Boisterous chants and stroll songs echoed Saturday afternoon through Atlantic Station Pinnacle Lot, as college students, alumni, and locals proudly represented their Greek letters and immersed themselves in Black HBCU culture.
From June 4 to June 7, the Atlanta Greek Picnic swept through downtown, uniting members of the Divine 9, the historic Black greek-letter organizations. Founded by Tiwa Williams 22 years ago, the picnic curates community and celebrates Black excellence in the Black mecca.
Each year, the event, which includes a bowling welcome event, a kickoff party, a morning of community service, the picnic, and brunch day parties, welcomes thousands for a weekend of strolling, socializing and solidarity. Centered in the heart of Atlanta, AGP has become a sort of rite of passage for people’s first year in their organization.
“It’s our neo season, baby,” said Mickelle Dixon, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. at Georgia State University. “We got to come out and have fun. It’s our first time, so we’re super-duper excited.”
As the sun set, Atlantic Station’s Pinnacle Lot came alive with live music, local vendors, food, and a stroll-off competition, where men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. won $5,000. Every organization from the D9 made an appearance at the picnic this weekend.
For Markeema Cranston, another first-time attendee and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. at Savannah State University, fellowship was an important element.
“This is my first time really getting to know other Greeks since crossing last year in fall,” she said. “We’re all so excited to get to know different organizations and different chapters while also being in the center of the community.”
This year, Bevel, a Black-founded grooming company, was one of the main sponsors for the picnic. Participating in AGP was important to the company, which is hyperfocused on the hygienic needs of Black men.
“Especially at AGP, a lot of young Black men are getting into their own personal hygiene and caring for themselves,” said Paris Jeffcoat, experiential vice president of creative agency Unsurfaced, which works with Bevel. “It’s a perfect target audience to start that relationship, in that pursuit with self care.”
The Positive Impact Health Center, a clinic providing comprehensive health and wellness services, also served as an event sponsor, offering free condoms and promoting sexual health awareness.
“We are super excited to let folks know that we want you to have fun while you’re here,” said Alphonso Mills, the group’s community engagement strategist. “Part of having fun often means engaging with each other, so we are here to provide services to let people know you can do that in a healthy way.”
Mills also emphasized the importance of targeting young Black adults with this campaign.
“Especially in Georgia, the Black community is hit hardest in regards to HIV, STIs and STDs, and we often don’t get the proper education to know what tools are at our disposal to help protect ourselves,” he said. “We are very intentional about letting everybody know there are tools out here that can allow you to protect yourself and have fun.”
In the midst of political pressures specifically targeting the Black community in Georgia, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. member Reneijah Richardson said she believes that this is an essential time to come together and show unity, similar to what their founders envisioned.
“I definitely appreciate how everyone has the same type of goal and principles, despite the difference in letters,” Richardson said.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council’s organizations were founded on similar principals: educating and uplifting the Black community while enacting social change, from environmental impact to voter registration. Ahead of elections, Black fraternities and sororities focus on voter mobilization.
More than 100 years later since most of the organizations were founded, Richardson said she hopes that this commitment to service and community continues into the future, alongside celebrations like AGP.
“It’s definitely important for D9 Greek organizations to come together and really be passionate about making a change, to really be headstrong about it,” Richardson said. “There’s no other way to do it.”
