Divine Nine Presidents to be Honored with Special Presentation at 27th Annual Spirit of Democracy Awards
Washington, DC - The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation will award the presidents of the Divine Nine Black fraternities and sororities at the 27th annual Spirit of Democracy Awards. The presentation will highlight the countless hours these presidents dedicated to mobilizing young Black voters during the 2024 presidential election and the work they do to support their communities every year.
The event will be hosted by Melanie L. Campbell, NCBCP President & CEO and Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable and Marc H. Morial, Chairman of the Board, on December 11, 2024. Honorees will be recognized for their extraordinary leadership and commitment to protecting the rights, freedoms and opportunity for all people in our nation. At the end of an election year, this night serves as a reminder of the commitment these leaders have made to advance equity and foster community in their respective spaces. The 27th annual Spirit of Democracy Awards are sponsored by AT&T, AARP, T-Mobile, NEA, National Urban League, Raben Group and Verizon.
The 2024 Spirit of Democracy Award Honorees include:
Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III
General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Danette Anthony Reed
International President and CEO
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Jimmy McMikle
Grand Polemarch
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Ricky Lawrence Lewis
Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Elsie Cooke-Holmes
International President
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Hon. Chris V. Rey
International President
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant
International President
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Marica Harris
International Grand Basileus
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Sean D. Housen
Sr. International Grand Polaris
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
In addition to the Divine Nine presidents, the coalition will be honoring Cathy Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One, Inc; Calude Cummings Jr., president of Communications Workers of America; Constance Berry Newman, special counsel on African Affairs for the Carmen Group; Duerward “Woody” Beale, executive director of youth outreach adolescent community awareness program for the Greater Philadelphia Unity Coalition; and Terry Woodbury, CEO and founding partner of HIT Strategies.
About the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP)
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation is a leading organization dedicated to increasing Black civic engagement, political participation, and economic empowerment. Founded in 1976, the NCBCP’s mission is to create sustainable, impactful change by fostering inclusive and diverse leadership and policy advocacy that centers the needs of Black communities across the U.S.