Members of the Greek life organizations are teachers, preachers, lawyers and leaders. They also all work to give back to the community.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Divine 9 is a group of historic Black sororities and fraternities, and their histories can stretch back more than a century. For example, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Inc. was founded on Jan. 9, 1914, at Howard University by three Black students.
Since then, it has grown into a national organization that helps facilitate several community events. It also hosts the “Sigma Beta Club,” a program that aims to raise generations of leaders by supporting and uplifting young men.
“We mentor young men from 8 to 18 (years old),” said Michael Rogers, President of the Knoxville alumnae chapter of the organization.
Two others are working to uplift their communities as well — Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
“We are planning our annual health fair,” said Frank James, a member of Iota Phi Theta and charter member of the chapter at UT. “Typically, we’ll have something related to you, like the COVID vaccine or flu vaccine. It really depends on the time of the year.”
It is also the first National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity to establish a partnership with the American Red Cross and is taking part in blood drives and similar events across the country.
Its history stretches back to September 1963, after it was founded at Morgan State College (now university) to develop scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity and brotherhood. Nationally, it has helped raise money for cancer research and helped create a line of clothing.
