Television host and legal analyst Sunny Hostin is using her platform to educate audiences about the significance of the Divine Nine—the collective name for nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that have been shaping leadership, community service, and culture since 1906.
Hostin, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., shared the rich history of these organizations, which were founded to provide Black college students a space for camaraderie, leadership development, and community engagement when they were excluded from predominantly white fraternities and sororities.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
The Divine Nine operates under the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and their collective influence extends beyond college campuses.
These organizations boast a staggering 2.5 million active members worldwide, including notable figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, who pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha at Howard University, and renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, a member of Omega Psi Phi.
Hostin explained members’ lifelong commitment to their organizations, contrasting the Divine Nine’s enduring service and leadership ethos with the often transient nature of predominantly white Greek life.
“You are in it for life,” she explained, highlighting the deep-rooted bonds, service requirements, and even the political influence of these groups.
The Organizations That Make Up the Divine Nine
The Divine Nine consists of:
- Alpha Phi Alpha (1906, Cornell University)
- Alpha Kappa Alpha (1908, Howard University)
- Kappa Alpha Psi (1911, Indiana University)
- Omega Psi Phi (1911, Howard University)
- Delta Sigma Theta (1913, Howard University)
- Phi Beta Sigma (1914, Howard University)
- Zeta Phi Beta (1920, Howard University)
- Sigma Gamma Rho (1922, Butler University)
- Iota Phi Theta (1963, Morgan State University)
Each organization is unique but united by a shared mission to uplift communities and foster leadership. They also maintain a strong political presence, with some, like Alpha Kappa Alpha, operating credit unions and political action committees.
Cultural Significance and Unity
Hostin also shared personal anecdotes about her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, where she pledged in 1992.
She described the joy of participating in “strolling,” a tradition of choreographed group dances unique to Black Greek life, and the pride of wearing her sorority’s signature salmon pink and apple green colors.
“Our organizations are businesses, lifelong friendships, and sisterhoods,” Hostin remarked. “There’s an immediate connection when you see someone representing your organization.”
As a mother, Hostin is hopeful her daughter will continue the family’s Divine Nine legacy by pledging at Cornell University, the birthplace of Alpha Phi Alpha.
A Beacon of Black Excellence
Through her platform, Hostin continues to amplify the importance of the Divine Nine as cornerstones of Black excellence, leadership, and service.
By educating the public about these historic organizations, she highlights their role in shaping future leaders and preserving cultural traditions.
