MALIK (fraternity)

MALIK Fraternity, Inc., previously known as MALIK Sigma Psi or MΣΨ, is an American multicultural intercollegiate fraternity founded in 1977, at CW Post College of Long Island University for men of color. Rather than refer to themselves as black Greeks, they use the term "Afrikan Fraternalists". Though mainly aimed toward Black, Brown, and Latino men, MALIK has members of all races, ethnicities, and creeds.

History

Roland K. Hawkins, Larry B. Martin, and Darryl L. Mitchell first conceived of the fraternity and are known as its Khalifas. In its organizational state, the Khalifas defined the fraternity's values as "S.N.A.K.E.": Success, Nobility, Achievement, Knowledge, and Enlightenment. The Khalifas recruited twelve more founders, later called the Sir Crowns of MALIK Sigma Psi because every king has a crown. The Sir Crowns of MALIK Sigma Psi were:

Together these 15 men established MALIK Sigma Psi on May 18, 1977, at CW Post College of Long Island University.History of MAILK Fraternity
/ref> MALIK was founded as, and still is, a social justice fraternity. Its founders were men of color; several were of Latino ancestry.

Although a fraternity, the founders set the precedence of being very open with information, symbols, and knowledge, a major departure from the very secretive nature of traditional fraternalism. Ideologically, MALIK is against the idea of black Greeks. It organizes its Kingdoms (chapters) according to the Arabic alphabet as opposed to Greek letters. Rather than referring to themselves as being black Greeks, members of MALIK use the term "Afrikan Fraternalists". The group did not join the National Pan Hellenic Council.

MALIK was incorporated in the State of New York in 1979. On May 18, 2002, MALIK Sigma Psi transitioned its name to MALIK Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity still uses the acronym MSP, though it has a completely separate meaning from MΣΨ.

In October 2023, MALIK joined the National Multicultural Greek Council, as it was a better fit for the fraternity's vision of multiculturalism. Its national headquarters is in New York City, New York.

Symbols and traditions

African Fraternalism includes such beliefs as the African origin of civilization, reclaiming the stolen legacy of African knowledge, the oneness of all African peoples, the importance of ritual and initiation, the value of a male ritual kinship system, respect for and seeking equal partnership with women, the reception and cultivation of the Spirit of Learning, the necessity of serving the community, the calling to work on one's personal and spiritual development, the study and promotion of "MALIKology" and African symbology, and the usage of African symbolism.

MALIKology is the Fraternity's interpretation of the "science of manhood." The acronym MALIK is represented as Manhood, Achievement, Leadership, Integrity, and Knowledge. It is a synthesis of science, history, philosophy, and cultural values and practices from the African Diaspora about the nature, purpose, direction, function, and responsibility of manhood. The group's name partially comes from the Arabic name of Malcolm X.

The group had originally used an entirely Swahili and Arabic name but were forced to change it because of New York's requirement that all college fraternities must have at least two Greek letters in their name. In this case the M is the Latin Alphabet, as opposed to being a Mu while the Σ and Ψ are both Greek letters. The name of the fraternity can also be written as "ملك" or "م ل ك", reflecting the fraternity's use of the Arabic abjad as opposed to the Greek alphabet.

The fraternity's motto is "The Mind is the Standard of the Man". Its pillars are Manhood, Achievement, Leadership, Integrity, and knowledge. Its colors are orange and black. Its symbol is The Angry Afrikan. Its mascot is the snake. Its members are called The Kings, The Steel, and Velvet Brothers. Its publication is ''The Crown''.

Foundation

In 2013, the MALIK Foundation, Incorporated was established as an IRC Section 501(c)(3) "to ensure the freedom, resilience and wellness of African and African Diasporic communities..." The Foundation holds an annual fundraising dinner called the Black History Month Gala. The foundation's focus areas are male youth development, community resilience, and leadership development.

Chapters

Collegiate

The undergraduate kingdoms (chapters) of MALIK are named after the letters in the Arabic alphabet in the common hijāʾī order. Undergraduate colonies are called villages until meeting certain criteria. In the following list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are in ''italics''.

Graduate

Graduate Shabazz or chapters are named after their locations and letters in the Arabic alphabet. In the following list, active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in ''italics''.

Auxiliary Groups

24 women established the Malik Melodies Sweetheart Club on the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University on December 14, 1978, as a social service organization and the official auxiliary women's group to MALIK Fraternity.Malik Melodies - Our Founders
/ref> Malik Melodies was reorganized in 1998 as the Malik Melodies Sisterhood, Inc, becoming an independently run organization.

Notable members

Honorary members

* Charles Barron (honorary, New York Assembly
* Yosef Ben-Jochannan (honorary) historian and writer
* Pablo Guzmán (honorary), television personality
* Gil Noble (honorary), television reporter and personality
* Richie Pérez (honorary) teacher and activist

See also

*History of North American fraternities and sororities
*List of African-American Greek and fraternal organizations
*List of Latino Greek-letter organizations
* National Multicultural Greek Council

References

External links

MALIK Fraternity, Inc. National Website

{{Long Island University

1977 establishments in New York (state)
African-American fraternities and sororities
Long Island University
Student organizations established in 1977