The Divine Nine

The Divine Nine

Who or What are they?

The Divine Nine are the nine historically Black Greek letter organizations that are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s African Americans were discriminated upon and not allowed to undergo the process of rush in order to join the white fraternities and sororities. They craved the need to be able to form a union in which they could all come together and share similar attitudes and beliefs and feel accepted. In 1906, at Cornell University, was the establishment and the commencement of the traditionally, most powerful, and influential groups in African American society—The Divine Nine.

The Nine…

Each one of these organizations has their own strong background and is rich in history. In 1906, at Cornell University the first black Greek fraternity was established. This is the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Shining across thousands of campuses in their colors of black and gold, the Alphas carry the pride of being the first black Greek organization ever established. Following in their footsteps are the Alphas “sisters,” the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated founded just two years later. The other ones are Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, aka, the “pretty boys,” Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and their sisters, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. These organizations have their own plan and purpose but mainly promote progress and success economically and educationally, while also providing service to aid their community. Each of the organizations has established their own mission statement by which is an objective the different members go about in each Greek chapter. For example, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated mission statement states:

“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world.”

These organizations have a plan participate in or throw many different activities on campus in order to make the college experience interesting and successful for college students of all crowds.

Stomping the Yard

A main theme of each of the organizations promote is unity. One way they do this is by the organizations coming together and stepping, or strolling. According to a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority,

“Strolling, sometimes called party walking, is a synchronized routine done in single file to predetermined music. But no description can do strolling justice. You have to see and feel it to understand.”

Each organization is very distinct and unique in their own ways. Besides their organizational colors and symbols, and sign, one way to distinguish them from the others is their dance movements. For example, the Kappas are known to chimmey in a line or swirl their red and white canes, while the Omegas are known to jump around and have high energy filled movements. The AKAs promote conceitedness and a strong self-esteem by constantly whipping their hair and pretend to look in a mirror, while the Sigma Gamma Rho girls tend to place their hands in front of them and move their shoulders from side to side to imitate a cute poodle. From their steps to their strolls these different characteristics set them apart from each other.

Below is a link that will take you to a youtube video, showing the divine nine performing together (A Unity Stroll):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUeq8gAsE14&feature=related