Jamal Bryant Calls Out Black Folks Who Denounce Divine Nine Organizations – But Not Trump

Pastor Jamal Bryant is causing a major stir on social media thanks to a recent impassioned sermon he gave about Black people who are denouncing their Greek organization affiliations—but stop short of denouncing President Trump and his harmful rhetoric and policies. And Black people online have a whole lot to say about it. Let’s get into it.

Bryant minced no words while talking about Black people who have decided to renounce and denounce their connections to the “Divine Nine” historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. The major ones include: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho.

While he stated that it was any person’s right to do so as they have free will, Bryant went on to question how they could renounce their affiliation but hadn’t “found enough Holy Ghost conviction or discernment” to renounce any of Trump’s policies.

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“You watch people pledge allegiance to him, and none of you tap-dancing Negroes denounced that!” Bryant said.

As he continued, the popular Atlanta pastor made it clear that he was against any dehumanizing, hazing, and “physical, emotional, or spiritual damage” associated with the aforementioned organizations. But then he flipped the conversation to highlight the philanthropic and community work that they’ve done for decades, including cancer research, building Black businesses, mentoring Black youth, and more.

He went on to ask how people could have so much negativity to spew at the people who were out here pushing for change and pouring into the communities—but none for the oppressive systems and policies that make their work necessary.

“Be careful of Black people who use their platforms to demean the DNA of those who fought for your liberation and fought against oppression,” Bryant said.

As he continued, he name-dropped several civil rights leaders and influential figures who were members of Black fraternities or sororities, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Shirley Chisholm, John Lewis, Maya Angelou, Zora Neale Hurston, Rosa Parks, and more. He argued that none of them were under “demonic spells,” but were instead all used by God to “fight the demon of white supremacy.”

By the time his words hit the social media streets, many people were split over his message. While some found validity in his words, others felt as if he was leading his church members and others astray.

“Jamal Bryant is leading ppl straight to hell,” wrote one user on Threads.

“Jamal Bryant is in error and leading his entire congregation astray. I pray he repents and begins teaching the truth of God’s Word instead of speaking things that lead people away from sound doctrine. ‘Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ — Jeremiah 23:1,” said another.

One other user wrote on TikTok: “Oooooh he is full of idolatry. He rebukes President Trump – but a lifelong fraternity member, he won’t rebuke that wickedness!”

Added another: “Someone really needs to sit him down! But all those in his congregation that he is leading away from Jesus, that blood is on his hands. And I can’t believe none of them in there have discernment & will continue to sit under him.”

However, others defended Bryant’s words and backed up his argument.

“Not a Jamal Bryant fan, but everything he said in this sermon is 100% accurate. The Divine 9 are a target for racists because of the service gaps we’ve filled within our communities that should be managed by our government with our tax dollars,” one person penned on Threads. “We became a bigger target because of our ability to organize for our political interests, so they use false Christian teachings wrapped in white supremacy to convince Black folk that the orgs that have been so vital to Black survival are evil.”

Another person noted: “Regardless of how you may feel about Black fraternities and sororities, it speaks volumes when some people renounce their membership but are silent about the evils that this administration is doing to Black people, people of color, and other marginalized groups. Bravo to Pastor Jamal Bryant for pointing this out and making it plain. Good on him for calling out Black preachers who embrace white Christian nationalism.”