Nashville, Tennessee has a long and captivating relationship with fraternities that dates back to 1847. That's when the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity established its third chapter at the University of Nashville, kickstarting Greek life in the city. Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Phi Kappa Psi followed suit in the next decade, helping to create local councils on campuses and in their respective communities. In 1955, the Nashville Alumni Chapter made a major move by purchasing a fraternity house at 901 26th Ave. This provided a physical space for members to come together and socialize, and by 1976, it was home to several members of various organizations, including Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
These members were involved in several organizations that sought to recognize fraternities and sororities for their work in all areas of the community. These included the National Black Leadership Roundtable, the National Coalition for Black Voter Participation, the NAACP, the Urban League, the National Council of Black Women, the United Black University Fund, the National Interfraternal Conference, the National Panhellenic Conference, the Fraternity Advisors Association, the Association of Fraternity Executives, and the Congressional Black Caucus. In order to honor these fraternities and sororities for their achievements and contributions to society, the Chancellor Heard Greek Awards were created. This award recognizes individual members and volunteers who have made a positive impact on their communities.
