Speak Greek

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Celebrates Sisterhood, Legacy

By Jasmine Carr

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated Ivy Week Feb. 9-13 with a different program each day.

The week began with the Mr. Ivy Scholarship Pageant, which had as its theme Presidential Elegance. The candidates included Bryant Stewart, a senior political science and pre-law major; Nkosi Dickerson, a junior communications major, Cory Ellis, a sophomore marketing major, and Jerome Ford, a senior marketing major.

The contestants participated in formal wear, question and answer, talent and swimwear segments. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members served as mistresses of ceremonies for each segment, including Asia Collins, Nicola Brown, Luisa Aguirre, Roche Proctor, Robertetta Sims and Jatavia Ruffin. Jocelyn Phillips closed the event with her remarks. At the end of the pageant, Bryant Stewart was named Mr. Ivy 2009-2010.

At Tea On Tuesday, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc Eta Zeta chapter escorted everyone to their seats. Nicola Brown talked about the meaning of success and mentioned some successful African-American women such as Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou and Oprah. Everyone was handed an inspirational quote and asked to relate to everyone what they felt that quote meant to them. During the Tea, they had an open mike portion. The women attending read a selection of poetry that inspired them for success. Next everyone had tea and dessert. This was a very nice event because everyone looked exceptionally well. They carried themselves with dignity and class.

            During the Networking Lounge program, Asia Collins discussed the importance of networking and entrepreneurship. She gave some tips on starting a small business, such as: do what you love to do, turn the hobby into cash, craft a primitive budget and create a strong management team, among others.

Collins introduced Donna Barkley an entrepreneur who owns Jingi K Aromas a physical and emotional pampering company that sells natural handcrafted aromatherapy products. She also owns her own tutoring business Barkley said she started creating natural products for her children because she didn't like using chemicals it took her six years to develop her business a little at a time. She has been networking and marketing through home shows and word of mouth and she is developing a website. This program was important for today's society and the country recession. It gave insight for college students to make money and was very informative for any Business Marketing student.

            The following day, sorority members hosted Virtual Attack. This program explained how students could secure their information and protect themselves while using the Internet. Participants were asked to be cautious when posting photos, personal information or financial information on websites, among other tips.  

            On Feb. 13, sorority member Charisse Alicia Licorish led the program "Crowded Bed," which depicted the spread of sexually transmitted diseases through a skit in which attendees were given a name and called up on stage. Each person represented someone in a married person's past. At the end of the presentation the stage was full. Participants received information on STDs at the end of the program.

Patricia Macey, a sophomore at Bowie State University, who attended the presentation said, "This program was very interesting and informative. It addressed a very hot topic in today's society. The program used statistics as well as general factual information to talk about sexually transmitted diseases and the effects they have on our population. This program was a very real reminder of how important it is to practice safe sex and commitment in a relationship."

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded at Howard University in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization for African-American women pursuing higher education. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is based on its legacy of sisterhood and service.

The founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are also known as The Original Group, consisting of nine women: Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor.