The Divine Nine (traditionally Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities) have a long history of fellowship, feeding community, and fundraising with food. Today, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, tackle food insecurity as a part of their national social action initiatives, and D9 local chapters fill pantries and even publish their own cookbooks. They are also making strides in hospitality and culinary spaces throughout the country. They are restaurant owners, chefs, caterers, culinary tastemakers and more. The following list is by no means exhaustive but it’s a good start.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Henry G. Parks Jr. (1916 – 1989) was the founder of Parks Sausages Company, one of the first publicly traded Black-owned businesses and the first ever to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Leroy Crayton (1900-1963) was the founder of Crayton’s Southern Sausage Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. Crayton built a career as a food entrepreneur from owning the “Brown Girl” bread company and a host of grocery and wholesale food businesses.
Award-winning chef-authors Bryant Terry and Eric Adjepong and, BBQ public historian and owner of Backyard Distillery a legal moonshine distillery, Howard Conyers are current members.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha co-founder Ethel Jones Mowbray (1886-1948) was a former educator turned culinary artist, who later owned and operated a catering business in Kansas City, KS. Poet, author Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was the author of two cookbooks.
Tambra Raye Stevenson is a nutritionist, social activist and food policy change agent. And culinary historian and award-winning book author Jessica B. Harris is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Adrianne Bella, Erinn Hughes and Jallisa Arnold are members who are successful caterers and private chefs. And honorary member Patti Labelle’s Patti’s Good Life is a prosperous food brand that began with cookbooks, then her sweet potato pie.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Founder Paul Waymond Caine (1890-1931) was an entrepreneur and chef.He owned the Caine Catering Company and several catering businesses in Indiana, and Illinois. Caine subsequently opened a restaurant and bakery while residing in Peoria, Illinois.
Kappa brother Peter Washington III is the owner of The Washington Café, a new coffee shop (with food) and hybrid space for community and co-working in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Millioni Di Vite Wines is owned by Kappa member Justin Edwards. KOK Wings & Things was founded by four members of Kappa Alpha Psi: Tre’Jan Vinson, Avery Bell, Corey McCoy, and Jared Johnson. 1911 Smoke House BBQ is owned by NJ native and Kappa brother Maurice Hallett. Celebrity chef Xavier McGee serves up luxury food experiences and is a cookbook author.
On a celebrity note, Kappa brother Cedric Antonio Kyles better known as Cedric the Entertainer is the co-owner of AC Barbecue, a BBQ product line and standalone restaurant in California.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Leroy Howard Milton Haynes (1914 – 1986) owned In 1949, Haynes opened Gabby & Haynes, in Paris. He later opened a second restaurant (Chez Haynes) in 1969. He became a member of Omega Psi Phi at Morehouse.
Omega actor Anthony Anderson is the co-founder of AC Barbecue with Cedric the Entertainer. Craig Richardson, with wife Dr. Tanya Richardson, is the owner of Batter & Berries (3 locations) in the greater Chicago area. Omega members Clarence Ford, Rodrick Dunson and Anthony Blaylock are the co-owners of the Big Tony’s West Philly Cheesesteaks chain in Texas.
Chef Kenny Ware is a recipe creator and restaurant owner (Backyard Barbeque) in NY state. Atlanta-based chef Harold Odister is the stylish chef behind the Chef Ooh catering and private chef company. Allrecipes Allstar Justin Rowland is the Omega outdoor cooking master often featured on television. Chef Gerron Hurt was the first Black winner of Fox’s MasterChef, Season 9.
Omega chefs Shujuan Washington, Teddy Jefferson, and LLOVE are private chefs and caterers.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The late Elle Simone Scott (1976-2026) was the first Black woman to appear as a regular host on the PBS television show America’s Test Kitchen. She also worked as a food stylist, culinary producer, and test cook.
Life member Sharon Kaye Hunt is the author of several African American heritage cookbooks. Tea Maven Dr. Janet Walsh is the owner of Tea Tea & Company, a bespoke tea brand with services that include private tea parties and instructive tea demonstrations.
Delta lawyer Theodora Lee is an award-winning winemaker and owner of Theopolis Vineyards in northern California. And Delta lawyer Jessica Knox is the owner of BackatownNOLA, a coffee parlour.
Pinky Cole Hayes, founder of Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan brands. Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam is the owner of Keshia’s Kitchen, a seasoning and spice brand.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Honorary and distinguished member George Washington Carver is to be thanked for his love for science and agriculture. His bulletins made his scientific research and revelations more practical, because they contained recipes that he developed. And his work in soil health still holds up today.
Al Roker has been an independent producer of culinary and lifestyle programming (Food Network, Peacock, PBS) since 1994. He is also the author of three cookbooks.
Mixologist and spirits educator Eric E. Brown, Jr. is the owner of The Belly Rub Presents, a storytelling lounge where cocktails, culture, and community meet.
Celebrity chef and cookbook author Jernard A. Wells is one of the newest members of Phi Beta Sigma, having followed his son into the fraternity. Chef-caterer Jeffrey Morneau is a luxury event planner as well as the owner of a spice and seasoning brand. Dennis Williams is the owner of Le Crêpe in Royal Oak, Michigan. And ATL chef Jahnesta Watson is classically-trained but also has one of the most entertaining Instagram feeds with soul food tutorials.
Chef Dawn Burrell was a Top Chef Season 18 finalist, and 2020 James Beard Semifinalist, and 2000 Olympian.Culinary arts instructor and chef, Shanel Howard was a contestant on Rat in the Kitchen. Chef De’Bronya Hodges is a celebrity chef to the stars such as DJ Khaled.
Monica Nevels is a chef-caterer in Texas, she owns Faith ‘n Nevels. Rochelle Mayo-Barrett is the co-owner of Young Chefs Academy in Gahanna, Ohio. Shaketra Dorsey is a confectioner. Carlin Duncan is behind the food brand Girl Meets Kitchen, a catering and events business. Natasha Brown-Wainwright is the owner of a commercial kitchen, cafe and candy store.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Michele Hoskins is the CEO of Michele Foods, a 40+ year old food business that began with a 100 year old family recipe for syrup. Her products can be found in the top retail chains, more than 8000 stores nationwide, including Kroger, Albertson’s, Jewel Foods, Publix.
Temicka “Chef Tweet” Moore is the CEO & Executive Chef of Sincere Catering and a host of other culinary enterprises. As a caterer she has served some of the largest and most prestigious companies and organizations in the country, including the NBA. Chef Monica Hayes is a chef-educator, caterer, and the owner of a healthy meal prep service in Chicago. Nina Sagoo is the Food Network featured owner of Spiced Lavender Catering.
Sigma Gamma Rho Soror Betsey Mitchell is the owner-operator of The Rize Event Center (and catering) in the greater St. Louis area. Shaneka Dyson, Siobhan Robinson, Natasha Robinson, and Dianca White are four sorors of SGRho who co-own The Rhoyal Bistro Live restaurant and performance venue in Illinois. Dwan “Dee” Martin is the owner of Urban Luxe Cafe. Actress and singer Ta’Rhonda Jones won MasterChef Celebrity Showdown and is a “food” philanthropist who sponsors giveaways throughout the year in Chicago.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Iota brother Spencer Christian is the former weathercaster for ABC’s Good Morning America who has earned a place in (Black) culinary history as the creator of the first national wine show: HGTV’s Spencer Christian’s Wine Cellar from 1995 to 1999. You can read and view his Sips with Spencer library online.
Chopped champ (‘22) Chef Brian Jupiter is the owner of Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods and Frontier in Chicago. Iota Chef Bill McClellan (mentored by Chef Joe Randall) is the owner of McClellan’s Chicken & Fish and McClellan’s at Monarch Cafe’. Traveling chef-entrepreneur Chef Joseph Robinson is an Iota caterer and private chef. Chef Joshua Thorpe is a NJ-based private chef who creates culinary and lifestyle experiences.
If you know of any D9 food and hospitality entrepreneurs, share their names in the comments. Tag them.
Robin Caldwell
Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and academic researcher focusing on Black history, heritage and culture. Public historian primarily in Black American historical foodways: antebellum and regional.
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Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and academic researcher focusing on Black history, heritage and culture. Public historian primarily in Black American historical foodways: antebellum and regional.
