SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Embodying the spirit of the Emanuel Nine, that’s what the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity did, as they recognized upstate leaders for their community service.

The Emanuel Nine are nine people who gathered to worship in mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, when a white supremacist interrupted their worship service and opened fire.

The massacre remains the deadliest mass shooting in South Carolina’s history.

On Friday, 10 years later, as part of Alpha Phi Alpha’s 65th annual disctict conference, they commemorated the Emanuel Nine.

“We came up with an idea to honor their legacy by giving an award to individuals in the community, that do great things in certain categories,” Ruben Freeman, District Director for SC Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha said.

Five awar

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