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 Jalen Hurts 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.
Ivan Conard (SAS ‘21)
A graduate of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences with a Master of Science in Social Administration, Ivan Conard works as a full-time research associate at the Center of Trauma and Adversity. Conard is an active member of the Zeta Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
- How did you learn about the NPHC?
Within my church home, I learned at an early age about the impact of the fraternal experience, specifically Omega Psi Phi. It was then through my journey throughout college (and afterwards) where I built relationships and spent time learning more [about the organization].
- Why did you join Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
I joined [Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.] because of the caliber of men that [the organization] has birthed, and I sought to better myself while building friendship with others who shared a unified philosophy.
Current goals I have include building partnerships with organizations to support our programs and finding innovative ways to further impact the city of Cleveland.
- What community service projects or other activities have you participated in as a member?
Since 2021, I have chaired our Health Initiative program. Through this mandated program to promote good health practices, I support chapter-scheduled blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross. Additionally, we have led initiatives to educate youth about the importance of physical fitness, and mental and relational health.
- How has being a member of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc. shaped who you are today? What impact(s) has being a member made on your life?
[Being a member of Omega Psi Phi] has given me unshakable self-awareness and perseverance to accomplish tasks. The impact of [Omega Psi Phi] has sharpened me to apply my knowledge through shared initiatives and to have faith in others. At CWRU, being a member has provided opportunities to test my scholastic skill set, build friendships and uplift others through my roles as a student and now research associate.
- What is your favorite memory as a member of your organization?
Road trips to Cincinnati, Atlanta and Charlotte for events and to build friendship with other chapters.
Aliah Lawson (CWR ‘21)
Aliah Lawson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., helps provide civil legal services to low-income people in Northeast Ohio as an intake specialist at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
- How did you learn about the NPHC?
I unknowingly was around people that were part of Black Greek-letter organizations all my life. I learned more about [the NPHC] when I met and built a relationship with Dr. Heather Burton at CWRU.
- Why did you join Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
I joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. because I worked and focused on social justice on campus and in my community, which is one major focus of my organization. My membership will continue to be an avenue toward service in my community and help me develop and build connections on all fronts.
- What community service projects or other activities have you participated in as a member?
I have participated in voter registration drives, helped facilitate voter education and election candidate forums, and an expungement fair where community members could apply to get their criminal records expunged, benefit from wrap-around services and get general legal advice to foster socio-economic stability.
- How has being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. shaped who you are today? What impact(s) has being a member made on your life?
My organization has allowed me to meet and work with so many people in the community who want to see it thrive and for people to be able to lead better lives. It has allowed me to hone and develop different skills for the benefit of others and has been an invaluable experience that I am glad to say I will be part of for the rest of my life.
- What is your favorite memory as a member of your organization?
One of my favorite memories was planning and facilitating an early voting tailgate right before the 2022 midterm elections. We contracted with a food truck to give free food to those in the area who were voting early, provided them with voter information on the local ballot and had a DJ play music to keep them engaged and entertained as they waited in line to vote. Supporting and encouraging early voting by making the wait to vote a little more fun was enjoyable!
Antonia Nwankwo (MED ‘22)
A member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Antonia Nwankwo works at Cleveland Clinic Lakewood Family Health Center as a clinical faculty and manager of resident education for Fairview Hospital’s internal residency program.
- How did you learn about the NPHC?
As a middle school student, I would watch the Omega Psi Phi talent show and eventually competed on the local level and won twice.
- Why did you join Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
A poised and elegant woman was in my French class and everything about her—including how she carried herself—made me want to be like her. I ended up having a resident assistant who wore the same letters and colors as the girl in my French class.
The reason I joined [Sigma Gamma Rho] was to be unified with women who strived for education, embraced their differences and served the African American community.
- What are some community service projects or other activities that you have participated in as a member?
I participated in career fairs at local elementary and middle schools, judged science fairs, and participated in financial literacy programs. I also served food at homeless and domestic violence shelters, led community clean-up projects, and created breast cancer awareness programming and educational materials.
- How has being a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. shaped who you are today? What impact(s) has being a member made on your life?
Being a part of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. has made my life full and allowed me to realize that life is much bigger than myself. Being able to join women who believe that education is the ticket to freedom has pushed me to strive beyond anything I ever thought I could do.
At CWRU, it allowed me to build community while I was adjusting to a new location and gave me the support of local sorors (or sorority sisters) who I would not have met otherwise.
- What is your favorite memory as a member of your organization?
Some of my favorite memories include road trips with my chapter and attending the 100-year celebration of our illustrious organization.
Jasmine Floyd (NUR ‘21)
A spring 2019 inductee (and legacy) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Floyd works in an intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic and attends Ohio State University as she pursues her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
- How did you learn about the NPHC?
I went to a couple meet-the-Greek events to learn more about Cleveland’s [National Pan-Hellenic Council], but I had prior knowledge from my mom who is also an [Alpha Kappa Alpha].
- Why did you join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.? What do you hope to gain or accomplish by being a member?
I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. because I wanted to make a difference in my community and not be limited to just [Case Western Reserve University]. I also wanted to have the lifelong sisterhood I grew up watching my mom have. There are so many women in Alpha Kappa Alpha doing such amazing things that we have access to and [can] network with. I hope to grow within my organization, possibly taking on a national role one day. I want to continue serving the community and be a resource to other women interested in the organization.
- What are some community service projects or other activities that you have participated in as a member?
As a member, we have volunteered at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and at churches, raised money for [historically Black colleges and universities], and completed many clothing, shoe and eyeglass drives.
- 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?
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. has pushed me into leadership roles I would never have thought possible. I have been the president of my chapter and hosted a regional conference as an undergraduate student. Early leadership opportunities allowed me to feel comfortable accepting other roles in my nursing career because I had plenty of exposure to being a young leader. I would not be the person I am today if I didn’t join my organization.
- What is your favorite memory as a member of your organization?
One of my favorite memories was going to my first regional conference in Detroit as a sophomore and seeing all of the amazing women who are a part of the organization. To further understand how the organization runs on a larger level and to spend time with my line sister (and other AKAs from other chapters nationwide) was the first time we could see everything that we had dreamed about when we decided to become AKAs turn into a reality.