The Divine Nine and the Formation of Black Studies
This post is part of our forum on “The Books, Archives, and Monuments That Shaped Me.”
As a fourth-generation member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., “legacy” is a concept that has followed me ever since I decided to attend Howard University for my undergraduate education. During my childhood in New Jersey, I was partially knowledgeable about Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), but a cursory look at my maternal family’s Alabama roots reconnected me to a longstanding family tradition of African American institutional life. My great-grandmother Lucille Griffin-Smith was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first sorority for college-educated African American women founded at Howard University. During my years studying at Howard, I did not pursue membership in a BGLO, but the proliferation of such institutions and their commitment to preserving Black History and engaging in community service did not elude me. After my graduation from Howard, I began to research my family’s history with intense fervor while also working at the African American Civil War Museum in Washington, DC as a Programming Consultant. In my research, I discovered that I was not the first in my family to get involved in museum work. My great-grandmother Lucille also played a role in shaping the content of an African American History museum through her community outreach work as a sorority sister.
As early as 1907, Howard University became a central hub for Black Greek History and the location of the “Alpha” chapter of five of the nine Greek Lettered organizations that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council, colloquially known as the “Divine Nine.” As scholar André McKenzie has explained in his research on HBCUs, the National Pan-Hellenic Council consists of five fraternities and four sororities with interlaced histories and service objectives to form a network which has sustained African American middle-class and upwardly mobile sensibilities for more than a century. The Black Greek fraternities are: Alpha Phi Alpha founded at Cornell University in 1906; Kappa Alpha Psi founded at Indiana University in 1911; Omega Psi Phi founded at Howard University in 1911; Phi Beta Sigma founded at Howard University in 1914; and Iota Phi Theta founded at Morgan State University in 1963. The Black Greek sororities are: Alpha Kappa Alpha founded at Howard University in 1908; Delta Sigma Theta founded at Howard University in 1913; Zeta Phi Beta founded at Howard University in 1920; and Sigma Gamma Rho founded at Butler University in 1922.
In the early years of BGLOs, the preservation of African American History has always been a top priority for fraternities and sororities alike. In historian Charles H. Wesley’s 1929 book, The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life, he explained how in 1921, the official publication of Alpha Phi Alpha, The Sphinx, began with a column on Ancient African History by future Howard University Professor William Leo Hansberry. At this time, the field of Black Studies was in its infancy, however ideas about Black Consciousness and identity were already finding their way into academia. Nevertheless, Black Greek Fraternity and Sorority members were at the forefront of this movement. In Hansberry’s debut column, he argued:
The early modern world saw Black Africa, [as] a gigantic jungle of bamboo, barbarians, and baboons, fit only as a breeding place for the helots of the earth, the senseless slaves of all mankind. Imperialistic Europe of the last century and this saw her an Eldorado—a land flowing with milk and honey; a cloth of gold; a prize which to win she was willing to give her blood to keep her very soul. The present being wiser and more clairvoyant than the past, sees Black Africa as she has been seen, but more, it sees her in a measure as she really was and is. Watch then with care and listen close, for in this unceasing drama’s present act, the oldest and wisest of lands, is to give forth from its dark bosom some startling secrets it has hid for centuries, while the mighty sphinx whispers confirmation.1
Hansberry’s poetic words regarding the recognition of the humanity of African people, and their proper placement in the historical narrative of civilization was concretized by the efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson, a Howard University professor and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.2 As the founder of what are today known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and The Journal of African American History, Woodson encouraged his fraternity Brothers to not only engage in social activities, but also establish a program dedicated to the study and preservation of African American History and culture. This led the Omegas to support the establishment of Negro History and Literature Week, which by 1976, was officially recognized as Black History Month by the American government.
In addition to the social and intellectual work Black fraternities did for the African American community, Black sororities not only played an instrumental role in preserving African American History, but also connecting Public History with community service through the development of museums. On February 29, 1976, the Kappa Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, was chartered in Dothan, Alabama. Among the chartered members for the chapter was my great-grandmother Lucille.3 Certainly, I am not the only person with a grandmother who helped charter a sorority chapter in Black America, but it is particularly inspiring to enter the seemingly daunting profession of historical preservation when African American History is often under attack in U.S. classrooms, the media, and the legislative halls of government. By 1992, my grandmother and her fellow members of the Kappa Pi Omega Chapter organized to purchase a facility for the George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum in Dothan.
The George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum was founded by Alpha Kappa Alpha member Dr. Francina Williams (with the support of her sorority sisters) and opened to the public in 2000. Interestingly, the museum’s location is a former segregated Greyhound bus station where “Whites Only” and “Colored Only” signage was still etched into the walls of the building. Nevertheless, Dr. Williams, Grandma Lucille, and their Sorors upheld the tradition within Black fraternal circles to be engaged in not only praiseworthy civil rights activism as Divine Nine members, but also the unglamorous work of preserving African American History and cultural memory. Somehow, she passed that gene down to me, as I eventually found employment with the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, which opened to the public in June 2023. Like the George Washington Carver Interpretive Museum, the International African American Museum also rests on a historic site in African American History: Gadsden’s Wharf where from the 1760s to 1808, thousands of enslaved Africans were disembarked from slave ships and held captive there until they were sold into slavery.
Without the Divine Nine, Black Studies would not have found fertile soil to thrive in the first half of the twentieth century if it were not for collaborations between scholars and Black fraternal organizations like: Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Omegas; Dr. Charles H. Wesley, Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, and Professor William Leo Hansberry and the Alpha Phi Alphas; and Grandma Lucille and her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sisters. Their contributions to the preservation of African American History helped the field mature into the mighty Black Studies Movement of the 1960s-1970s and beyond. Recently, on July 26, 2023, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity continued the tradition of preserving Black History when the organization announced that in protest of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ “harmful, racist, and insensitive policies against Black communities” concerning the state’s African American History in K-12 education, it was moving its scheduled 2025 Convention from Orlando, Florida. This decision follows a tradition of Black fraternal guardianship in the accurate documentation and education of our collective African American History to the public. As I continue to contemplate the purposeful relationship between my grandmother’s fraternal career and museum advocacy with my own, I celebrate this legacy bequeathed to me and how our collegiate fraternal organizations can continue to be guardians of African American History.
- William Leo Hansberry, “Black Africa,” The Sphinx, February 1921. ↩
- On October 1, 1923, Dr. Charles H. Wesley, and Prof. William Leo Hansberry became charter members of the Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, the same chapter to which I belong. ↩
- Delores Simmons, ms, Kappa Pi Omega History (n.d.). ↩
If anyone would like to purchase a copy of my book, visit JamesRMorgan.com
I would love a copy
Alright Hiram you know we’re always watching and reading lol. I look forward to seeing you on the Prince Hall think tank and reading more from. Peace and blessings to you /G\.
Good morning. I noted title being, “The Divine Nine and the Formation of Black Studies.” However, except for you introducing the Divine Nine in the beginning, stating year founded and university founded, I didn’t really see any other documentation to support how the other seven of the Divine Nine were instrumental in Black Studies.
I understand that you are an Alpha and the AKAs are your sisters and you really laid alot of emphasis on these two organizations.
However, we know that the others organizations were very impactful as well. You as an author could be more objective than subjective. There are many accolades and things I could say that my Sorority added to Black Studies, as could some of my friends from other sororities. In the future please be more objective. The Divine Nine is about 9 Greek lettered Fraternities and Sororities, not just 2. God bless you.
*Your fellow Panhelenic Sister who has been a Financial Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc for 29 years on April 23, 2024.*
My thoughts exactly. After reading the article I thought it was biased. No mention of any of the other contributions made by other fraternities and sororities. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the suffrage movement for example. This article must have only taken a few minutes to write because the details were lacking.
I felt the same, as a financially active member of The Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
I only read it to get a perspective on all 9 of our great organizations, not a slighted view point from an Alpha solely boasting the achievements of his fraternity and the Alpha Kapp Alpha Sorority Inc.
As an author I thought that he would be unbiased but I was wrong. Thank you for giving history that’s only relevant to your organization. Please do some research the next time that you title an article related to the Divine 9. There were other major contributions made by our organization and others.
Thank you for your feedback. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to include every organization given my limited word count, and as occurs in these situations individuals, and organizations don’t get included. That’s no slight to anybody. This piece is meant to be an introduction not a comprehensive exploration. I would also have you note that it was meant to be just as much about my connection with my Great-Grandmother as it is about the various organizations. Again, thank you for your feedback. If it is any consolation, my other half is a Delta, so trust the last thing I want to do is insult anybody. I hope to expand the topic in the future.
Thank you for the article and information shared! I thought your article was more about the connection you discovered through your research with your pioneering grandmother. Who also happened to be heavily involved and instrumental within her sorority. I got the point you were making.
Thanks again for sharing! 😊
I had a similar reaction as a 30+ year member of Phi Beta Sigma. Ironically, George Washington Carver Museum was mentioned, but it was not noted that the late Honorable Bro. Carver WAS a Sigma. I pledged at Lincoln Univ of PA, the first Black College. Tons of rich BGLO history for each org. Inspired by the headline, I had hoped to share this article with some of my younger fraternity brothers to help them better understand that the Divine 9 all intended to me much, much more than JUST about strolling (basically, choreographed dancing), addiction to underground pledging and the occasional surface level “service project.” Unfortunately I won’t share this because an unbalanced article like this will just land on already deaf ears. Smh
Thank you for your reply. I actually did include mention of Carvers membership as a Sigma, but it appears that was cut out in the editorial process. I will ask that it be put back in as it is a very important example of what I am trying to communicate.
Greetings Soror, your words are well put. Thank you, and Happy 29th anniversary. I will be celebrating my 30th anniversary with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. on April 20th 2024. Diamond life, Delta Dear.
Thank you for this brother! I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®️ for 24 years and served as a NPHC VP and Social Action Chair. l greatly appreciate this insightful and inspiring article. The D9 family was well represented even though some direct context of the fellow organizations were not cited here. Great read and keep this living history going! D9 Unity!
If the “Divine Nine”are as deeply rooted in and committed to African culture and Black history as you claim, why on earth do these organizations STILL use “GREEK letters as opposed to Adinkra Symbols or Egyptian hieroglyphics to name themselves?
This part.
Those who chose to respond to Mr. Morgan’s essay with words of interposition and nullification should know the value of extrapolation and deductive reasoning.
And the truth shall set you free. AMEN
Brother Morgan,
Thank you for sharing your perspective and personal connection to Black Studies. I appreciate the work you are doing to open doors of communication about the impact of our community and the importance of preserving our history.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you for this content. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 35 years. I appreciate your article. It is my belief that your article was intended to give insight on the formation (key word) beginning of BGLO’s, and not to insult others. Informative information about the formation of the D9 collectively. Each organization has impacted our communities tremendously.
I was on your beautiful campus for the centennial of Delta. As you know the Divine Nine respect all members. My physician is a alum from Howard as were his father and mother. I was made 57 years ago at a HBCU.
The article was great. It included everyone who is a part of the Divine 9. People always have something to say. When you write your article, you can include who and what you want. He is allowed to uplift HIS ferternity and HIS Grandmother’s sorority. Love! Phirstpham!🖤💛🩷💚
Oh, so did the Black Greek social constructs go up against Hayakawa at SF State or even mount a charge against the press for ignoring the shootings at Jackson State while propping up Kent State?
That’s what I thought.
Respectfully to all of the commentators who are offended by the authors use of AKA as the example of a Greek letter organization laying the ground for the preservation of Black studies. Please remember that this is simply an article to introduce the book she’s written on the subject. I’m quite sure that she has taken the time to research and include the other 8 organizations and their contributions to our great culture. I understand how one can feel overlooked and left out given the title of the article. However, the title of the article is also the book therefore, it is assumed that the other organizations will be given their roses in the book, which is really the bigger picture that the article is attempting to paint.
Thank-you for your comments and taking the time to not only read but, consider my point of view.
I really appreciated the article for its introduction about the Divine 9. Although as an African-American female I had heard about some of the sororities, I wasn’t familiar with its historical background. I found the article enlightening. So don’t knock the efforts made by Bro. Morgan for wanting to honor his family’s legacy and sharing this historical information. Others have the opportunity to do the same.