The first of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), commonly known as the Divine Nine organizations, arrived on the campus of Central Michigan University in the fall of 1970. 55 years later, six of the nine historically African-American organizations are active on campus.

Each has a unique perspective to offer, as well as contributing to different philanthropies.

Senior Flora Kulang always knew she wanted to join the Divine Nine. This search led her to find Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at Central Michigan University.

“I admired the legacy, the service and the sense of community that Divine Nine organizations represent, so my initial reaction was more excitement and curiosity, rather than hesitation,” she wrote in an email. “I was drawn to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. because of its strong emphasis on service, education and uplifting the community, especially youth.”

The “Magnificent” Mu Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, CMU’s local chapter, was founded in July 1991. The sorority’s rich history goes as far back as the 1920s, after being founded at Butler University in Indiana by a group of seven educators who strived to make an impact on their community as women of color, according to its website.

Kulang wrote that her experience in Sigma Gamma Rho has helped her grow as an individual in her college career.

“Being in Sigma Gamma Rho has been a rewarding and grounding experience,” she wrote. “It has challenged me to grow as a leader, remain accountable, and serve my community with intention. I’ve gained sisters who support me academically, personally and professionally.”

Building strong bonds

In the spring of 2024, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was revived at CMU and has been running successfully since then. President Marshall Dennis, a senior, was a new member when Kappa Alpha Psi returned.

“It has provided me with a platform to serve my community and given me access to a large network that spans across the globe,” Dennis wrote in an email. “Being surrounded by like-minded individuals is something I take very seriously, and this organization does just that.”

Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at CMU in November 1974. They have been on and off campus since then.

Prior to joining, Dennis had no intention of getting involved in a Greek organization.

“I came into college thinking I would never join one,” Dennis wrote. “The reasoning and research weren’t developed until my second year of college.”

Dennis said he joined this organization because he wanted to find a community. Across the world, there are currently 150,000-plus lifetime members in the organization, according to their website.

Kappa Alpha Psi’s philanthropy was founded by the organization in 1981 with the goal of giving educational opportunities to underrepresented communities around the globe.

The history behind Divine Nine

Omega Psi Phi was the first of the (NPHC) to make an appearance at CMU in 1970.

While not all nine organizations are currently active at CMU, six of them are:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (Howard University, 1908)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (Indiana University, 1911)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. (Howard University, 1911)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (Howard University, 1913)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (Howard University, 1914)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. (Butler University, 1922)

“The NPHC is a council of nine organizations, which include five fraternities and four sororities,” Dennis wrote. “As we are an umbrella of multiple organizations, we use the NPHC as a governing body to ensure bylaws and regulations are followed. We promote community service, cultural representation and leadership development.”

They were also one of the founding organizations, bringing together Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta at Howard University in 1930. At that time, predominantly white organizations prohibited African-American members from joining their organizations.

“Through times of racial inequality, these organizations were created to provide a sense of community to Black students,” Dennis said. “Our council at CMU has grown since I was initiated in the spring of 2024 and now has five active organizations with over 30 members.”

Some of the distinguished alumni of the Divine Nine include former Vice President Kamala Harris (Alpha Kappa Alpha), Shaquille O’Neal (Omega Psi Phi), Michael Jordan (Omega Psi Phi), Wanda Sykes (Alpha Kappa Alpha) and Martin Luther King Jr. (Alpha Phi Alpha).