The DIVINE 9 are historically Black Greek letter organizations that were founded between 1906 to 1963 by African Americans enrolled as undergraduates in various universities. Together they operate as the National Pan Hellenic Council. These organizations comprise 4 million members across the world. The founders of each organization created these sororities and fraternities because they could not join the predominantly white organizations in the 1900s. These organizations are committed to public service, scholarship, brotherhood and sisterhood and social action. They have made an impact on African American history and culture, and exist because of a desire to elevate themselves and their communities.
These organizations evolved during a period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Members of the Divine 9 were heavily involved in several social justice movements such as: the Women’s Suffrage march, Civil Rights Movement, and Black Lives Matter. They all promote excellence in education, especially higher education.
Each organization has a programmatic arm that includes advocating for closing wealth and healthcare disparities, civil and voting rights, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and creating jobs with livable wages. They all ascribe to robust community service and mentoring. These organizations have made significant strides to help unite Black communities across the United States and internationally and continue to be a catalyst for change on college campuses and beyond. To learn more about the history of these organizations, you can read “The Divine Nine: The History of African-American Fraternities and Sororities.” by Historian Lawrence C. Ross.
THE FOLLOWING FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES MAKE UP THE NINE HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS, KNOWN AS THE DIVINE 9:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded on Dec. 4, 1906, at Cornell University.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded on Jan. 15, 1908, at Howard University.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on Jan. 5, 1911, at Indiana University
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on Nov. 17, 1911, at Howard University.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Inc. was founded on Jan. 9, 1914, at Howard University.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is the sister organization to Phi beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and was founded on Jan. 16, 1920.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded at Butler university in Indiana on Nov. 12, 1922.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. was founded on Sept. 19, 1963,at Morgan State University.