Georgia State’s National Pan-Hellenic Council represents eight of nine “Divine Nine” fraternities and sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Iota Phi Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta.
The historically black organizations under the NPHC were founded to embrace and aid in the development of “college-trained” minorities.
Work
These organizations strive to uplift and give back to their communities through a variety of services. The NPHC often host community service projects for its entire council to participate in.
“For me, giving back to my community has always been something I aim to do in my life,” Christian Amica, president of Phi Beta Sigma, said. “My organization’s motto is ‘culture for service and service for humanity,’ and that resonated with me when I was doing research on the fraternity.”
Alpha Phi Alpha has four national programs they use to serve the community: A Voteless People is a Hopeless People (VPHP), Project Alpha, Brother’s Keeper and Go-to-High School, Go-to-College.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People encourages voter registration, education and voting in elections. Project Alpha was designed to educate and motivate young men from the ages of 12 to 15 on subjects about responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
To support the senior brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., created Brother’s Keeper. This supports spouses and widows; brothers who are retired and have disabilities or ailments; and vulnerable community members.
Go-to-High School, Go-to-College is focused on education as a way of growth and improvement.
“While our organization tends to complete over 200 community service hours, host or co-host more than 25 programs and maintain well above a 3.0 GPA each year, the NPHC influences our actions through our own competitive spirits and aspiration to be the best,” Avion Cainion, president of Alpha Phi Alpha, said.
Leadership
For Lauren Deas, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, service has always been a part of her life. Deas was previously a member of major service organizations, such as Girl Scouts of America and Jack and Jill of America. Upon enrolling in college, Deas wanted to serve her community on a wider scale.
After she was initiated into the Eta Mu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Deas began doing chapter work as the chapter parliamentarian and eventually worked her way up to the vice president position. In November 2018, Deas won the election.
“I had the goals of implementing interactive, innovative and award-winning programs, and with the support of my sisters, we were able to accomplish those goals,” Deas said.
Similar to his organization being the first of the Divine Nine to be founded, Cainion is the first of his family to accomplish many things. He is a first-generation college student, the first of his family to own a business and the first to join a Divine Nine Greek organization.
Cainion says he always had a passion for leadership ever since becoming captain of his high school football team. He takes pride in starting projects and seeing them through, despite the challenges that come with leadership.
“As a presidential ambassador of The 1913 Society and immediate past president of Building Leaders and Cultivating Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.), my decision to run for Chapter President was certain,” Cainion said.
Amica has always wanted to give back to his community. His fraternity is dedicated to being an integral part of the community and after asking for advice and opinions from brothers in his fraternity, Amica felt confident in his run for president.
“I knew since I joined the organization I wanted to be a part of some form of leadership within my chapter,” Amica said.
Future Changes and Plans
According to Deas, there aren’t any current upcoming changes for Eta Mu. Deas encourages her sisters to continue to lead the NPHC with the highest GPA and engage in a variety of programs that are open to all students at Georgia State.
“Chapter members will also continue to be leaders on the Georgia State campus by being active members in other student organizations,” Deas said.
President Cainion and Alpha Phi Alpha have acknowledged the effects of climate change and global warming and are taking initiative with a program called “Melted Ice.” Melted Ice will educate Georgia State students on the effects on carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants.
“Soon, the Zeta Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha will launch an initiative to begin to advocate for better care of our community and Earth, as Atlanta as a big city serves as one of the nation’s largest pollutants of CO2,” Cainion said.
The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma are looking forward to the events they plan to host throughout the school year.
“Some big things that we are looking forward to is our Sigma Week and some of our staple events and programs such as … Blulight Cafe,” Amica said.
NPHC “Divine Nine” Leadership
Alpha Phi Alpha
President Avion Cainion
Vice President Terry Thomas, Jr.
Treasurer Gerald Fredrick, Jr.
Corresponding Secretary Joshua Morgan
Phi Beta Sigma
President Christian Amica
Vice President Brandon Byrd
Secretary Marque Hill
Treasurer Zachary Chenault
Director of Bigger & Better Business Terry Robinson
Director of Social Action Takia Tinsley
Director of Education Nathan Wallace
Director of Publicity Raymond Oluigbo
