About The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

Colloquially known as the “Divine Nine” (D9), is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. The member/partner organizations have not formally adopted nor recommended the use of this term to describe their collaborative grouping. The NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930 on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C. with Matthew W. Bullock as the active Chairman and B. Beatrix Scott as Vice-Chairman. NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937 and is headquartered in Decatur, Georgia. 

The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. 

Each constituent member organization determines its own strategic direction and program agenda. Today, the primary purpose and focus of member organizations remains camaraderie and academic excellence for its members and service to the communities they serve. Each promotes community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded on May 10, 1930 at Howard University in Washington, DC. The chartering organizations were:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.,

• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and

• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., joined the council, followed by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 1937.

The NPHC incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. joined the NPHC as its ninth (9th) affiliate member in 1997

Mission & Objectives

The purpose of the NPHC shall be to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. To this end, the NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC and provides leadership training for its constituents.

In the furtherance of the Mission Statement, NPHC recognizes the following objectives:

1. Assist in establishing and facilitating local councils on campuses and within communities wherein chapters of these fraternities and sororities are located.

2. Serve as the communication link between/among these constituent fraternity and sororities, especially in matters such as scheduling workshops and national meetings.

3. Conduct periodic workshops or training sessions with the officers of the local councils to ensure a clear understanding of common operations procedures.

4. Conduct a NPHC National Convention/Undergraduate Leadership Conference of the active membership, officers and delegates of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the constituent local councils.

5. Work cooperatively with and contributes to other community groups. These include agencies such as the National Black Leadership Roundtable, National Coalition of Black Voter Participation, NAACP, Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, United Negro College Fund, National Interfraternity Conference, National Panhellenic Conference, Association of Fraternity Advisors, Fraternity Executives Association, and Congressional Black Caucus among others.

6. Provide unity and economic empowerment through and by the member organizations.

7. Perform such other coordinating functions as set forth within the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Pan-Hellenic Council or as determined by the Executive Board of the NPHC, Inc.

Why the Tradition Must Continue

• Each of the nine (9) NPHC organizations evolved during a period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for African Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing common goals and ideals.

• With the realization of such a need, the African American (Black) Greek-lettered organization movement took on the personae of a haven and outlet, which could foster brotherhood and sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change through the development of social programs that would create positive change for Blacks and the country. Today the need remains the same.

• The primary purpose and focus of NPHC member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.

• Greek membership goes beyond your collegiate experience.

• “This is a Life Time Commitment!” The individual member is expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter, following graduation from college, with the expectation that he/she will attend regular chapter meetings, regional conferences and national conventions, and take an active part in matters concerning and affecting the community in which he or she lives.

• NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.

HISTORY OF THE NASHVILLE GRADUATE PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL

The inception of the Nashville Graduate Council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (Nashville Graduate NPHC) began when Dr. Ada Jackson carried the idea to her Chapter following meeting Dr. Gilbert Francis, National President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at an educational conference.  Dr. Francis was in the process of reactivating the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which had been inactive for about five years.  Shortly thereafter, the members of the Alpha Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority invited members of the “Elite Eight” black Greek lettered organizations in Nashville to meet to discuss forming a NPHC council.  The meeting was held May 1982 in the Women’s Building of Tennessee State University.  The “Elite Eight” voted to formulate the Nashville Graduate Council.  The 10 chartering organizations were:  Alpha Delta Omega Chapter and Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Tau Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Nashville Alumnae Chapter and Nashville Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Nashville Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Pi Zeta Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; Upsilon Sigma Chapter, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; Eta Beta Sigma Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and Gamma Phi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  The major thrust of the Council was to act as a catalyst on matters of interest to the community, college, and fraternal world and to develop needed projects to address the social and civic problems confronting youth in the area.

The first Nashville Graduate Pan-Hellenic Council Constitution and Bylaws were adopted December 1, 1982 and signed by the respective chapter Presidents on December 10, 1982.  The Nashville Graduate Pan-Hellenic Council was formerly chartered locally January 16, 1983, in the Jane E. Elliott Women’s Building, Tennessee State University.  The following officers were installed:  Dr. Ada J. Jackson – Alpha Delta Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – President, Victor Alexander – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Vice President, Valerie D. Bracey – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Recording Secretary, Veonie McKinnie – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority - Assistant Secretary, Brute Hayes – Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity - Financial Secretary, Linda Pegues Brinkley – Nashville Alumnae, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Treasurer, and Joseph Martin – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Parliamentarian.  The first Greek Yuletide Mixer which included a “Meet the Chapter Presidents” Reception was held on the Friday evening following the chartering and installation at the Rodeway Central Inn.  Dr James Ellzy, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Lueatrice Green Lovett, Kappa Lambda Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority co-chaired the event and Ida Black, Alpha Delta Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha led the songfest.

The Nashville Graduate NPHC received a Charter on March 1, 1985.  Council meeting were held on the first Wednesdays of each month, 7 p.m. in the Women’s Building Auditorium with each organization represented with three delegates.  The following individuals have served as President of the Nashville Graduate Pan-Hellenic Council:

*Deceased **two terms

During the 53rd National Pan-Hellenic Council Convention (October 5, 1985), Southfield, Michigan, Dr. Ada Jackson was elected National President.  Valerie Bracey (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority) was appointed National Historian and Sharon Smith Banks (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority), was appointed National Program Chair. The Nashville Graduate Council hosted the 54th National Convention, October 1989 at the Double Tree Hotel.

The Nashville Graduate Council has provided leadership on various levels.  The following representatives served in Regional Offices:  Valerie Bracey, Southern Regional Director, Weldon Kidd (Phi Betta Sigma Fraternity), Southern Regional Treasurer and Jenean Davis (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority), Southern Regional Secretary. Other representatives have been awarded national awards, Valerie Bracey (Sigma Gamma Rho), NPHC Outstanding Soror of the Year (55th National Convention), October 1989 in Nashville, TN; Ernestine Wilson (Zeta Phi Beta); NPHC Outstanding Soror of the Year (70th National Convention), October 2019 in Memphis, TN and Brian Stanfield (Omega Psi Phi) NPHC Outstanding Frater of the Year (70th National Convention), October 2019 in Memphis, TN.