Get in Line with the Divine Nine

Student life at an HBCU is all about leveling up and becoming the best version of yourself. Your campus is full of awesome clubs and organizations designed to help you build network connections, develop professional skills and character, and just generally get involved.

But let us be real, we all know which organizations keep the yard buzzing with social events, community service, and that intriguing air of secrecy: the Greek fraternities and sororities, collectively known as the Divine Nine (D9).

I first learned about them way before I even got to college. In high school, I was a part of Junior Achievement, and at one of the major conferences, there was a huge step show competition. Many of the advisors and mentors were members of these very same Greek letter organizations.

The D9 Roll Call: Who’s Who on the Yard

While not all nine organizations are represented at Langston, it is still good to know their history and their presence on campus. So here is a quick rundown:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alphas/Apes): Founded in 1906, they are the first founding D9 fraternity. Their official colors are old gold and black.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKAs/Ks): The first founding sorority, founded in 1908. Look for their green, pink and their signature pearls. They are often coined as the prettiest girls on the yard.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Kappas/Nupes): Founded in 1911. Their official colors are crimson and cream (which often look like red and white). They are known for their cane work and slithering shoulder movements.
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Ques/Que Dawgz/Bruhs): Also founded in 1911. You will spot them in purple and gold, sometimes sporting their metallic gold boots barking around campus and throwing distressed damsels in mid-air at the college parties.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Redz/Devastating Divas/Deltas): Founded in 1913. Their colors are also crimson and cream.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Sigmas): Founded in 1914. Their colors are blue and white. They are constitutionally bound as the brother/sister organization to Zeta Phi Beta.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Zetas): Founded in 1920. Their colors are also blue and white. They are constitutionally bound as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Poodles): Founded in 1922. Their official colors are royal blue and gold.
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (Iotas): The last founding D9 fraternity, founded in 1963. Their official colors are brown and gold.

Beyond the D9: Music Greeks at Langston

Aside from the Divine Nine, Langston is also home to musical Greek organizations that are regularly active on campus:

 * Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. (founded 1919)

 * Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc. (founded 1946)

They are constitutionally bound as brother and sister organizations, and their colors are Blue, White, and Gold.

The Interest Game: Dos and Don’ts

These organizations bring serious excitement to the campus when they pop out in their letters and colors to host events, do service, or display their signature line dances or strolls. They are respected worldwide because their traditions are centuries-old, and membership is not just handed out.

To even be considered, potential members must show interest, dedication, confidence, good character, and, of course, good grades.

So, if you are thinking about joining one of these organizations, here are some things you absolutely should and should not do to avoid being blacklisted.

 What’s “Blacklisted”? It is a pseudo form of social ostracizing where an organization marks a person as disrespectful or against their moral values, which disqualifies them from joining.

The Dos (Be Smart, Be Active)

1. Have pride on campus make academics a priority. Being a successful student is non-negotiable. Stay on top of your grades!
2. Be visible and involved by attending school events and service initiatives on campus.
3. Network discreetly. If an organization is hosting an event, make sure you attend and support it. Chat with the members. You do not have to announce your intentions, note your consistent presence and support will automatically deliver the hint and this is calling discreet interest.
4. Give them space: If you see any organization strolling (performing their line dance), please move to the side and give them the space they need to express themselves. This shows ultimate respect for their craft and tradition.

The Don’ts (Do not Disrespect the Culture)

1. Never disrespect an organization’s practices, members, or rituals.
2. Do not congregate on the organization’s dedicated campus plots or spaces unless invited.Clean up your social media: If it becomes known that you are interested, tidy up your social media presence. Your content will absolutely be judged as a reflection of your character.
3. Keep practice private: Feel free to do some public research to see if an organization’s morals and values align with yours. Even if you want to be daring and practice their steps and strolls, please do so in the complete privacy of your dorm. Do it by yourself, with no cameras, and no close friends present.

Discretion is key!