at 6:30 p.m. eastern, nixon's farewell to white house staff. and at 8:00 p.m. eastern, president nixon's resignation address to the nation. and throughout the day, see discussions on richard nixon's legacy, historic news reel footage from the white house, and interviews with nixon administration staffers and those who served and worked in congress at the time. watch our special on the 50th anniversary of the resignation of president richard nixon, all day, beginning saturday at 8:00 a.m. eastern on american history tv on c-span2. >> "washington jo" continues. host: our guest is khalilah brown-dean. she is the executive director of the allbritton center for the study of public life at wesleyan university and host of the "disrupted."

welcome to the program. guest: thank you so much. host: and vice president harris are both members of the sorority. tell us when it started and why. guest: it began on the campus of howard university in 1908 and was created at a time when black women in particular were barred from college campuses. they were not allowed to attend at some of the more prestigious universities that we know of, like columbia, yale, princeton. they were also very underrepresented on the campuses of historically black colleges like howard university. so women came together because they saw a common purpose to elevate a connection to community, to see strength and leadership opportunities and to see their time together as college students but only for short-term.

they came together to create that organization. host: what year did you say that was? guest: january 15, 1908. that year is important. host: this was before women got the right to vote. guest: for women that the right to vote and 12 years before the 19th amendment enfranchised some women. women could have the ability to vote and before they can have a checking account in their own name and at a time when women in leadership positions outside of the home were still very much a novelty. we are talking about women in general, not just black women. to come together in the face of those structural barriers as well as public understanding to create an organization dedicated to women's leadership is very extraordinary. host: it is part of the divine nine. can you explain what that is? guest: it is our term of affection for the historically

black fraternities and sororities. there are four sororities part of that organization and five fraternities. what is key about those organizations, they are created at different times throughout the years from 1906 to 1963 as the origin years of those organizations some are founded on campuses like howard university's but others at cornell, indiana, butler university. it shows the broad experience and diversity within black communities and having those organizations say let's come together to build something greater than ourselves and address the issues of the day. host: if you would like to talk to our guests, you can do so. the lines are republicans (202) 748-8001, democrats (202) 748-8000, independents (202) 748-8002. we have a line set aside for

members of the divine nine. if you are a member, you will know what that is that number is (202) 748-8003. and you can use that same number to text us. can you talk more about the role these fraternities and sororities have played in social movements and let actual accomplishments they have had? guest: each of these organizations show the commitment to service, a lifelong commitment to service. membership is not confined to the time a person is an undergraduate student. it is membership for life and an expectation one who has had these opportunities to acquire higher education to be exposed to leadership opportunities who use those opportunities to empower the communities. so all nine organizations has

its own set of goals. for one, they are committed to reducing stigma around mental health and mental awareness as well and addressing things like maternal mortality rates, helping to address childhood hunger and poverty. all of these organizations share that commitment to service and donate millions every year, raising millions of dollars for students to attend higher education so the scholarship is a key piece. they leverage that not just in local communities but at the national and international level as well. so alpha kappa alpha was founded in 1908. within mode -- months of the founding, joining together other women to demand that women be able to participate in the national average month.

the president for comfort health wrote a letter to alice paul -- you cannot say can deny others to march together. the history of involvement and pushing toward change and progress becomes a key for every organization in the divine nine. host: getting to the fall campaign. what will do you expect those fraternity and sorority members to be playing in this campaign? guest: each of the nine presidents of those organizations in the divine nine released a joint statement a few weeks ago announcing that those organizations together would promote voter mobilization and engagement in a concerted effort. those organizations, those nine organizations represent 2.5 million members.

each of those members is connected to other communities, to other institutions that can broaden the reach. what is so critical when we are talking about this election year and how these nine organizations are coming together in collaboration, it is a space for intergenerational, multigenerational engagements. you have members who have 50 plus years of service and then you have recent college graduates who are saying, what is my place in this world? how do i raise the issues i am concerned about and focus on policy and issue and not just people. having that concerted effort to say we deserve to not just have a seat but seats at that table and how do we work together to do it, not just at the presidential election, because there are key races at the local and state level that these organizations and members are fighting to have the community engage with. host: i want to ask you about an

article in usa today that says, at a trump rally in atlanta, black attendees say kamala harris is playing the race card for votes. what is your reaction to that? guest: i think it is always fascinating when people even raise the term "the race card." we think about the experiences of these women who for so many years the racial identity prevented them from be able to participate in politics. i thinking about where we are in this country right now with the anniversary of both the civil rights act of 1964 in the voting rights act of 1965 to make mention of those institutional barriers and how in spite of those restrictions on being able to participate in the process, you have people emerging as leaders who are not just running for office but who are leading in schools and communities every

day. making mention of that is not about playing the race card. it is about affirming the prospect of freedom in the united states and affirming the very beauty of american democracy, that even in a country where many people were brought here in the shadow of slavery, they can still pursue office and have an impact on their community every day. that is what makes the united states unique and is one of the things i think encourages people to always think about the future while working today. host: let's talk to callers. joe is in ventnor, north carolina and is a member of the divine nine. caller: i am a member of a fraternity, the first of the black fraternal organizations. we were the fraternity for martin luther king. he was one of our fellows.

he was always concerned about the situation of people of color around the world. we have a crisis going on next-door and involving not only african-americans, but who are cooperating in undermining our government. that country is egypt. the egyptian supply oil to the zionists ralph lunch -- bunch signed the initial agreement. he made sure they had oil and gas and they were able to take people's land illegally. they did it it by sending 50

gallon barrel of oil on the stack of old ships. now they have a pipeline going by the door of gaza. hos caller: they have now given mr. trump, millions of dollars. what are we going to do about this kind of in your face dirt in this upcoming presidential situation? host: professor, any comments on that? guest: i think one of the things you hear in joe's comments is a sense of frustration. another thing i want people to hear and be clear about there are assumptions just because a person is a member of a organization or collective organization that were thinks

alike and has the same perspective or they will factual in lock step because of a shared affiliation. what you hear is that is not true. some of the greatest debates about world affairs, local politics and path forward have happened in organizational meetings where you have smart dedicated people who disagree. what is important in election for joe's question is those organizations come together to discuss the issues, to discuss the concerns that people have and these divine nine organizations have chapters across the world. so you have people in the dominican republic who are having the conversation about the country's treatment and run with haiti. there are people in dubai thinking of that region and what global conflict can mean so. bringing people to discuss

issues, not personalities, not identities but discuss policy and issue is a key role the organizations can play. host: amica is a relying in california. caller: hi. i called in when the senator from nebraska i don't remember his name and asked him about reparations and how slave labor built the wealth of our country. when i see people in san francisco, a lot of black people living on the street out there, i think why don't they get a check and the support was saying i haven't seen a plan that would appeal to him. he was not against it. but i believe -- i inherited at one upon the $30,000 and it

helped me get housed. i wonder about the divine nine and do they have any platform on that? i think it is ultra necessary if you want to say. host: ok. go ahead, professor. guest: i'm thinking about where we are and sheila jackson-lee was laid to rest who is a member of the divine nine. one thing she said is what makes this country so amazing is that it allows us to take a step back and think about the history of our nation, to think about the impact of that history and where we are but to work together to chart a path so. while there's no overwhelming consensus of reparations there's

a lot of conversation tingly at the local -- particularly to recognize that past history and not be bound by it but to refuse to ignore it. that is what is so important in this political moment we are in to be able to have vigorous debate and conversation but not walk away with words but with a plan of action. whether that is at the local level of cities and towns or states, that is the opportunity to can come together to build something together. host: houston texas, michael, democrat. good morning. caller: good morning, professor brown-dean. i'm just wondering if you thought there might be any other what is the historical significance of having the first block female president be a graduate of a hbcu, a member of a historically black sorority

and it might influence the way she might govern. guest: i'm not a graduate of a hbcu but every formative teacher had had was an alum of that amazing group of schools and universities. what is important to think of vice president harris and candidacy and impact it can have is anyone familiar with hbcu's knows they can be tough because you have an amazing cadre of student who calendar each other and perceive a particular interest in communities and community voice and empowerment. i think we have seen that whether we talk about her role in san francisco or as a senator and now vice president. one thing that is critical is

people see and affirm the value of those institutions particularly the public hbcu's that have been underfunded for decades but still produce the great he was number of african-american lawyers, doctors and educators and say what can happen when you invest them and prosperity that can result. so i see that continuing for the vice president because we have seen it to date but how beautiful it can be that other young people will see a path toward progress that allows them to be connected to that seguily and lineage. host: let's talk to lornel in fort washington, maryland, a member of the divine nine. caller: executive brown doing an amazing job. i'm a omega, my son is.

you are absolutely right that 2 2.5 influences a lot. with i want to talk about is the decisions my fraternity to people said we shouldn't go but i'm proud of the decisions and impact we made. we gave out over 8,000 books and life and uber drivers were tarpbged to make sure we did business with black businesses and block entrepreneurs. so i think having someone like soon it be president harris with her background and hbcu grad want to be associated with your works and thank you for your work and thank c-span for always having a pulse on what is important. guest: thank you are so much for that and congratulations to your

family. it is always beautiful to see generations of people connected in purpose and principle. what i think you raise there is something that will be a critical conversation that is happening across these organizations but crass communities. we need to think about not just an election but how we prepare people for life an election. not just the presidential election but local and state races that are happening as well. so, while people have vigorous debate whether to host their conferences and conventions in particular states with a legacy of policies that undermine some of the very programs those organizations are promoting in, you also have people who said what happens to those businesses if we don't go to support them. if all of these divine nine have some platform around economic empowerment and wealth building

what does it mean for those students and i notice men of omega are committed to providing books what if we turn our backs on people that have to live in those policies. that speaks of the diversity not just identity but diversity of thought that exists across these organizations. host: we have a question on x who says why are so many blacking leaving the democratic party? have they grown tired of the failed promises or are they more educated with their ability and access to knowledge? guest: for me it is a data question. i'm a political scientist and quantitative social scientist who that is a nice way of saying i'm a nerd who loves looking at

numbers, data appear patterns. the data tells us it is not that masses of people are leaving the democratic party. it says there are millions of americans who are identifying as independent over the two parties because they often question whether the two major political parties can actively represent the diversity of their thoughts. we have always seen that select wuhl diversity across block communities. i think often the general public doesn't recognize or affirm it but we know about the debates within black communities whether people are familiar with the discussions between malcolm x and martin luther king or w.e.b. dubois and others that diversity has always existed. and figuring out what is the container that can hold those challenges but creating a way for people to be part of the

process. that is not if you. we may have new terms for it but that is not new. even when people don't identify with one of the two major parties they identify with faith communities, have access to housing that is affordable and safe and create a future for their family that they want to be greater than what they have right now. we share that and understand that. that is why it is important to not just look at party label but substance. host: we have a member of alpha kappa alpha in new haven, connecticut. caller: good morning, dr. brown-dean. always so proud of you and grateful that the c-span audience can experience you this morning. my question to you is this is an experience i had this weekend registering people to vote and make sure they commit to vote in

new haven. what wisdom would you have for newly registered voters 18 to say 25 who have experienced significant political turmoil and are struggling to get up and get out to vote for this election cycle. guest: thank you for this question. it is one that keeps me up at night but it is the perspective that gets me going in the morning. i will give you an example. at the albritton center we've diploma to the ballot focusing on young people from 17 to 25. if you wait until an election to help people find their political voice or to engage in a process, it almost was like it is too late because it feels transactional. how do we help people see their power and agency?

we don't do it by guilting people to say you have to vote because generations of people naught and died for this right, which is true as part of it. but when people think of the challenges they face every day that may not be the motivation. what we find effective is talking to people and listening. what are they concerned about? are they concerned about whether their child will be able to get higher education if that is what they choose to do? will their family be available to have access to a job that cannot just bring an income but allow them to build a sense of stability for their family? can they take a vacation and afford it while paying for medication if they are engaging in elder care? talking about the people about things they are concerned about and listening to their answers and not trying to guilt tell into voting has been quite

effective. the other piece that is critical is we have it not just meet people where they are but be willing to allow them to take places to places that maybe is less comfortable so people may not use the same words and terms but everyone knows what they need, they know what they want rapid how do we connect in a way that is genuine, sustainable and doesn't just get them excited for a election but represents them for a lifetime. host: tony in red hrrpd, california, democrat, you are next. caller: hi, dr. brown-dean. i have a question about what you think about clarence thomas taking $4 million worth of bribes as a supreme court justice? doesn't he hurt the black community in general because he

is such an awful representative and is taking reparations on his own? i heard an earlier caller talk about renn rations. he is doing it by himself. what do you think about him? guest: i would say that i wouldn't call that reparations. reparations has such a unique history. it is connected to struggle, connected to demand from communities that want to be sure we are keeping those things separate. what is critical is for people to think of integrity, to think about ethics and what they demand of the people who represent them. whether they are elected or appointed. what are the guard rails we have in place? there are people in every community of every background of every stripe who engage in behavior that i think is

inappropriate or unbecoming. what we have to resist and i remember one of the initial tweets or comments was about the race card. that can go both ways. when we think about where we are in the current moment of the country on the precipice of making history, what we also know is being first or being one of a few can sometimes feel like a hole low prize. because at the same time there are those that will not support you simply because who you are and there are those that will attach every hope and dream and when you falter it is not about you as a individual it is see we told you why we should not have taken a chance. i think what justice thomas is accused of engaging in is something he will have to answer. what we are as voters concerned about is decide structurally what are the things we need in

place to preserve the integrity of the court because we know there are key critical issues that would come before that court and already have. again, what are the kinds of expectations we have not just of people in leadership but frankly what are the expectations we have of ourselves and what will knee not stand for. host: both is in baltimore, maryland, independent. caller: good morning. i'm calling regarding the vice president belonging to a sorority. how much of an influence do you think that will have on the election? we saw a local news story about one of the sororities trying to garrett votes and contacting all

the black sororities an fraternities. i belonged to a sorority in college and that will not have an effect on my decision for president but how much you think it will have on the current election? guest: thanks much for the question. i think it creates appear opening to be very clear about something. all of those members of the divine nine, the five fraternities and four sororities have nonprofit status which means no organization can endorse a candidate. that is critical. they recognize there is tremendous diversity of ideology and opinion across members. so not only would it be illegal it would be inappropriate for the organizations to endorse a

candidate or support a particular party. as individuals of course people will make their decisions based on the things that matter to them. i do not think people will say oh vice president harris is a member of this organization so she automatically gets my vote. not at all. people are much more sophisticated than that and intentional about their vote. there is a level of familiarity of experience and subconnected to the legacy of a hbcu and sorority means that you don't have to explain your humanity to anyone. you don't have to justify the college you chose to attend is worthy of investment. you don't have to engage in debates about who is or isn't in identity. there is a shaeurt level of understanding that allows you to dive deep into those organizations.

so i think the sororities and fraternities will make a difference in engaging people not just the presidential level but key races in state houses, city school boards and so on will i think about all know all

hello. caller: hello. i'm a democrat and i have been writing in houston. i want to say that we have the young people voting because we are connected to them and connected to god. there's no fear in our young people although we have people key can't explain and jesus heard a lot. we understand god. that is why america is the world leader and people will be

encouraged to vote. we are one nation of god and world leader because we have faith in god and the world can see that against the evil people trying to run the world. we are a nation of god and nation of the world because we do the things that god wants to do and all the young people and a lot are listening now who are doing the right thing and the right thing is voting for america and doing the right thing. host: all right, billy. tom in lawrence, kansas, republican. good morning, tom. caller: good morning. i listened to the last caller quite a bit. in our history looking back and we have had some bad things from history in the past.

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