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.
Sigma Gamma Rho's history starts in November 1922, when it was organized in Indianapolis by seven educators. It became an incorporated college sorority in December 1929.
"We participate in giving back, whether it's March of Dimes, St. Jude's, Black Maternal Health Week and maternal health in general," said Carren Broadnax, of the Gamma Eta Sigma chapter. "We have members in Ghana. We have members in Japan. We have members in the Bahamas."
Some members of the sorority attended Knoxville College, a historic Black college in East Tennessee. Chapters at that school are no longer active, but the University of Tennessee is home to two of the organizations.
And years after college, members' drive to give back hasn't stopped.
"We thrive on brotherhood. We are there for each other — looking, calling each other," said Emmanuel Dixon, a charter member of the Theta Zeta chapter of Iota Phi Theta.
The other organizations echoed the sentiment, saying their members stay connected to each other after college and help uplift their communities.
"Years later and we're still friends. We're still sisters, we still stay in contact. You know, we pray for one another, cover each other as much as we possibly can," said Broadnax.