Long before disaster shelters filled and relief trucks rolled into Mississippi after the recent ice storm, the foundation for that kind of service had already been built, not in emergency operations centers, but on college campuses and in communities shaped by resilience.
The Divine Nine, the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations known collectively as the National Pan-Hellenic Council, were founded in the early 20th century during a time when opportunity, safety, and equity were often out of reach for Black Americans. These organizations became more than social groups; they were networks of leadership, scholarship, advocacy, and service. From the beginning, community uplift was not an extra activity, it was the mission.
Service became central to their identity because the communities they represented often had to rely on one another long before systems of support were fully accessible. Members organized voter registration drives, educational programs, mutual aid efforts, and health initiatives decades before “community mobilization” became a formal strategy. That legacy created a culture where showing up consistently and collectively is an expectation, not a momentary response.
That’s why their presence during disaster operations feels so natural. When storms hit or families are displaced, Divine Nine members often arrive not just as volunteers, but as trusted neighbors. Their networks move quickly because relationships already exist through churches, schools, alumni chapters and civic partnerships. Service during disasters reflects the same values that guide their year-round work: compassion, accountability, and the belief that collective action strengthens recovery.
During the recent ice storm in Mississippi, that spirit was on full display. As communities faced freezing temperatures and widespread impacts, Divine Nine members helped amplify preparedness messages, supported relief activities, and stood alongside Red Cross teams throughout the response. Together with more than 180 volunteers on the ground and dozens of local partners, their efforts contributed to a response that delivered over 86,000 meals to people navigating long days without power and access to resources. Some members helped connect neighbors to sheltering and recovery support; others used their platforms to encourage volunteerism and community care.
In many ways, the partnership between the Divine Nine and the Red Cross reflects a shared philosophy: service is most powerful when it grows from within the community itself. The same bonds that once supported students navigating segregated campuses now help neighbors navigate crises. And in moments when uncertainty feels overwhelming, that legacy of unity becomes a quiet but powerful force. Recovery is not something done for a community, but something built with it.
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