The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), or the Divine Nine, was founded at Howard University in Washington, DC on May 10, 1930. The council, originally composed of five predominantly Black fraternities and sororities, was created as an outlet for African American students during a period of racial isolation and social barriers of class on predominantly white campuses.
According to the NPHC’s website, some of the organization’s goals consist of promoting unity and economic empowerment in the Black community and taking action through educational and cultural service activities.
Four more organizations were added to the initial five, with the last addition coming in 1997. Of the nine NPHC fraternities and sororities, five are represented on USC’s campus. Media coverage regarding college Greek life typically focuses on the negative or social aspects of it. Stories of hazing incidents and large parties around the country further strengthen the stigma surrounding fraternities and sororities.
While an accurate representation of some damaging aspects of Greek life in certain parts of the country, these stories do not always paint the full picture. The Divine Nine also falls under this negative stereotype, but its coverage also contains other harsh stereotypes.
Perhaps the most jarring is the claim that Divine Nine organizations are demonic. A multitude of articles can be found making this claim regarding Black Greek life, however there are no such reports regarding predominantly white fraternities and sororities.
Divine Nine students at USC are hoping these misconceptions about Black Greek life can be overshadowed in the media by the benefits these organizations have on members and surrounding communities.
Kai De’Shon Hines is a sophomore studying international relations and global business who is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He reflected on what aspects of his organization were covered more in the media.
“I wish the community service aspect was covered more,” he said. “We ourselves cover it, but others only cover us strolling and our parties on social media. It is a part of our undergraduate culture, but it is not all we do or the main component.”
Hines cited the “Guide Right Youth Development Program”, the “Undergraduate Leadership Institute”, the “Kappa League” and the “Room to Read” program as just a few of the initiatives Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. participates in to give back to the Black community.
“These are all programs we hold to either improve our members’ leadership skills or children in the communities we live in,” he said. “We also raise millions each year for St. Jude’s Children Hospital.”
Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. announced a $2 million fundraising commitment for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in March of this year. Hines further emphasized that while the social aspect of his fraternity is a part of the experience, members live by a creed that aims to better oneself through giving back.
“My fraternity’s objective is to encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor,” he said. “We only endorse membership to those who uphold that.”
Kendall Bradwell is a senior studying cinematic arts and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc.
She also highlighted how her sorority gives back, describing economic and educational development, international awareness, physical and mental health and political awareness as the five thrusts her organization focuses on.
“If I had to choose one, probably either educational development or political awareness and involvement,” she said. Bradwell detailed her sorority’s strong initiative to get people out to vote in this year’s election.
“The power of the Black voice is something that is really important to me,” she said. “When the sorority was founded, women couldn’t vote, especially not Black women. So being able to continue that legacy of telling people about how important our voice is, and being able not just to have a voice but having an informed and educated voice. That’s something important to me.”
Bradwell called for modern representations of Black Greek life in media that go beyond stereotypes, focusing on community initiatives.
“Encapsulating it for what it is, organizations dedicated not just to sisterhood or brotherhood, but giving back to the community that they’re in,” she said.
Bradwell also expressed that a lack of positive media coverage contributes to the perception that Divine Nine organizations lack legitimacy.
“I think the biggest misconception is that our organizations are not as valid as other organizations that are on campus,” she said. “I have to explain that I’m not on the row, but I am in a sorority. So it feels like sometimes I have to validate myself to others.”
Siara Carpenter is a graduate student studying journalism and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. She also touched on philanthropic initiatives her sorority is involved with, highlighting the organization’s pillars: “Empower our Families”, “Build our Economic Wealth”, “Enhance our Environment”, “Advocate for Social Justice” and “Uplift our Local Community”.
She also expressed a desire to see these actions represented in the media. “I do wish that people understood the gravity of the subjects,” she said. “I wish that they kind of looked at more of our outreach, more of our volunteering, and more of us being [involved] with the community.”
Carpenter also touched on how Divine Nine membership separates itself from other Greek life organizations through its long-term involvement. She said her white co-workers described no longer being involved with their sororities post graduation.
“For the D-Nine, it’s the complete opposite,” she said. “You get to be a part of something that started before you were born and will continue when you pass away.”
Carpenter later touched on her vision for the future of the Divine Nine, hoping for more collaboration nationwide. I think it’ll be really interesting to have a united, country-wide organization effort,” she said. “I think that we can do a lot more when it comes to giving back to the communities. We already do that on a chapter by chapter basis, but if we make that a national effort, I think that would be really cool.”