Unpacking the history and cultural heritage of Black Greek Letter Organizations is tedious; however, it is necessary to assist in the process of inclusion. William & Mary is the epicenter of college Greek life in the United States beginning with Phi Beta Kappa in 1776; however, the inclusion of Black Greek life on the campus is contemporary with the arrival of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1975. Having knowledge of why people move in certain ways or what the historic, cultural properties are of specific Divine Nine groups is critical to the mission of diversity and inclusion.

Hosting this exhibit within the Swem Library exhibit spaces will offer nuanced ways of viewing Black Greek Letter Organizations through artifacts, books written about or by members of the Divine Nine organizations, and oral histories from individuals from William & Mary who joined campus chapters of these national organizations and will further aid in their inclusion and integration into campus life here.

Curator:

• Andre L. Taylor, Oral Historian

Design:

• Alex Wheeler ’23, SCRC Graphic Design Student Assistant

Fabrication & Install:

• Jennie Davy, Exhibits Manager
• Molly Robinson, PhD student in American Studies, SCRC Oral History Student Assistant
  • Read Molly's blog post with more details about the exhibit
• Tyler Goldberger, PhD student in History, SCRC Student Assistant
• Annabelle Midden ’24, SCRC Oral History Student Assistant
• Alex Daniels '23, SCRC Student Assistant
• Brianna Gettier '22, SCRC Student Assistant

Special Thanks:

• Sara Belmont, Web Developer
• Alex Flores, Instruction & Research Librarian
• Morgan Davis, Music & Arts Librarian
• Joanna Good, Events Specialist
• Ali Zawoyski, University Archivist
• Michael Runyon, Digital Archivist

Funded in part by a 2021-2022 IDEA grant from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion