NEWS
United as one, Black-Greek Presidents Spread Holiday Cheer
Members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents attend BET’s Celebration of Gospel. IN ANOTHER EXAMPLE of “United we stand, divided we fall,” the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents spent part of the last holiday season—together—spreading cheer from coast to coast. The presidents attended the BET Networks ‘Celebration of Gospel’ in Los Angeles, and also came together at the White House for a holiday celebration in Washington, D.C. The ‘Celebration of Gospel,’ held Dec. 12, 2009, at Los Angeles Orpheum Theatre, started the holiday season with a spirit-filled and entertaining salute to the 10th anniversary of this BET mainstay of special presentations. Soror Sheryl P. Underwood, international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, who is also part of the BET family of entertainers, extended a personal invitation to members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents to attend the musical gala. The presidents of the “Divine 9” black Greek-lettered organizations joined other national leaders and celebrities to show support for the event, which helps build the spirit that uplifts, encourages and empowers communities across the nation and the world. “We felt that it was important to show our support for the message of this event and the spirit of faith that has sustained our communities,” said Underwood. “Gospel music has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration,” said Stephen Hill, BET president of music programming. “We thank the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents for coming out in force to support BET’s ‘Celebration of Gospel.’ It was a wonderful, inspirational show and we look forward to providing even more great programming.” Hosted by comedian-actor Steve Harvey, the program performers included Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton, Kelly Price and others. The activities continued on Dec. 15, with the presidents attending a special holiday celebration, hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. H
14 THE SPHINX H Winter/Spring 2010
“Divine 9” Make History with Mo’Nique on BET IN A UNIQUE DISPLAY of unity, members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council made history during Black History Month this year, by appearing together for the first time on a national television talk show. Representatives from all nine historically black Greek-lettered organizations (BGLO) were guests on the highly popular BET program ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ February 18. The show tapes at Turner Broadcasting Studios in Atlanta. The program, hosted by Academy Award-winning actress/comedian Mo’Nique, also included cast members of the new TV reality show ‘The Family Crews’ and R&B group The Whispers as the musical guest. Mo’Nique also interviewed fellow comedian Sheryl Underwood, the international grand basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Each BGLO president shared a few words about their organization’s history and current service programs while their members stood together, wearing their organization’s colors. General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., invited Mo’Nique to the upcoming dedication and opening ceremony of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. Show producer Rob Wilkins said Mo’Nique’s vision for this episode of her late-night show was to create an outlet to highlight the positive aspects of African-American lives. “There are not too many shows that would highlight husband-and-wife team Terry and Rebecca Crews, a Hollywood couple married 20 years (the stars of BET’s new reality series ‘The Family Crews’); musical group The Whispers, together for 40 years, and black organizations that have served our community for 100 years,” said Wilkins. H
The sassy and sultry “Queen of Late-Night Television,” Mo’Nique, hosts leaders of the “Divine Nine” historically black fraternities and sororities on ‘The Mo’Nique Show.’ Seated from left: Joann Loveless, Sigma Gamma Rho; Mo’Nique; Sheryl Underwood, Zeta Phi Beta; Ella Springs Jones, Alpha Kappa Alpha; and Beverly Smith, Delta Sigma Theta. Standing from left: Richard L. Snow, Kappa Alpha Psi; Jimmy Hammock, Phi Beta Sigma; Warren G. Lee Jr., Omega Psi Phi; Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., Alpha Phi Alpha; and Karl Price, Esq., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. Photo by Glenn A. Loveless III.