On Feb. 4, Furman hosted an exhibition of Divine Nine Greek organizations from various local universities. Representatives from Furman were Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.; other organizations from outside universities included Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., Omega Psi Phi Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.. Together, these organizations spoke about what it means to be a member of a Divine Nine Greek community.
Divine Nine refers to the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, which are a part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The event was a true demonstration that, as one of the members said, while the Divine Nine “may be small in numbers, [they are] big in presence.”
A member from each organization came to the stage to present about their fraternity or sorority. They gave facts such as foundation year, colors, symbols and significant members. For example, Kamala Harris was a member of AKA, Fantasia Barrino-Taylor was a member of SGR, and Bill Russell was a member of KAP.
Each organization also spoke about their values, which include achievement, humility and love. The Divine Nine organizations are service oriented, with mottos such as “greater service, greater progress” and “culture for service and service for humanity.” Each fraternity and sorority spoke about their service projects. These service projects range from the period project (AKA), which works to combat period poverty, to Swim 1922 (SGR), which is a program that teaches free swimming and basic life support lessons to people of color.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the organizations performed their strolls. From an outside perspective, strolling appears to be a coordinated line dance. To those who participate in it, as one of the members said, “Strolling is an art form really. It’s a show of pride and unity.”
The unity showcased in strolling is symbolic to the Divine nine. When asked what makes their brotherhood different from other organizations, one student said, “we are all we have in some campuses.” Another student said that her sorority “makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin to come and shine.”
Currently, Furman has three Divine Nine organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., and as of last year, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., which was made official by Sha’ria Gilyard ‘26. Gilyard said she is “trying to get Furman to be more diverse and let prospective students know there are more options.”
Student presidents of Furman’s Divine Nine organizations want to be more visible on campus and become more involved with other Panhellenic Council organizations. Daniel Phillips ‘26, president of KAP, said it is important to be involved in events such as homecoming to be able “to show people we are a community and this is a safe place for people of color.” The organization presidents encouraged students to be curious and ask about the meanings behind their letters so that they can learn about each other.
Divine Nine membership does not end at graduation. As Gabby Harvey ‘27, the president of AKA, said, “the same women that were in my sorority 118 years ago are the same women in force now…there is such a connection between all the different generations.”
Members of the Divine Nine organizations recognize that they are representing something larger than themselves. They are representing the Black community and the necessity of its presence.
