Wine Psi Phi


Wine Psi Phi a.k.a. W.I.N.E. Psi Phi is an African American Collegiate Fraternity. The 60's were a turbulent and a defining time for the plight of the college aged African American. College students, entering college at a higher rate than before were actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement.. Many students began to become very active in the fight for social equality. W.I.N.E. Psi Phi Social Fraternity, Inc. was founded March 2, 1959 at Howard University by Brothers Roy Brown, John Mason and Allen Cherry as a social activist organization originally known as the HUMS. Due to incidents where other fraternities on Howard's campus portrayed themselves as more conservative than what the Founders felt a fraternity should have been at that point in time, Founders Brown, Mason and Cherry envisioned a fraternity that would be a new experience in the fraternal world. The HUMS, with the motto of We Initiate New Experiences , changed their name to W.I.N.E. Psi Phi. in 1962. As their motto formed an acronym of "WINE," the Founders chose their symbols and colors accordingly. WINE received their Charter at Howard University in 1962. It also came about as an alternative to many traditional black Greek letter organizations. Wine Psi Phi was known for its performance in step shows. WINE is not a drinkers organization nor has it ever been one. Beyond the acronym W.I.N.E. and the use of Grapes as a symbol--the fraternity has nothing to do with actual wine. Drinking is not a prerequisite for initiation and it is not required of Brothers.

Chapter List

Wine Psi Phi chapters include: