The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities

by Lawrence C. Ross

America's black fraternities and sororities are a unique and vital part of 20th century African-American history. Since the creation of the first fraternity in 1906 at Cornell University, they hove provided young black achievers with opportunities to supped each other, while serving their communities and the nation. But never before has information about African-American fraternities and sororities been published for the general public. Now, "The Divine Nine," a meticulously researched history, tells the story of how these organizations have played a major role in shaping generations of black leaders.Today, America's nine block fraternities and sororities ore two and one-half million members strong and among the most powerful and influential groups in African-American society -- with chapters at major universities and colleges across the country. Many of America's most prominent business leaders, scientists, politicians, entertainers, and athletes took their first steps toward making a difference in the world in a fraternity or sorority. This extensive yet very accessible book celebrates the spirit of excellence shared by these and other renowned African Americans in brief, inspiring profiles.

"The Divine Nine" includes interviews with people like: ABC-TV's "The View" co-host Star Jones, Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O'Neal, Weather anchorman Spencer Christian, Historian John Hope Franklin, Poet Nikki Giovanni, and more, and features inspiring profiles of: Hank Aaron, Maya Angelou, Toni Braxton, Bill Cosby, W.E.B. DuBois, Duke Ellington, Martin Luther King, Jr., Toni Morrison, Coretta Scott King, Dionne Warwick, and many others.

Fully illustrated with photographs, "The Divine Nine"chronicles an important yet previously neglected subject in African-American history, making it the first book of its kind, and one to he treasured for generations to come.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, African American, Reference

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Lawrence Ross attended both the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in History. Ross also has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in screenwriting from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.

Ross began his writing career in the mid 1990s as the managing editor of Rap Sheet magazine, the west coast’s first hip hop magazine. He’d then move to the Los Angeles Independent newspapers, where as a reporter, he covered city government and community issues in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Culver City, and West Hollywood.

Ross’s first book, The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities, was published by Kensington Books in 2000. The first book written about all nine African American fraternities and sororities, the Divine Nine is a Los Angeles Times, and Essence magazine best seller. As a result, Ross has lectured at over 500 colleges and universities, speaking on issues of fraternalism, student development, and fraternity and sorority hazing. He’s written commentaries, and has been interviewed, by The Root, The Grio, Los Angeles Times, the BBC, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, MSNBC, CNN, and other publications.

In 2001, Ross’ second book, The Ways of Black Folks: A Year in the Life of a People was selected as a “Fall Must Read” by the National Association of Black Journalists. The Ways of Black Folks chronicled Ross’ travels to England, France, Ghana, Brazil, Jamaica, and Canada, as he searched for the commonalities in the African diaspora experience. His two novels, Friends With Benefits and Skin Game, were both chosen by Doubleday’s Black Expressions Book Club. And Ross’ fifth book, Money Shot: The Wild Nights and Lonely Days in the Black Porn Industry was published by Running Press, and is the first book written about African Americans in the adult film industry.

In early 2016, Ross’s sixth book, Blackballed: The Black & White Politics of Race on America’s Campuses is being published by St. Martin’s Press. Blackballed explores the present and historical issues of racism on hundreds of American college campuses, and how that ties into today’s #BlackLivesMatter campaign.

Ross lives in Los Angeles with his wife, April, and their son Langston.

Reviews

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Divine Nine: ..." focused on the history of African-American fraternities and sororities in America. It was rich with the origin and culture of these historical frats/sororities.

If you like learning about the founding members along with the men and women who joined these rich traditions, then you will really enjoy reading this thought-provoking book.

5 HISTORICAL STARS *****

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a member of one of the D9 sororities (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.), I found this book to be an insightful and unbiased resource for those interested in the historical perspective behind the Black Greek Letter Organizations.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities by Lawrence C. Ross Jr. (Kensington Publishing Corp. 2000) (371.85). This volume focuses on the histories and ideals of the African-American fraternities and sororities whose members self-identify as being members of one of "The Divine Nine." The volume never makes clear whether there are any other black Greek fraternal organizations in addition to these nine. The "Divine Nine" consists of five fraternities and four sororities. Each of these organizations provided information to the author about what sets their group apart and what makes them unique and special. What follows is a list of the names of the "Divine Nine" as well as what each organization reported to be their "common call" (among members) and their organization's symbol. In the order in which they are listed by the author, here are the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities with the five fraternities listed first:
Alpha Kappa Alpha, common calls "A-PHI" or "Ice Ice Baby," symbol "Alpha Ape";
Kappa Alpha Psi, common call "Yo Yo!!", symbol "Playboy bunny symbol";
Omega Psi Phi, common call is "a dog's bark", symbol "any fierce dog";
Phi Beta Sigma, common call "Blue Phi!", symbol "blue and white striped cane";
Iota Phi Theta, common call "OW-OW!!!", symbol "centaur";
Alpha Kappa Alpha, common call "Skee-Wee!", symbol is "pearls and ivy";
Delta Sigma Theta, common call "OOO-OOP!", symbol is "elephant with upraised trunk";
Zeta Phi Beta, common call "EE-I-KEE!", symbol is "a dove"; and
Sigma Gamma Rho, common call "EE-YIP!", symbol is "a French toy poodle."
This is interesting stuff which I knew very little about. My rating: 7/10, finished 3/27/15.

[Tanisha]

This was like the must read in college!! haha...because everyone wanted to join a sorority!! But it was informative and really helped me understand what the sororities were really about...and it wasn't just what I was seeing on campus!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It provides a great knowledge on the Africian American Greek System. They go thru the history, challenges, service and mention notable members.

[Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The organizations are, with their founding dates:

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity (1906), the first U.S. fraternity for Black college students
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (1908)
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity (1911)
Omega Psi Phi fraternity (1911)
Delta Sigma Theta sorority (1913)
Phi Beta Sigma fraternity (1914)
Zeta Phi Beta sorority (1920)
Sigma Gamma Rho sorority (1922)
Iota Phi Theta fraternity (1963)

Ross was in Alpha Phi Alpha, and his wife was in Delta Sigma Theta. In his 2008 introduction to the second edition, he says:

“The fraternity or sorority is more than the wearing of letters, or the singing of hymns. It is the collective realization that the unit is stronger than the individual, but that the achievements of the individual greatly enriches the unit. * * * This feeling of belonging to a common cause is almost spiritual, because membership in a fraternity or sorority makes you realize that your life on earth has more meaning than just your own selfish needs. And the reassurance that there are many, many people who are just like you, makes your feelings of brotherhood and sisterhood that much deeper.”

The book includes reflections from members about their personal backgrounds and reasons for joining.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lawrence C. Ross writes a one-volume history of the nine African-American fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council--also known as the Divine Nine--to bundle each organization's histories together for the first time for new readers. This work includes Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta. Each chapter begins with a brief descriptive history of a single organization and it is followed by interviews with prominent alumni. Two sections include a variety of black-and-white photographs of fraternity and sorority events. While some readers might be frustrated that the book's chapters and contents are not organized to read like a continuous narrative, other readers should find this book a helpful single-volume reference source and an introduction to the general histories of each organization.

[Talia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked how the book provided background and history about each organization. I did not like the format of the book. It went from background history, to interviews with current chapters, back to history. Too much jumping around for me. I couldn’t follow it.

I didn’t read it in its entirety. Instead, I found it more useful to jump around and read the history of each organization, then flip through stories about the famous people from each organization.

I’m interested in pledging so I found it useful to have background information about each organization in one book. But I could have done without everything else.

[Shana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there would have been more information about the Black fraternal movement generally, and also about why the organizations do the things they do (e.g., rationale behind their intake process, why they call new member classes “lines,” etc). But, maybe that’s not for outside minds to know! Lawrence Ross is an incredible author and I appreciate his commitment to furthering knowledge about this topic.

[Jacqulyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting to learn of the origins, traditions, and contributions made by these fraternal organizations. They are dedicated not only to the advancement of their individual members, but to their communities, the environment, and humanity. Their membership rolls read like a Who's Who in every field. Many were interviewed and featured in this book. Each testified to the gains they received as members and their dedication to pay it forward for future generations.

[Hailee Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started the book knowing nothing. Finished the book knowing something. Does the job!

[Marisha M Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

I really enjoyed this book and getting to know how the divine nine came about. It was a way for us to make a space for us on the college campuses.

[Kevin Chik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, great to learn the history of people changing other peoples lives in college.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it and learned a lot.

[Jessica Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent textbook with a great deal of interesting information.

[Gwendolyn Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dad is a member of Omega Psi Phi, my Godmother is a Zeta and my cousins are AKA's. The Divine Nine was suggested to me by my Dad when he became a Q. The book is well written and complete.

[Winona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that gives you the history of the African American Greek organizations.