The Unsung History of HBCU Greek Life Communities
Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) is set to debut their new four-part mini-series titled Crossing Over: Black Greek Life, which details the hidden history of Black Greek Life organizations across the state's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The series will premiere during LPB's weekly broadcast of Louisiana: The State We're In on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m, and will be followed by a new episode every Friday during the month of October. Viewers can also tune in to WLAE-TV32 at 7 p.m and WYES-TV at 7:30 p.m to watch the program, or watch on demand at www.lpb.org/lswi and www.lpb.org/lswi.
A Statewide Conversation
Louisiana is home to many prominent HBCUs, such as the Southern University system, Dillard University, Grambling State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. While Greek Life has been acknowledged as a prolific part of campus culture at predominantly white universities across the nation, there has been less conversation about the important role Black Greek Life plays for African American college students. LPB's new mini-series hopes to fill in these conversational gaps and emphasize the many ways Black Greek Life empowers HBCU students and preserves African American culture, while also addressing some problematic aspects of these organizations, such as colorism within the community.
"Sororities and fraternities play a vital role in uplifting my community. It's another beautiful layer of African American culture that many don't understand," said Crossing Over: Black Greek Life host Kara St. Cyr.
The mini-series is able to air with the support of a new four-part mini-series by PBS and Henry Louis Gates Jr. titled Making Black America: Through the Grapevine, which will premiere on LPB on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m.
For more information about Crossing Over: Black Greek Life or Louisiana Public Broadcasting, visit www.lpb.org/blackamerica.
