Buoyed by favorable polls for the American presidential election, Kamala Harris also benefits from significant support from « Divine Nine »a group of nine influential black fraternities and sororities that has more than two million members nationwide. Kamala Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) since her days at Howard University in Washington, enjoys unprecedented support from her sororities.
These women, accustomed to working in the shadows for civic and community mobilization, have seen their visibility increase with the rise to political power of Kamala Harris. “The Greek-letter organizations that have worked in the shadows, some for more than 100 years, have never received publicity, or notoriety,” told the New York TimesAlpha Kappa Alpha representative Frederica S. Wilson. “But when Kamala Harris ran, that changed. The AKAs were screaming at the top of their lungs, ‘She’s our sister!’” she continues.
The “Divine Nine” in battle order
The support of the Divine Nine organizations could therefore be a decisive asset for Kamala Harris. Indeed, the leaders of these fraternities and sororities are planning a vast campaign to mobilize black voters across the country. This effort, in preparation for nearly a year, aims to rekindle the enthusiasm of an electorate that could prove undecided or demobilized.
“We want to make sure that all citizens — especially members of our organizations — understand the gravity of this election,” said Willis Lonzer III, Alpha Phi Alpha’s general president and chair of the Divine Nine’s council of presidents. And for the group, Harris’s rise to the Democratic nomination is a historic moment for Black fraternities and sororities. As the first Black woman to run for president, she embodies the hopes of a community that has long been marginalized.
A powerful engine to galvanize the black electorate
At an event in Indianapolis hosted by the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Kamala Harris delivered a powerful speech, the New York TimesThe candidate called on black women, often described as the backbone of the Democratic Party, to fully engage in the campaign. “Right now, our nation – as always – is counting on you,” she said, urging voter organization and mobilization.
This personal and historical connection between the candidate and the Divine Nine could be a powerful force in galvanizing the Black electorate. In 2020, when Joe Biden chose Kamala Harris as his running mate, Alpha Kappa Alpha members had already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Democratic campaign. Today, a united front of these organizations, combined with combined operating budgets that exceed $150 million, represents a significant advantage in the voter mobilization effort.
More than just a political victory
For the Divine Nine, Harris’ nomination is more than just a political victory. It represents a pivotal moment in the fight to break the glass ceiling that prevents Black women from reaching the highest political office. “We certainly feel immense pride in the prospect of a woman, and a Black woman, being considered for the presidency of the United States,” said Elsie Cooke-Holmes, national president of Delta Sigma Theta. “It’s exciting to think that this country could finally break the glass ceiling once and for all.”
While black voters have at times expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming election, and even considered supporting former President Donald Trump, the Divine Nine have been working to revive that commitment. Harris has never failed to acknowledge the importance of black fraternities and sororities. At an Alpha Kappa Alpha event in Dallas, attended by more than 25,000 women, the candidate spoke of her deep ties to the sorority, which she joined in 1986 at Howard. Thousands of members shouted “Skee-Wee,” the sorority’s signature call, in response to her speech.
Source: www.20minutes.fr
