Just imagine packing for a 500-mile road trip to see your family, and you have to pack a bucket, toilet paper, a gallon of water, and a shovel because you will not be able to stop along the way to use a public restroom.
Just imagine being unable to walk into a store to try on a pair of shoes or a hat on display because they will require you to purchase it if you touch it.
Just imagine being unable to enter an establishment through the front entrance and instead being required to enter through the back service door. And just imagine, your everyday life being dictated by a culture of segregation and being made to be an outsider.
This discrimination that was entrenched in our society motivated Black students at predominantly White higher educational institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities to create their own Black fraternities and sororities. They created these brother and sisterhoods to empower and uplift their communities so that they would have the tools to combat white supremacy.
First established in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was our country’s first Black Greek letter fraternity. From 1906 to 1963, there would be a total of nine Black fraternities and sororities founded in our country. These nine Black fraternities and sororities came together to form a collective that is commonly referred to as the Divine Nine.
In 1988, my 12-year-old self was enamored by Spike Lee’s film which he directed and acted in, School Daze. This movie is set on a fictional college campus, Mission College, a historically Black college, where undergraduate fraternities and sororities clash with other students during their homecoming weekend.
The film is a commentary on the struggles and triumphs of the Black community and celebrates the spirit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and fraternities and sororities. The film discusses themes of community, activism, cultural pride, and class. This movie opened my mind to the Divine Nine. I never knew the power and influence the Divine Nine had in higher education and our communities at large.
Now, as a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter, first seated in Hartford in 1940, I have personally experienced the power of brotherhood that being a member of a fraternity brings. As Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Communing with other men who value justice and excellence in every facet of their lives has encouraged and motivated me to continue striving after my goals and aspirations. The brotherhood we share brings mutual encouragement as we live out our calling in our community.
The network that we have with one another as fraternity brothers extends beyond ourselves and to others who are members of other fraternities and sororities in the Divine Nine. Through our many programs and outreach in the community, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. take action to ensure a more just and equitable world for those around us, pushing for equity in education, housing, voting rights, the economy, and many other areas.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was founded in 1906 at Cornell University. Its fellow Divine Nine are Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., founded in 1908 at Howard University, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., founded in 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., founded in 1911 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1913 at Howard University, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., founded in 1914 at Howard University, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1920 at Howard University, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., founded in 1922 at Butler University in Indiana, and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., founded in 1963 at Morgan State University.
All nine organizations have chapters that span the nation and the world. In total, there are nearly four million members throughout the world.
Many extraordinary historical figures in the United States are or have been members of the Divine Nine. These members have had a major impact on business, sports, entertainment, science, humanities, arts, and politics and have shaped the landscape of this nation. They include the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, Shirley Chisholm, John Lewis, Zora Neale Hurston, Corrine Brown and Calvin Murphy.
Many of our state and local elected officials right here in Connecticut are also members of the Divine Nine. The Divine Nine does not exclude anyone because of their race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, or other label. Everyone is welcome. As a result of experiencing discrimination and hatred for who they are, founding members of the fraternities and sororities established their brother and sisterhoods on the philosophy that everyone should be treated fairly.
Not every community is welcoming to the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities. Some states have tried to ban historically Black fraternities and sororities, along with other actions taken to limit the teaching of the diverse history that exists in our country.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis passed a bill titled the “Stop WOKE Act” HB 999 on May 15, 2023 (Florida House Bill 999, 2023). The bill bans funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, teaching critical race theory, majors and minors involving race and gender studies, and changes faculty hiring decisions to governors’ appointees.
Although HB 999 does not explicitly ban historically Black fraternities and sororities, the prohibitions under the law create a hostile environment on college and university campuses for such organizations. Similarly, other states in our country are pushing for this type of action and censorship. The members of Divine Nine have united together to support their members and the surrounding communities in fighting against the negative actions meant only to harm and belittle the experiences and history of our country.
With a consequential election around the corner, as a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I am committed to casting my vote for integrity, unity, and progress. Being a member of the Divine Nine, I am proud of the legacy that I carry with me, which is deeply rooted in a movement to advance civil rights and inclusivity for all people. As such, this mindset informs my decision on what type of leader I believe will best be suited as the next President of the United States of America.
It also implores me to ensure that others have equal access to exercise their right to vote and select the candidate they believe will be the best for our country. At the end of the day, all of us should want a leader who will advance our nation forward. On November 5, no matter who you vote for, make sure you vote for the person you believe will exhibit the values and priorities that will make our country more unified.
Kevin L. Booker Jr. is a member of the Connecticut Mirror’s Community Editorial Board.