National Pan-Hellenic Council

History

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine". 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.

The council 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.


Each constituent member organization determines its own strategic direction and program agenda. Today, the primary purpose and focus of member organizations remain 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 founding members of the NPHC were Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1997) joined this coalition of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs). In his book on BGLOs, Lawrence Ross coined the phrase "The Divine Nine" when referring to the coalition. the phrase "The Divine Nine" when referring to the coalition.

As required by various campus recognition policies, neither the NPHC, nor its member national or chapter organizations discriminate on the basis of race or religion.

In 1992, the first permanent national office for NPHC was established in Bloomington, Indiana on the campus of Indiana University through the joint cooperation of Indiana University and the National Board of Directors of NPHC.

Mission Statement

Unanimity within the council for the purpose of maintaining an influential and puissant presence by member organizations through programs, community service, and camaraderie for the betterment of the communities in which we serve.

The formulation of a Panhellenic Council Wayne County’s idea stemmed from the idea of organizing an” ALL Greek dance.” Laterri Ward and Milas Kelly contacted the Basilei or representatives from local Greek organizations, plans were discussed for the dance. After much planning, the idea/suggestion became a reality. The 1st “ALL Greek Dance” was held on December 29, 2015, at THE H.V. Brown Alumni Center, Goldsboro, North Carolina. The 1st official Panhellenic Organizational Meeting was held on July 18, 2016. The official Charter Ceremony was held on May 22, 2017. The charter members are Laterri Ward (Delta), Milas Kelly (Omega), Tracy Lewis(AKA), Gene Thomas(Kappa), Rasheed Hinnant (Alpha), Janet Barnes(Delta), Bobby Jones (Sigma), Mary Carmichael (Zeta) and Edith Hugee (Zeta) Seven of the “Divine Nine” have joined this council. From the inception of the council until the Present, all events have been successful, and the camaraderie among the “Divine 9” has been fantastic. Milas Kelly served as the 1st President of the council, 2016-2020. Presently, in February (2021), Tracy Lewis serves as President.