy, Becky, and Laura, or a Shirley
I’m trying to hit it early, like I’m in a hurry
See, that’s how dude became the young Pootie Tang: “tippy tow”
Roc-a-fella chain, yeah that’s my rapper style
Rosary piece, yeah that’s my Catholic style
Red and white One’s, yeah that’s my Kappa style
And I ain’t even pledge
Crack my head on the steering wheel and I ain’t even dead
If I could go through all that and still be breathing
B*tch bend over, I’m here for a reason

Click on the arrows below to see the rest of the references!

On September 19, 1963, in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, 12 men came together at Morgan State University (then Morgan State College) and created Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., an organization that prided itself on its refusal to have its members bind themselves to a defined fraternal image but instead celebrate the individuality of its members.

We at Watch The Yard recently came across a video of four founders of the fraternity speaking about the organization’s history, creation and its foundation on which its members stand proudly upon today.

Watch as four of the 12 founders including John Slade, Lonnie Spruill Jr., Elias Dorsey Jr., and Frank Coakley speak. It is truly a privilege to be able to see this piece of Black Greek history.

This video was shot by Tee Platinum

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