For Rosemary Bolden, the colors she wore in college as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority still evoke a strong sense of pride.
“That pink and green walking across that campus,” Bolden reminisced, “I’m a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.”
AKA, the country’s first Black sorority, has long been known for its emphasis on community service, as evidenced by a recent event in Dallas, where members came together to assemble personal care bags for those in need. The sorority has done so for years. It’s a norm now for the sisters of AKA. Serving others gives many of the members a sense of belonging and purpose.
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“All of us just walking hand in hand to make a humongous difference in this world,” Bolden said.
Together, these organizations are part of the Divine Nine, a collection of four Black sororities and five fraternities. Many of these groups were founded by the children and grandchildren of former slaves, and they continue to make a lasting impact.
Among the most famous members of the Divine Nine is Vice President Kamala Harris, an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister who brought attention to Black Greek organizations during her presidential run.
“It did a great thing for Divine Nine in of itself,” said Gayden.
The Divine Nine has also produced significant leaders, including Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Martin Luther King Jr., and Congressman John Lewis.
Rashad Raynor, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, said being part of his fraternity has provided him with opportunities he may not have had otherwise.
