The Divine Nine: The Meaning Behind the Colors of Black Greek-Letter Organizations

The Divine Nine, a group of nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs), has played a pivotal role in shaping African American culture, education, and activism. Each of these organizations represents more than just letters; they embody values of service, leadership, brotherhood, sisterhood, and excellence. One powerful way these organizations express their identity and history is through their colors. These colors, carefully chosen, symbolize their founders' ideals and serve as a visual representation of their mission.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of the colors of each of the Divine Nine organizations and how they came to be associated with these storied fraternities and sororities.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Colors: Black and Gold

Alpha Phi Alpha, founded in 1906, was the first Black Greek-lettered fraternity. Its colors, black and gold, carry deep significance. Black represents the strength, resilience, and unity of African Americans in the face of adversity. It also stands for the pride and dignity of the African American race. Gold, on the other hand, symbolizes excellence, achievement, and high standards. Together, these colors represent the fraternity’s dedication to the pursuit of excellence and the uplifting of the Black community through leadership and service.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green

Alpha Kappa Alpha, founded in 1908, was the first Black Greek-lettered sorority. The sorority's colors—salmon pink and apple green—were chosen to reflect the ideals of grace, beauty, and femininity. Salmon pink symbolizes femininity, warmth, and compassion, while apple green represents vitality, renewal, and growth. These colors embody the sorority’s focus on empowering women, fostering educational excellence, and making positive contributions to society through service. The combination of these two colors reflects the balance between beauty and strength, with a focus on leadership and service.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Colors: Crimson and Cream

Founded in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi chose the colors crimson and cream to reflect the fraternity's commitment to achievement and sophistication. Crimson is a deep, rich color that represents vitality, passion, and the fraternity's determination to succeed in all fields of human endeavor. Cream, the lighter counterpart, symbolizes purity, unity, and wisdom. Together, these colors represent the fraternity’s motto of “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor” and their mission to promote academic excellence, integrity, and leadership.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Colors: Purple and Gold

Omega Psi Phi, established in 1911, chose purple and gold to symbolize their ideals of fraternity, excellence, and brotherhood. Purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, and power, reflecting the fraternity’s commitment to high standards and leadership. Gold stands for achievement, success, and quality. The colors together reflect Omega Psi Phi’s focus on uplifting Black men through leadership, achievement, and social consciousness, with the goal of creating a lasting legacy in communities everywhere.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Colors: Crimson and Cream

Delta Sigma Theta, founded in 1913, shares a color scheme with Kappa Alpha Psi, using crimson and cream. The colors reflect the sorority’s mission of service and empowerment. Crimson symbolizes strength, passion, and the courage to fight for social justice, while cream stands for purity, wisdom, and commitment to academic and social excellence. These colors are a testament to the sorority’s dedication to promoting the welfare of African Americans and empowering women to lead in all areas of life.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Colors: Royal Blue and White

Phi Beta Sigma, established in 1914, chose royal blue and white as their colors to symbolize the fraternity’s commitment to service, scholarship, and brotherhood. Royal blue represents loyalty, wisdom, and the fraternity’s deep commitment to academic and professional success. White stands for purity, integrity, and the fraternity’s focus on community service. The combination of these colors reflects Phi Beta Sigma's guiding principles of building a strong foundation of brotherhood and service, while encouraging members to achieve excellence in all endeavors.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Colors: Royal Blue and White

Zeta Phi Beta, founded in 1920, also adopted royal blue and white as their colors. The color royal blue represents the sorority's commitment to wisdom, loyalty, and unity, while white symbolizes purity and virtue. These colors reflect Zeta Phi Beta’s focus on service, scholarship, and community engagement. As an organization, Zeta Phi Beta strives to empower women through leadership, education, and charitable endeavors, while promoting unity and strength among its members.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Colors: Royal Blue and Gold

Sigma Gamma Rho, founded in 1922, selected royal blue and gold to symbolize their dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and service. Royal blue represents wisdom, loyalty, and unity, while gold stands for achievement, prestige, and the fulfillment of high goals. These colors reflect the sorority’s commitment to providing a platform for women to thrive in education, leadership, and service to their communities. Sigma Gamma Rho is dedicated to advancing the interests of women and addressing societal issues, particularly those affecting African Americans.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Colors: Charcoal Brown and Gilded Gold

Iota Phi Theta, founded in 1963, chose charcoal brown and gilded gold as its colors to reflect the fraternity's commitment to brotherhood, social change, and leadership. Charcoal brown represents strength, stability, and the deep-rooted foundation of the fraternity, while gilded gold signifies the pursuit of excellence, achievement, and success. These colors convey the fraternity’s mission to build a tradition of brotherhood and service, while engaging in social activism to uplift African American communities.

The colors chosen by the Divine Nine organizations are more than just aesthetic choices; they are powerful symbols that reflect the values, principles, and missions of these storied fraternities and sororities. Each set of colors carries deep historical significance and serves as a reminder of the commitment to leadership, academic excellence, service, and the upliftment of the African American community. As members of these organizations continue to inspire future generations, their colors remain a visual representation of the strength, unity, and dedication that define the Divine Nine.

Whether seen on a pin, a jacket, or in the banners of their events, these colors continue to honor the legacy of their founders and the ongoing mission of each organization to create positive change and lasting impact.