#Black greek letter organizations

[ernestowens]

ΑΦΑ | Rho Chapter | SP 24 | #10 | Da’ Scribe

LIMITLESSNESS: I’m honored to finally announce that I’m a Proud Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. –  the first Black intercollegiate Greek-lettered fraternity in America!

Entering the fold by way of the Mighty Rho Chapter – the only single-letter alumni chapter in Alpha Phi Alpha and first to become “mighty” – makes all of this even more incredible.

Being initiated with these 12 incredible men – we're the 13 Pharaohs of Fire & Ice – was a journey well taken. We each possess and have gained even more unique qualities and gifts that made us all better line brothers and men of distinction. I look forward to what we will all contribute to Alphaland, the Divine 9, and the world!

To my Phrozen Dean, ADPs, Sponsor, Recommender, and Rho Brothers – thank you all for leading us towards the light and showing us the spirit of brotherhood.

And lastly, for those who know my story, you know why all of this is full circle for me. 

I’ll say this for anyone who can relate: Don’t let anyone tell you when, how, and where a chapter in your story begins, continues, and ends. You can be who you truly are, stay true to your principles, and arrive at where you’re supposed to be on your own terms. Some things are debatable, while others are a birthright. 

This is my birthright. 

“Standing strong, standing bold, for the Mighty BLACK & GOLD!”

I did it.

#alpha phi alpha #divine 9 #black greek letter organizations #philly

[tajlibracreations]

Divine 9 Sorority "Nutrition Facts" LOVE TShirts by TajLIbra Creations

What are Sorority Girls made of? Everything nice and all that. Get your Nutrition Facts Tees to let everyone know. Also available are the LOVE Tee and Bubble Sorority Name Tee.

CAS DOWNLOAD -  Top

TajLibra_D9_Sorority_NutritionFacts_TShirt_AF

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Occasions: Athletic, Everyday, Sleep, Party, Hot Weather

Versions: 5 (LOVE - 2 versions, ...Nutrition Facts - 2 versions, and Bubble Sorority Name)

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Designs:  5 per Organization, AKA (pink/green), DST (red/white), ZPB (blue/white) & SGR (blue/gold)

Disallowed for Random

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Want a creation for your Organization? Let me know!

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#sorority #download #ts4cc #ccbytajlibracreations #cas #ts4 #ccbytajlibra #divine9 #d9 #AKA #Delta #Zeta #Rho #Sims4GoesGreek #Sim Black Greek Letter Organizations

[astirysk2electricboogaloo]

I got the majority of this information from the YouTuber Annamarie Forcino's video "The Alarming "Gnome Hunting" Trend No One's Talking About". (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0bZOMuVFs)

This post is to help spread this information.

Please be aware:

• If you come across anything with the term "gnome hunting" or anything listed below online, block and report the account immediately. If you come across it offline, covertly and safely get the absolute fuck out of there. Warn others.

• Keep yourself safe. As with any bullshit like this these people may be violent. The wearing of tactical gear and the use of the word hunting when talking about a group of human beings is not peaceful or respectful of life. Exercise caution. Especially if you are in a group the groups they're in target.

• This is mostly on TikTok, DO NOT SEARCH FOR IT ON SITES WITH THE ALGORITHM. This will drive engagement and help it spread. If you come across it block and report it but do not search it.

The term "gnome hunting" is being used by antisemitists/neonazis/white supremacists to refer to themselves, they themselves being the "hunters" and those they target, Jews, being the "gnomes" and is a way for them to talk in code.

Things to watch out for with this specific wave of antisemitic bullshit are but are not limited to:

"join the hunt" = join us.

"millions wear the hats" millions = the Jews, hats = the Jewish Yarmulke/Kippah (a Jewish head covering). This phrase refers to Jewish people in general. When they use this phrase they are talking about Jews.

"kike" a slur against those of Jewish descent and or those who are practicing Judaism.

"88" H is the 8th letter of the alphabet. 88 = hh = "hail hitler".

"⚡⚡" "ᛋᛋ" "ϟϟ" Two lightning bolt emojis, two Greek letter ᛋ's, or two lighting bolt symbols side by side = the nazi ss. The nazi ss flag is two lighting bolt symbols side by side.

"Z" or "z" The English letter Z/z is used by russian nazis against Ukrainians who are being murdered by and suffering war crimes at the hands of russian nazis since the current russian dictator putin invaded Ukraine. Has unfortunately spread and is being used by nazis in other countries. The symbol has similarities to the wolfsangel.

"Ƶ" The wolfsangel. An ancient runic symbol believed to have been capable of warding off wolves, appropriated by nazi organizations in nazi Germany. Still used by white supremacists/nazis today.

(Cannot find a symbol for this.) The sunwheel, sonnenrad, or black sun. A symbol from old Norse and old Celtic culture. Also appropriated by nazis, still used by neonazis today.

"schizopost" "schizoposting" Used by neonazis when they use neurodivergence/mental illness (they do not struggle with) as an excuse for their bullshit. Ex: saying "I'm insane" "I'm schizophrenic" "me and the boys being schizophrenic" in the same post about "gnome hunting" or with any relation to nazi/white supremacists ideology.

#antisemitists #antisemitism #nazi mentioned #white supremacists #Cw nazism #tw nazism #tw white supremacy #Cw white supremacy #tw antisemitism #cw antisemitism #Jewish #Judaism #gnome hunting

[ozsyn]

Those Who Were Seen Dancing

Ramsay Bolton x Reader; Harley Quinn x Joker

Chapter 1 of 8-ish?

Summary:

Gotham City is a kingdom ruled by The Joker and Harley Quinn. When (Y/N) is taken from her home and placed under the wing of the Clown Princess of Crime, she is shown a world she never knew.

Ramsay Bolton has clawed his way through the ranks to become The Joker’s apprentice, but even Gotham can get a little mundane. When someone new comes to town, he’s finally got something to do. What could be more fun than dragging an outsider into the deep end and watching her drown?

———————————————————-

As the elevator doors screech open with a discordant hiss, (Y/N) gets her first glimpse of Gotham’s grand penthouse.

Her towering heels click along the marble flooring as she continues towards the makeshift throne room.

Gilt and opulence are on full garish display here as ancient vases from dynasties long past stand sentinel on chipped pedestals, forgotten sculptures of Greek gods are sporadically arranged throughout the room, and stolen Monets, Manets, and Rembrandts adorn the walls.

Such finery could hold its place in any museum in the world, but instead these beautiful works of art have been ripped from their rightful homes and left here to rot in faux splendor.

She can’t help but feel a connection towards these lost creations, their kinship forged in their kidnappings.

She pushes that feeling of intense bitterness aside, however, remembering what she must do.

Her mother was far from a loving homemaker, but she did leave her daughter with one crucial piece of advice:

Survive.

After all, everyone in Gotham is just trying to survive in their own fucked up way.

And none hold truer to that belief than the people represented on the towering doors before her.

The right is unmistakable.

The Clown Prince of Crime is certifiable royalty in Gotham. The once pristine white backdrop has been graffitied with chaotic black lettering amongst spurts of purple and green.

She can make out the word “smile” and other crude references to the villain’s penchant for laughter.

But her gaze soon transfers to the left door.

The white has been coupled with black to form a triangular checkered pattern. Atop that in vibrant shades of red are various card suits and similar splashes of paint all bearing their symbolism to Gotham’s mysterious queen, Harley Quinn.

Without warning, the doors suddenly swing open and (Y/N) is ushered inside.

There, sitting atop a set of thrones are the true King and Queen of Gotham City.

Her eyes fall on the woman. Blonde hair cascades down her shoulders, their opposing tips colored in red and black.

A tiara of jeweled clubs, spades, diamonds, and hearts adorns her head as she sits poised in a striking red gown, one side slashed in front as if by a blade.

Seated next to her on the dais is the one and only Joker.

His purple coat-tailed jacket, matching satin gloves, and garish green hair do nothing to detract from the power this sadistically grinning man holds.

However, the woman suddenly rises, any formalities of a true court being quickly tossed aside.

(Y/N) bows her head graciously as is proper, but finds it unceremoniously lifted upwards.

A finger is swiped haphazardly across her lips, smearing her pristine shade.

She looks up as the woman wipes the remaining stain onto her dress and grins.

“Do we look organized around here to you?”

“Come on, kid. I’ll introduce ya to the boss.”

Other Links:

Reluctant Chosen One

Demon!Ramsay x Demon!Reader

Ramsay x Reader Angels and Demons

#Ramsay Bolton #Harley Quinn #Joker #Ramsay x reader #Ramsay x you #game of thrones #asoiaf #dc #dcu #Batman #Gotham #comics #fanfiction #fic #Ramsay snow

[lila-rae]

This is fucked up. Say what you want about this POS who deserves to rot and get beat every single day. But to then try to malign a whole Black Greek Letter Organization… nah you can miss me with that.

Like yeah you should avoid Que parties in college because they’re dogs (literally they will bark at you then grab you by your waist and host you till their head is between your thighs in the middle of the dance for) but member fraternities and sororities of the Divine 9 are some of the most philanthropic groups around. And not just the four years in college like the IFC dude bros and PHC girlies. Go to black neighborhoods at back to school time and you’ll see countless backpack giveaways hosted by these organizations. You’ll see deliveries of holiday meals at thanksgiving and bikes and toys at Christmas. Visit a local high school or boys and girls club and most likely you’ll find some form of little brother/sister program sponsored by them. So yeah what we’re not going to do is paint all of Black Greek Life as scandalous, dangerous, and inherently evil.

Lastly as the daughter of a Que, NY Post can fuck all the way off.

[keendaanmaa]

my old/beautiful book collection

the pretty books shelves

my Tolkien collection

vintage fiction

antique and vintage Bible study books

I have very few truly old books, but more than I remembered are from the early 20th century. List of titles and more details under the cut

pretty books shelves

Reader’s Digest editions: Little Women (Alcott), Tales from the Arabian Nights, Emma & Pride and Prejudice (Austen), Jane Eyre (Brontë), The Last of the Mohicans (Cooper), The Adventures of Robin Hood (Creswick), Two Years Before the Mast (Dana), David Copperfield, Oliver Twist & A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens), The Robe (Douglas), The Adventures, The Further Adventures, The Memoirs, & The Return of Sherlock Holmes (Doyle), A Passage to India (Forster), The House of the Seven Gables, The Scarlet Letter & Twice-Told Tales (Hawthorne), Kim (Kipling), The Sea Wolf (London), The Song of Hiawatha and other poems (Longfellow), Anne of Green Gables (Montgomery), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Smith), Kidnapped (Stevenson), Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Stowe), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court & Innocents Abroad (Twain), A Journey to the Centre of the Earth & Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Verne)

The Confessions of Saint Augustine—E. B. Pusey translation, Franklin Library edition. This was a Christmas gift from my parents and @bluesidedown​ has the same one

The Pilgrim’s Progress (Bunyan)—CBN University Press Christian Classics. I don’t actually remember where I got this one but most likely from my dad.

Through the Looking Glass (Carroll)—Heritage Press edition with slipcover and illustrations by John Tenniel. Again, probably from my dad but not 100% sure (he gives me a LOT of books).

The Complete Canterbury Tales (Chaucer)—F. H. Hill translation, Arcturus books with slipcover and illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. Another Christmas gift where Blue and I got matching copies from our parents.

Heretics & Orthodoxy (Chesterton)—Hendrickson Christian Classics. Again, a Christmas gift from my parents.

Nemesis & The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side (Christie)—Heron Books. Another one I can’t remember the origin of.

The Prairie (Cooper)—Easton Press collector’s edition. From my parents, Christmas this year. This is pretty much the handsomest book I own.

Great Expectations (Dickens)—Chatham River Press. Based on the inscription on the flyleaf this belonged to my dad first. Probably I got it as a gift or in his thinning of his collection.

The Scarlet Pimpernel (Orczy)—International Collector’s Library. Another of unknown origin.

Quo Vadis (Sienkiewicz)—International Collector’s Library. It amuses me that in organizing these books alphabetical by author’s last name, these two matching editions still ended up side by side.

Treasure Island (Stevenson)—Children’s Classics, illustrated by Milo Winter.

Treasure Island–Prince Otto–Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde–Kidnapped–The Black Arrow–The Master of Ballantrae–David Balfour (Stevenson)—Canterbury Classics omnibus. I actually have most of these in other editions, but I keep this for the ones I don’t have elsewhere.....and keep the other editions too because I am a book-dragon.

The Prince and the Pauper (Twain)—Portland House Illustrated Classics, illustrated by Franklin Booth. Not sure where I got this one.

The Greek Myths (Graves)—Folio Society, two volumes in slipcover. These were a Christmas gift from my parents a couple years ago, because I collect fairy tales and folk tales and suchlike.

Tolkien

These are mostly newer Houghton Mifflin or HarperCollins editions. The Silmarillion has Ted Naismith illustrations; Children of Húrin has Alan Lee illustrations, as do the covers of LotR; The Hobbit and LotR have Tolkien’s original illustrations and maps, and Roverandom has cover art by him as well; and Bilbo’s Last Song, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadill, and Smith of Wooton Major are all illustrated by Pauline Baynes.

vintage fiction (top down, left column first)

Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur—Norwood Press, 1911

Stalky & Co. (Kipling)—Macmillan and Co, 1927. Completely leatherbound with gilt spine and seal on the front cover

The Master of Ballantrae & The Black Arrow (Stevenson)—Everyman’s Library, 1938

Popular Fairy Tales (Andersen)—Blackie and Son. No date, but google tells me it’s from sometime in the 30s/40s/50s based on the binding style

Jo’s Boys (Alcott)—The Children’s Press, 1965

Around the World in Eighty Days (Verne)—Dean and Son. No date, but I’m guessing mid-twentieth century

Three Cheers Secret Seven (Blyton)—Brockhampton Press, 1960

The Burgess Animal Book for Children—Little, Brown, and Company. Copyright 1948, though likely printed later

At the Back of the North Wind (MacDonald), The Little Lame Prince (Mulock), King Arthur and his Knights (Frith), All the Mowgli Stories (Kipling)—Junior Deluxe Edtions. Illustrations are copyright 1956, no print dates

The Door in the Wall (de Angeli)—Doubleday. Copyright 1949, no print date

Freckles (Porter)—Grosset & Dunlap, 1916. Very beat up and mostly held together by packing tape on the spine

The Call of the Wild (London)—Grosset & Dunlap, 1910. It has a very faded picture glued to the front cover as part of the original binding, as well as illustrations throughout. Quite worn, with many pages about to or falling out

Kilmeny of the Orchard (Montgomery)—Ryerson, 1947. This was actually printed before the Anne series was entirely published, as the list of Montgomery’s works in the front only includes the first three books in the series

Captains Courageous (Kipling)—Thrushwood Books. Date uncertain, but google tells me probably 1950s

Heidi (Spyri)—Collins, 1958. While this did originally belong to my dad, it’s the copy I read as a kid and has been on my shelf for a long time

The Mark of the Horse Lord (Sutcliff)—Oxford University Press, 1965. I learned in making this list that my copy is probably a first edition, albeit rather beat up from being a school library copy.

Warrior Scarlet (Sutcliff)—Oxford University Press, 1966. I also have a 1973 copy that still has its dust jacket.

Robinson Crusoe (Defoe)—Dent/Dutton, 1966. A beloved favourite copy that I read many times

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Verne)—Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1953. Another beloved copy that I read many times, I flatly refuse to part with this one despite having a less faded and beat-up edition because 1) I am dreadfully sentimental and 2) the illustrations in this edition are much better than in the RD edition.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Lanier)—Illustrated Junior LIbrary. Illustrations copyright 1950, no print date

antique and vintage Bible study books

Young’s Analytical Concordance—per a pencil note on the title page this was published circa. 1937, and it definitely looks the part

The Bible as History in Pictures (Keller)—Published in 1964, this is definitely outdated in terms of archaeological evidence of Bible events but it still fascinates me to see

The New English Bible: New Testament—as a Library Edition, I don’t think this strictly counts as a first edition, but it is definitely an early edition as it was printed in 1961 when the NT translation was completed (OT translation of this version wasn’t completed until 1970)

Exposition of Genesis (Leupold)—Wartburg Press, 1942

The Epistle to the Hebrews (Brown)—Banner of Truth, 1961

Luke the Physician (Ramsay)—Baker Book House, 1956

The Gospel in Ezekiel (Guthrie)—Adam and Charles Black, 1857 (or MDCCCLVII if you prefer). This is the oldest book I own, and while is is now quite beat up - the spine is 80% tape and the front cover has come off completely and been replaced with cardboard - I can tell it was a very handsome book when it was new. The spine is bound in dark blue and brown leather, with gilt lettering and decoration, and the edges of the pages have beautiful multicolour marbling on them.

#ooops this is veeeery long #in my defence i have rather a lot of books #so even the fraction that are old/beautiful is quite a few #to quote leah: hope this is enjoyable to others and not just wildly self-indulgent #i had fun and learned a few things about the books i own #and remembered a few i had forgotten i have #about

[lambdalibrary]

June 11th and 12th A collection of LGBT history books

This collage is so scuffed and crunchy I'm sorry but people don't like to take high quality pictures of book covers and then I slap them together in ms paint because tumblr doesn't like me and let me organize images ANYWAYS

[Image ID: A collage of four book covers. In the top left corner is the cover of Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeline D. Davis. It features a polaroid of a sapphic couple on a chair, one of them is wearing a skirt and sitting on the lap of the other woman who is more masculine. The polaroid is on a black background.

The top right corner is the cover of Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers: A History of Lesbian Life in 20th Century America by Lillian Faderman. It features a stylized painted piece featuring two women. One is wearing a green headscarf and looking directly at the reader with her hand on the other woman's shoulder. The other has brown hair and is leaning on the shoulder of the other and looking at her. They both have very red lips and heavy eye make up.

The bottom left corner is the cover of the 25th anniversary edition of Transgender Warriors: Making History from Joan of Arc to Marsha P. Johnson and Beyond by Leslie Feinberg. The cover is red with the words Trans, Gender, and Warriors slanted and in yellow, orange, and white respectively. The A in trans has a picture of Leslie Feinberg inside the letter. The R in gender has a picture of I think a Greek statue. The R in warriors has a picture of a painting. The O in warriors has a picture of I think Marsha P. Johnson.

The bottom right corner is the cover of A Road to Stonewall: 1750 to 1969 Male Homosexuality and Homophobia in English and American Literature by Bryce R. S. Fone. The cover is green-gray with an embedded black and white picture of what looks like a painting. The painting shows a man naked on a rock, sitting on his discarded clothes. He is sitting with his arms around his knees and his head in between his arms. End ID.]

Triggers

Unfortunately I don't remember detailed triggers for Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers and Transgender Warriors because I read them years ago, and I need to read Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold myself so I can only issue a blanket trigger warning for homophobia and transphobia and likely mentions or descriptions of transmisogyny in Transgender Warriors. There is also discussions and descriptions of racism in Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers.

I've read A Path to Stonewall more recently and can issue clearer warnings for it

A Path to Stonewall includes - homophobia, hate crimes, ableism and medicalized homophobia, rape, pedophilia and grooming, Orientalism, transphobia

Because these are all more dry, academic texts and not novels these are often in descriptions of books or events and not the actual events themselves

Summaries and Reviews

Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold is an oral history and exploration of butch/femme lesbian culture in Buffalo and New York in the 1930s to 1960s constructed from interviews backed up with academic analysis. I have not read it myself, which does kind of go against what I want to do with this blog but I often see this book mentioned in tandem with Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers and wanted to include it myself for others to read. And maybe as a reminder to myself that I STILL need to read it.

Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers is a nonfiction book chronicling lesbian culture in America in the 20th century, examining the changes in American culture that allowed lesbian culture and butch/femme bar culture to be created and then later to thrive and adapt. I really enjoyed this book and I learned a lot from it, enjoying the way the history I already knew was fleshed out with its effects on LGBT and specifically lesbian culture. I would really recommend it and the previous book for more non fictional examinations of lesbian culture that is still along the same lines as something like Stone Butch Blues.

A note on those books though, they are dated and explore dated terms and ideas. I'm not saying that butch/femme culture is outdated, although it has certainly changed in the 21st century, my point is that at the time bisexual was an available identity in the way it is now. So the term lesbian did include both bi and lesbian women at the time, and bi women did participate in butch/femme culture, but these books won't reflect that very well or in the right terms. If you discourse on this post about bi women explode.

Transgender Warriors is another nonfiction book, this time an exploration of trans and gender nonconforming people throughout history. It has more of a broader scope than most of the books I've mentioned before, going more outside of European and American culture. It's written more as a personal journey than purely a strict academic text. I really enjoyed it, as I enjoy Feinberg's work very much, and would recommend it if you do as well and want to read more of hir work focusing on hir transgender activism.

A Road to Stonewall is more a book of literary analysis than a historical book, focusing on build up a canon of literary work for gay men. It explores history and the works of gay men, like its title says from 1750 up to Stonewall focusing on Europe and America. Oftentimes it focuses on how gay writers inspired and encouraged each other to fight homophobia, mentioning personal correspondence between authors. This is kind of a complicated book for me. I did enjoy some of it, other parts not so much. For example, a lot of this construction canon relies on works that were able to survive because of the status (wealthy and white) of their authors, authors that often invoke Orientalism in their works to compare and contrast attitudes towards sexuality. A lot of these works are often predatory as well. The forward to the book does acknowledge this, but also acknowledges it in that it offers the "it was of their time" defense. I'm not sure I'm going to phrase this right but, I would say this may be fair enough for literary analysis where you have to engage with the author's ideas and draw conclusions based on them, but is definitely uncomfortable to read for entertainment, which is why I would not recommend it unless you're willing to engage and fight with the text. On the plus side though, it introduced me to a lot of rarer and obscure books I was able to find on the openlibrary.

Links

Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold on the openlibrary - audiobook available

Odd Girls and Twilight Lovers on the openlibrary - audiobook available

Transgender Warriors on the openlibrary - audiobook available

A Road to Stonewall on the openlibrary - audiobook available

#bookblr #lgbt #lgbtq #pride month #gay #lesbian #butch femme #transgender #nonbinary #boots of leather slippers of gold #odd girls and twilight lovers #transgender warriors #a road to stonewall #leslie feinberg #bryce r s fone #lillian faderman #elizabeth lapovsky kennedy #madeline d davis #lgbt history #history books #literary analysis #bisxual #lesbian history #gay history

[donnabroadway]

Honk for Jesus. Save your soul

There are two institutions in the black community that are off limits and that is the church and Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) or the divine 9. In the last two generations or so, we have seen an increase of people willing to speak about their experiences with their fraternity or sorority and the church but speaking out is considered a betrayal of the organizations that have taken care of and protected the black community when there was nothing else for us. While there may be a public show of support for those who choose to tell the truth, they are often ostracized and shunned behind closed doors. It is still very much “what happens in this house stays in this house” type of thing. There have been many movies made about church and Greek letter organizations and the controversy is always that certain things should be respected and kept private and never a complete denial of anything depicted. Many people have threatened to sue but these lawsuits either quietly go away or never materialize. Whenever you share information that people don’t like, there is always a threat of a lawsuit and it doesn’t matter who is right or wrong, all that matters is who has the better lawyers and the money to tie up the legal system and bankrupt the other side. Money will always talk, no matter the color of the person who has it.

Absolute power corrupts. It doesn’t matter in which context that power is to be had, it always corrupts. There is a lot of intersectionality between the church and the divine 9, although more people are leaving their organization due to religious reasons. Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young were members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Coretta Scott King, Berniece King, and Rosa Parks are all members of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., I am a bit biased, Jesse Jackson was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., John Lewis, Huey P. Newton, and Hosea Williams were members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Betty Shabazz and Shirley Chisolm were members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Jamal Bryant and Ralph Abernathy were members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. I could go on all day but that’s not the point of this chapter. If you notice the one thing all of these organizations have in common, it’s the inc. behind it.  Every last one of these BGLO’s are businesses and they thrive on a level of exclusivity, elusiveness, as well as dues, fees, donations, and expenses to survive. No business, no matter if it is in the business of saving souls or the black community, does not thrive without a revenue source and that could be tithes, offerings, book sales, and speaking fees or yearly dues but some money needs to change hands in order for these businesses to survive. Just like there is no shortage of BGLO scandals and controversies and people, there are no shortages of church scandal. So much so, they can’t even decide which one the movie, Honk for Jesus. Save Your soul is based on. 

When you have someone who is essentially a nobody with a fancy title given absolute power over people to the point where people literally give their last just to be in the same vicinity, that is where the corruption comes in. It’s just like when those 18, 19, and 20 year old’s finally put on that jacket. It’s a powershift. You now have something that many want and the power to give it to them. Depending on the size of the school and the chapter, there could be anywhere from 300 to thousands of young men and women applying for an organization and only a small percentage are picked.  That means you have to find a way to stand out because even being a legacy is not enough. There are people literally willing to lick the boots of members of certain organizations, and with an immature mind and a thirst for power, one of two things may happen, people are going to end up bruised at best, in a coffin at worse and it has happened too many times to count, and nearly every single divine 9 organization has, at least, one death publicly attributed to their hazing process, which is why the intake process has changed so much over the last 30 years. It’s not only the college students partaking in these behaviors. Many people, with arrested development, come back to the only time and place they ever had power and inflict pain on people younger than their children. There is a lot to be said but I’m not trying to start a debate, get an email, or have to proclaim I am not the spokesperson for my organization, although everything I am saying, substantiated or unsubstantiated, is public record.  

I don’t know if it’s the information age and the ability to talk to different people from all over the world with different experiences but the younger generations don’t have a lot of patience for hateful sermons about sexuality, fire and brimstone, or watching the prosperity preachers Gen X and up, would have left the church due to the pastor’s questionable sexuality, Millennials, Xillennials, which is a mix of younger Gen Xers and older Millennials, would have left the church due to hypocrisy. How are you knocking down men, in some cases underaged teenaged boys, yet preaching homophobic messages and using the wife, you cannot even get fully aroused for, to shame homosexuals and unmarried people. One of the reasons why the church is failing is because you cannot preach hate for one group, no matter what you believe, and expect them to give you free labor. Many choir directors, members, teachers, deacons, evangelists, ushers, and people of all sexual orientations have given the church years of free labor, without even so much as a thank you, only to be excommunicated due to their sexual or gender identity. We have families willing to abandon their children and allow them to sleep on the streets due to the teachings of the same pastors who are sleeping with half of the members of their congregations. It’s all hypocritical. I never understood how you allow the church to make you hate people that sin differently than you, but you give a pass to that same pastor. It doesn’t make sense.

While we still have millennial pastors pulling in millions of views a week on social media, like Mike Todd, Steven Furtick, Stephanie Ike, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Robert Madu, and Pastor Mike Jr.  the church is changing, and the black community is no longer dependent on it and many younger people are leaving the church, moving to online and virtual communities, and taking their children, and the future generation of the church, with them. How do many people find a church home? Through their family. If there is no brick-and-mortar family church, people feel less inclined to join and be apart of the community, which means less bodies to do the work and less tithes. This is why the church is doing the welcome home Sunday. People have always wanted the sermons but instead of buying them, they can now get them for free on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. Less holy ghost means less tithes and no tithes mean the walmartization of the church. The big conglomerates of preachers with a large online following will thrive while small mom and pop churches with only a local, older congregations, will continue to see their numbers dwindle. Let’s be real, if I can get the same thing at home, in my pajamas, why am I going through all of that and dealing with all the stress that come with church people? It’s something to consider.

One thing I found interesting in the film was the irony of the first lady wearing clown make up, I know its technically mime make up, but the point is still there, it doesn’t matter if she was miming or clowning, she was still putting on a performance for the public in support of her husband. It was clear the first lady was unhappy. I don’t know what ideas society tells you about women and sex, but women don’t stop wanting sex after marriage or a certain age. I am sure she wanted to have sex with her husband but this man, who is clearly conflicted in his sexually, could not even muster up enough strength to have sex with her or even look her in the face as she was giving him oral sex. That is a big sign. It is one thing to have your eyes closed in pleasure, it is another thing to completely cover your face. Her husband, even with the scandal and all the performing they were doing, couldn’t stop soliciting young men long enough for the settlement to be reached. He was already hitting on another man. This is the life of many women. It may not be a church or conflicting sexuality but it’s something. Many wives grin and bear it because of societal pressures. Her own mother told her not to give up on her marriage. Women are expected to sacrifice ourselves for an institution that teaches women aren’t allowed to preach or lead. Timothy 2:11-15 are very misogynistic and outdated but there they are. The bible says because of Eve’s sin, women should learn in silence (2:11), are not permitted to teach or dominate a man (2:12), and will be saved through childbearing (2:15). The verse about Eve is 14. This is all in the bible. Sure, the first lady has standing in the community, she can shop at all the fancy stores, and she has a big house and all the fancy cars she could ever want but there is literally a mile between her and her husband at the dinner table. The other unspoken reason for the mass church exodus in the film and real life, is that xillinnials, Millennials, and Gen Z are no longer believe in the stand by your man. While there are plenty of younger women who are pick me’s, many older women Gen X and above are still in that mindset of standing by your man, a man is going to be a man, as long as he comes home and provides, what he does outside of the home is none of your business; and keeping your family together no matter what. In an interesting juxtaposition, the first lady was being berated by a former female congregant for standing by her publicly philandering husband while in that exact same moment, that same husband, the one who actually did the discretions that caused them to be in this situation was getting praised. If that’s not a metaphor for life, I don’t know what is. 

There are many things in this movie that are implied and hinted at but never said out loud. It is up to us as the audience to put together the context clues. This is not too different from real life church. A lot of people will put their heads in the sand and ignore as long as there is still hope and whatever is happening behind the scenes isn’t too blatantly obvious.

The circle and irony of life is the second the pastor in the movie messed up, there was a new church with a young preacher ready to benefit from their misdeeds. Many members moved to that church. If you remember the Eddie Long scandal of 2010, Creflo Dollars told the members of his church to go back. I am willing to bet that if the new pastor doesn’t keep his head on straight and stay focused on his wife and God, that in about 10-15 years he will be going through something similar, it is the circle of life. They were very nice nasty and seemed supportive, but you don’t become successful in any arena without being smart, savvy, and a bit cunning. Someone always gets stabbed in the back. It’s a subtle stab but it’s still there.  

In the movie, the Child’s lost all but five members of their 25,000 member congregation and that is the only part of the movie that really stood out as fantastical. While many of the younger members would have switched churches, I can guarantee you all 25,000 members would not jump ship, homosexual hypocrisy or not. At best, he would publicly be shunned by the local community until he redeemed himself and he would have maybe lost half of his members, if that. If Eddie Long’s church is still thriving and didn’t even come close to closing at the peak of the scandal, although many members did leave, and the church still has 25,000 members with a weekly attendance of 12,000, the Child’s church wouldn’t have closed. They would have been temporarily embarrassed, hired a PR team, went on a faux apology tour, Rev, Child would have went to rehab, and if they want to get extreme, he would preach a sermon about being molested as a child and how that has affected his sexual orientation. It all comes from the same playbook. Lather, rinse, and repeat. No one is more loyal than a congregation who chooses to be blind. People don’t leave the church, they leave pastors. A Baltimore area church, one whose former pastor is ironically the now pastor of said New Birth church, had many scandals and his congregants had to be worse than the Beyhive. They should have a name. I remember having a debate with a family member and she got in her feelings and called another family member the devil, she caught herself, but it was still funny, shocking, and eye opening. Even after the scandal, a few viral moments, and more secret babies, the church continued to thrive. It was only after that pastor left that the church began to get on shaky ground and many loyal members, including that family member finally left the church. It is unrealistic to think everyone would leave. It’s just like public figures who do egregious things, someone will always be willing to turn a blind eye because they enjoy their music, movies, or they have impacted their life in some way. Even after MuteRKelly, his music has continue to trend on TikTok. People have always used the excuse of separating the art from the artist, even when that artist was supposed to be saving souls. Trust, if Rev. Childs had that much of an impact on the community, many people, even public figures, would have turned a blind eye, as long as he brought in the money and could influence his congregation to think and do whatever the powers that be wanted. The reason why Jim Jones, the preacher not the rapper, was allowed to get away with everything he did, was because of his power. If he told his congregation, which was estimated to be 20,000 at its peak, to vote one way, they all did. He was so influential that he was even appointed housing commissioner of San Francisco and that political protection shielded him from the true consequences of his actions and allowed him to move his congregation to Guyana, because how do you just move thousands of people out of the country, and once it came out what happened and what was happening, everyone who benefited from his cult acted like they had no idea what was going on. They didn’t care, they just wanted the money and the votes and that’s nothing new.

#honk for jesus. save your soul #divine9 #bglo hazing creflodollar eddielong #jimjones jonestown

[lboogie1906]

Happy Founders Day to the Men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity 🖤💛💙🤍❤️ Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (ΦΒΣ) is a collegiate and professional Fraternity founded at Howard University on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students with nine other Howard students as charter members. The fraternity's founders, Abram Langston Taylor, Leonard Frances Morse, and Charles Ignatius Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would exemplify the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service while taking an inclusive perspective to serving the community as opposed to having an exclusive purpose. The fraternity exceeded the prevailing models of Black Greek-letter fraternal organizations by establishing youth mentoring clubs, to establish a federal credit union, and is the only fraternity to hold a constitutional bond with a predominantly African-American sorority, Zeta Phi Beta (ΖΦΒ), which was founded on January 16, 1920, at Howard University. The fraternity serves through a membership of more than 200,000 men in over 700 chapters in the US, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Although Phi Beta Sigma is considered a predominantly African-American Fraternity, its membership also consists of diverse college-educated men of African, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian descent. According to its Constitution, academically-eligible male students of any race, religion, or national origin may join while enrolled at a college or university through collegiate chapters, or professional men may join through an alumni chapter if a college degree has been attained, along with a certain minimum number of earned credit hours. Phi Beta Sigma is a member of the NPHC and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (IFC or NIC). #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #phibetasigma https://www.instagram.com/p/CnMdqr5Lx9o/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #phibetasigma

[jayhorsestar]

i never knew men, be that man, don't look back... follow your path and i would be watching you fading farther and farther away.. don't ask don't tell in view of nuclear research, and you've gotten all the answers: indeed am a fair hair swedish untamed lady, piercing through your heart w glimpses of green shaded eyes, when recently wearing my glasses almost all the time, and my hair turned white, and i look old. ..tell me more of your man back in the days.. white hair, white skin, and incredibly strong. liked piano, tried guitar, enjoyed elvis and roger, played organ-pipe, a few songs. i was good at block-flute, he had three of those, brand new, could not whistle blow a lot flute. all those ended btw, at 'amipeterson, upon she was cruising western Alaska, on Princess. 2day JMB sells those at 2EUR a piece, all china. churches choirs still play songs and carols on block-flute. lutherans, the Black Church, opposite the street of greeks. am not going to come to your funeral, am not aiming UK, or SWE. i wanted you safe, isolated is indeed the best, and able paying all dues monthly from bed, till your last breath. i hate to see you leaving so soon, you indeed saw me RUNNING. i was falling for that, am still running, by 2024 only: since the Vodafone new smartphone ON, best for keeping fit. that man.. was crazy, indeed bought from Morocco and Spain all sort of silver, incl. Toledo stilettos pairs X-letter affixed onto white and then another red metallic shields to ornament walls. that sort of medieval decorating the lobby. he was indeed advised to carry two knives, and play legitimately the self-defense, and was avoiding police cars at all costs, when walking in the street. yet he was more concerned w bears, ssly. his baston was a long sword hidden concealed inside the creamy white corn alike horn material, sort of matador sword when slaying the bull's heart. i saw that only twice, i think he was having three walking sticks, and one of those was that sword. and then a long sharpened kitchen knife, sort of 'crocodile dundee. he was carrying weapons sometimes. it was not uncommon, usually policemen were AK47 auto-assault rifles, plus pistols. and BRV quarters of Schei, the old part, and several southern parts, where minorities usually, german, hungarian, or gypsies, all were carrying knives. it was not uncommon. ..i will love her, and perhaps when i will feel it coming, i will remember you.. i dunno.. the 'valhalla thing. having done the duties, having achieved accomplishment. we will be reaching Mars, and perhaps also the Moon. we will love gold, and women. gay is temporary, silicon surrogate, too. i would carry you inside of me, in the USA, you will be safe. i loved having you around, cross a heart! m

[ausetkmt]

14 Lesser-Known African American Historical Sites in Detroit | Visit Detroit

1.4 miles. That is the short distance that stood between many 19th century Black Americans and freedom in Canada.

For many runaway slaves, the shores of the Detroit River would be their last glimpse of life in the country that enslaved them.

Detroit’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad is only one aspect of our city’s invaluable Black history.

Some of Detroit’s historical landmarks are well-known. Places like the Charles H. Wright Museum, and Second Baptist Church are not to be missed on any visit to our city. But, for those who would like an even deeper dive in Detroit’s Black history. Here’s a list of some of our faves.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom to see all of these sites mapped out for easy itinerary planning.

1.The Offices of the Detroit Plaindealer

1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226

An independent African American newspaper, The Detroit Plaindealer, published its first issue in May of 1863. It closed up shop somewhere around 1895.

Published by brothers Benjamin and Robert Pelham Jr. - alongside Walter H. Stowers and W.H. Anderson - The Plaindealer was the African American voice. “That was our voice,” explained Kimberly Simmons, chair of the Detroit Historical Society’s Black Sites Committee and president of the Detroit River Project, to The Huffington Post. “You had a whole group of people here, and the only way they knew what was going on was the Plaindealer. So it was a huge deal.”

The newspaper’s office was located on the southwest corner of Shelby and State Street. That space is currently occupied by the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. A marker was recently erected to denote the historical relevance.

2. The Alger Theater

16451 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48224

While it has largely been white-owned, The Alger Theater served what evolved into the diverse historic neighborhood of Morningside located on the near-Eastside of the city.

One of only two remaining intact and unchanged neighborhood theaters, the Alger Theater was granted historic designation in 2009. The designation saved the theater from demolition.

Historically, it was a movie house that eventually showed B-movies in the late-70s and early 80s. However, earlier in its life, popular jazz acts like Dave Brubeck and the Duke Ellington Orchestra played in the 800-plus seat theater.

The Friends of the Alger Theater is a 25-year-old active non-profit organization committed to making the historic theater an anchor of this evolving neighborhood.

3. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity House

293 Eliot St., Detroit, MI 48201

The home of Gamma Lambda Chapter, the 100-year-old Alpha House near downtown Detroit is home to the third oldest alumni chapter in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

The building was built in 1919 and the fraternity purchased it in 1939. It is currently the meeting location, a museum, and event space for the organization.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the oldest Black Greek Letter Organization in history. It was founded in 1906.

4. Elmwood Cemetery

1200 Elmwood St., Detroit, MI 48207

One of the first fully-integrated cemeteries in the Midwest, Elmwood Cemetery is the resting place for a number of iconic Black Detroiters.

Former mayor, Coleman A. Young; Fannie Richards, Detroit’s first African American school teacher in the public school system; and Dudley Randall, Detroit’s former Poet Laureate, are all resting in this historic location.

Elmwood Cemetery and the Historic Elmwood Foundation launched a self-guided African American History Tour in 2015.

5. Algiers Motel Location

8301 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202

Three people were killed throughout the night of July 25-26, 1967, at the Algiers Motel in an incident during one of the darkest times in Detroit history. A period that the city has still not truly healed from.

As the 1967 rebellion raged in Detroit, several Black male youths and white women were listening to music inside the motel. One youth fired a starter pistol into the air which drew the attention of nearby officers believing they were dealing with many armed rioters.

The resulting police clash and deaths and wounding of seven others enraged the already tense community. The legacy of the Algiers Motel has been preserved in stage plays and films including the 2017 movie, Detroit.

6. The Shrine of the Black Madonna

7625 Linwood St., Detroit, MI 48206

Founded in 1967 by Albert B. Cleage, The Shrine of the Black Madonna was established as a segment of the Black Christian Nationalist Movement. The church is known for its recognition to center African Americans within the Christian narrative – a narrative that was often rooted in white supremacy.

Since its founding, the congregation at The Shrine of the Black Madonna became a powerhouse in Detroit politics instrumental in the mayoral elections of Coleman A. Young and Kwame M. Kilpatrick.

The Shrine also has a dynamic bookstore that is essential for any visitor to the historic site. The store features new and rare books on Black history and culture.

7. Masjid Wali Muhammad

11529 Linwood St., Detroit, MI 48206

Linwood Street was the site and home of much of the pan-African and Black nationalist movement. One important site is this historic masjid. This location was initially established as Temple #1 of the Black Muslim movement, The Nation of Islam.

The Nation of Islam moved into this space in 1959 and was designated a historic site in 2013.

The location was renamed in the late 70s after the death of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. The name, Masjid Wali Muhammad was chosen in honor of the brother of Elijah Muhammad and designated a “masajid” the Arabic word for the place of worship for Muslims.

8. King Solomon Church

6100 14th St., Detroit, MI 48208

Founded in 1926, King Solomon Baptist Church has been an important center of Black life in Detroit since its founding.

The church was the site of one of the first Boy Scout troops for Black Detroiters. It was also a community center for the neighborhood. Youth outreach programs, like a boxing program led by the legendary Emmanuel Stewart, was where world champion boxer, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns got his start.

The church was also the home of a number of gospel acts including Reverend James Cleveland and The Supremes. The church, which has 5000-seats, has also been the location of a number of historical Black speeches including two appearances by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

9. Submerge Record Distribution

3000 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

The world headquarters of Underground Resistance is also home to the Detroit Techno Museum.

Original records from the height of the era, including gold and platinum plaques, are on display inside the museum. It should be noted that it is only available by appointment.

The museum has been called a “mecca for true techno fans” and the music, which reflected the grime of Detroit in the 1980s. John Collins, a DJ and producer told Detroit Metro Times that techno music, which is renowned around the world, was created to give listeners “hope for the future, that things will get better.”

10. Plowshares Theatre Company

440 Burroughs St. #185., Detroit, MI 48202

Founded in 1989, the Plowshares Theatre Company has been offering a true off-Broadway experience as Michigan’s only professional African American theatre company.

The company has dedicated itself to “breaking new ground” by nurturing emerging, talented writers and actors. Named after a blade that cuts the top layer of soil in a farm, the name Plowshares refers back to the work that enslaved people did on plantations.

Producer Gary Anderson wrote that Plowshares is important because when African Americans can see themselves in artistic endeavors, like plays, it is a validation of life.

11. Dr. Ossian Sweet House

2905 Garland St., Detroit, MI 48214

This historic site does appear on a number of must-see lists for visitors to Detroit, but it remains worth mentioning again.

In September of 1925, Dr. Ossian Sweet and his wife Gladys moved into their home on Garland St., and within hours a neighborhood group gathered to run the couple out of the home. A mob of at least 400 people gathered the next night throwing stones at the house.

Someone inside the house fired shots from a second-floor window hitting a rioter who had come onto the porch and wounded another in the crowd. All of the Black people in the house were charged with murder.

Dr. Sweet was acquitted of charges after being represented by the illustrious Charles Darrow. Charges against the rest of the group were dropped. However, Mrs. Sweet contracted tuberculosis in jail and died, along with the couple’s two-year-old daughter. And years later, Sweet took his own life.

The home represents the challenges that African Americans in Detroit had in moving into primarily white neighborhoods. The city is now majority Black.

12. Whipping Post

The Southeast corner of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues

This site was the location of Detroit’s first and only whipping post. The post was used to flog thieves and vagabonds, in protection of the city’s moral codes.

The whipping post was also a location where a man could be sold for a number of days work for petty crimes although slavery was illegal in the state of Michigan.

The legacy of the whipping post is still little-known. However, it is reasonable to assume that Black Detroiters, prior to 1830 when the post was removed, were punished at the post. It is mapped on the Mapping Slavery in Detroit map created by the University of Michigan.

13. Second Baptist Church

441 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226

Second Baptist Church is the oldest Black-established church in the Midwest. Founded in 1836, Second Baptist Church was a station on the Underground Railroad. The church was a final stop for some 5,000 enslaved people giving them food and clothing before sending them on to Canada.

14. Elizabeth Denison Forth’s House

328 Macomb, Detroit, MI 48226

Born a slave near Detroit in 1786, Elizabeth (Lisette) Denison Forth won her freedom after she and her brother moved to Canada to establish residency, which guaranteed that they would not be returned to their previous slave owner.

Lisette became a domestic servant, but she invested all of her pay into purchasing land. She became the first Black property owner in Pontiac, Michigan. She invested in the stock market and real estate and ultimately her own home became a Michigan Historic Site.

The front doors of St. James Episcopal Church is dedicated to Lisette who was a devout Episcopalian. She dedicated her life savings of $1,500 in 1866 to the building of the church.

In 2017, she was added to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame for her dedication to freedom and for equality among the rich and poor.

#14 Lesser-Known African American Historical Sites in Detroit #Detroit #Black HIstory in Detroit #Black Detroit #Black People #Black Lives Matter #Black Detroit History #racism in michigan #elizabeth dennison forth

[screenshots123]

📆 04 Jan 2024 ✍️ Erin Prater 📰 ‘Pirola' JN.1 is the probable future of COVID pandemic, experts warn—but you didn’t hear it from the WHO 🗞️ Fortune

Most new variants differ from each other in just one or two small ways. But with its 30-plus additional mutations, Pirola is as genetically divergent from Omicron as Omicron was from the original COVID.

In short, JN.1 is, by all appearances, a game changer. Most—if not all—variants of consequence for the foreseeable future could very well evolve from it, experts tell Fortune—until the virus throws another black swan-style curveball, anyway.

Whether the WHO will recognize it with a Greek letter—in what would be its first designation in over two years—remains to be seen.

As of Jan. 3, it had not—and some experts say that’s a mistake.

Among them: Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, Calif., and a leading authority on the virus.

When cases of JN.1 began skyrocketing this fall, “instead of side-stepping, the WHO could have easily given it a new Greek letter,” he told Fortune.

Dr. Michael Osterholm—director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) and another leading authority on COVID—says the authority to designate a new Greek letter should rest with the WHO alone, not citizen scientists or anyone else, for that matter.

But “I’m not saying they’ve done it appropriately,” he told Fortune, speaking of the international health organization’s variant-naming committee.

JN.1 represents “a very serious evolution of the virus,” he said. “And it isn’t over.”

Ryan Hisner—a top citizen variant tracker who discovered the second and third known cases of BA.2.86—says “Pirola” has brought about a startling realization: Omicron wasn’t a “one-off anomaly.”

“Ever since BA.1 emerged, people have asked whether the original Omicron event was essentially a freak accident or something we could expect to occur repeatedly in the future,” he said. “JN.1/BA.2.86 has really changed the outlook on this front. I think it’s now much more widely accepted that these extreme [evolutionary] events will be a semi-regular occurrence with SARS-CoV-2.”

[recentlyheardcom]

A white substitute teacher is expected to catch the fullness of “Phirst Phamily” fury after putting on a duly initiated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s jacket in class.Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first Black women’s sorority founded in 1908 on Howard University’s campus. The organization’s colors are salmon pink and apple green.A photo of a substitute teacher wearing another teacher’s jacket in class. (@ursk1nnysavior/X)The students in her class tried to warn her not to put their teacher’s jacket on, but the defiant older woman did not care and rocked the pink and green Greek letters like she was marching on Howard University’s campus in 1908.Trending Today:One student, whose X profile name is @ursk1nnysavior, posted two pictures of the teacher with the forbidden paraphernalia on her social media. In one picture, the young Black girl, fully aware of the devastating misdeed the woman perpetrated, appears shocked.The teen also knows the backlash the elderly white woman is about to get.“Y’all why I’m in class and we got a sub and she gon grab our teacher’s AKA jacket and put it on and then we tryna explain to her and tell her to take it off and SHE WONT DO IT LMFAOOO,” she tweeted.The post went viral on X, garnering 17 million views by Tuesday, Oct. 3.Some asked why the substitute teacher thought she could wear the jacket.One person wrote, “The AKAs are about to be outside her house like …” posting a clip of rapper Beanie Sigel getting raided by the SWAT team.Another joked, “Her line name is AKAren.”“I was just hella shockedlike ain’t no way she just did that,” the student followed up in the replies.Multiple people noted how disrespectful it is to wear anyone’s jacket without permission, regardless of their Divine 9 affiliation. More said they are waiting for a response from the teacher when she returns to class on Monday, Oct. 2. However, as of Tuesday, the student has not posted any updates. Atlanta Black Star also contacted the student for comment.Membership into Alpha Kappa Alpha is done by a selective membership intake process that has over the last 115 years included women such as Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Mae Jemison, Cathy Hughes, sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, Jada Pinkett Smith, Brandy Norwood and Vice President Kamala Harris.These women and only women within the organization understand that membership has its privileges — like wearing the letters. People who are not inducted into any of the organizations included in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (also known as the Divine 9 or D9), are not allowed to wear them.In some cases, people who do wear paraphernalia or letters (often called perps) face serious and often violent consequences.One example of a perp getting caught went viral earlier this summer. The young lady did not just wear the AKA clothing but attempted to stroll with some sorors at a Black Greek Week event in Washington. She was pulled from the line.WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.AKA Perp Alert is one social media page dedicated to putting on blast people who unjustifiably wear AKA paraphernalia and act like they are members when they are not. The substitute teacher most likely didn’t know any of these cultural rules, nor was she trying to act as she pledged. She simply acted out of her privilege, which told her she could do what she wanted.

[thxnews]

Small Biz Power Players Unite: SBA & NPHC Collaborate to Support Black Entrepreneurs

SBA – NPHC Partnership Roundtable, Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill – Columbia Ballroom, 400 New Jersey Drive, Washington, DC 20001 In a notable collaboration, Isabella Casillas Guzman, the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), will join the National Pan-Hellenic Council's (NPHC) national leaders for an enlightening roundtable discussion. Acting as the voice for America's vast small business community, Administrator Guzman's participation demonstrates the Biden administration's commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for the country's more than 33 million small businesses. The NPHC, comprised of member organizations collectively known as the Divine Nine, plays a crucial role in advancing the interests of its community. The roundtable will serve as a platform for Administrator Guzman and NHPC leaders to emphasize the expanded partnership between the SBA and the Divine Nine. This collaboration aims to boost initiatives that promote the establishment of new businesses, offer vital technical assistance, facilitate entrepreneurs' access to federal contracts, and enhance disaster response activities. During the discussion, Administrator Guzman and the Divine Nine participants will explore opportunities for the Biden-Harris Administration to further support Black entrepreneurship. Key topics will include the expansion of capital accessibility, as well as the Divine Nine's role in preparing students for the workforce, equipping them with the necessary skills for success. The roundtable presents a significant opportunity for Administrator Guzman and NPHC leaders to exchange valuable insights and identify ways to empower small businesses within marginalized communities. By leveraging the expertise and resources of the Divine Nine, the SBA aims to create an environment conducive to growth, innovation, and economic stability. The SBA's commitment to small businesses aligns with the Biden administration's broader agenda of fostering an inclusive and prosperous economy. By forging partnerships with organizations like the NPHC, the SBA seeks to expand its reach and impact, ensuring that small businesses have the necessary support to thrive in today's competitive landscape. As the roundtable progresses, stakeholders anticipate the emergence of collaborative strategies that will drive economic empowerment and uplift communities nationwide. The SBA's collaboration with the Divine Nine exemplifies the government's dedication to building bridges and cultivating an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish. With Administrator Guzman at the helm, small business owners and entrepreneurs can rest assured that their voices are being heard and their needs addressed. The SBA's commitment to partnering with influential organizations such as the NPHC underscores the administration's pledge to support economic growth, strengthen communities, and drive lasting change. The roundtable discussion represents a vital step toward achieving these goals, as the SBA and the Divine Nine work together to create a brighter future for small businesses across the nation.  

SBA Logo.  

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The American ideal of owning a business is supported in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA provides entrepreneurs and small company owners with the tools and support they need to launch, grow, expand, or recover from a declared disaster as the only go-to resource and advocate for small businesses backed by the might of the federal government. Through a wide network of SBA field offices and collaborations with both public and private organizations, it provides services.  

About the NPHC

The National Pan-Hellenic group, often known as the Divine Nine® or Black Greek Letter Organizations, is a cooperative umbrella group made up of historically African American fraternities and sororities. Five fraternities—Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Iota Phi Theta—as well as four sororities—Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho—make up its nine member groups. In addition to engaging in cooperative programming and projects through a variety of activities and functions, the council encourages contact through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information. The company's national president is Donna Jones Anderson.   Sources: THX News & SBA. Read the full article

#Blackentrepreneurship #DivineNine #Economicempowerment #IsabellaCasillasGuzman #NPHCRoundtable #SBAcollaboration #SBANPHCPartnershipRoundtable #SBApartnership #SBAsupport #SmallBusinessAdministration #Smallbusinesses

[intothewildsstuff]

Why the Divine 9 must keep attacking Florida's awful HB 999

Someone needs to woke up DeSatan.