This Black History Month, The A&T Register will be recognizing the Divine 9 Greek organizations on our campus. These organizations are a staple in the Black community and will continue to be appreciated at HBCUs all over.
On April 14, 1933, Vincent A. Burgess, William W. Capehart, James E. Charlton, Curl C, Griffin, Robert L. Harbison, Luther A. Kaiser, H. B. Short, and John T. Speller brought the traditions of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. to the campus of N.C. A&T.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the campus of Indiana University on Jan. 5, 1911. Indiana University is a predominately white institution leaving very few places for African-American students to gather and foster change.
Because African-American men did not fit into the social landscape of Indiana University, their minds began to ponder on the idea of founding a Black Greek-Letter Fraternity.
Watson Diggs and Byron Kenneth Armstrong initially started their pursuit for higher education at Howard University. While at Howard, they were introduced to the idea of Black Greek-Letter Fraternities. This introduction caused them to partner with eight other intuitive individuals to plant the roots of what would soon be Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Since their small beginnings in Bloomington, Indiana, the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. have made their presence known in all areas around the world. From Penny Hardaway and Colin Kaepernick dominating the athletic social justice scene to Cedric The Entertainer and Marc Lamont Hill making a voice for African-Americans in the entertainment space, the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. hold on to their values past their undergraduate tenure.
Antonio Rivers Jr. is a proud graduate of N.C. A&T’s College of Engineering. Rivers Jr. was initiated into the Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. in Spring 2018. He also served as the president of the chapter and now runs Royal Crown Collections LLC.
“The biggest thing I took away from it was constantly being around people that were excelling in life,” Rivers Jr. said. “It was a motivation for me to push and be a better person whether in business or success in general. It’s also helped me when it comes to my corporate life, networking, and how to be more of a man. One of the biggest things we say is to be strong. It’s a reminder to push through and see things through. This standard really resonates with Alpha Nu to be the best you can be in everything you do.”
The Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has won the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Medium/Large Chapter of the Year, 2020-2021 Undergraduate Guide Right Chapter of the Year and 2020-2021 Undergraduate Scrapbook Award. On April 14, 2022, the Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate 89 years of achievement.
Myles Greer was initiated into the Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in Spring 2020. While being a senior civil engineering student, Greer also serves as the current vice president of the chapter.
“One of my proudest moments as a member has been this past year,” Greer said. “We won chapter of the year which is a pretty big accomplishment, of course, and even in a pandemic. We were still able to accomplish the goals set forth for ourselves, community and classroom. We were recognized by our fraternity for our achievements. The second proudest moment for me was participating in the step show because it was something I never thought I would do. It really made me step outside of my comfort zone.”
Over the years, the chapter has acquired the name “Beast of the Middle East.” This phrase is more than a nickname. It embodies how the men of the chapter go beyond what is expected of them.
Devon Woods graduated from N.C. A&T in December 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Woods was initiated into the Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in Spring 2018.
“I think the standard is not enough,” Woods said. “The status quo is not enough. Being the ‘Beast of the Middle East’ to me and the people around me means wanting more. Winning awards on campus is not enough. Winning chapter of the year is not enough. These are all things we acknowledge, and we celebrate them in the moment, but there’s always a next step to take.”
The current president of the Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is a Spring 2020 initiate and senior biology pre-med student Correggio Peagler. While balancing his rigorous science studies, he ensures he is a resource for his brothers and the Greensboro, NC community.
“The chapter has pushed me to achieve and challenge what I perceive as normal,” Peagler said. “The chapter constantly challenges me to think about how I can give 100% everyday,” The people that have come through the Alpha Nu chapter have impacted the N.C. A&T community and beyond. Henry Frye was the first African-American chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. There are big things the Alpha Nu chapter is doing.”
Black History Month is a month to reflect on the trials and tribulations of African-Americans, but it is also a time for people to rejoice about the persistence of the race. Divine Nine organizations play an integral role in the advancement of African-Americans. Woods believes if it wasn’t for some of the members of these organizations, key moments in Black history would not exist.
“I feel like it’s important because it’s a part of Black history as a whole,” Woods said. “You have Howard University that houses many Alpha chapters and through their processes of starting and maintaining their organizations have been able to take those assets and really build a foundation and careers. These movements have even been pivotal for those who are not members of Divine Nine organizations because they go on to have families and be in the community pushing these same core values.”
