By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
The Maryland Democratic Party collaborated with members of the Divine Nine (D9) – Black sororities and fraternities – to host a virtual get-out-the-vote rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Democratic candidates for the U.S. presidency and Senate, respectively.
In attendance were members from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. These organizations have played a pivotal role in politics over the years and hope to help Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Alsobrooks, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, get elected on Nov. 5.
Alsobrooks, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-4) also made appearances during the virtual rally.
Alsobrooks told attendees that the relationship between D9 fraternities and sororities is “very important.”
“When we fight together, we’re going to win,” she said.
That coordinated effort would be needed in what she called “the most consequential election of our time.”
“We have the real profound obligation to ensure that we build a future that that really befits the dignity of our children and grandchildren and so many of the struggles that we have fought for…. Ensuring that our daughters and granddaughters have the right to enjoy reproductive freedom and that we are also building communities that are safe and affordable,” said the Prince George’s County executive.
“We know we have the power to make a change and we have the power that was instilled in us and passed on to us by our ancestors, the power to make the impossible possible.”
Following Alsobrooks’ remarks, Moore took center stage and told rally attendees that he is “beyond excited” about the upcoming election, adding, “It’s our time.”
He also emphasized the role of Black Greek organizations in ensuring that success.
“The road to Washington [D.C.], it runs through the D9. The road to the White House, the road to the Senate seat, it runs through the D9,” said Moore. “This is a crew that moves mountains.”
If elected, Harris would make history as the first Black female president of the United States and Alsobrooks would become the first Black woman elected as a U.S. senator from Maryland, however, Moore said it’s not about making history.
“We love it [but] that’s not the assignment,” said the governor. “The reason we are going to make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States is because she is brilliant and she is the best. The reason we are going to make Angela Alsobrooks the next senator for the state of Maryland is because she is brilliant and because she’s the best and we care about our future and we’re going to protect it.”
Jeremiah Pope, the chairman of the African American Leadership Council, delivered remarks and urged fraternity and sorority members to get out and vote.
“I don’t have to say much because as D9 ambassadors, this is what we do. We always get out. We register people to vote. We always stay fired up,” said Pope. “As Michelle Obama says, ‘We always do something.’”
Lamont Riley, a D9 ambassador, said fraternities and sororities are “undeniably influential” and have made history in the past by helping Moore get elected. And, he added, they hope to do it again with Harris and Alsobrooks.
“Remember we had a Divine Nine brother who started to run for governor of Maryland with just 1 percent name recognition. But what happened? We had the Divine Nine, our network, family, friends and neighbors who became a mobilizing force,” said Riley. “We’re going to do it again…. It’s time to activate and ensure Angela’s vision becomes a reality.”
Dasia Scott, digital director of the Maryland Democratic Party, then led a discussion on ways Divine Nine members can utilize social media to mobilize voters for Harris and Alsobrooks.
“We’ve created for you all different Divine Nine themed frames for you to utilize on your social media accounts and we made them based on the colors of different organizations,” she said.
Rev. Regina Clay, a member of the Maryland Democratic Party’s outreach team, discussed the important role that faith leaders play and why they need to use their platforms to ensure community members have a plan for Nov. 5.
“We have been educating our faith leaders, who sometimes get inhibited about talking about elections. We’ve been sharing with them that they need to have an operation voter turnout, an action plan,” said Clay. “We know that death and life are in the power of the tongue. So, we speak [voter turnout] into existence.”
The Maryland Democratic Party plans to host another event titled “Black Marylanders for Kamala and Angela” on Oct. 6.
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