Pittsburgh's historically Black sororities and fraternities strive for public service, growth

When people think of fraternities and sororities, they often imagine frat house parties and car wash fundraisers.

For Pittsburgh’s Divine Nine organizations, though, the bond runs deeper.

The Divine Nine (D9) is a group of nine historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities with thousands of chapters nationwide. Pittsburgh has representation from all nine organizations.

Moyo Ariyo, a University of Pittsburgh fifth-year mechanical engineering major, didn’t know anything about Pittsburgh’s D9 presence before attending the university. It wasn’t until he got there that he discovered it for himself and described it as “a case of ‘right place, right time.’ ”

Ariyo, originally from Baltimore, said he stayed indoors during his freshman year and focused on trying to balance school and club soccer.

One day, however, he decided to go out for dinner and arrived at the fall 2021 semester probate, the National Pan-Hellenic Council presentation of new members. The council is the official name for the Divine Nine and represents all of the groups on a national basis.

“As I watched and was a part of the crowd, I just felt like I was meant to see what was going on,” Ariyo said.

Though his experience sparked some curiosity, the decision to pledge didn’t come until years later.

“I had some personal stuff that caused me to feel like I didn’t have much purpose, and it was at that time that I started going to more events, hanging with the guys more, and enjoying my time,” Ariyo said.

That ultimately led him to pledge as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Beta Epsilon chapter last spring.

Kappa Alpha Psi is the D9’s second-­oldest fraternity, founded in 1911 on the campus of Indiana University Bloomington. Pittsburgh’s citywide chapter was established in 1922 on Pitt’s campus.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council consists of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.

All of Pittsburgh’s D9 chapters are citywide, meaning they boast members from all of Pittsburgh’s university campuses.

“I think the real difference is the origins of the D9 orgs,” said Noel Roach Jr., the basileus (president) of the Iota Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, about what sets the NPHC organizations apart. “They were all founded by like-minded individuals who placed an importance on education of the Negro and service and improvement of the condition of all Black people. I believe most of us still have that mission and aim.”

The Iota Phi chapter encompasses all of Pittsburgh’s Omega Psi Phi members and those in the surrounding areas. Roach said the organization’s solid foundation comes from its Cardinal Principles: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift.

“These are the real driving forces for us as a historically Black fraternity,” he said. “They really guide our focus and activities.”

Jaidyn Jiles, a member of the Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., said her decision to pledge D9 was a certain one.

“Every woman I had seen who was deeply involved in public service and doing big things in the Pittsburgh community also happened to be a Delta, and that was just a pattern I picked up on.”

Though she wasn’t sure before going to the University of Pittsburgh if sorority life was for her, once she did decide, pledging Delta was the only way to go.

“Honestly, for me,” she said, “… it was going to have to be Delta. … The first public act being ‘doing service’ really lined up with exactly what I wanted. So, there was never really a lot of interest in any other organization.”

Though the NPHC organizations have a prominent presence in Pittsburgh, Pitt senior Christopher Conyers said sometimes it feels like they still have to fight to be heard.

Conyers, an athletic training major from New Jersey, crossed into the Eta Nu chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity during the spring 2024 probate season.

“At times, it feels like we get forgotten by the school, and that we have to work harder than some of the other (organizations) to get recognition on campus,” Conyers said.

To do so, Conyers said, they host events on campus to make their presence known.

It doesn’t just stop there, though. The Iotas partner with community organizations, including the American Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House to extend their values of service and brotherhood into the city.

Robert Morris University seniors and members of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Anaya Brisbon and JaQuay Blaire said that though they like to have fun, their dedication to service comes first.

“As undergrads, we still have fun, but there’s business to handle before that fun comes,” said Blair, chapter president.

Brisbon, who serves as the chapter’s vice president and programming chairman, added, “We have hygiene drives and book drives, so you’ll see us definitely highlight that before we highlight a party because that’s what we care about.”

Brisbon and Blaire said they’ve been friends since their freshman year, and emphasized that D9 organizations create deeply familial relationships.

“We’re one big happy family at the end of the day,” Blaire said. “We all are here to give back to our communities, so regardless of what you’re in, we’re still going to get that one thing done.”

Joining a D9 organization as an undergraduate creates an unbreakable bond, one that Kadey Tillman said lasts long after graduation.

Tillman joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in the fall of 2021 and graduated from Duquesne University in 2024.

“Once I graduated, I immediately joined our local graduate chapter to be able to stay connected,” she said.

Tillman said graduate members often connect with undergraduates, which makes the transition easier.

“It was nice because I already knew a decent amount of our graduate members since they constantly are willing to support/work with us, so it made it a smooth transition,” she said.

Conyers is proud of his organization and its commitment to service. He expressed his desire for the rest of the city to feel the same.

“I wish people knew how many of us there are in the city and (about) the work we do to help uplift our people.”