The Retail Village at Sycamore & Oak in Southeast D.C. turned into a site to celebrate the beauty and boldness behind historically Black fraternities and sororities — also known as the Divine Nine — on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the 2024 Black Greek Festival.
The Saturday all-day event was part of the three-day, third-annual Black Greek Fest ( Aug. 9-11), which included parties, networking opportunities and even an emphasis on health and education.
“Black Greek Fest was created to bridge Black Greek life and the unity that supports our system — the Divine Nine — and to connect it with the communities we serve,” said Kwame Safo Agyemang, one of the festival’s organizers “What unifies us is our commitment to the community, and we want to continue building that here on the south side of the city at Sycamore & Oak.”
The weekend kicked off on Friday, Aug. 9, with the D9 Takeover at Park on 14th, attracting fraternity and sorority members from across the country. This event set a tone of solidarity, proving that even in an era marked by separation, the Divine Nine remains a beacon of togetherness.
The festival continued on Saturday with the Black Alumni Hike and the Day of Service College Fair, both underscoring the value of health, education, and service within the Black community.
Saturday afternoon’s main event at Sycamore & Oak was a powerful testament to the festival’s mission to unite.
“The festival is more than just a gathering — it’s all about unity,” said Warren Morris. “In a time where division is so prevalent, coming together like this reminds us of our collective power. Our fraternity (Kappa Alpha Psi) has always been about lifting up the community, and the Black Greek Festival is the perfect space to do that. It’s one of the few events where we can all come together in the District, despite our letters, and work towards a common goal — uplifting our people.”
More than 50 vendors, Black-owned businesses, and hundreds of attendees gathered at Sycamore & Oak in a celebration that transcended individual organizations and emphasized the power of unity in the African American community.
“I’m really big on community, and I’m really big on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Building that connection with people through something like this is most important. It’s all about the connection and the people. It’s very authentic and raw. People grew up here, they raised their families here. They are keeping it in the neighborhood to build people up and bring people up. We are one, I feel,” said Gaspara Cole, an esthetician vendor who participated in the main event.
Deondra Randle, told The Informer the message behind Black Greek Fest aligns with the mission behind his Black-owned beverage “Brotha Whiskey.”
“I have a whiskey, and it is a movement — not just a spirit. It is a movement of inclusivity, of culture, of heritage, of community, one of camaraderie. Our flagship is called ‘Fellowship.’ Fellowship, we come together, we drink, we sip. The Brotha Whiskey brand is inclusive to all. We are all one, no matter what you do and where you are at,” Randle explained.
Sunday’s D9 Brunch & Day Party brought the weekend to a close, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to their communities.
As the festival continues to grow, many attendees noted it stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when the Divine Nine unites under one roof, driven by the shared values of service, brotherhood, and sisterhood.
“This is the type of space that we need; if we don’t create it, who will,” remarked Nabila Magnum, who also considered the upcoming general election. “I’m excited and proud to support Kamala Harris, who’s not only in my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, but is also a strong Black woman running for president. I think we are long overdue for change. It’s time for us to step up into these bigger roles to be able to carry a bigger legacy.”