The Divine Nine: A History of African American Fraternities and Sororities

Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. is the author of The Divine Nine, the first book to chronicle the histories of the nine African-American fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. In it he profiles of prominent members such as the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., television personality Star Jones, Operation PUSH chair Rev. Jesse Jackson and the late tennis legend Arthur Ashe. In his presentation he will discuss such current issues as pledging, hazing and interfraternal relations. Lawrence Ross attended the University of California at Berkeley, and has been a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for over fifteen years. As a journalist, his work has been seen in over 200 African American newspapers, and he currently works as a reporter for the Los Angeles Independent Newspapers.