The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). These organizations were founded on college campuses across the United States during the early 20th century and played a significant role in providing support, leadership, and a sense of community for African American students. Each of the organizations has its own unique history, traditions, and values, but they all share a common goal of promoting excellence, scholarship, service, and brotherhood or sisterhood. The Divine Nine organizations include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. These organizations have had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities. They have been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, advocating for social justice and equality.
Preparing young ladies for leadership is a 21st Century goal, the Delta Academy provides enrichment opportunities for girls ages 11-14. Local Delta chapters assist by enhancing the skills learned in classrooms throughout the country. Activities include field trips, cultural exposure, technology training and workshops. These activities may occur on weekends, after school, monthly or weekly depending on the needs of the community.
Many of those members who are not actively involved with their perspective organizations still heed the call to service and donate their time, talent and treasure for the common good. , an early leader in the fight for women s rights, also created programs in the1930s that provided books and career guidance to young African American students.
They have been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, advocating for social justice and equality. They have also been leaders in the fields of education, business, politics, and the arts. Through their various programs and initiatives, the Divine Nine organizations have made significant contributions to their communities.
Sorority and Fraternity Life
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC), also referred to as the Divine Nine, is the umbrella organization housing nine black Greek-letter organizations. The NPHC was founded at Howard University in Washington, DC on May 10, 1930, and incorporated under laws in Illinois in 1937. Its member organizations include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Altogether, the council’s membership exceeds 1.5 million individuals around the world. In 1995, the first international chapter was formed in Nassau, Bahamas.
The goal of the National Pan-Hellenic Council is to promote unity among its member organizations and address problems of mutual interest to those organizations. In the 1960s, for example, the NPHC became a crucial supporter of the efforts of civil rights organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). While the NPHC recognizes separate priorities of the organizations within the Council, it also encourages all member organizations to support the leading national programs of the other Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
The purpose of the NPHC shall be to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. To this end, the NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC and provides leadership training for its constituents.
History of the Divine Nine
Each of the nine NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white institution campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for African Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing common goals and ideals.
With the realization of such a need, the African American (Black) Greek-lettered organization movement took on the personae of a haven and outlet, which could foster brotherhood and sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change through the development of social programs that would create positive change for Black people and the country. Today the need remains the same.
NPHC at Ohio State
The National Pan-Hellenic Council at The Ohio State University (NPHC-Ohio State), which started as the Black Greek Council, was chartered in the fall of 1995. The National Pan-Hellenic Council at The Ohio State University is the umbrella agent for the nine historically black Greek lettered organizations charted at The Ohio State University. Although the council was chartered in 1995, the organizations have existed on campus dating back to 1911.
NPHC-Ohio State’s mission is to exist as a cooperative who strives to be an inclusive community dedicated to supporting and developing member organizations, individual members, and the community at-large through educational, social, and civic initiatives. 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. Through intentional and impactful educational, social, and philanthropic initiatives, the National Pan-Hellenic Council at The Ohio State University is committed to:
- Fostering an inclusive, social justice-oriented environment for all its members and the community at-large;
- Supporting all of its members with the campus and community resources to maintain high achievement and standards;
- Educating the campus and community at-large on the history and foundation of our member organizations;
- Acting upon mutual concern to the member organizations;
- Maintaining positive relationships and collaboration with other governing councils within the sorority and fraternity community at The Ohio State University.
According to institutional archives, the council has been advocating for space and belonging on campus dated back to the 1970s, when the council members at the time, spoke out regarding not having adequate space to convene and engage the community in their initiatives like other fraternal organizations represented in the Greek community. The conversation around implementing physical representation for the council on campus has been occurring since the early 2000s. Today, the current council started having intentional conversations about this project and believed it was time to actually make this project happen in order to celebrate our history, while developing a legacy for our community that will have a lasting impact on the Ohio State community.
NPHC Member Organizations at Ohio State
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Founding Date: December 4, 1906
Principles: Scholarship, Fellowship, Good Character, and Uplifting of Humanity
Motto: “First of All, Servants of All, We Transcend All”
Colors: Black and Old Gold
Chapter: Kappa
Charter Date: January 13, 1911
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Founding Date: January 15, 1908
Principles: Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service to All Humankind
Motto: “By Culture and By Merit”
Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Chapter: Theta
Charter Date: February 2, 1921
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated
Founding Date: January 5, 1911
Motto: “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor”
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Chapter: Zeta
Charter Date: December 8, 1915
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
Founding Date: November 17, 1911
Principles: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift
Motto: “Friendship is Essential to the Soul”
Colors: Royal Purple and Old Gold
Chapter: Iota Psi
Charter Date: March 17, 1926
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Founding Date: January 13, 1913
Principles: Scholarship, Service and Sisterhood
Motto: “Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom”
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Chapter: Epsilon
Charter Date: November 19, 1919
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
Founding Date: January 9, 1914
Principles: Brotherhood, Scholarship, Service
Motto: “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity”
Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White
Chapter: Delta Omicron
Founding Date: May 8, 1969
Charter Date: November 15, 1969
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Founding Date: January 16, 1920
Principles: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, Finer Womanhood
Motto: “Community-Conscious, Action-Oriented Organization”
Colors: Royal Blue and White
Chapter: Xi Gamma
Charter Date: January 27, 1968
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
Founding Date: November 12, 1922
Principles: Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service
Motto: “Greater Service, Greater Progress”
Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Chapter: Delta Phi
Charter Date: December 4, 1971
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated
Founding Date: September 19, 1963
Principles: Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, Brotherhood Among Men
Motto: “Building A Tradition, Not Resting Upon One”
Colors: Charcoal Brown and Gilded Gold
Chapter: Beta Mu
Charter Date: April 16, 1988
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They have established scholarships and mentoring programs, organized community service projects, and provided leadership training and support for young people. The Divine Nine organizations continue to thrive and play a vital role in the lives of their members and the communities they serve. They are a testament to the power of unity, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. And while they represent a unique part of African American history and culture, their impact extends far beyond their own communities. The values and ideals they embody serve as an inspiration to all who strive for greatness and seek to make a positive difference in the world..
Reviews for "Pioneers of Integration: How the Divine Nine Helped Shape Civil Rights History"
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