Showing unity was the common goal for greek organizations from the National Pan-Hellenic Council Friday as they gave students a glimpse of their organization during “Meet the Greeks.”

The NPHC is a council of African-American Greek organizations and “Meet the Greeks” is a step show that allows greeks of NPHC to show the campus what each organization is all about.

Executing their signature moves by stepping, hopping, strolling and chanting, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. were four out of the nine NPHC organizations that performed Friday. There was also a special performance by Alpha Psi Lambda National Inc. the only Latin American greek organization on campus.

For many, it took weeks of practice to get them prepared for the show.

Brandon Hightower, treasurer of Omega Psi Phi, said the fraternity had times where some people who performed could not attend practice.

However, when they all were able to come together they practiced really hard, he said.

Drakayla Worthy, vice president of Sigma Gamma Rho, said her sorority would send one another videos of practices through a group chat until everyone came on back to campus.

“Once school started we literally had practice every day until the show. So, about three weeks [all] together,” Worthy said.

Torri Griffith, secretary of Zeta Phi Beta, said they started practicing in the summer.

“We had a sisterhood retreat and our step master showed us the steps and strolls,” Griffith said.

Since the retreat, Griffith said they would practice every day from 9 p.m. until about 10:30 p.m.

However, through the long practices, all the organizations made certain that their moves were executed with a message sent through their steps.

“As minorities on this campus we have to leave a mark,” Griffith said.

Though each group has their own signature moves, many of those who are involved with NPHC said their organizations still strived for unity with one another.

After hours of practicing, the four NPHC organizations that performed made sure that each step was sent with a message.

Cydne Garrett, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, said everyone put on the step show because they want to show that there is unity within the organizations.

“Once we all come together it creates a powerful message for the school and the community,” Garrett said. “It’s not just greek life we can introduce people to; it’s all types of things.”

Worthy said everyone who is a part of NPHC is the same regardless of the organization they are in.

“We all have the same goal which is to be successful,” Worthy said.

The roots of stepping come from Africa and Garrett said she wanted to acknowledge the importance of paying homage to her ancestors.

Garrett said she appreciates the fact that black fraternities and sororities want to honor their heritage by dancing and stepping.

Worthy said stepping is a form of expression that allows the sorority to come together as sisters and express themselves freely.

Astoria Griggs- Burns, president of Delta Sigma Theta, said their performance was centered around giving the campus a chance to know more about them.

“Part of our performance was giving the history to educate (people) on why we’re here and how our sorority was founded,” she said. “We are not just about dancing when songs come on… there are different things to us. We are all about scholarship, service and sisterhood —that’s what our performance was centered around.”

Griggs- Burns said greeks are recognized as student leaders on campus, so it is important to put on event like Meet the Greeks.

“People can see who we are so we can eventually mentor people,” she said.

Jakira Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or jdsmith12@eiu.edu.