Election Season: Kamala’s Unification of D9 Organizations
Here we are again. The four year deadline is fastly approaching where Americans must elect an official to lead our country. Whether these individuals are fit to even hold this esteemed position is something that is constantly debated, and the energy behind this upcoming election is no different. However, for the first time in American history, we are witnessing the first Black woman to be chosen as the nominee for the Democratic party. Kamala Harris is no stranger to the Oval Office; currently serving as Vice-President for current President Joe Biden. Due to undisclosed circumstances, Biden dropped out of the 2024 Presidential Race but later endorsed Harris after announcing his decision. While it is ultimately up to the American people to decide, many can’t help but to notice how much pull Kamala Harris is starting to have with the Black community, specifically those a part of Divine 9 organizations.
Kamala Harris graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and economics. During her matriculation at HU, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated (AKA); the first sorority that was created to support the advancement of Black women. Due to her association with this esteemed organization, the women of AKA are rallying behind her in support, as well as the other D9 organizations. The Divine 9, also known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council, consists of four sororities and five fraternities. Even though each one has their own initiatives and programs, they all share a common goal to serve the community. With these organizations being classified as 501(c)(7), or a non-profit social club, they are not allowed to publicly endorse a candidate. However, this has not stopped the organizations from coming together to announce their commitment to a joint campaign to increase voter registration and turnout. This statement was released only one day after Biden announced his support for Harris.
More recently, Kamala Harris has been strategic with the audiences she addresses. It’s clear that she is playing into her association with the D9; publicly addressing her sorors at the AKA 71st biennial convention. Serving as an inspiration to her sorors, Harris made sure to highlight how important their participation was in the last election by saying: “In this moment, once again, our nation is counting on the leaders in this room to guide us forward; to energize, organize and mobilize; to register folks to vote and to get them to the polls in November.”
Soon after, Harris attended Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated’s Grand Boule; the organization’s yearly national gathering. However, her awaited appearance was criticized on Fox News by co-host Brian Kilmeade, and many believed he referred to Zeta Phi Beta as a “colored sorority.” Kilmeade denied it and stated that he actually said “college sorority,” but that did not stop HBCU grads and D9 members from speaking out in frustration about his alleged statement.
With Kamala being able to seamlessly unify our D9 organizations, it’s only right that she uses this to her political advantage. The mobilization of the Divine Nine could spark turnout in Democratic areas with historically low voter turnout, ultimately boosting her in the election. Since Obama’s run in 2008, there have not been this many Black volunteers wanting to assist with starting a campaign. Many of the D9 members have sent text blasts, emails, and made posts urging members to vote and raise voter turnout. The effect Kamala has on the HBCU and D9 community is very evident. But of course, it is still up to the majority of the American people to decide. Here’s hoping everyone makes the right decision.