By Alexis Taylor,
AFRO Managing Editor
Elected officials, members of the Divine Nine and supporters of the AFRO American Newspapers gathered at Martin’s West in Baltimore on April 20 for the organization’s 2024 High Tea.
The afternoon served as a salute to the nine Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the “Divine Nine.” Guests traveled from near and far to be present at the event in their finest threads and tea hats.
“The tea was a beautiful display of Black excellence as we honored the work of the Divine Nine,” said AFRO CEO and Publisher Francis “Toni” Draper. “We had a good time.”
Draper said the tea was about more than adults coming together to fellowship and network.
“What really warmed my heart were the little girls in the room,” said Draper.
The publisher was grateful for the tea hostesses who saw the importance of bringing young people to the event.
“When you start young, exposing children to these kinds of things, then they learn the social graces,” she said. “They learn what to wear and when. We’re not trying to make them adults, but they learn how to be in adult spaces and thrive.”
Young people in attendance had an opportunity to experience the high society affair with the likes of Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman and current Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, who both took time to speak to the work of BGLOs.
“The Divine Nine sororities and fraternities play such an important role in our communities, in our school and in our businesses,” said Lierman. “Their members are leaders of nonprofits, businesses and schools all over the state. I wanted to be here to salute them, the service they give and the leadership they provide to the state of Maryland.”
This year’s event was not the first time Lierman has been in attendance.
“I love the AFRO tea. It’s an amazing day,” said Lierman. “We get dressed up, honor one another, celebrate being a woman in Maryland and support an amazing, historically important organization- the AFRO.”
Mayor Scott echoed Lierman’s statements about the impact of Black fraternity and sorority members while addressing the crowd during the event.
“Your work is how we have unemployment to its lowest ever in the City of Baltimore,” said Scott, speaking of the impact of BGLOs on the area. “The City of Baltimore– despite what certain people try to tell you on the tv every night– has the eighth fastest growing economy in these United States of America. It’s you all, working together…that have our children more ready to enter school than any students in the state of Maryland, despite what they say about our young people.”
“I want to say thank you for continuing to believe in Baltimore,” said Scott, adorned in a crisp, peach suit.
Though the honorees and notable attendees were a large focus of the event, by far the fashion and culture seen at the 2024 AFRO High Tea were a highlight of the afternoon.
Hats big and small were on a full display as Divine Nine members arrived clad in the colors of their respective organizations.
Kendra Parlock spoke with the AFRO about her experience at this year’s tea and her time in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) while donning a green suit and salmon pink hat.
“It was amazing, as usual,” she said, describing the event as “a room full of main characters” where each person allows the other to shine. “I bring my mom every year. It is the best display of fashion in Baltimore.”
Parlock joined AKA in the Spring of 1990. The moment was about much more than joining another club on campus.
“I was the first one in my family to go away to school and I went to the University of Florida. At the time, the student body president was not only a Black woman, but she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. That really struck me,” said Parlock. “She was a leader at majority White university. That was my introduction to sorority life.”
Joyce Finch Baugh also spoke about her beloved sorority.
“I’ve been an AKA for 33 years,” she said, adding that she respects the organization for “all of the good services done in the community.”
Keba Armstrong, a member of Delta Sigma Theta’s Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter, also took time to speak with the AFRO at the event.
“It was a great experience for my first time being at the tea,” she said.
Armstrong decided to pledge all of her love to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 2023 because, according to her, “it’s the only way.”
She said the “sisterhood and the service” attracted her. Armstrong said her first AFRO High Tea experience was “very honorable” because it gave her an opportunity to be in a room full of fierce, Black women.
Attendees of all ages enjoyed the occasion, which included an appearance from the last living founder of any Divine Nine organization, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Founder Lonnie “Butch” Spruill.
“It’s always good to give people their flowers while they can enjoy them,” said Draper.
Spruill spoke with the AFRO moments before departing the tea.
“I was blessed to be here and [be] honored by the AFRO,” said Spruill. “But I feel some sorrow for the 11 other founders of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, who could not be here…but I’ve got a feeling they can see this.”
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