The Divine 9 is an integral part of black history in America. For those who are unfamiliar, a program from the Gwinnett County Public Library can enlighten them.

HBCUs and "The Divine 9" Impact on U.S. History, is a free event set to take place at Berean Christian Church, which is co-hosting the gathering.

» RELATED: AJC Black History Month 2020 

A celebration of the history and accomplishments of the historically black sororities and fraternities that were established in the early part of the 20th century, the gathering is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21. The black Greek fraternities are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, an organization established on the campus of Howard University in 1930.

The organizations that compose it are: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Judge Tadia Whitner, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Gwinnett's first African American Superior Court Judge, will serve as a guest speaker.

Whitner is a military veteran and formerly served as a judge in Gwinnett’s juvenile court system. She earned her bachelor’s and law degrees from Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C.

The judge has also received awards for her ties to the HBCU and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which is composed of the nine black Greek-letter organizations. Her honors include the Howard University Alumni Association - Atlanta Chapter’s Distinguished Alumni Award and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity - Gwinnett Chapter’s Outstanding Leadership Award.

» RELATED: HBCUs: A Threatened Heritage

DETAILS
HBCUs and "The Divine 9" Impact on U.S. History
7- 9 p.m. Friday, February 21
Berean Christian Church Gwinnett: 1465 Highpoint Road, Snellville

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