Charged to serve. Charged to lead.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Program Questions
What is The D9 Leadership Blueprint?
The D9 Leadership Blueprint (formerly the Black Greek Success Program) is a leadership development program designed specifically for college members of the Divine Nine (D9). The program helps members cultivate effective leadership skills and create a lasting impact on their campus communities.
Whom is the D9 Leadership Blueprint designed for?
This program is designed for D9 college members. It is ideal for NPHC leadership retreats and new member orientation events. The program has also been delivered and customized for NPHC informational events, where students interested in D9 fraternities and sororities can gain perspective on how to develop critical leadership skills as they seek membership.
What does "D9" or "Divine Nine" refer to?
The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically African American fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
Program Content
What will participants learn when they see The D9 Leadership Blueprint?
Participants will learn the research-backed definition of leadership applied to D9 culture, why self-awareness is essential for leadership, and how to collaborate effectively within and across NPHC chapters using the Five Follower Types model and Eddie Francis's "Gumbo Theory."
How long is The D9 Leadership Blueprint presentation?
The program can be delivered anywhere between 45 and 90 minutes. The D9 Leadership Blueprint has also been customized as a half-day workshop.
Is the program based on research or personal experience?
The program combines personal stories, professional leadership experience, and academic leadership research with D9 culture to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Booking and Logistics
How can my organization book The D9 Leadership Blueprint presentation?
You can book a call using Eddie's scheduling link at calendly.com/eddiefrancis, or you can contact him directly at eddie@greekuniversity.org or 985.259.7906. The D9 Leadership Blueprint is done in partnership with Greek University.
What types of events is this presentation suitable for?
The presentation is perfect for new member orientations, NPHC leadership retreats, prospective member forums, and Greek life leadership conferences.
Where has The D9 Leadership Blueprint been presented before?
The program has been presented at various institutions and events, including the Big XII Conference on Black Student Government, McNeese State University, the University of North Alabama, Dillard University, the University of Texas at Arlington, Southeastern Louisiana University, and various other colleges and universities.
About the Presenter
Who is the presenter of the D9 Leadership Blueprint?
Based in the New Orleans area, the presenter is Eddie Francis, a 1989 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Eddie served as a chapter president at Loyola University New Orleans (Rho Epsilon Chapter), where he also competed in the 1991 national Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest. He has also been a member of alumni chapters in Slidell, Louisiana (Pi Pi Lambda), New Orleans (Sigma Lambda), Jefferson Parish, Louisiana (Nu Alpha Lambda), Dallas (Alpha Sigma Lambda), and Carrollton, Texas (Rho Nu Lambda).
What is Eddie Francis's D9 leadership experience?
As a member of his fraternity, Eddie has served as a Nu Alpha Lambda chapter president and as a campus advisor for the Alpha Phi Alpha chapters at Southern University at New Orleans and Paul Quinn College. He has also chaired several chapter committees, including communications/public relations and March for Babies, and Eddie chaired the public relations committee for the 2015 Southwestern Regional Convention in Dallas. He has also been an NPHC representative with North Dallas Suburbia and Greater New Orleans.
What is Eddie Francis's professional leadership experience?
Eddie is a communications strategist who has led communications and marketing at Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, Paul Quinn College, and Talladega College. His work with Dillard earned him two nominations for the American Marketing Association Higher Education Marketer of the Year. As a member of AMA, Eddie served on the planning committee for the Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education. He also served as an area manager for Monster's Making It Count Programs. At only 24 years old, Eddie was the interim promotions director for the Clear Channel Radio New Orleans four-station cluster. Having earned his master's degree in strategic leadership from Tennessee State University, Eddie is a member of the International Leadership Association and the Press Club of New Orleans.
Does Eddie Francis produce any D9 thought leadership?
Yes! Eddie authored the ebook The D9 Leadership Blueprint, and he produces The D9 Leadership Blueprint Blog. He also hosts the fraternity and sorority leadership podcast Ethocast. Eddie has written and commented about Black Greek life for Watch the Yard, HBCU Lifestyle, Al Jazeera America, and The HBCU Nation Radio Show.
About the Name Change
Why did the Black Greek Success Program change its name to The D9 Leadership Blueprint?
The program rebranded to The D9 Leadership Blueprint to more accurately reflect its mission to spark leadership development for college members of Divine Nine fraternities and sororities.