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The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities
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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.
"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.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1,2000
This edition
- Format
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528 pages, Hardcover
- Published
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November 1, 2001 by Kensington
- ISBN
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9780758203250
- ASIN
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075820325X
- Language
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English
About the author
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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.
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.
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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 16 votes)
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16 reviews All reviews
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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!
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excellent textbook with a great deal of interesting information.
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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.
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.
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Very informative, great to learn the history of people changing other peoples lives in college.
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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.
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Started the book knowing nothing. Finished the book knowing something. Does the job!
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It provides a great knowledge on the Africian American Greek System. They go thru the history, challenges, service and mention notable members.
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