Centenary Alumni Talk Black Greek Letter Organizations in Honor of Black History Month

Centenary alumni discussed the importance and history of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) in honor of February’s Black History Month via Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Sandile Manzini, MSW, and Dr. Marquis Chandler, both CU class of 2011, presented “Black Greek Letter Organizations as Protective Community Factors and the Development of Black Leadership, Identity, and Professional Networks” to a group of 26 Centenary students, faculty, staff, and associates as part of Centenary Stays Connected Series. 

Centenary University is home to several BGLOs, including Delta Xi Nu and Omega Rho, which are responsible for many of the community service efforts on and off campus. 

“Being at Centenary, we were part of community service,” said Manzini. “We celebrated Black History Month. We hosted pop quizzes in front of the Lackland Center. Even though Centenary is such a small school, we wanted to try everything. Some of it really benefitted us. I was a part of the EOP program. I was able to have mentors and be around good people like the EOP directors. I really had people in my corner when I was looking for community involvement.”

The Divine Nine

The presentation began with the history of “The Divine Nine,” the nine original BGLOs.

“These organizations were created at a time where, while we were in college, we weren’t allowed to join white organizations,” said Chandler. “We created our own organizations to do social justice work to improve communities and build leadership.”

1906– Alpha Phi Alpha was started at Cornell. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall were members. 

1908– Alpha Kappa Alpha, a women’s organization, was founded at Howard University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Former members include Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, actress Phylicia Rashad from The Cosby Show, and former vice president Kamala Harris.

1911– Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at Indiana University. Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49er’s quarterback, is a former member.

1911– Omega Psi Phi was founded at Howard University. Former members include the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, the late author Langston Hughes, former basketball players Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan, and comedian Steve Harvey. 

1913– Delta Sigma Theta was a women’s organization founded. The late singer Aretha Franklin was a member. 

1914– Phi Beta Sigma was founded at Howard University in. Journalist Al Roker and Jerry Rice, former San Francisco 49er’s wide receiver, were members.

1920– Zeta Phi Beta was founded at Howard University. Former honorary members include actresses Tatyana Ali from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Vivica A. Fox.

1922– Sigma Gamma Rho was founded at Butler University. The late actress Hattie McDaniel from Gone with the Wind, the first African-American Oscar winner, was a member.

1963– Iota Phi Theta was founded at Morgan State University and the only organization of “The Divine Nine” founded out of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Serving the Underserved

“As black men in America, we’re always looking for some type of environment to put ourselves in, so we can be successful in whatever goals we have for ourselves, which requires us to have leaders,” said presenter Manzini. “If you have mentors, you have people willing to network with you. A lot can happen when you align yourself with some type of entity that really pushes the protection of the different community factors that we have for ourselves.”

There are several different aspects of “The Divine Nine” organizations, which support social cohesion, civic engagement, and economic empowerment, according to Chandler and Manzini. 

The first is economic and social uplift, which encourages community service and promotes voter registration drives. They also offer financial literacy workshops, support small businesses in underserved communities, childhood hunger initiatives, and community food drives and outreach. “Being a community advocate” is an important part of being involved with a BGLO.

The next is survival and social change, according to the presenters, which is historically associated with the civil rights movements. Members have been on the frontlines of collective justice, which include marches, protests, boycotts, and promoting voices of group fellowships. 

Education and youth development is also important, according to presenters Manzini and Chandler. Auxiliary and youth groups and STEM education become essential to the work of which these organization members are a part. Included here are swim lessons for children in minority communities.

BGLOs also work to promote health, wellness, and emotional support initiatives, prioritizing mental health awareness among African-American men. These initiatives go as far back as 1922 when Omega Psi Phi started the “Brother, You’re On My Mind,” program.  

Community cohesion is another major part of the collective effort, according to Manzini and Chandler. “Divine Nine organizations strengthen community cohesion by creating safe, affirming spaces where Black professionals can build networks, access mentorship, and navigate academic and professional environments with support,” according to the presentation. 

Lastly, these organizations provide a life long structure of collective intraorganizational support. “Divine Nine organizations provide continuous support well beyond the collegiate experience through active graduate chapters that sustain mentorship, professional networking, and community service,” according to the presentation. “This lifelong membership model creates stable support systems that strengthen both individual growth and community impact.”

Development of Black Leadership

Statistically, African-American students experience isolation, discrimination, limited faculty mentorship, and struggle to integrate into the campus environment. This is where BGLOs come in. 

“BGLOs emphasize academic excellence, leadership, and professional growth. Predominantly white institutions (PWIs) often fail to fully meet the academic and social needs of African-American students,” according to the presentation.

These organizations support leadership development, life skills, finding identity, academic and financial support, and professional networking, according to Manzini and Chandler. The organizations look for leaders and help students learn to handle adversity.

Students who join BGLOs can develop communication, organization, time management, and decision-making skills, and learn to take initiative that can lead to leadership opportunities, according to the presenters. 

BGLO students are also afforded academic support, tutoring, study groups, mentorship programs, counseling, and academic accountability. They’re often required to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Failure to do so, according to Manzini and Chandler, can result in action from the University, including no participation in step shows, no new members, and no parties. According to the presenters, BGLO organizations tend to exceed GPA requirements. 

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“It was especially meaningful to hear [Manzini] and [Chandler] really drive home their love for Centenary and the importance of individual value and personal strength the college instilled in both of them,” said Beth Freeman from University Advancement. “Their reflections on leadership, identity, and community were powerful and a wonderful example of alumni staying connected and giving back.”

“This conversation felt especially meaningful,” said Devon Paffendorf, president of the alumni association. “It’s powerful to reflect on the role that these organizations have in fostering leadership, identity, and lifelong community.”

The audience also included Cheryl Veronda, dean of Business, Media, and Writing; Yolanda Sheffield-Williams, Centenary alumna and secretary at Seton Hall; Eunice Boyd, associate EOP director; Devon Vialva, EOP director; and students Alexis d’Ambly, Amanda Lorenzo, Carlee Nigro, and Jacoby Stewart.

If you’re interested in joining a BGLO on campus, keep an eye out for their tables at the next Involvement Fair.