Derek & Jamar Productions set to release an Alpha Kappa Alpha documentary

In 2006, Derek Fordjour and Jamar White embarked on a journey to document the legacy of historically black sororities.  This journey came to fruition with the creation of the film series, Black Sorority Project.  The Black Sorority Project series is the first initiative written, produced, and directed under Derek & Jamar Productions.  The production company is the product of a long-standing creative union between the friends and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity line brothers.  The documentary is a two-part series highlighting the beginnings of the black sorority movement in America.  “We worked from a variety of stories and were extremely limited taking creative license with historical facts in order to preserve the integrity of the story, as we know it today.”  

The first installment, Black Sorority Project: The Exodus, which chronicled the creation of Delta Sigma Theta, was released in 2007.  The prequel, Black Sorority Project: The Genesis, the story of Alpha Kappa Alpha, is set to be released in Fall 2011.  The duo also previously collaborated on a similar project for their fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, in 2000 when they released a short run video and the limited edition painting, “An Experiment in Brotherhood.”

Derek & Jamar productions has set up a mailing list for Alpha Kappa Alpha sorors and friends to obtain more information on the upcoming film release at http://www.blacksororityproject.com/genesis.htm.

Historically black sorority leaders featured in Essence magazine

Carolyn House Stewart is featured in the December 2010 edition of Essence magazine. (Photo Credit: Melissa Golden)

Each month millions of professional African-American women look forward to getting the new issue of Essence magazine.  However, for the over half million members of the historically black sororities, the December 2010 issue is a special treat because it contains a special joint interview with the leaders of the four historically black sororities.

In Essence’s second installment in their looking at the state of African-American women series, Dawn M. Baskerville interviews Carolyn House Stewart, along Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, Sheryl P. Underwood, and Joann Loveless, the leaders of Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho respectively. The ladies discuss their organization’s program platforms, public perception of sororities and black women,  women’s economic and physical health, and the future of black women.  The sorority presidents set the example for sistagreeks worldwide by displaying greek unity through a united message of sisterhood and service.

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization: Lifelong friendship

A benefit of joining a greek letter organization is always having a network within the organization. (Photo Credit: Ivy Community Charities of Prince George's County)

Lifelong friendship ~ Membership in a black fraternity or sorority creates a network of friends and acquaintances.  Beginning with the initiation process to working together in a chapter, members become affliated with people that they may not have normally had an association.  This contact serves to broadens the member’s perspective, experience, and knowledge.  On top of the fraternal bonds, membership affords a person with a unique advantage because of the sheer numbers of members.  Alpha Kappa Alpha has over 250,000 women who have been initiated into membership.  With this strength, when a sorority member moves to a new location for work or school, there is bound to be a chapter or member in the area.  This serves as a resource for the member to become more familiar with the area.

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization: Leadership development

Presidents of the historically black greek lettered organizations are pictured at the public meeting during AKA sorority's 64th International Conference in St. Louis

 

Leadership development and training ~ Most, if not all, black greek letter organizations have some aspect of leadership development and training.  Specifically, Alpha Kappa Alpha holds a biennial leadership conference that provides a myriad of workshops that members can use in the sorority, as well as, in their professional careers. For undergraduate members, the sorority has, since 1979,  formed critical partnerships with leading corporate entities to create the Leadership Fellows Program.  This program pairs qualified college students with intensive personal and professional leadership skills training during a week of structured activities.   The growing  desire for leadership development from members has spurred the newly installed Carolyn House Stewart administration to provide an international internal leadership development program for external service.  Alpha Kappa Alpha is not alone in this endeavor as other organizations also have similar leadership development programs for their members.

The benefits of joining a black greek-letter organization

I have been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since my initiation in 2004. I attempt to attend as many conferences as economically feasibly. As a result, usually, I have some type of paraphernalia in my possession, whether it is a bag or an ink pen, that identifies me as a member of the sorority.

Purchasing a fraternal license plate is the least of the benefits of joining a black greek letter organization. (Photo Credit: msmail via Flickr)

This insignia readily identifies me as a member of of the first and finest. On occasion, when I am seen with my sorority letters visible, I am approached with questions about Alpha Kappa Alpha. But one of the questions that has stuck in my mind is “What are the benefits of membership in a black greek letter organization?”  After pondering this question for awhile, I have come up with these answers which I will elaborate on in upcoming blog posts.

• Leadership development and training
• Lifelong friendship
• Academic support
• Professional mentorship

The Carolyn House Stewart administration reveals 2010-2014 program initiatives for Alpha Kappa Alpha

One the the exciting things about a new administration taking office is the revelation of their program intitiatives.  The House-Stewart administration has wasted no time in unveiling the new program entitled, “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.”  The program initiatives can be viewed on the sorority’s newly redesigned official website.  The targets of the Alpha Kappa Alpha’s new program initatives, which are “inspired by a dedicated investment of human capital and a bold commitment to the principles of basic human rights,” are listed below:

Signature Program Initiatives

I. Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) Initiatives ~ This signature program will impact the lives of 10,000 girls in grades six through eight by providing leadership development, civic engagement, enhanced academic preparation and character building. The increasing demands of the twenty-first century mandate our youth to be better leaders at a younger age making smart choices with positive consequences.

II. Health Initiatives ~ These initiatives encourage personal fitness and healthy life styles. We will support organizations which advance access to treatment and coordinate awareness and advocacy campaigns to reduce health disparities, save lives and impact health related legislation. Co-sponsored health forums will address: diseases which disproportionately affect women and minorities, prevention and treatment options.        

• A. Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative ~ This signature health program will benefit children and families enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The goal is early diagnosis, treatment awareness and parental education and advocacy.         
• B. Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability ~ This initiative, through community forums and activities, promotes strategies and awareness campaigns to encourage energy efficiency, conservation, eco-living, reforestation, urban gardening, education and empowerment of consumers with limited resources, “go green-living green” eco-tourism, opportunities for women owned businesses, environmental zones in urban communities and advocacy for and legislation related to public health and environmental justice.

III. Global Poverty ~ The goals for this initiative are to end hunger, preserve the environment and empower women. The program will provide food production skills and training in self-reliance through gifts of seeds, livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. Education in sustainable food practices will make women equal partners in ending poverty and hunger. Alpha Kappa Alpha will continue its membership and consultative status with UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization). We have global partners for self-help projects and awareness campaigns within the United States and abroad.

IV. Economic Security Initiative ~ This effort expands the current programs related to wealth building and allocation of resources, home ownership, estate planning, support and empowerment of female owned businesses and urban enterprise zones.

V. Social Justice and Human Right Initiative ~ These initiatives will address gender equality issues including: human trafficking and domestic violence, services for children with incarcerated parents, youth aging out of foster care and children in homeless shelters. Voter empowerment; access to technology; training of parents as advocates for educational and health care needs of children and support of the arts will be emphasized.

VI. Internal Leadership Training for External Service Initiative ~ This initiative will afford Alpha Kappa Alpha members leadership training at all levels within the organization. It will serve as a catalyst for members to reach their fullest potential as skilled leaders in service to Alpha Kappa Alpha and other organizations and institutions.

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New board of directors elected at Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 64th International Conference

Carolyn House Stewart, Esq. will be installed as the 28th International President of the sorority during its 64th international convention in St. Louis

Every two years, Alpha Kappa Alpha holds its international conference.  This is is a time of policy making and taking care of sorority business.  During the 64th international conference, Carolyn House Stewart, Esq. of Tampa, Florida will be sworn in as the 28th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  In ascending to the international presidency, she becomes the first lawyer to head the organization.  Carolyn House Stewart, who did an interview with Anthony Reeves, Esq. for his Blog Talk Radio show, In The Know, also makes history as the first president to serve a full term in the Sorority’s second century.

Since 1994, Stewart has been a shareholder in the law firm of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen one of Florida’s oldest law firms.  She handles cases in the firm’s civil litigation, casualty and labor law sections.  Her 32-year legal career began after graduating with a juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina Law Center. In addition to her law degree, Stewart holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and social science education form the University of South Florida. Stewart’s ascension to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s chief leadership position caps a 38-year record of commitment and service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority that began when she was initiated at the University of South Florida in 1972. In addition to the installation of Ms. Stewart, a new board of directors was elected in addition.  The following ladies will serve will serve on the board of directors:

• Carolyn House Stewart, Esq. – International President
• Dorothy Wilson Buchanan – International First Vice-President
• Jocelyn R. McDaniel – Internaiontal Second Vice President
• Susan Simms Marsh – International  Secretary
• Delores Y. McKinley – International Treasurer
• Katessa Charles-Davis – International Parliamentarian
• Jamila C. Hall – Undergraduate Member at Large
• Kiana Abram – Undergraduate Member at Large
• Giselé M.Casanova – Central Regional Director
• LaVern M. Swain Tarkington – Far Western Director
• Charlene Truitt Nelson – Great Lakes Director
• Linda Henry Gilliam – Mid-Atlantic Director
• Maggieann W. Green – Mid-Western Director
• Constance R. Pizarro – North Atlantic Director
• Marsha Lewis-Brown – South Atlantic Director
• Gwendolyn J. Brinkley – South Central Director
• Adrienne Pope-Kelly – South Eastern Director
• Evelyn Sample-Oates – International Regional Director

Her excellency, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, pictured with Barbara McKenzie and Mae Carr, receives International Service Award during AKA sorority's 64th international conference

Other highlights of the 64th international conference include an appearance, during the sorority’s public meeting, by her excellency, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first female head of state in Africa.  The president of Liberia was on hand to receive the sorority’s international service award.  Her excellency, a charter member of Eta Beta Omega chapter, was also surprised by outgoing international president, Barbara McKenzie, with a $500,000 donation to her Sirleaf Market Women’s Fund, an organization that provides financial and other support for the empowerment of women market traders in Liberia.

Presidents of the historically black greek lettered organizations are pictured at the public meeting during AKA sorority's 64th International Conference in St. Louis

Additionationaly, during the public meeting, the presidents of the historically black greek lettered organization brought greetings on behalf of their respective organizations.  More information can be obtained by reading the AKA Boule Chronciles.

Alpha Kappa Alpha reveals 2010 honorary members

In about two weeks, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will hold its biennial international convention known as Boule.  Like most sorority conventions, the Boule will include a public meeting, where community leaders will be honored including Soror Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Jay-Z; business sessions, where delegates will make policy; and extra activities for sorority members and friends, including tours of St. Louis and  various entertainment choices.

However, one of the highlights of Boule is the induction of honorary members. This part of the meeting has been one of delight for some and controversy for others as it pertain to if BGLOs should continue the practice of initiating honorary members. Whatever your take on the matter, Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to seek out exemplary women to be given its “most prestigious designation,” which is honorary membership.  The sorority maintains that “those who are inducted represent the highest standards of character, courage, and womanhood and are committed to the organization’s mission to serve.”

This year two women were inducted into the sorority as honorary in advance of the 2010 Boule.

CARE CEO, Dr. Helena Gayle, recently received honorary membership into Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Dr. Helen D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, USA, a leading humanitarian organization, and entrepreneur extraordinaire Sheila C. Johnson were recently inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as Honorary Members, during separate members-only induction ceremonies.

Presiding over the inductions was Alpha Kappa Alpha’s international president, Barbara A. McKinzie. Also in attendance were Mae R. Carr, the international chairman of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Honorary Members/Awards Committee, Loann Julia Honesty King, AKA’s international program chair, Mary Shy Scott, 23rd International President, Ella Springs Jones, South Atlantic Regional Director and Executive Director Deborah Dangerfield.

Helene D. Gayle is an expert on health, global development and humanitarian issues and spent 20 years with the Centers for Disease Control, working primarily on HIV/AIDS. She then worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, directing programs on HIV/AIDS and other global health issues.

Gayle chairs the Obama administration’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and serves on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Named one of Foreign Policy magazine’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” Newsweek’s top 10 “Women in Leadership” and The Wall Street Journal’s “50 Women to Watch,” she has published numerous scientific articles and been featured in many media outlets. She serves on several boards and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Sheila C. Johnson is a successful entrepreneur and impassioned philanthropist. As a partner in Lincoln Holdings, Johnson is the only African-American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the WNBA’s Washington Mystics-holding the post of President and Managing Partner-the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

Philanthropist, Sheila Johnson, is the one of the newest honorary members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Photo Credit: David Shankbone/Wikipedia Commons

As CEO of Salamander Hospitality, a company she founded in 2005, Johnson oversees a growing portfolio of luxury properties, which include Five Diamond-rated properties. In 2006, she was named global ambassador for CARE and spearheaded “Sheila’s I Am Powerful Challenge,” which was instrumental in helping raise funds for CARE’s important work. Johnson is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was recently appointed by President Obama to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. She also serves on numerous boards.

During the convention, another outstanding leader will join the 2010 honorary member class.

Immunologist and Balm In Gilead, Inc. founder Pernessa C. Seele will join the Sorority as an Honorary Member in a private ceremony on Wednesday, July 14, during its biennial convention, July 9-16, in St. Louis, MO.

Pernessa C. Seele is one of the nation’s most prominent voices on issues of HIV/AIDS and other health disparities. She is founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization with a mission to prevent diseases and improve the health status of people of the African Diaspora. Now in its 21st year, the Balm In Gilead has provided capacity development and technical support to more than 20,000 faith institutions.

Under Seele’s leadership, the organization has supported the establishment of over 12 national health offices within the national headquarters of Catholic, Protestant and Muslim communities in Africa and the U.S. Furthermore, The Balm In Gilead has engaged nearly 10 million churchgoers throughout the U.S. in health awareness campaigns through the effective mobilization of the African-American church to address public health issues.

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Ruby Archie, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, becomes an Ivy Beyond The Wall

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Director has become an Ivy Beyond The Wall when Ruby Archie, 76, passed away on Saturday morning.   Archie was a longtime English teacher in Danville public schools, first at the old Langston High School and later at George Washington High School and was set to retire at the end of June.  According to Roanoke’s NBC 10, “she served 16 years on city council, including two terms as Vice-Mayor and two terms as Mayor, before deciding not to run again for council this year.” She had the distinction of being Danville’s first female mayor and also served as vice-mayor for two years.  “She was a wonderful lady,” said current Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders in a statement to WDBJ 7.  “Very dependable. Reliable. Always involved in the community. She was truly an educator’s educator.”

In a statement to sorority membership, Barbara McKenzie, the sorority’s current International President, stated that “We are all in shock and must process this loss.”  She also asked for Alpha Kappa Alpha members to respect the family’s private time together during this time of sympathy.

AKA Day at the NJ State Capital

Trenton, NJ—On June 18, 2007, Alpha Kappa Alpha women from all over the state to traveled to the New Jersey statehouse for a legislative day.  The theme for the day was  “Empower Sorors Planet-wide.”   The event was lead  Jacqueline Jennings, the deputy mayor of Willingboro, NJ, and Bettye Scott, the Connections Chair for the Willingboro AKA graduate chapter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha women from across the state had to the opportunity to tour the state capital, receive valuable voter education information, as well as, discuss possible voter education programs that chapters can initiate in the 2008 election year. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Democratic Majority Leader of the NJ Assembly and an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman, greeted, as well as, informed sorority members in attendance of legislation that she is currently sponsoring. This includes a bill to raise the age from 16 to 18 for students to be allowed to sign themselves out of high school.

Blondell Spellman, of the Atlantic City AKA graduate chapter, a candidate for the NJ Assembly from Atlantic City, was also in

attendance and spoke to sorors. The mayor of Trenton was unable to attend but sent a representative from his office, Raissa Walker, of the Trenton AKA graduate chapter, to present a proclamation from the mayor’s office that declared June 18, 2007 Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in Trenton, NJ. Caryl Lucas, Director of Communications and Media for the NJ Department of State, also greeted members in attendance.

One of the highlights for the day was to observe Coach C. Vivian Stringer and the Rutgers Women’s Basketball Team receive a resolution from the NJ State Senate.