First of all, I would like to say that I am honored to be your National Pan-Hellenic Council president for the Dallas area for the upcoming 2008 year.  I intend to continue carrying the torch of leadership that many NPHC presidents before my tenure has done.  Being the umbrella organization for the Divine Nine, I truly believe that the NPHC and all of its components allows each of the nine Black-Greek Letter organizations to unite as one in service, progression, and resistance.  Serving, educating, and encouraging others, while exercising professionalism and common courtesy, will always be the main focus of my administration.

            There is so much more that we can do collectively than we could ever do as individual entities.  Yes, we are all unique, but are we really that different?  Some may argue that different is good, but I would like to stretch that suggestion further by saying that our diversity possesses greatness and that is what truly makes us the Divine Nine.  Greatness lies within all of our distinguished fraternities and sororities. The matter at hand is, “Will we answer the call that pertains to the needs of our local communities, in such a way, that it makes a positive global impact?”

            In order for us to excel as a unifying body we must learn how to be progressive.  Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, we must learn how to join hands, minds, bodies, and spirits to readjust the wheel.  It is pertinent that each fraternity and sorority has a vital part to play in this readjustment of the wheel that we call the NPHC.  Our foundations have paved the way for us; therefore, it is our job to recondition them with the times.  Not only for purposeful survival of our great legacies, but for also making heightened life-changing decisions for all of the lives that we are suppose to be impacting; regardless of the demographic and economic obstacles that we face each day.

            We must remember that where there is unity, there is also strength.  Being able to resist negativity in our individual lives and organizations is a great habit that we all should strive to develop and possess.  Possessing resistance will not only allow us to congregate in desperate times, but also maintain our positive notability for what we are all founded upon, as well as the common goal of the NPHC, continuing to mentor, educate, and uplift others.

In strength,

Marquis O’Banner