Florida unveils 12 new specialty license plates to benefit HBCU’s, environment and veterans
Florida on Thursday announced the addition of 12 new specialty license plates, including some recognizing a collective of historically Black sororities and fraternities known as the Divine Nine.
The new additions are among the more than 100 specialty license plates available to Florida motorists. Revenue generated by specialty plate sales provides millions of dollars each year toward special causes and organizations.
The Divine Nine
The majority of the newly released plates celebrate the Divine Nine, a collective of historically Black Greek organizations. Sales of the plates will fund college scholarships at historically Black colleges and universities. It will also support the United Negro College Fund, Inc. and the Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition, Inc.
The following organizations are represented in the plate package: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
Those interested in purchasing an organization plate must prove membership.
Explore Off-Road
The “Explore Off-Road” license plate is bright and colorful. It shows a Jeep-like vehicle parked along a tropical sandy shore during a blood-orange sunset.
Plates sales will support the Florida Off-Road Foundation. The nonprofit works to preserve Florida’s environment with trail maintenance and organized clean ups. It also provides off-road education among a slew of other services.
America the Beautiful
The new “America the Beautiful” plate boasts vibrant skies, a large soaring eagle and an American flag on the lower half.
Plate sales will support the America the Beautiful Fund, which provides youth services and other programs. Among them: wildlife conservation, park and playground development, and outdoor education.
Army Of Occupation
The “Army of Occupation” military license plate is available to veterans of the Cold War.
The plate is white and features a large image of the medal on the right hand side. Eligible motorists include veterans “permanently assigned to occupation forces in specific overseas locations during the Cold War between May 9, 1945, and October 2, 1990,” according to the state.