The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization comprising nine historically Black international Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. Founded at Howard University in the early to mid-1900s, the organization aims to promote interactions among students through forums, meetings and functions.
Adam Womble, a fourth-year studying civil engineering and president of NPHC, explained that the organization was initially founded to challenge disparities in access to resources across Black and white student communities.
“What the students on campus resolved was that there was a small minority of Black students who, the fact that they were even there and able to get to their classes and do things they’re able to do, was a triumph in its own right,” Womble said. “What they realized was that there are fraternities on campus already of white men who had access to resources that they did not have access to … And that’s how [the NPHC] really started.”
Also referred to as the Divine Nine, the NPHC at NC State chapter strives to be involved and present within the NC State community.
Lelani Williamson, a third-year studying English and secretary for the NPHC, said the NPHC strives to bring students of color together to unify people of different backgrounds to address issues in the community.
“The mission of the NPHC is to create that collective voice and bring together all of the organizations within the Divine Nine,” Williamson said.
She emphasized the importance of bringing people across various organizations within the NPHC together to “collectively address social issues, community issues [and] enen things on the collegiate level.”
The NPHC consists of eight organizations on NC State’s campus. They operate under an editorial board with eight positions, each position represented by a different member of one of the various organizations.
Williamson said the editorial board is responsible for knowing what issues are important to students and how to address them, acting as a voice to represent their communities.
“Every e-board addresses things differently and handles things differently. But we intend to do an event focused on mental health because that’s very important, and I think, especially at the college level, something that definitely needs to be spoken about more,” Williamson said. “So this e-board is intending to focus on mental health and do events and activities focused on that.”
Womble said the range of experiences and leadership styles on the editorial board allows the NPHC to generate ideas on behalf of the community.
“Diverse ideas from people with different backgrounds and perspectives having a place on the board is really a blessing,” Womble said. “I think that’s where we get a lot of the best ideas to come out. So that’s how we represent the rest of the community and specifically divine nine organizations.”
The NPHC strives to promote camaraderie and service for its members and the community. Williamson said through annual events, the similarities as well as the differences between members of the NPHC and the NC State community at large are celebrated.
Historically, different organizations within the Divine Nine have represented themselves through different stepping and strolling moves, both which are a form of dancing. At the NHPC’s annual event, Williamson said all organizations come together and put on an “artistic representation” of however the organizations want to express themselves.
Womble said support from the community is important for events like stepping, but people should ensure they’re supporting in the correct ways.
“We appreciate and love when people support us when they come to our step shows or when they see us strolling,” Womble said. “What we don’t want is not necessarily fetishization, but almost, of what we’re doing. We understand it’s very cool in many ways for many people who should observe, but we would love for people to appreciate us with respect.”
Womble said everyone is welcome to join and support, but they should always be mindful of things like traditions and culture.
“There is, of course, a certain reverence that we appreciate seeing people have for the history of what our organizations represent with the NPHC. Our organizations were born out of struggle, strife and oppression, quite literally,” Womble said. “We carry that as members of our organization. And NPHC carries that as a member of the board … So we would like people to know that we appreciate all the love and everything as much as we want to love everybody else, but we, of course, want to treat everyone with respect regarding traditions and things like that.”
Williamson said the NPHC also strives to help educate its members and the surrounding community on sociopolitical matters.
“NPHC puts on different events focused on helping students know how to vote, which I think is very important because it’s always the lack of knowledge that steers people away from doing things and advocating for themselves…,” Williamson said. “I think NPHC acts as a very important source for students to understand what’s going on, how they can help, where they can get involved.”
Womble said NPHC is for everyone, and following the golden rule of treating others how you want to be treated is key to support.
“Our organizations are about the uplift of all of humanity, and the uplift of those specifically catering towards Black community minorities, especially on this campus. We have a history of specifically uplifting issues of civil rights and voting as big points in our history,” Womble said. “We’re here, we’re happy to be here. We’re happy to talk to anybody who’s interested at all. We try to be as transparent as possible, and also, the NPHC executive board is always here to serve all of NC State, and its community.”
