Latest news with #DivineNine
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Just Added: Jagged Edge, Yolanda Adams, Finesse Mitchell, and More Headline "Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair" August 7-10, 2025
A Sophisticated Celebration of Black Culture, Wine, and Entertainment Debuts in Napa Valley NAPA VALLEY, Calif., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The lineup is heating up for Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair, a four-day luxury cultural celebration that's redefining Napa Valley's wine scene with the addition of powerhouse performances from Jagged Edge, Yolanda Adams, Finesse Mitchell, and Tacarra Williams, to a stellar lineup of previously announced juggernauts including George Clinton, Yvonne Orji, Nephew Tommy and many more. The event, set for August 7–10, 2025, at The Meritage Resort and Spa, promises a first-of-its-kind fusion of Black excellence, music, comedy, wine, and curated indulgence. Founded by entrepreneur and community leader Marlon L. McWilson, Greeks & Grapes is open to all and centered on the legacy of the Divine Nine and those who love Black culture. "This isn't just an event—it's a cultural movement," says McWilson. "Greeks & Grapes is about honoring who we are while embracing the lifestyle we've earned. Accomplished. Joyful. Connected. All vines lead to a celebration of us—our journey, our legacy, and our continued excellence." Confirmed Talent Includes: Jagged Edge – R&B royalty bringing their legendary catalog of love songs and party anthems to wine country Yolanda Adams – The gospel icon will headline the soulful Sunday closeout Finesse Mitchell – Former SNL star and comedy veteran lighting up stage Tacarra Williams – The "beautiful beast" of comedy and a fan-favorite on the stand-up circuit Event Highlights Hosted By Yvonne Orji Include: Thursday, August 7: Opening reception and welcome mixers Friday, August 8: Comedy night hosted by Nephew Tommy, featuring Finesse Mitchell and Tacarra Williams Saturday, August 9: Music festival headlined by George Clinton and Jagged Edge. Sunday, August 10: Gospel brunch and farewell experience featuring Yolanda Adams, Marcus Johnson, Enrique Holmes, and host Jonathan Slocumb Luxury Meets Culture in the Heart of Wine Country Set at the largest resort in Napa Valley, Greeks & Grapes offers multiple tiers of access—from general admission to the ultra-premium "Reserve ALL Access" package, which includes luxury accommodations, private events, skybox access, curated tastings, and exclusive artist experiences. Guests can expect seamless, elevated hospitality throughout the event. Whether you're a Divine Nine member, a music lover, or simply someone who craves culture-rich experiences in stunning settings, Greeks & Grapes delivers an unforgettable fusion of wine, wellness, entertainment, and community. A New Cultural Tradition Begins With support from the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Divine Nine chapters across the country, Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair is poised to become the West Coast's signature annual celebration of Black joy, unity, and success. Oakland's own Black Bear Production is offering a limited-time offer on ALL ACCESS PACKAGES 25% Off Discount through Juneteenth with code G&GBLKBEAR. Early booking is strongly encouraged! Tickets and weekend packages are available now at Contact: Nickie Robinson 2123803385 396412@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Greeks and Grapes Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Black Greek groups honored for service and mentorship in Rochester
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Friday, U-Prep Charter School hosted a special luncheon honoring the presidents and immediate past presidents at Divine Nine and National Pen-Hellenic Council Organizations. University Preparatory is a charter school for young men and the luncheon recognizes Black Greek leadership in fraternities and sororities, as well as their service and commitment. 'All of the organizations have components of mentorship, service and really just uplifting the community of Rochester and as you all know, we need that,' U-Prep Chief Operations & Chief Finance Officer Dr. Cam Lewis said. 'So, we're all doing the same work, it's not a competition, it's really about doing the work of your chapter and working together to do some bigger productions.' We do a lot of work and often we do the work and you don't really think about what you're doing because you're just here to serve the community,' Kimberly Brown said. 'So, to know that people notice and that it's not just thankless work, it is very encouraging and motivating.' Attendees were honored with a commemorative book, a chef-prepared brunch and special gifts to show appreciation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair" Brings Black Excellence and Inclusive Luxury to Napa Valley, August 7-10, 2025
NAPA VALLEY, Calif., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair, a sophisticated four-day celebration of Black culture, Divine Nine legacy, and elegance, is set to debut August 7–10, 2025, at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley. Created by entrepreneur and community leader Marlon L. McWilson, Founder and CEO of Greeks & Grapes, the event invites ALL to experience a new gold standard for wine country festivals—one grounded in culture, connection, and elevated joy. Set against the stunning backdrop of Napa Valley's largest resort, Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair blends the richness of Black heritage with the indulgence of wine, music, comedy, and curated experiences. Designed with Divine Nine members and Black professionals in mind—but open to all who value culture and authentic connections—the weekend will feature gourmet food, signature tastings, and unforgettable performances. "This isn't just an event—it's a cultural movement," says McWilson. "Greeks & Grapes is about honoring who we are while embracing the lifestyle we've earned. Accomplished. Joyful. Connected. All vines lead to a celebration of us—our journey, our legacy, and our continued excellence." Programming Highlights Include: Daily wellness experiences, food and wine demos and tastings, movie night, headlining comedy experience, and mainstage hitmakers across R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Jazz. George Clinton, Yvonne Orji, Nephew Tommy, Jonathan Slocumb, Marcus Johnson, Enrique Holmes, iStevie, Moses, Keysha E., Demola, Big Nick J, and Dee Dee Simon are amongst the first wave of talent confirmed with more to be announced soon. Greeks & Grapes promises a weekend like no other—equal parts reunion, retreat, and revelry. Packages for Every Vibe, Including All-Inclusive Luxury Festival goers can choose from a variety of access levels, including the premium "ALL Access" package, which includes hotel accommodations, exclusive events, skybox views, custom wine tote, one bottle of wine per guest, premium tastings, and VIP entertainment—all without the need for add-ons or upgrades. Every detail has been curated with intention and guests can simply arrive and enjoy. A Commitment to Community, Culture, and Access Marlon L. McWilson—who also helms multiple community-focused ventures in Oakland including Field Trips R Us and Black Bear Apparel—built this experience with a mission of inclusion and elevation. While Greeks & Grapes is centered on the Divine Nine, it is open to all who value the rich cultural traditions, entrepreneurial spirit, and celebratory joy of the Black community. With support from the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Divine Nine chapters across the country, Greeks & Grapes: A Napa Affair is poised to become the West Coast's signature cultural wine festival—and a new annual tradition for years to come. For more information and tickets, visit To apply to become a vendor, apply on this form. Media Contact: Nickie Robinson 2123803385395772@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Greeks and Grapes Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Hazing Death Prompts Soul-Searching for Divine Nine
The calls, texts and emails have been pouring in. Since news broke in late February that a 20-year-old student at Southern University died in what police called 'a fraternity hazing incident,' messages and voicemails continue to fill the inbox of filmmaker Byron Hurt. Hurt heard from some of these same people three years ago, when he produced Hazing, a documentary on fraternities and sororities that physically abuse prospective members and faced criticism for asserting that the 'silence' around the issue 'is an act of betrayal.' Now, Hurt said, the messages that he receives strike a far different tone. ''You were right. You were right. You were right,'' Hurt, himself a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, recalled hearing from others in the group. ''Keep doing what you're doing. Keep standing on the truth.' I've had many text messages and phone calls like that.' What happened at Southern University is the latest in a series of high-profile cases in recent years, incidents that have reverberated throughout the network of Black Greek-letter organizations known as the Divine Nine. It has prompted a measure of soul-searching about the treatment of prospective members, reignited debates about hazing, and forced some members to question the future of a practice that, for some, has been a key part of the initiation process for generations. In the incident at Southern, police said that a student from suburban New Orleans, Caleb Wilson, was punched repeatedly during a meeting between members of the university's chapter of Omega Psi Phi and a group of prospective members, or pledges. During the meeting, authorities said, three members of the fraternity took turns punching the pledges in the chest while wearing boxing gloves. Officials said that Wilson collapsed after being punched several times, and later died at a hospital. Wilson's death rocked the community at the historically Black university in Baton Rouge, La., where the junior mechanical engineering major was also a member of the school's prominent marching band, known as the Human Jukebox. Baton Rouge police have arrested three men — Isaiah Earl Smith, 28, Kyle McKinley Thurman, 25 and Caleb McCray, 23 — on felony hazing charges in connection with Wilson's death. McCray was also charged with manslaughter. The three men are all Southern University students, according to a school spokesperson. Authorities allege in arrest affidavits that Smith, Thurman, and McCray met Wilson and eight other pledges at a local warehouse on Feb. 26. Police said that Wilson was unresponsive by the time he was dropped off at a local emergency room. His clothes had been changed, and authorities said the hospital staff had been told that he had been hit in the chest while playing basketball at a park. 'It is with profound sorrow that we extend our condolences on the passing of Caleb Wilson,' said the national chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity in a statement on its website. 'His loss is deeply felt, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by him.' The fraternity declined to comment further on Wilson's death, citing an ongoing investigation. A Southern University spokesperson confirmed that the adviser for the Omega Psi Phi fraternity chapter, Safiyy Abdel Ra'oof, was placed on suspension on Feb. 28. The spokesperson did not confirm if Ra'oof's suspension was related to the hazing investigation. Hazing is hardly unique to Black Greek-letter organizations, or even to fraternities and sororities. The abuse of pledges happens in marching bands, athletic teams, and other clubs, according to the advocacy group Stop Hazing. There was at least one hazing death each year in the U.S. between 1959 and 2021, according to journalist Hank Nuwer's database. Hurt's documentary grapples with the physical nature of some hazing rituals in Black Greek-letter organizations and other culturally-based groups. The film recalls the highly publicized case of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University drum major who died in 2011 after being beaten by his bandmates. That violence evokes the early days of higher education in the U.S., an era in which 'freshmen were viewed as not good enough to be on campus,' said Walter Kimbrough, interim president of Talladega College and a longtime member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. 'So they had to prove themselves.' 'It's like the Protestant work ethic gone wrong,' said Kimbrough, who has been an expert witness in dozens of court cases involving hazing, including one that looked into Champion's death. 'Where anything worth having is worth working for, but the challenge is a lot of people place more value, in terms of earning, on the physical aspect.' Hurt said not all chapters within Black fraternities and sororities physically abuse their pledges. But his 2022 documentary calls out a prevailing misconception — that members who endured abuse during the pledge process are somehow more deserving of respect by other members of the group. In Hazing, Hurt — who graduated from Northeastern University in 1993 — recalls a grueling eight-week pledge. At its worst, he said he was hit up to 100 times in one night by a paddle bearing the Greek letters of his fraternity. The documentary also features interviews with the family members of several hazing victims, including Kristin High, who drowned in 2002 alongside another prospective member, Kenitha Saafir, while trying to join Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and George Desdunes, who was left for dead in 2011 after drinking excessively while pledging the predominantly white Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Cornell University. Much of the online discourse around Wilson's death has centered on members of the Divine Nine confronting pervasive attitudes around openly discussing hazing in Black Greek-letter organizations. Preston Mitchum, a Washington, D.C.-based consultant and policy strategist, addressed the issue in a video posted recently to social media. 'People are worried right now because they saw someone be killed,' Mitchum, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, said in the video. 'People are angry, and they are trying to figure out what happened. We understand that hazing is an issue, and it's illegal in all of our organizations.' Mitchum said in a phone interview that he thinks people are silent because they are reluctant to discuss their organizations with outsiders. 'If we're discussing hazing, that means we're discussing people who want to be initiated and eventually become members of our organizations,' Mitchum said. 'This is not the same thing as discussing rites of passage. This is not the same thing as discussing our secrets.' 'Hazing is not a part of any of our organizations' history,' Mitchum said. 'It is something that people have decided to do after the fact so they can feel good about themselves, so they can assert power over individuals.' He added: 'There are people who are more upset that some of us decided to speak more than we are upset about hazing, and that is a problem.' Hurt's documentary also features commentary from Stacey Patton, author of Spare the Kids: Why Whupping Children Won't Save Black America. Patton said that violent rituals — in the context of historically Black groups — evoke 'a long history of pain and brutality, and dehumanization of Black bodies.' 'There's this internalized belief that pain makes us stronger, to tell these stories that we've survived, and go back and reminisce on it, to laugh about it, to say we got through this,' Patton said in the film. 'It's a form of trauma bonding.' Hurt said there's a lot at stake in the fight against hazing. 'For people who endure hazing, who survive hazing, they have to deal with the emotional and physical trauma that remains once they complete their process,' he said. 'On the extreme side of that are people who lose their lives, like Caleb Wilson — that's the extreme outcome that nobody wants, and that is the thing that gets people to have these conversations.' The post Hazing Death Prompts Soul-Searching for Divine Nine appeared first on Capital B News.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New York mayoral candidate eyes sorority network that boosted Kamala Harris
NEW YORK — With American politics on fire, rising Democratic star Jasmine Crockett of Dallas turned her attention to a late entrant into a mayor's race 1,400 miles away last week — underscoring the fundraising potential of their shared sorority network that boosted Kamala Harris last year. 'New York is symbolic of liberty and freedom and so the last thing that we need is old Donald trying to run the show up in New York,' Crockett, a member of the House, said on Instagram Live Wednesday night, alongside New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. 'I want to introduce you to my friend who is running to be the next mayor.' Adrienne Adams got into the race last weekend, and needs to raise a lot of money fast to be competitive in a crowded field led by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. One lever she's looking to pull ahead of the June 24 Democratic primary is the Divine Nine — a network of historically Black sororities and fraternities that were among Harris' staunchest supporters in her White House bid. The Divine Nine helped Harris raise money on short notice last summer, bringing in more than $1.5 million just hours after she entered the race on a call titled 'Win with Black Women.' She didn't win, of course, but she ended up leading Trump by 38 points in the city Adrienne Adams is now looking to lead. 'Thank you so, so much, my amazing D9 sister, Jasmine! I just want to let you know I wore this color for you,' Adams said, clad in red, the signature color of Crockett's Delta Sigma Theta. Days earlier, more than 40 Black women wearing the signature Alpha Kappa Alpha pink and green to honor Adams' sorority affiliation filled the seats at a shopping center in Queens for her kickoff event. 'If anybody is running, they really better get used to that color, pink and green,' state Sen. James Sanders said from the stage. Entering the race millions of dollars behind her competitors, lacking the name recognition of Cuomo and others running and sharing a last name — though no relation — to embattled incumbent Eric Adams, Adrienne Adams is hoping this loyal group of more than 2 million Black men and women nationwide will be eager to help elect the first woman as mayor of New York City. Her first week of fundraising demonstrates she needs the boost. Her campaign is reporting having raised $128,000 in less than a week — an impressive total that is nonetheless unlikely to shake up the race as it does not make her eligible for public matching funds that are all but essential to run a successful mayoral campaign. Adrienne Adams' next opportunity to qualify for those funds is May 30, just a few weeks before the primary. Helping Adrienne Adams fundraise is Hasoni Pratts, a fellow Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister volunteering for the campaign. A New York power player, Pratts is a founder of the Higher Heights for America PAC that supports Black women running for office. 'They were hugely impactful, especially those AKAs. They showed up for sure," Pratts said of the Divine Nine's early involvement in the mayoral campaign. "They were sending texts around to all of their sorors, saying we've got to help her.' Born and raised in the predominantly Black, Democratic-vote-rich area of Southeast Queens, Adrienne Adams attended Spelman College, a historical Black school in Atlanta. Four decades later, on the cusp of leaving public office after getting elected twice as council speaker, she decided to run for mayor — kicking off her bid on March 8, months after most of her competitors had begun theirs. She's presenting herself as a humble, drama-free alternative to the scandal-scarred Eric Adams and Cuomo — but one who faces humbling, dramatic challenges of her own. In addition to the $128,000 raised, she entered the race with just over $200,000 on hand she transferred from a separate account. Leading challengers to Eric Adams have more than 20 times that amount, having already qualified for the city's 8-to-1 matching funds program. City Comptroller Brad Lander led the field with $3.9 million on hand as of last month. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and Eric Adams all had more than $3 million in their accounts, and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie reported having nearly $2.5 million. Cuomo also kicked off his campaign late and with no money, but unlike Adrienne Adams, he has the benefit of near-universal name recognition and a PAC run by a longtime ally that brought in nearly $300,000 in one week. Despite the delay, a person close to Adrienne Adams' campaign who was granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy said she is considering various options to stay competitive with the rest of the field. That could include getting vendors to agree on delayed payments, or even taking a bank loan that could be paid off by public funds — both risky courses if she doesn't end up unlocking matching funds. Adrienne Adams isn't only relying on the Divine Nine — as council speaker until the end of 2025, she has power over legislation, land use decisions and negotiating the city's $115 billion budget, so interested parties are likely to donate to her, the person close to Adams' campaign said. One New York City real estate executive, who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations, said they received a call this month from Attorney General Letitia James, who spoke in support of Adrienne Adams though did not ask for a donation. The person surmised that tactic could hasten the council speaker's fundraising momentum. But for now, the Divine Nine — a network mayoral candidate Michael Blake belongs to and has also tried to tap into — remains critical to Adrienne Adams' strategy, even as prior New York City mayoral candidates with similar connections, like Maya Wiley in 2021, failed in their bids. Adrienne Adams' supporters, however, are feeling good, and say everyone is talking about the new candidate. 'The word is definitely spreading like wildfire, not even just amongst AKAs, but the D9 in general,' said Nupol Kiazolu, a 24-year-old AKA from Brownsville, Brooklyn who came to Adams' kickoff rally. 'I just got a phone call, and I pulled up.'
