Today: Mar 29, 2024

Hidden Kolors, Black History Month and the ‘Divine Nine’

Sofia RositaniReporter

To celebrate Black History Month the MultiCultural Center and the “Divine Nine” put on an annual event called Hidden Kolors. The event had a keynote speaker, Siobhan Carter – David, a history professor at Southern, and a FACE performance.

The Divine Nine is a collection of historically black universities and fraternities, including Zeta Phi Beta and Beta Sigma. They come together each year to put on the event with the multicultural center.

Black History Month is in the month of February, and it is celebrated at Southern through many different events at Southern. This is a month to celebrate the culture, artistry, and people who fought for equal rights in this country during this month.

“Hidden Kolors is an event that basically showcases black culture and it was created about two years ago by a member of Southern’s community, Myles Page. He is also hosting tonight,” said Katia Bagwell, president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, “and it basically just showcases black culture, and within that we showcase the Divine Nine Greek organizations, which are the historic black organizations.”

Before it started, the attendees could look at different African American items used in everyday life from the past. They could also talk to the many different sororities and fraternities who put on the event.

“You got a little bit of history, culture because there is dancing, there is music, there is entertainment, and the educational piece is learning about the organizations,” said Dian AlbertBrown, coordinator of multicultural affairs, “and folks who have come before us who are a part of the Greek organizations as well.”

Hidden Kolors began with a “Moment of Silence of the Injustice in America.” The presentation showed the problems that African Americans faced and still face in America. The presentation ended with a moment of silence for those who the community has lost due to hate crimes.

After the presentation, Carter-David spoke about her time being a part of a Black Letter Greek organization.

“At exactly this time 20 years ago, I was sitting with a few friends and over 100 other eager black women at rush vying for a spot in the Spring 2009 Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Alpha Delta chapter at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.,” she said. “That rush event did not produce a lot, but the next rush did. And at the end of the year I would cross into Alpha Kappa Alpha with 30 other beautiful women, my life sisters who I grew to love and respect very dearly.”

She also shared her life story and details about the Divine Nine. She said if students ever decided to join these organizations, they would be doing a lot for the community and achieving more than they could think of.

Psychology major, Janee Johnson, a freshman, said the reason she came out to the event was because “as an African American student it’s very empowering to celebrate not only African American culture but, Caribbean cultures and others across the world.”

“It’s going to be a very eye-opening experience,” she said, “to learn about cultures that are not only across the world but also on this campus.”

Brown-Albert, who said Black History Month is every day for her, said she thinks in February, people should take an extra opportunity to celebrate and appreciate people who came before.

“It is even more meaningful,” she said, “because I appreciate who I am and take value in everybody else who came before us.”

Photo Credit: Izzy Manzo

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