Divine Nine Spaces

Reflecting on the ASLA Racial Equity Plan of Action, the Divine Nine Spaces webinar series raises awareness of Black historic landscapes and pioneering Black landscape architects. The series includes discussions with Diane Jones Allen, FASLA, Glenn LaRue Smith, FASLA, and Devon Ward, ASLA who have carved out a unique role for the profession as the evolution of Divine Nine spaces expands. View their design projects, access session recordings, and more below. 

Background

During the first half of the twentieth century, Black students began to enroll in predominately white institutions (PWIs) where they were met with racism and exclusion from campus organizations, including fraternities and sororities. 

Communities of Black students met their exclusion with the determination to form Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) and create spaces on campuses where they would feel welcomed and see their culture celebrated. To this day, BGLO spaces serve to honor the legacies of the organizations and their founders. Outdoor spaces have included dedicated trees and benches, plaques, sculptures, monuments, and meticulously designed landscapes. 

In his documentary on BGLO, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explains that “with education, community service, and philanthropy as their focal point, these organizations were able to foster academic and personal excellence on their own terms … [They] created the National Pan-Hellenic Council, totaling nine organizations with like-minded agendas. Each of those organizations continue to be pivotal in the continued advancement of Black people.” 

The nine BGLO include:   

• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated 
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated

Please direct questions about the Divine Nine Spaces webinar series to Lisa J. Jennings, Senior Manager, Career Discovery and Diversity at [email protected].