“Say It Loud, I’m Greek and I’m Proud”
On Feb.15, The Office of Diversity Initiatives and members of the USCA National Pan-Hellenic Council put together a panel of representatives, each speaking on their separate organizations, common myths and misapprehensions surrounding Greek Life.
6 organizations of the 9 that make up the Divine Nine NPHC were present.
Hosted by Diversity Team Lead Nikia Franklin, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the panel of 5 represented members from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., AKA Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Franklin used an interactive approach by asking attendees if they’d heard rumors such as “You paid for your friends,” “All Deltas look mean,” and “AKA’s are bougie.”
As the small audience agreed that these statements and many more had been heard or even believed, she and her panel dissected the mistruths and implored that an individual’s personality does not reflect an entire organization.
Each panel member spoke briefly on their respective organization’s history and the values that make them unique. They also highlighted notable celebrities who are NPHC members and the contributions made not only to the black community but to society overall.
“Being a part of a Greek organization myself, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, being from a Greek family and, more importantly, recognizing the need for students to be more informed on this campus, is what inspired me to host this event,” said Franklin.
D9 members aim to establish their importance and most importantly their impact in hopes to eradicate the rumors that ultimately surround them daily. By giving information, “Individuals who may not be aware of the council or maybe never had interactions with someone in D9 could know information on how to go about it,” she said.
Regarding the event, Franklin is sure to have impacted those present and thanked her panel for their support that night.
Diversity Team Lead and event host, Nikia Franklin
Organization Panel
