THE PEARL POST - JUNE 2023

EAF Platinum Status

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED ® THE

DELTA UPSILON OMEGA CHAPTER June 2023

PEARL POST

What’s Inside...

Page 3 … Notes from the Basileus Joint Chapter Meeting with Beta Theta

Page 4 … Northwest African American Museum

Page 5 … Chapter Meeting Dates

Page 6 … Chapter Meeting Times and Committee Lead

Page 7 … Announcement

Pages 8 & 9… Getting to Know Executive Board

Page 10 … Chapter Retreat

Page 11 … Protocol

Page 12… Archives & History

Page 13… Constitution & Bylaws

Thanks to all of our Sorors who are currently serving in the military and those who have served .

Notes from the Basileus

Greetings Sorors,

Welcome to June, which means we are halfway through the 2023 year! It has been a very busy and exciting first half of the year. I know that many Sorors are looking forward to summer break after hosting the Fascinating 94th Far Western Regional Conference. Sorors have worked so faithfully and passionately throughout the first half of the year, and I am proud of what we have accomplished over these last six months.

Here are few reminders:

·Beta Theta will be joining us at our June Chapter meeting.

·We still have many opportunities for Sorors to get involved in various Standing committees. If you still need to get connected, please sign up for a committee today.

Sorors of Beta Theta

·Upcoming Programing Activities: We have many activities in the coming months. Please review the enclosed calendar for Save the Date reminders. Note the Chapter BBQ is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, 2023. There will be more details coming soon.

·Leadership Seminar–July 12- 16, 2023: I look forward to seeing you at the various workshops in Chicago, Illinois.

·Our Chapter Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the Douglass-Truth Branch of the Seattle Public Library from 10:30 AM- 5:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for Sorors to spend time together, attend various workshops, enjoy lunch, and plan for the remainder of the year. We will even conclude with a paint party. The Cost is only $25. Click the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/636321694317. Please contact our Standards Committee Chair, Soror Latoya Surratt, if you have any questions at Robinson_la08@yahoo.com or 619-343-6142. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

Thank you to the chapter officers, committee chairs, and all dedicated Sorors for your hard work during the first half of the year. My hope is that each Soror will return from the summer break feeling revitalized, rejuvenated, and ready to move forward with our fall chapter programming and chapter events.

I look forward to seeing you at our June chapter meeting and at our upcoming activities. Have a relaxing summer!

Sisterly with a smile,

Soror Kristie C. Thompson| Basileus

Redlining in Washington has created disparities in homeownership amongst historically marginalized communities. Thanks to Representative Taylor’s leadership, Governor Inslee signs House Bill 1474 to establish a covenant homeownership program to address the disparities.

Thanks to Representative Taylor’s leadership, Governor Inslee signs House Bill 1474 to establish a covenant homeownership the disprities

Soror Tammy Richardson

On Thursday, May 4th, Soror Tammy Richardson successfully defended her dissertation entitled: Kinks and “Lyes” in Black Females’ Progression to the C-Suite.

Her dissertation focused on uncovering the meaning and essences of five Black females who have chosen to wear natural hairstyles on their path to ascendancy in Fortune 500 Consumer Packaged Goods companies.

Four essential themes were uncovered in the phenomenological reduction and synthesis of data: Conformity, Continual Risk Assessment, Internal and External Enforcement, and Don’t Go Back. The data revealed that the five Black females in this study entered the corporate environment facing inequalities and a need to conform to cultural norms that reinforce how they must appear in order to be accepted. It also discussed how visual politics exist throughout their career progression. The data also reveals how the study participants face written and unwritten rules in order to be seen as acceptable and remain in consideration for promotion consideration. Data reveals a moment of awakening that occurs when a noticeable change in hair appearance and an internal change happens where the study participants take back their power and keep their power, willing to suffer the consequences of wearing their natural hair into the workplace.

The dissertation concludes with recommendations for parents celebrating their kids’ natural hairstyles and recommendations for addressing hair discrimination in the workplace and other areas of society such as schools.

Tammy’s graduation ceremony will be in Cincinnati OH on July 9th at 2pm where she will receive her PhD in Public Policy and Social Change and a Specialization in Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy.

Join me in congratulating Soror Tammy Richardson now – Soror Tammy Richardson, PhD.

June Protocol Pearls on Brand Guidelines

The value of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’ s ® brand guidelines lies in the ability to provide consistency and recognition. Consistent use of our logo, font, photographic style and key messages will build awareness and recognition of the Alpha Kappa Alpha brand.

Please review the following protocol reminders:

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® coat of arms (also known as the shield or crest) and administration logos are the primary visual devices for representing the sorority. They are the face of our brand. They celebrate our heritage and our future.

Under the Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood Administration use of region and chapter logos are not permitted. Exceptions may be granted for one-time, specific purposes such as a chapter anniversary, or other similar events. The official Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority crest (shield) must be used in conjunction with these particular logos.

The “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service & Sisterhood” logo and the associated program logos are the official emblems of the 2022 – 2026 administration. They should be used to promote the current administration’s programs, projects and overall theme. Under NO circumstances should the “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service & Sisterhood” logo supersede the coat of arms.

The “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service & Sisterhood” logo and associated program logos (e.g., Strengthen Our Sisterhood) should be used when creating chapter correspondence, written communication, reports, flyers or the like.

Over the years, local customs have been created and spread throughout the Sorority but have no significance or association with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and should not be used. These include, but are not limited to frogs, bunnies, mice, pink panthers, K's, and being the little sisters to members of any fraternal organization. *This included engaging in the tradition and gestures associated with any fraternal organization.

Sisterly Submitted,

Soror Arielle Weaver

Sorors:

DOUGLASS-TRUTH LIBRARY

Notes from the Basileus

Our Librarian, Ms. Taylor Brooks, from the Douglass-Truth Library has been working on an exhibit that would feature prints contained within our African American Collection. She has worked to have the exhibit showcased at the Central Library of SPL in downtown Seattle during the months of July and August.

The kickoff event will be held on July 13th from 6pm-8pm. This is one of the fabulous ways in which DUO can kick off our Jubilee Year of Celebrations. We want to show up at the Exhibit which will primarily feature works donated by Sorors and curated by Sorors from the community. Sorors, we do not want the public to show up to an event featuring and honoring our chapter in greater numbers of attendance than us. This is our Year of Jubilee! Let’s mark our calendars now and invite every Soror in the PNW close enough to attend – so we can represent our Chapter, Delta Upsilon Omega and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. in full pink and green splendor!

Ms. Brooks is also asking me to put a call out for any photographs or ephemera that members of our Chapter would like to have included in the exhibit – they would love to have them! If you have pictures or items, please contact Soror Crystal Tolbert Bell or Soror Shontrana Gates-Wertman and we will work with you to collect them and have them added.

The print works of the exhibit will return to their home at the Douglass-Truth Library, where the DUO Archives and History Committee will have the opportunity to showcase them once again for Sorors and the Community as a part of our Annual Library Tea. This year’s Tea will return to “in-person” this year; and in honor of our Jubilee Year, will be celebrated in true “tea-time style” (more information will be shared later this summer). The Tea, which is held the last Sunday in September, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 24th.

This is the information Ms. Brooks asked me to share with the Chapter and our community networks describing the event in July:

Exhibit Title: Black Activism in Print: Visual Art from the African American Collection

Exhibit Opening date: Thursday, July 13th 6pm-8pm

Exhibit Description:

Black printmakers occupy a dynamic and vibrant place in the art world. Printmaking often levels the equity and accessibility of art to larger audiences due to the cost of materials and the ability for reproduction. Black Activism in Print will highlight two famous artists, Charles White, and Elizabeth Catlett. These artists involved in the Black Arts Movement were adamant in revealing the particularities, struggles, strengths, and celebrations of African Americans through the creation of visual art, sculpture, poetry, and prints. Embedded in these works was a palpable emphasis on Black economic and cultural autonomy akin to the teachings of the Black Power and Black liberation scholars of the time. Alongside these prints will be poetry created in collaboration with the African American Writers Alliance (AAWA), embodying art in the past and present. The prints were donated to the collection in the 1960s by the Delta Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s and notable figures in the sorority’s creation of the African American Collection and work to create a space for Black art and knowledge are also featured in this exhibition.