Divine Nine Shines at Black Policy Day

The recent Black Policy Day saw significant contributions from the Divine Nine, particularly Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi. Their collective presence highlighted a strong commitment to advocacy, community service, and social justice, underscoring the importance of unity in driving societal change. From fostering civic engagement to celebrating cultural heritage, these historically African American Greek-lettered organizations demonstrated their vital role in promoting policy reform and community upliftment, continuing a legacy of service and leadership that impacts society locally and globally.

As essential members of the Divine Nine, these organizations collectively highlighted the strength of unity and collaboration in advocacy, community service, and social justice efforts.

Each organization, with its unique heritage and mission, contributes to a larger tapestry of service and advocacy, working together to address issues of mutual interest and concern. Their presence at the Black Policy Day is a powerful reminder of the role that Black Greek-letter organizations play in mobilizing for social justice, engaging in political activism, and promoting the welfare of their communities, thus embodying the spirit of unity and action that the Divine Nine stands for.

~ BBG

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Members

Alpha Kappa Alpha

The West Virginia Cluster of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated a monumental AKA Day on Feb. 7 at the West Virginia State Capitol. This annual event, held with Black Policy Day, was a resounding success, showcasing the sorority’s unwavering commitment to social advocacy and voter engagement through their “Advocate for Social Justice Initiative.”

Chapters across West Virginia collaborated on impactful activities such as “Soar to the Polls,” candidate forums, educational sessions, and government registration drives to promote voter participation. The day was filled with meaningful interactions and activities that emphasized the importance of civic engagement and social justice.

The highlight of the day included a breakfast where members of Alpha Kappa Alpha had the opportunity to engage with elected officials, demonstrating the sorority’s influence and commitment to political advocacy. Their presence was acknowledged in the House Gallery, where they were introduced and honored with a Proclamation by House Minority Leader Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, underscoring the significance of their work and the recognition it garners.

Additional activities throughout the day fostered unity and collaboration, such as participating in a Unity Circle alongside members of the Divine Nine, community groups like the NAACP, and The Poor People’s Campaign. These gatherings celebrated the strength found in unity and highlighted the collective efforts toward achieving social justice and equality.

Education sessions provided members with valuable insights, while meetings with delegates and GOTV (Get Out The Vote) tabling emphasized the sorority’s initiatives and their dedication to increasing voter engagement. These efforts underline the sorority’s broader mission to advocate for social justice and encourage members to participate actively in the political process.

In West Virginia, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s impact is further evidenced by the election of several members to significant political positions. Anitra Hamilton as a delegate from Monongalia County, Sandra Clements as a City Council Member in Huntington, Jennifer Pharr as an at-large member of the Charleston City Council, and Marie Redd as the first Black woman elected to the West Virginia Senate, all exemplify the leadership and commitment to community service that AKA instills in its members.

The day was a testament to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s rich history of social justice activism and a celebration of its contributions to societal change. The sorority’s efforts in promoting equality, justice, and fairness were highlighted, along with their role in the historic achievement of electing Kamala Harris as the Vice President of the United States.

AKA Day at the Capitol was indeed a great day, filled with accomplishments that reflect Alpha Kappa Alpha’s enduring legacy of service and advocacy for social justice throughout West Virginia and beyond.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta

The members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recently made a significant impact through their tireless efforts to educate the community about voting rights, redistricting, and the implications of proposed legislation. Their dedication spanned from collegiate chapters to alumnae chapters, focusing on registering individuals to vote and educating those hesitant about participating in the election process. Their phenomenal work did not go unnoticed; it was so impactful that West Virginia Senate Resolution 34 formally recognized the sorority for its exemplary social action initiatives.

Building on this momentum, the sorority embarked on another significant venture, Delta Days at the State Capitol, held on Feb. 7, 2024. This event saw members actively participating in legislative sessions, engaging with House and Senate representatives, and attending forums to voice their concerns on issues close to their hearts. The success of Delta Days at the State Capitol underscored the sorority’s commitment to social change and their role as pivotal community educators and activists. Their efforts inspire and mobilize communities toward greater civic engagement and advocacy.

Zeta Phi Beta

In a recent interview with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, State Zeta Director Dr. Sonya Armstrong emphasized voting and engaging in conversations with our neighbors. Dr. Armstrong, representing an organization with a history of 104 years, highlighted how the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood have guided their sustained impact and legacy. She spoke passionately about the importance of these values in today’s society, particularly in fostering civic engagement and community involvement.

Under her leadership, the organization continues to embody the vision set forth by its Founders, distinguishing itself through a commitment to these core ideals. Dr. Armstrong’s message underscored the significance of active participation in the democratic process and the power of community dialogue in effecting positive change. As the State Zeta Director, she serves as a beacon of the Finer Womanhood principle, inspiring members and the wider community alike to uphold these values in their pursuit of societal betterment.

Kappa Alpha Psi

The members of the Charleston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity recently sent a letter calling upon leadership in the West Virginia Legislature to take immediate appropriate actions to include $300 million in the Legislature’s response to the proposed budget submitted by Governor Jim Justice.

Miguel Cardona, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and Tomas Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a letter to each of 16 governors. The letter from the Secretaries to West Virginia’s Governor, Jim Justice (copy below) reads, in part, “The Second Morrill Act of 1890 required that states choosing to open a second land-grant institution to serve Black students, provide an equitable distribution of funds between their 1862 and
1890 land-grant institutions.

Charleston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s letter requested the $300 million to be considered as an installment payment to West Virginia State University (WVSU) toward the amount Secretaries Vilsack and Cardona indicated the State of West Virginia owes to WVSU. Also, that given the announcement that West Virginia finished the last fiscal year with a $1.7 billion dollar surplus, and the years of underfunding to WVSU, the amount of this requested installment payment does not seem unreasonable.

Letter from Charleston Alumni Chapter of KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity to members of the State Legislature

January 26,å 2024

To Select Members of the West Virginia State Legislature:
The Honorable Craid P. Blair, Senate President; craig.blair@wvsenate.gov
The Honorable Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the House of Delegates; roger.hanshaw@wvhouse.gov
The Honorable Eric Tarr, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, eric.tarr@wvsenate.gov
The Honorable Vernon Criss, House of Delegates Finance Committee Chairman, vernon.criss@wvhouse.gov

The Morrill Land-Grant Acts, passed in 1862, and 1890, had several significant effects on higher education in the U.S. These acts provided federal funding for the establishment of land-grant colleges, which focused on practical education in agriculture, science, and engineering. As a result, these institutions expanded access to higher education, particularly for people from rural and working class backgrounds. The acts also helped to promote the development of agricultural and technical education, as well as the growth of research in these fields. Additionally, they contributed to the democratization of education and the diversification of the American higher education system. Research programs the Morrill Act made possible produced discoveries that transformed American agriculture and made farming more efficient, which allowed members of farm families to move to cities, where they took jobs in industry and became part of the nation’s industrial revolution.

The Morrill Act of 1890, included the stipulation that African Americans were to be included in the U.S. Land Grant University Education system without discrimination. The Act granted money, instead of land, and resulted in the designation of a set of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Land Grant. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and Tomas Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a letter to each of 16 governors. The letter from the Secretaries to West Virginia’s Governor, Jim Justice (copy attached) reads, in part, “The Second Morrill Act of 1890 required that states choosing to open a second land-grant institution to serve Black students, provide an equitable distribution of funds between their 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions. West Virginia State University, the 1890 land-grant institution in your state, while producing extraordinary graduates that contribute greatly to the state’s economy and the fabric of our nation, has not been able to advance in ways that are on par with West Virginia University, the original Morrill Act of 1862 land-grant institution in your state, in large part due to unbalanced funding. The longstanding and ongoing underinvestment in West Virginia State University disadvantages the students, faculty, and community that the institution serves. Furthermore, it may contribute to a lack of economic activity that would ultimately benefit West Virginia. It is our hope that we can work together to make this institution whole after decades of being underfunded. Using readily available data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Survey (IPEDS) that ranges from 1987 to 2020, we calculated the amount that these institutions would have received if their state funding per student were equal to that of 1862 institutions. Unequitable funding of the 1890 institution in your state has caused a severe financial gap, in the last 30 years alone, an additional $852,622,464 would have been available for the university. These funds could have supported infrastructure and student services and would have better positioned the university to compete for research grants. West Virginia State University has been able to make remarkable strides and would be much stronger and better positioned to serve its students, your state, and the nation if made whole with respect to this funding gap.”

The members of the Charleston Alumni Chapter of KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity, call upon leadership in the West Virginia Legislature, including Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the House; Vernon Criss, Chairman of the House Finance Committee; Craig Blair, President of the Senate; and Eric Tarr, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, to take immediate appropriate actions to include $300 million in the Legislature’s response to the proposed budget submitted by Governor Jim Justice. This amount to be considered as an installment payment to West Virginia State University (WVSU) towards the amount Secretaries Vilsack and Cardona indicate the State of West Virginia owes to WVSU. Given the announcement that West Virginia finished the last fiscal year with a $1.7 billion dollar surplus, and the years of underfunding to WVSU, the amount of this requested installment payment does not seem unreasonable.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ray Whiting, Polemarch,
Charleston Alumni Chapter of KAPPA ALPHA PSI Fraternity

Letter from Miguel Cardona, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and Tomas Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to each of 16 governors, including West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice

Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Black Policy Day.

Omega Psi Phi

The recent Black Policy Day was notably enriched by the vibrant presence and contributions of the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Their unity and dedication to advocacy and fellowship shone brightly at the Capitol, marking a significant highlight of the event. This year’s gathering gained added significance with robust support for Delegate Hollis Lewis, a distinguished Omega Psi Phi member appointed by Governor Jim Justice.

The day celebrated the fraternity’s active involvement in political and community endeavors, showcasing their unwavering commitment to effecting substantial change within the political landscape. Omegas across the globe participate in their mandated program: Voter Registration Education & Mobilization, striving to uplift their communities through political activism. The cultural heritage and identity of the “Que” brothers were also celebrated in the Black By God (BBG) print issue, spotlighting Omega Psi Phi member Kwab Asamoah of Kustom Looks. Educated in the U.S. at an HBCU, Asamoah showcased his designs at Accra Fashion Week, where BBG had the chance to witness his work and hear his story from the U.S. to Ghana firsthand. Asamoah has adeptly merged Ghanaian fashion sensibilities with the American Divine NIne market, demonstrating the powerful interplay between cultural identity and contemporary fashion.

**Bobby Robinson wears a Kustom Looks dashiki.**

See photos by West Virginia Legislative Photography of Black Policy Day 2024: https://westvirginialegislature.zenfolio.com/p790924427

To our Divine Nine Community,

We at Black By God (BBG) must extend our sincerest apologies for the errors in our latest print issue. Unfortunately, we missed including the Alpha Kappa Alpha photograph, a note for the Delta Sigma Theta, the full Kappa Alpha Psi letter, and the Omega Psi Phi feature and photos.

We deeply regret these oversights and the disappointment they have caused. Please know we are committed to correcting these errors in our next publication and ensuring full and accurate representation of your contributions.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. We are dedicated to celebrating your invaluable work and will take steps to avoid such mistakes in the future.

Sincerely,
Crystal Good