GWCCA honors the proud history of Black Greek-Lettered Organizations

African-American Black Greek-lettered Organizations (BGLOs) began more so out of purpose than trend. They were formed to unite like-minded black collegiate students with the common goal of self-betterment and service to their respective communities. Collectively, they are referred to as the Divine Nine and are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council:

• Alpha Phi Alpha was founded in 1906 at Cornell University.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908 at Howard University.
• Kappa Alpha Psi was founded in 1911 at Indiana University.
• Delta Sigma Theta was founded in 1913 at Howard University.
• Phi Beta Sigma was founded in 1914 at Howard University.
• Zeta Phi Beta was founded in 1920 at Howard University.
• Sigma Gamma Rho was founded in 1922 at Butler University.
• Iota Phi Theta was founded in 1963 at Morgan State University.

Throughout history, most of the organizations were founded at Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) and have been at the forefront of racial justice and equality. The Divine Nine were instrumental in Brown v. the Board of Education, the Women’s Suffrage March, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and a plethora of other initiatives focusing on the black community.

At GWCCA, four Team Members are members of Black Greek-lettered Organizations:

• Timmi Benton, Public Safety (Delta Sigma Theta)
• Antonio Jackson, Public Safety (Omega Psi Phi)
• Alisha King, Accounting (Delta Sigma Theta)
• Ron Miranda, Human Resources (Omega Psi Phi)

“I joined the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in the Spring of 1999 on the campus of Morris Brown College. My sorority embodies sisterhood, scholarship, and service, and exudes greatness. Many women have come before me paving the way and setting a standard of success. I am honored to represent an organization that ensures black women are represented in the world and gives back to the community. I was greatly impacted by my sorority in the context of representing my community and achieving scholastically, exercising the power of my voice by voting, and always being sisterly to my sorors and women in general.”

Timmi Benton, GWCCA Public Safety

Notable members and alumni include:

• Alpha Phi Alpha – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Maynard Jackson, Omari Hardwick
• Alpha Kappa Alpha – Kamala Harris, Corretta Scott King, Maya Angelou, Ava DuVernay
• Kappa Alpha Psi – Kasim Reed, Ralph Abernathy, Marvin Sapp, Colin Kaepernick
• Omega Psi Phi – Michael Jordan, Langston Hughes, Hank Johnson, Denzel Washington
• Delta Sigma Theta – Dorothy Height, Cicely Tyson, Marcia Fudge, Keisha Lance-Bottoms, Soledad O’Brien
• Phi Beta Sigma – John Lewis, Emmitt Smith, Hosea Smith, Terrence Howard
• Zeta Phi Beta – Dionne Warwick, Sheryl Underwood, Jasmine Guy, Zora Neale Hurston
• Sigma Gamma Rho – Kelly Price, Hattie McDaniel, Martha Reeves
• Iota Phi Theta – Terrence C. Carson, Kendrick Dean, Charles W. Harris III

Today, we pay homage to the Alphas, AKAs, Kappas, Omegas, Deltas, Sigmas, Zetas and Iotas on their rich history. Each making their mark, each invoking change and each sharing similar commonality – scholarship, service and leadership.