Since the early 1900s, Black nonprofit organizations have existed nationwide to promote civil and social action and foster unity among the African American community. Initially created as a result of racial isolation and discrimination, these groups continue to pursue their core goals today at institutions such as Case Western Reserve University.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)—which includes historically Black fraternities and sororities known as the “Divine Nine”—is an example of one such group. Organized in 1930, its members include countless famous athletes, entertainers, activists and politicians, ranging from Steve Harvey to Angela Bassett, Martin Luther King, Jr. to Vice President Kamala Harris, and even Case Western Reserve alumnus Mayor Justin Bibb (LAW ’18, MGT ’18).
At Case Western Reserve, many students, alumni, faculty and staff members also represent the NPHC—and make invaluable contributions to our community. In honor of Black History Month, The Daily sat down with several of these members to learn about their involvement within their organizations and contributions at CWRU and beyond.
Get to know this week’s spotlights.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Clarence “Tre” Armstrong (CWR ’21)
From the classroom to the athletic field and beyond, Clarence “Tre” Armstrong is heavily involved on campus. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism with a minor in sports medicine, Armstrong enrolled in the university’s School of Medicine to earn a Master of Science in Medical Physiology degree. While on campus, he also serves as an assistant residential community director for first-year housing, an assistant coach for the university’s baseball team, and a teaching assistant for two undergraduate courses offered by the medical school’s Department of Nutrition. As part of the NPHC, Armstrong is a legacy member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and an initiate of the Pi chapter, chartered at Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University in 1914.
1. How did you learn about the NPHC?
My father is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and my mother is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I also participated in a junior fraternity in high school, where members of the NPHC mentored us.
2. Why did you join Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
I joined my organization to find brotherhood in Cleveland and further develop the organization’s motto, mission statement and aims at Case Western Reserve and in Greater Cleveland. The men of my organization are leaders, role models, and servants for all of society, and I aspire to continue this legacy with my future endeavors.
3. What community service projects or other activities have you participated in as a member?
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People is one of our main national programs we worked tirelessly for during the 2020 election cycle. My chapter and I conducted three significant events that gathered over 500 people and had guests such as the Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. We helped get people registered to vote, find their polling locations, and made them aware of the pressing issues on the ballot.
4. How has being a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. shaped who you are today? What impact(s) has being a member made on your life?
[Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.] helped me to reach new heights and connect with individuals at [Case Western Reserve] in various departments. I was able to build relationships with other like-minded men from similar cultural backgrounds that have become family. I also grew as a scholar and leader and gained valuable lessons I will use for the rest of my life.
5. What is your favorite memory within this organization?
My favorite memory of being in my organization will be the unveiling of our new monument that is going up on the Engineering Quad [this May]. After two years of meetings and fundraising, it is finally coming to fruition!
Janice Eatman-Williams (SAS ’01)
Among her many roles on campus, Janice Eatman-Williams is director of student-based outreach programs for the Facilitated Outreach for Community and University Success (FOCUS) Group and serves on the leadership team for the university’s Social Justice Institute. She is also an active member of the Alpha Omega, the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. chartered at Western Reserve University in 1917.
1. How did you learn about the NPHC?
As Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is one of the charter organizations of the NPHC, I was aware before being initiated and have learned much more [by participating] in NPHC-sponsored events over the years.
2. Why did you join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
Social justice and service have been at the core of my being since I was a child, and the majority of my community role models who were members of Black Greek-lettered organizations were members of Alpha Kappa Alpha and attended CWRU for graduate school.
I hope to gain a lifetime of collaboration with people who truly are servant leaders, opportunities to serve, and to address challenges and lift communities across the African diaspora.
3. What community service projects or other activities have you participated in as a member?
I have done everything—from multiple years of on-air fundraising and annual MLK Day of Service projects at schools, women’s shelters and other sites to presentations to young people aging out of foster care, disaster relief distributions, and collecting (and packing) shipments for school supplies, clothing and personal care items for schools across Africa.
4. How has being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. shaped who you are today? What impact(s) has being a member made on your life?
All of the principles of the organization are grounded in sisterhood and how to extend that practice into everything we do. I use many of those lessons learned in my personal and professional lives.
Members of the sorority have been with me for my lifetime. They have been there at every step from the good and successful to the extremely challenging. We truly are family.
5. What is your favorite memory within this organization?
There are so many, but three major ones are the day I was initiated and officially welcomed into Alpha Kappa Alpha; the 75th Boule Celebration, where I witnessed an interview with our last living founder, Norma E. Boyd, in Washington, D.C.; and the service and celebratory activities that led up to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s centennial anniversary in 2008 at Howard University.
Brian Webster (CWR ’11)
Brian Webster is the vice president of the East Central Province for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the second vice president of the NPHC-Greater Cleveland chapter. Beyond his work in his fraternity, Webster serves as a middle school teacher for the Bedford City School District and is the vice president for the African American Alumni Association at CWRU.
1. How did you learn about the NPHC?
I learned about [the NPHC] after going to a Meet-the-Greeks event at CWRU my freshman year in 2007.
2. Why did you join Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
I joined because of the members in my chapter that I met and because our motto, “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor,” is what I have always embodied.
3. What community service projects or other activities have you participated in as a member?
Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, mentoring youth as part of our Guide Right initiative, annual toy giveaways at Sunbeam Elementary School, raising funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and many [other] projects.
4. How has being a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. shaped who you are today? What impact(s) has being a member made on your life?
I wouldn’t be the leader I am today without the growth my organization has provided me. I found my niche and became more involved in leadership roles and opportunities around campus and throughout Cleveland.
5. What is your favorite memory within this organization?
My favorite memory [was] participating in the stroll-off competition held at CWRU back in 2012 when my organization won [first] place.