By: Livingstone College NPHC

A Legacy of Leadership

From Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1906 to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. in 1963, the Divine Nine organizations were each founded to provide Black students with community, scholarship, service, and leadership during times when such opportunities were denied to them. Together, they remain beacons of resilience, empowerment, and cultural pride. At Livingstone, members of the NPHC are speaking out with one voice: hazing has no place in their chapters, their community, or their legacy.

Honoring the Legacy

For Wisdom Rogers, Spring 2025 initiate of the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.—the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by Black men in 1906, hazing represents a betrayal of purpose.

“Hazing undermines the legacy and purpose of Black Greek-letter organizations by betraying the very principles of unity, scholarship, service, and brotherhood/sisterhood on which they were founded. These organizations were created as safe havens for Black students during times of deep racial exclusion, offering empowerment and lifelong support. Ending hazing isn’t just about compliance, it’s about honoring our legacy.”

His call to integrity was echoed by Tania Starkie, Fall 2023 initiate of the Mu Tau Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., founded in 1922 by seven schoolteachers determined to uplift women and communities through education.

“Our sorority was founded on sisterhood, scholarship, and service, values rooted in love and respect. There is absolutely no room for fear, humiliation, or harm in spaces meant to inspire growth, unity, and fellowship. We must uphold our legacy with integrity and ensure every woman who enters our sisterhood is treated with dignity.”

Together, their reflections point to a common truth: hazing directly contradicts the very purpose on which these organizations were built.

For Nevaeh James, Spring 2024 initiate of the Alpha Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.—the first sorority established by Black women in 1908 standing on the motto of “By culture and By Merit” —hazing prevention is about protecting what’s most sacred: genuine sisterhood.

“Earlier this year, I celebrated my first Founder’s Day with my line sisters and prophytes. Standing hand-in-hand, singing our hymn, I realized I had found true sisterhood. Hazing doesn’t create that, love and shared traditions do.”

That spirit of education and empowerment was echoed by Kamari Scales, Spring 2025 initiate of the Sigma Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1920 on the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.

“Hazing prevention means keeping individuals safe and building trust. Through campaigns like Finer Women Don’t Haze, Zeta is equipping members to raise awareness and advocate for change. Education is how we create real, lasting unity.”

These student voices make it clear: prevention is not just about rules—it is about preserving dignity, building trust, and safeguarding community.

Justin Alexis, a Fall 2024 initiate of the Gamma Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., understands the weight of hazing prevention. Founded in 1911 to cultivate achievement in every field of human endeavor, Kappa Alpha Psi has a long legacy of leadership and service. Most recently, Alexis was elected as a Grand Chapter officer, serving as the Grand Lt. Strategist during the fraternity’s 87th Grand Chapter Meeting (Conclave). For him, hazing prevention is about recognizing the lasting costs.

“Hazing leaves scars that don’t go away. It can create anxiety, depression, and deep trust issues that last for years. Protecting each other’s well-being has to come first, that’s the only way to build a bond that’s genuine, lasting, and true to the vision our founders had.”

That call to prioritize well-being was reinforced by Mia Mason, Spring 2024 initiate of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1913 to promote sisterhood and social action.

“When we stop harmful practices, we allow community, love, and understanding to take root. Hazing was never meant to be a rite of passage. Our founders proved that vision and discipline—not hazing—are what carry an organization forward.”

Across both sororities and fraternities, students see hazing as an obstacle to the very growth their founders envisioned.

For Jordan Talbert, Spring 2024 initiate of the Upsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., founded in 1914 on the motto “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity,” rejecting hazing is a test of leadership.

“Real leaders don’t need hazing to earn respect. Leaders who reject it show integrity, empathy, and strength. That’s how loyalty and trust are built—not through fear, but through character.”

That emphasis on accountability was echoed by Jaleel Pemberton, Spring 2024 initiate of the Lambda Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., established in 1911 on the cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift.

“When we hold ourselves and each other accountable, we show that safety, respect, and trust matter more than any negative practice. Choosing honesty over silence helps us create a community where every student feels safe, supported, and truly welcomed.”

The responsibility to prevent hazing also extends beyond undergraduates. Brandon McNair, advisor of the Theta Psi Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.—the youngest of the Divine Nine, founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement—reminds alumni of their role.

“Mentorship is critical. Hazing creates a negative stigma that overshadows the positive value our organizations bring. Advisors and alumni must guide students to uphold our values and ensure the next generation carries our legacy forward in a healthy way.”

A United Commitment

Livingstone College celebrates its Divine Nine organizations for their courage in standing together. Their message is clear: hazing has no place on the campus of Livingstone College, or in the Divine Nine family.

What defines them instead are the values their founders envisioned: love, respect, scholarship, service, and leadership. Through their collective voice, the NPHC at Livingstone affirms that their legacy will be one of dignity, accountability, and positivity.

Hazing will not define them; their values will.