HBCU: Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In the United States, Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCU) (a type of minority-serving institution or MSI) are colleges or universities that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the African American community. Prior to 1964, African-Americans were almost always excluded from higher education opportunities at the predominantly white colleges and universities — with notable exceptions such as the integrated Hillsdale College in Michigan and Oberlin College in Ohio.

There are more than 100 historically black colleges in the United States, located almost exclusively in the southern and eastern states. Four HBCUs are located in the midwestern states (two each in Missouri and Ohio), while one is in the Virgin Islands.

Morehouse Brother, a Man of Morehouse (College) who is connected with a Spelman (College) woman in a special ceremony during orientation week of their freshman year. The Morehouse Brother/Spelman Sister relationship is based on the idea that brothers and sisters should look out for one another.

Greek Organizations or "fraternity" and "sorority" (from the Latin words frater and soror, meaning "brother" and "sister" respectively) may be used to describe any number of social and charitable organizations, for example the Lions Club, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Rotary International, or the Shriners. In the United States and Canada, however, fraternities and sororities are most commonly known as social organizations for higher education students.

The Divine Nine is the informal name for the nine black college fraternities and sororities:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) is an umbrella organization for nine historically-black, international Greek letter fraternities and sororities. Each of the nine NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African-Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded other college students.

NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C. NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.

The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.

Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta were the 6 founding members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) in 1930. Other NPHC members joined later -- Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1997). http://www.nphchq.org/about.htm

The organization's stated purpose and mission in 1930: Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.

Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated, a family organization providing cultural, social, civic, and recreational activities that stimulate and expand the mind to enhance life. Jack and Jill was founded on January 24, 1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Mrs. Marion Stubbs Thomas.“To us as mothers, it has become a means of furthering an inherent and natural desire ...to bestow upon our children all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to a beautiful adulthood.” - Marion Turner Stubbs Thomas, Founder

Black American Princess (BAP) 1: a pampered American female of African descent born to an upper-middle or upper-class family 2: an African-American female whose life experiences give her a sense of royalty and entitlement 3: an African-American female accustomed to the best and nothing less.

The Black American Princess Handbook, a satirical book written by four prominent black women that offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at this exclusive lifestyle. A total guide to BAP speak, BAP style, and BAP history, this one-of-a-kind book explains everything you ever wanted know about living the BAP life–from breaking in a shop-a-phobic dad to planning a magical BAP debutante ball.

Smooth jazz, generally described as a genre of music that utilizes instruments (and, at times, improvisation) traditionally associated with jazz and stylistic influences drawn from, among other sources, funk, pop and R&B. Since the late 1980s, it has become highly successful as a radio format; one can tune in to a "smooth jazz"-themed station nearly everywhere in the United States. Smooth jazz artists include: Dave Koz, Kim Waters, Kirk Whalum, Boney James, and Pieces of a Dream.

Uppity Negro, 1. A fearless black person who by social definition is “not in their place”. Unapologetic. 2. A black person who knows his or her American legacy, his or her actualized social status, and his or her social and emotional plights with still the identical high regard to self as an equally entitled American due the same privileges, attitudes, concessions, and respectability of the entitled.

A fair, just, and loyal person. Historically, a Black person who has been reprimanded or persecuted for voicing his/her dissatisfaction with or rejection of the sub-standard treatment of himself or other Black people. A Black person who holds others fully accountable for their actions and demands adequate treatment from everyone including family members. A Black person who was never or is no longer willing to rearrange himself or conform her behaviors simply to ensure the comfort of White people. A Black person who requires and demands respect, fair treatment, and regard. A Black person who is committed to reversing the crimes of self-refusal, self-denial, and self-hatred that are endemic to the Black community and detrimental to the Black psyche. One who is not in his or her place; furthermore, an Uppity Negro is one who has no concept of “place” definable by factors such as race or class. An Uppity Negro’s place is wherever he or she chooses it to be. www.uppitynegro.com

What it do, slang for "whats up" or "what's the deal." Originated in California and/or Texas.

Itis, the drowsy sleepy feeling you get after eating a large meal. Usual meals like big Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Boondocks, a remote or inaccessible area. usually used in conjunction with the article 'the' (a.k.a. the boonies). Also, a comic strip about two African American city kids adjusting to life in white suburbia with their grandfather.

Upgrade, to make something better. Upgrade u or upgrade you refers to Beyonce's song. To upgrade someone is to make them a better person. Being with you is an upgrade for them.

Wild'n out, to act in a crazy, insane, or humorous manner, usually involving improvising an action.