By Dr. Sharon H. Porter | Friday, December 22, 2023 | 6:oo AM ET
Today's Divine Nine Member Spotlight is sponsored by the
Join Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine in celebrating the incredible influence of the members of the Divine Nine! Discover the rich legacy and vibrant impact of these exceptional members in our special Divine Nine Spotlight!
From Alpha to Omega, we're shining a spotlight on the trailblazers, scholars, leaders, and community advocates who make up the Divine Nine. Get ready to dive into the history, achievements, and empowering stories of the members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations that continue to shape our society.
Stay tuned for the exclusive interviews, captivating profiles, and extraordinary journeys of the Divine Nine members on the Vision & Purpose Podcast and upcoming print issues.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on the incredible impact of these inspiring individuals. Stay tuned for an issue you don't want to miss!
Who or what inspired you to become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.?
I am thankful for the Divine Nine members in my family and my high school step team coach for introducing me to Greek Life. Studying the history for myself inspired me to make one of the best decisions I have ever made at Howard University. During undergrad, I was attracted to the aura of the Ladies of Alpha Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated on campus through their high scholastic standards, leadership positions and programs. I learned more about Lucy Diggs Slowe and her connection to the community and sports while living in Slowe Hall. I was inspired by my Resident Assistant who was also an AKA and many others who paved the way for me to become R.E.F.I.N.E.D. in every aspect of my life.
As my life has evolved as an AKA, sports wife and mom, and professional, I continue to be inspired by Sisterhood, Scholarship and Service to All Mankind. My dissertation advisor, Dr. Joan Payne who is also an Alpha Chapter AKA inspired me to become a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and taught me how to navigate the road less traveled when I researched sports concussions and their effects on cognitive-communication skills.
I was inspired by my late great Alpha Chapter and Xi Omega Chapter mentor, Paula Bruner to always be true to my talents and serve on Inspirational and Public Relations committees. As a proud member of Iota Gamma Omega Chapter of Prince George’s County, Maryland, I am inspired by many of the nonprofit leaders who have poured into me as I continue to grow as President & CEO of Head to Speech, Incorporated®️. My nonprofit organization serves as one of the cohort members for Ivy Community Charities of Prince George’s County’s Ivy VINE Incubator for Nonprofit Excellence.
About Tabia Pope, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Are you ready to turn your ideas into Social Enterprises?
Dr. Tabia Pope teaches social entrepreneurs, business owners and influencers within the image, communications, health, wellness, sports, fitness, and lifestyle communities how to turn their million-dollar ideas into social enterprises and nonprofits with her book, “Align Your Brand with Social Impact: The 5-Step Process to Massive Growth and Sustainability.”
As a clinical instructor in the University of the District of Columbia’s Speech-Language Pathology program, Dr. Pope started a nonprofit organization called Head to Speech and gained national recognition within three years of its founding. The organization, which is based on her dissertation, is dedicated to athlete brain health, sports concussions and their effects on cognitive-communication skills.
In her book, Dr. Pope teaches people how to measure the strength of their social impact. She provides insight into maximizing relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, partners, sponsors, and donors.
Dr. Pope breaks down the process into five steps:
Align your brand values with your cause, purpose, vision and mission.
Align your brand with a social impact strategy.
Align your strategy with market research.
Align your research to inform your plan for massive growth.
Align your growth by packaging and selling your brand story.
In the book, Dr. Pope explains the importance of authenticity in brand identity. By sharing her story allows others to do the same. Furthermore, aligning your brand with social impact opens the doors to new connections and new opportunities.
Dr. Pope gained a wealth of knowledge in health communications from her beloved Howard University and through her company, BIA Communications, affectionately known as BIA BRAND®️. Inside her book you’ll learn more about how she used transferable skills in community outreach and advocacy, interprofessional education and collaboration, and brain health coaching to make an impact within the athletic community!
About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is comprised of more than 355,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.”
About the Divine Nine
The Divine Nine, formally known as, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative umbrella council composed of nine historically African American fraternities and sororities, and also referred to as Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs). The NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C., with Matthew W. Bullock as the active Chairman and B. Beatrix Scott as Vice-Chairman. NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.
The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other media for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.
Each constituent member organization determines its own strategic direction and program agenda. Today, the primary purpose and focus of member organizations remains camaraderie and academic excellence for its members and service to the communities they serve. Each promotes community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.
Divine Nine Member Spotlight Sponsor
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