Alpha Kappa Alpha Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Secures $1M for Divine Nine Community Centers in Miami-Dade County

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson awarded more than $1 million in federal funding to historically Black fraternities and sororities in Miami-Dade County through a Congressional earmark aimed at preserving African-American history and expanding community outreach.

The announcement took place at Florida Memorial University’s Omega Activity Center and was attended by over 200 community members, elected officials, and local chapter leaders from the Divine Nine organizations. The funding, secured for the Fiscal Year 2024 Congressional Appropriations, will support the purchase, renovation, or construction of facilities used for mentorship, youth development, and cultural education.

“I am especially concerned about preserving our history, which is being whitewashed across our nation,” said Congresswoman Wilson, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. “African-American history IS American History, and we have a responsibility to protect it from erasure, extinction, and exploitation. We must leave a legacy for our children that must endure for generations.”

The funding was distributed to the charitable foundations and chapters affiliated with the Divine Nine organizations.

Leaders from several Divine Nine organizations shared how the federal funding will support their local community centers and facilities. Derek Lightfoot of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. stated that the funds will be used to improve their existing fraternity house and community center with upgrades including a new roof and hurricane-resistant windows and doors—enhancements that will further their youth mentoring efforts. Dr. Luvernice Croskey of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. explained that the award will enable the expansion and modernization of their 8,000-square-foot facility, which plays a vital role in strengthening the community. Annette Brantley of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. noted that the funds will help refurbish the Allene Taylor Memorial Center, which will support mentorship programs, parenting counseling, tutoring, housing assistance, and other critical services. Carolyn Donaldson of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. highlighted the longstanding role of the Zeta Center, which has served the community for over 30 years, offering youth mentorship, literacy support, maternal health services, and food distribution; she added that a renovation initiative began in 2022 to repurpose the facility. Brandon Fennell of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. shared that the grant will allow for vital upgrades to the Omega Activity Center, in operation since 1990, transforming it into a safer, more innovative space for youth education and community engagement.

The event also featured performances by the Miami Gardens Super Soul Steppers and included strolling, stepping, and line dancing as part of the celebration.

Notable attendees included former Alpha Kappa Alpha International President and former Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, and Miami Gardens Councilmembers Reggie Leon and Katrina Wilson.

Participating organizations included:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. – Beta Beta Lambda Chapter and Beta Beta Lambda AlphaLand Community Development Corporation Inc.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. – Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter and the W.I.S.H. Foundation Inc.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. – Miami Alumni Chapter and the Miami Alumni Kappa Foundation Inc.
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. – Sigma Alpha Chapter, the Omega Activity Center Foundation Inc., and Sig Al Inc.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. – Dade County Alumnae Chapter and the Dade Deltas Foundation Inc.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. – Rho Sigma Chapter and the White Dove Community Foundation Inc.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. – Beta Tau Zeta Chapter and the Zeta Blue Network
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. – Gamma Delta Sigma Chapter and the Allene V. Taylor Memorial Center Inc.

The Divine Nine Congressional Earmark signals a renewed investment in the physical and cultural infrastructure of Black Greek-letter organizations, helping preserve their legacies while creating safe, innovative spaces for mentorship and education.