After Harris' loss, Black communities aim to remain energized about political issues

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Members of the National Pan Hellenic Council of DeKalb County prepare to cheer newly registered high school students voting for the first time in 2024.

Credit: National Pan Hellenic Council of DeKalb County

Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign fired up Georgia's Black communities with enthusiasm not seen since Barack Obama's first campaign 16 years ago. 

Her campaign's most ardent supporters included members of the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities known as the "Divine Nine." They are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), a coalition of the Greek-letter chapters with over 2.5 million members nationwide. 

At an election watch party at Vybez Restaurant and Lounge in Stonecrest, east of Atlanta, more than 300 people celebrated months of hard work registering, educating, and encouraging voters. 

"Individually and collectively, all our organizations have registered voters over the county during this election season," said Craig Jones, President of the NPHC of DeKalb County, comprised of 10 chapters. 

While Black fraternities and sororities have embedded social activism into their history and missions, Harris' historic candidacy further energized the organizations because she is one of them. Harris pledged to Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority while attending Howard University, a historically Black college and university.  

Nationally, though, NPHC did not campaign for Harris, instead focusing on getting voters registered and mobilized for Election Day. 

"Because we're nonpartisan, it was important for people to understand they have a right to vote and to exercise that right," said Delta Sigma Theta sorority member Shatrina Cosby, the organization's second vice president. "It doesn't matter if you vote for Kamala or Trump, but at least you vote." 

The group worked with the DeKalb County School District to register first-time voters and cheered as those students headed to the polls. 

They held "Party to the Polls" cookouts and a silent stroll, where they quietly walked through Stonecrest Mall wearing shirts encouraging voting. 

Sometimes, they found voting a hard sell.  

"Unfortunately, there are still some apathetic people; we'd like to continue to address that," said Sheryl Chew, Alpha Kappa Alpha member and the NPHC of DeKalb County First Vice President.  

Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity member Kaibakai Haines found NPHC efforts in the Harris-Walz campaign exposed the need for some critical conversations, especially among Black men. 

"We can battle the misinformation that's out there — making sure that we're targeting Black men," Haines said. "Letting them know what policies exist can benefit us as a community."

A Phi Beta Sigma fraternity member, Troy Jackson, wants the group to hold events to offer insight for those suspicious of voting, educate about voter suppression and "to get the word out on what we can do to help our community."

NPHC is optimistic the efforts will impact voters' understanding of the importance of down-ballot races. 

Cosby refers to it as the "gift that keeps giving."

"Hopefully, they will continue to vote in the local election that truly impacts your daily life and the lives of your children and children's children — the governor, your commissioner, and your school," she said.