In the spring of 1996, Founding Monarch Melissa Jo Murchison-Blake was in search of sisterhood. She wanted to be part of a family that openly embraced all women and crossed cultural boundaries. As a bi-racial woman, she did not want to choose between historically Caucasian or African-American sororities. Founding Monarch Murchison-Blake felt that if she did choose one, she would deny half of her heritage.

Still wanting to be part of a strong sisterhood, Founding Monarch Murchison-Blake recruited six other women to join hands in her quest to found Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority. At first, the Founding Monarchs were discouraged from fulfilling their vision. The Director of Greek Affairs advised them to consider joining an existing organization, expressing his concern that a new Greek organization, based on the principle of multiculturalism, would not survive at UNC-Chapel Hill. However, the Founding Monarchs believed there was a need for such a sisterhood. their efforts set the stage for Theta Nu Xi’s presence in the Greek, non-Greek, and surrounding communities.

After much work and dedication, the Founding Monarchs built the foundation for Theta Nu Xi. Finally, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill officially recognized Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority as the Alpha Chapter on April 11, 1997. With the collaborative efforts of the Founding Monarchs and the Sisters of Spring 1998, the organization grew beyond our expectations. The Sorority incorporated on April 29, 1999, and with the participation of the Alpha Chapter and Beta and Gamma Colonies, the National Organization was founded at the first annual National Convention on August 21, 1999.

In the fall of 2002, Founding Sister Jeanelle Folkes was looking for a sorority that would offer more than just sisterhood and permanent friendships. She wanted a sorority that any woman would feel comfortable joining, along with an opportunity to make changes on campus and in the surrounding communities. After doing research on Columbia University’s Greek community, she decided to find an organization that could provide exactly what she was looking for--and it was Theta Nu Xi. So she presented the idea to her best friends, Founding Sisters Joyce Liu, Charlotte Jacobs, and Tara Coleman. It was then that they decided to make a committment towards bringing Theta Nu Xi to Columbia University and Barnard College.

With the help of the Xi Alpha GAP chapter in New York City, the four women dedicated themselves to a two-year long chargering process, enduring many disappointments. But through it all, they stuck together and kept each other strongly motivated. On November 20, 2004, they took their friendship to a new level of permanent sisterhood when they became Sisters of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., founding the Chi Chapter at Columbia University. With many beautiful, creative, and multi-faceted personalities to offer, it was decided that their Chapter would be known as “charismatic”, making them the Charismatic Chi Chapter.

The Chi Chapter is the first undergraduate colony of Theta Nu Xi to be established within the Ivy League, as well as Columbia University’s first and only multicultural sorority.