Author Walter Kimbrough will speak at 7 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Carl Sandburg Auditorium about the origin of Greek organizations.

Kimbrough wrote the book “Black Greeks 101: Culture, Customs and Challenges of the Black Fraternities and Sororities.”

Kimbrough also is the vice president of Student Affairs at Albany State University (Ga.). He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Darnell Bradley, program coordinator for fraternities and sororities at NIU, said the speaker is sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and the College Panhellenic Council.

“He’s an amazing speaker,” Bradley said. “He knows so much about all Greek organizations.”

Bradley said Kimbrough will speak about how Greek organizations started in America and developed on college campuses. Kimbrough is an expert on fraternal organizations and will talk about the development of Hispanic and Asian-oriented sororities and fraternities. He will focus on black fraternities and sororities.

Many people are misinformed about how Greek organizations started, Bradley said.

“Students should come and hear him dispel myths about fraternities and sororities,” Bradley said.

Bradley said Kimbrough also will talk about his book, “Black Greeks 101.” The book is about history of black Greek organizations and the struggles they still face today. Kimbrough also will address questions from students.

Bradley said this will be a great event for those interested in joining a Greek organization.

Copies of “Black Greeks 101” will be sold at the event. Soft-cover books are $20 and hard-cover editions are $40.

The event is free and open to all.