Stepping Across the Divide: Exploring How Culturally Based Fraternities and Sororities Influence African-Born Members’ Navigation of U.S. Higher Education, Race, and Racism

Abstract

In this study, we explored African-born students’ lived experiences in culturally based fraternities and sororities in the United States (U.S.), particularly the reasons they joined their organizations and the ways their articulated involvement influenced their college experiences and awareness of race and racism. Using a descriptive phenomenological research design, ten participants reflected on their lived experiences. Four emergent themes—Why I Joined, Cultural Acceptance, My College Experience, and Learning Race and Racism— describe the essence of the participants’ experiences. We close with recommendations for practice and future research.