By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on August 2, 2024
For over a century, the Divine Nine has produced the leadership cadre in Black America. I am a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first historically Black fraternity in America and a Divine Nine organization.
Alamerica Bank in Birmingham, Alabama, a Black-owned, full service bank I founded in January 2000, provided major funding for the 2006 PBS documentary titled, “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity: A Century of Leadership.”
The other eight distinguished organizations in the Divine Nine are: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Each one of these nine organizations was founded during a period in our history when Black college students were barred from becoming members of historically White college fraternities and sororities throughout America.
The fraternities and sororities in the Divine Nine are great organizations. All of them have made tremendous contributions to racial equality and economic growth in America.
The Divine Nine has re-entered the political gladiator pit to rally the Black community's support for Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. They made the difference in Barack Obama's election to the presidency, twice. They delivered millions of newly registered Black and White voters for Obama. They are committed to doing the same for Kamala Harris.
Historically, the Divine Nine has long been the driving force for socio-economic progress in America. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Rosa Parks was inducted as an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in 1988.
Once again, the Divine Nine is entering the political gladiator pit to make sure African-Americans are included in the forward progress of this great nation.
I've been a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha since Spring of 1995. I crossed with 20 other men and our line of 21 continues to lead in many areas of our professions. The Delta Gamma chapter from Alabama A&M recently received an the small organization award from the university for serving and fundraising. I think the sleeping giant will not only come out to vote, but will register new voters and help fund raise.
Unlike historically White fraternities and sororities, the Divine Nine were not organized for the purpose of partying and getting high in college. They were organized to uplift humanity and make America's social and economic frontiers more inclusive.
At Southern Illinois University in the 1960s, Alpha Phi Alpha was considered the academic equivalent of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. We led all Greek letter organizations, Black and White, on the higest percentage of members on the Dean's List of Honor Students.
I crossed the "burning sands" of Alpha Phi Alpha in the Spring of 1968 at Beta Eta Chapter at Southern Illinois University. The Beta Eta Chapter was founded in 1934 as the 51st chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. My father was an Alpha, my two brothers are Alphas, and three of my four sons are Alphas. Alpha blood runs in our veins.