America's black fraternities and sororities are a unique and vital part of 20th-century African American history, providing young black achievers with opportunities to support each other while they serve their communities and the nation. From pioneering work in the suffragette movement to extraordinary strides during the Civil Rights era to life-changing inner-city mentoring programmes, members of these organisations share a proud tradition of brotherhood, sisterhood, and service. Today, America's nine black fraternities and sororities are almost three million members strong with chapters at major universities and colleges, including Stanford University, Howard University, and the University of Chicago. Fully illustrated with photographs, THE DIVINE NINE chronicles an important yet previously neglected subject in African American history, making it the first book of its kind, and one to be treasured for generations to come.