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D9 fraternities and sororities offer longstanding local pipelines for mentoring and youth programs
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Summary
Dr. Raziel McKinney described how historically Black fraternities and sororities (the 'D9') and Alpha Phi Alpha’s Alpha Esquires program provide mentorship, life skills, scholarships and community infrastructure that local agencies can partner with to reach youth.
Dr. Raziel McKinney, a longtime volunteer and chapter leader in Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, urged nonprofit and government partners to tap historically Black fraternities and sororities (the National Pan Hellenic Council or “D9”) as established local partners for mentoring, scholarships and civic engagement.
McKinney described the Alpha Esquires program — an Alpha Phi Alpha youth program delivered at chapter level that focuses on life skills, civic engagement and college readiness — and noted it draws on a national curriculum (Project Alpha) and local chapter infrastructure. He said chapters partner with local parks, schools and public‑health entities to deliver programming and scholarships, and that many D9 chapters maintain a parallel 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm that can apply for grants and fund scholarships.
McKinney emphasized practical partnership opportunities: invite D9 alumni chapters to planning tables; align local programs with chapter schedules; and use national curriculum assets rather than recreating materials. He said established chapters offer sustained relationships and volunteer capacity that can amplify local projects.
Ending: McKinney offered to help make local connections between chapters and agencies and urged nontraditional partners to consider D9 chapters as reliable, long‑term collaborators.
