Dallas, TX — The room was filled with a sea of pink and green, and their spirits soared high. Kamala Harris stood before them, her voice a beacon, her message clear. “Sisters, this is serious.” In that moment, she wasn’t just the Vice President; she was one of them—an Alpha Kappa Alpha sister, forged in the fires of history, now standing at the crossroads of a nation’s future.
For over a century, the Divine 9—nine historically Black sororities and fraternities—have been more than just organizations. They are lifelines of purpose, threading through the fabric of America’s most turbulent years, giving voice to the voiceless and standing firm in the face of injustice. And now, they gather again, preparing to lift one of their own to the highest office in the land.
A Legacy of Strength and Service
Kamala Harris is not merely a politician seeking office. She is the embodiment of a legacy that runs deep through the veins of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) and the Divine 9. Since their inception in the early 20th century, these Black Greek-letter organizations have been instruments of change. Formed during a time when segregation barred Black students from predominantly white fraternities and sororities, the Divine 9 emerged, lighting the way for generations of African American leaders.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an Alpha Phi Alpha, marched through the shadows of discrimination with the strength of his fraternity behind him. Dorothy Height, a proud Delta Sigma Theta, shattered barriers in civil rights and women’s equality. And today, Kamala Harris continues this fight, grounded in the principles her sisterhood instilled in her decades ago.
Mobilizing the Power of Millions
With the 2024 election looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Divine 9, boasting a membership of over 2.5 million, have pledged to turn their efforts toward voter mobilization—especially in the battleground states of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states, whose votes can tip the balance, are now the target of a strategic, unprecedented movement led by the Divine 9’s leadership.
“We will activate every chapter, every member, to ensure our communities turn out at the polls,” they proclaimed in a unified voice. This isn’t about political endorsements; it’s about safeguarding a future where every vote matters and where a daughter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kamala Harris, has a chance to fulfill a dream once deferred for so many.
The Divine 9’s impact isn’t measured by millions of dollars funneled into campaign ads. Their strength lies in the touch of humanity, the handshakes at church doors, the house-to-house conversations urging citizens to exercise their right to vote. These sororities and fraternities understand that elections are won in the streets, not just in the boardrooms.
Facing Challenges, But Rising Strong
Yet, this path is not without its challenges. As Kamala Harris faces the possibility of becoming the first African American woman elected to the White House, there are doubters. Polls show that while she has strong support among African American women, Black men between 18 and 49 are divided, with some considering a vote for her opponent, Donald Trump.
The Vice President knows that she cannot afford to rest on assumptions. “I don’t take anyone’s vote for granted,” she said in Philadelphia, during a meeting with the city’s Black Press Association. “Men, especially Black men, are facing hardships, and they deserve a leader who sees them, who fights for their dignity.”
Her words resonate, but the work is still ahead. She and the Divine 9 must address economic concerns, speak to the rising cost of living, and ensure that voters believe she can deliver tangible change in their communities.
A Race Against Time in the Swing States
Time is running short. With less than 100 days until the election, the efforts in key swing states—Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada—have intensified. The Divine 9 have launched an aggressive campaign to secure the votes that will shape America’s future. Grants, phone banking, door-knocking initiatives—all led by the trusted voices within these organizations—are aimed at mobilizing voters who might otherwise sit out.
In Georgia, where a third of the voting population is African American, these efforts could be transformative. Similarly, in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where the urban Black vote can swing the outcome, the Divine 9’s work is critical. Every vote counts in this race, and Kamala Harris is counting on her sisters and brothers to help carry her over the finish line.
Hope Carried on the Shoulders of Sisterhood
Kamala Harris’ story is a testament to the power of community. From her time at Howard University, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha, to her role as the first woman of color to be elected Vice President, her journey has always been one of breaking barriers, and she has never walked alone.
The Divine 9, bound by history, honor, and hope, walk with her now. Together, they press forward—not just for Kamala Harris but for a vision of America that lives up to its promises. A vision of justice, equity, and opportunity.
As the November election draws near, these organizations are poised to remind America of its better self. Their members, who have faced down injustice for generations, understand that this moment, too, requires courage. “We have come this far,” Harris tells her sisters. “Now, we must finish the journey.”
