The Pearl Gazette | September 2022

A TRIFECTA EXPERIENCE ABOARD THE MEMBERSHIP

ppreciati ,

SEPTEMBER 2022

K nowledge,& A ﬀirmati

ISSUE 7 |

A GLANCE INSIDE THIS EDITION

BASILEUS NEWS

1ST ANTI-BASILEUS

2ND ANTI-BASILEUS

CHAPLAINCY GTO DAY OF PRAYER

EAF BLING AND JEANS

HEALTH COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

CHAPTER RETREAT

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

SOULS TO THE POLLS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

SAR STORM TIPS

SORORS ON THE MOVE

CLUSTER II AWARD INFORMATION

EDITOR’S PAGE

TANGELA D. DUPREE BASILEUS

Welcome back Sorors – I hope you had an enjoyable and healthy summer. First and foremost, I would like to thank you for all you do for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, your love and commitment allows us to “Go Greater”.

I’m excited to share during our summer hiatus, several noted events took place.

• Soror Danette Anthony Reid became our International Supreme Basileus

• Soror Tiffany Moore Russell was installed as our South Atlantic Regional Director

• Our “In Person” Chapter Retreat at the Grand Hyatt was a restorative and amazing success

• Our Bling and Jeans EAF Fundraiser Event was beyond successful

• Our first-ever Gamma Theta Omega Chapter Service Coin was awarded

• Our first-ever Gamma Theta Chapter Mobile App was launched

• Gamma Theta Omega Chapter was awarded a $100,000 grant by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

•And there is more to come….

It’s exciting to see our collective vision come to fruition as our work continues to be guided by our mission and Blueprint Plans. Please know, every Soror can and must play a role as we “Go Greater”, it simply requires your continual commitment to Service To All Mankind. Decide where your passion lies and jump right in, we value and need your contributions –big and small. And if there are some adjustments that we must make to support your engagement, we will do that too – our goal is to meet every Soror where they are!

We look forward to a phenomenal fall as We’re Going Greater, Together!

Soror Tangela D. DuPree

Sisterly, Basileus

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Gamma Theta Omega Chapter

“Our unity is our strength and our diversity is our power.”

-Kamala Harris

A MESSAGE FROM THE BASILEUS

SERVICE IS OUR Foundation

Happy September!

Foundation

September is bursting with opportunities to engage, educate yourself and take care of your own mental health while advocating for others. Something happens to us when we serve. Our lives are not ours to keep, they are meant to be given away. Our time is not our time, our gifts are not our gifts, they are meant to be shared with others.

As has been presented at the Boule our goals and initiatives for 2022-2026 are:

See below programming initiatives for the 2022-2026 Danette Anthony Reed administration.

International Program Overview

Service and sisterhood have been the cornerstone of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® since 1908. With the theme, Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood, the 2022-2026 administration seeks to build upon Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s rich legacy of service by galvanizing our sisterhood of more than 120,000 active members to lead on the front lines of change, education, and advocacy.

This administration has six initiatives. Strengthen Our Sisterhood will serve as the administration’s “Foundation Initiative” as we strengthen our bonds to support our service mission. The remaining five initiatives will serve as the “Program Initiatives” which include:

• Empower Our Families

• Build Our Economic Wealth

• Enhance Our Environment

• Advocate for Social Justice

• Uplift Our Local Community

These initiatives are designed to improve the lives of those we serve. We will work collaboratively to maximize our outreach on progressive endeavors and consistently produce leaders who will advance our credo of service. While we are continuing to work on and facilitate community service programs, there is work for everyone. We will intentionally take time to fellowship and form lifelong relationships based on affinity, love, trust, respect, and shared goals and interests, while concurrently building on our foundation to serve others. Remember, don't stand still: I challenge you to keep moving ~ growing in some area where you would like to serve. There is strength when we grow together, doing Good works.

Soror Monique Smith Slater Anti-Basileus/Programs Chairman

MONIQUE SMITH-SLATER First Anti-Basileus

MERVELLE

A. SAGE

Second Anti-Basileus

MTAT TRIVIA!

The first soror to answer this question correctly wins a prize! You must email your answer to gto2ndvp@gmail.com.

What was the theme for the 2012 Miss Teenage Tampa Pageant?

It has been quite a summer filled with love, laughter, and learning! This summer we attended the 70th Boule in Orlando, FL and we were addressed by the Vice-President of the United States, one of our very own Soror Kamala Harris. Our annual retreat was a fun learning experience filled with laughter and sisterly moments. The MemberSHIP Committee out did themselves as they presented a Trifecta Experience. It was quite a cruise indeed. The Scholarship Committee has been hard at work behind the scenes getting poised and ready to continue to “Go Greater” as we “Soar to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.”

We are in the planning phases of putting together our 2nd Poetry Jam next June and hope to include even more young poets from the community. The Heritage scholars sub committee will be working on Going Greater in the way that we celebrate our seniors in the chapter and much discussion has taken place regarding the 50th Miss Teenage Tampa Scholarship Pageant. There is so much more to come sorors! If you are not plugged in to the Scholarship Committee now is the time do so and get ready! Sorors there would be no us without you. We hope you will work with the committee to provide additional scholarship activities within the chapter. Together we can truly make a difference!

Always in service,

“Generating Timeless Opportunities through Scholarships”

!

Soror Mervelle A. Sage Marvee A. Sage

CHAPLAINCY | GTO DAY OF PRAYER

Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I will say it again, REJOICE! Philippians 4:4

Oh, how we are blessed to have been able to close out the summer season with a time of affirmation, knowledge and appreciation with our Sorors. Indeed, we have a reason to REJOICE! The Day of Prayer committee was honored to prayerfully plan and execute a worship experience that would encourage, uplift, invigorate and energize our Sorors as we prepare to enter a time of harvest. The service began with praise and the atmosphere was set by a powerful invocation by Soror Chiquita. Our dear Golden Soror Jewel and Soror Rondell proclaimed the word of the Lord. We were blessed to showcase Precious Pearl Tiana as she ministered in liturgical dance. The spirit filled melodious voices of the Gamma Theta Omega Choir comforted our hearts. The dynamic and God breathed word from Soror Valerie admonished us to stay connected and challenged us to higher heights. Love flowed from heart to heart as we witnessed the mighty works of our Heavenly Father through the testimonies of our sisters. Through the benevolence of those in attendance we were able to sew into a committed community partner, The Way Church of Tampa Bay! Fellowship, prayer, worship, victorious testimonies, The Word of God, and generosity are truly dividends of a time committed in service to our Lord and Savior. Our time in worship sealed the harmonious time we had during the retreat. I am forever grateful for a committee of praying, supporting and loving Sorors who gave of their time, talents and treasures to serve our chapter to the glory of God!

2022 GTO Day of Prayer Committee

Soror Caridad Arenas

Soror Sarina Babb

Soror Deb Barnes

Soror Kiana Blaine

Soror Katrina Blaine

Soror Iva Carter

Soror Kaela Crowell

Soror Chiquita Henderson

Soror Josephine Hubbard

Soror LaTina R. McKinon

Rondell Nairn

Soror Kisha Porter

Soror Yvette Rhodes

Soror Apolonia Villanueva

Soror Carla White Sunday

Soror Jada Wright-Greene

Patrice Joseph, Chairman

Sarina Babb, Co-Chairman

Tangela D. Dupree, President

The next “Let’s Pray Together” Corporate Prayer Meeting will be on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 6:30pm via Zoom. Meeting details will be posted as the date draw nears. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Let’s lay our supplications before the Lord corporately as we declare PRAYER STILL WORKS!

BLING & JEANS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER

PRAYER STILL WORKS! PRAYER STILL WORKS!

GTO DAY OF PRAYER CONTINUES

Overview

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) have hepatic steatosis, with or without inflammation and fibrosis when no other causes for secondary hepatic fat accumulation are present such as heavy alcohol consumption. NAFLD may progress to cirrhosis. It is a likely cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis (uncertain origin of cirrhosis) which could also lead to Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver cancer). NAFLD is divided into nonalcoholic fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

The liver is located beneath the rib cage in the right upper abdomen. It is an important organ as it is the main throughway for all of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines. The liver is responsible for removing toxins from the blood supply and regulation of clotting, metabolizing medications, and creating nutrients for the remainder of the body.

It is seen worldwide. However, it is the most common liver disorder in Western industrialized countries such as the U.S. where the major risk factors are Central Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Dislipidemia (high cholesterol) and Metabolic syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms (Most are asymptomatic) but may include:

• Fatigue

• Malaise

• Right Upper Quadrant discomfort

• Elevated liver enzymes

•Incidental Finding on imaging (CT Scan of Abdomen, Ultrasound of Abdomen or MRI of Abdomen)

• Enlarged Liver on physical examination and imaging

Diagnosis:

Thorough patient history to rule out/identify other potential causes such as (medication use , starvation, alcohol consumption)

• Demonstration of hepatic steatosis by imaging or biopsy

• Exclusion of significant alcohol consumption

• Exclusion of other causes of hepatic steatosis (ie autoimmune hepatitis)

• Absence of coexisting chronic liver disease (ie untreated Hepatitis C and or B)

• Liver specific laboratory testing

Ways to Prevent Fatty Liver:

• Maintain Healthy Weight

• Moderate intensity exercise regularly

• Take Medication as prescribed (ie; high cholesterol medication)

• Abstinence from alcohol

Treatment:

NAFLD is not typically treated directly. The condition can better when other medical conditions that often occur with fatty liver are treated. Which include Losing weight, control of high blood sugar and control of cholesterol can improve fatty liver disease.

Follow Up with your doctor:

It is important to see your doctor regularly as fatty liver may worsen over time possibly leading to Cirrhosis or end stage liver disease. This will likely include monitoring of lab work.

HEALTH COMMITTEE

Fatty Liver Latest News

A TRIFECTA EXPERIENCE ABOARD THE MEMBERSHIP

A ppreciati , K nowledge, A ﬀirmati

CHAPTER

RETREAT 2022

MemberShip

GET ON BOARD THE MemberShip Chairmen

Deidre R. Jones Patrice Joseph Rhonesia Dennard Danece Davis

Ahoy Sorors!

I would like to start off by THANKING the Membership Co-Chairmen and Committee members for smooth sailing as we navigated the Chapter Retreat. A Trifecta Experience: Appreciation, Knowledge and Affirmation was a wonderful journey!

We had 248 sorors who pre-registered and 219 who checked into registration. There were 101 sorors who stayed overnight at the Hyatt.

Friday night was designed to open the sisterly door of appreciation. The tone was set as you drove up to the Hyatt and you were greeted by the island themed sounds of a steel drummer. Once you checked into your hotel room, you received a souvenir key with the chapter logo. The Risk Management and Registration crews were on deck and ready to serve. Game night was taken to a new level with our version of “friendly feud”.

Saturday started with testing your flexibility during yoga class on the top deck of the ship. The Membership Committee strolled into the Audubon Ballroom to the tune of Fantastic Voyage and Madam 28th; Soror Carolyn House Stewart set the tone of the day with greetings. Our own Chapter Basileus, Soror Tangela D. DuPree laid out the what was, what is and what’s going to be during her State of the Chapter presentation.

With any luck you gained some knowledge from our former chapter presidents during the Basilei Chat. Our First-Anti-Basileus presented the slate of 2022-2026 International Programs to help us soar to higher heights. Hopefully you witnessed the “Tater Sisters” display of how to not instigate or agitate and instead motivate and participate. The Protocol models showed us proper attire for meetings and ceremonies and the Sisterly Relations Committee kept us afloat with engaging activities and workshops. The sisterly singalong gave us that old AKA spirit.

Saturday night the boat almost tipped over. We had an amazing display of AKA talent with appearances by Anita Baker, The Fugees, Smokey Robinson, Poet Mary Dow Brine, and the show was closed out by Aretha Franklin. Well maybe they weren’t in person, but their sound a likes definitely represented them well! The Fashion show was a reprise of Fashion Fair. The exquisite clothing presented by Personal Shopping by Patsy and Court of appeal by Courtney Simmons put an exclamation point on the evening.

The Community Service donations will make a significant impact on the community. We collected 22 wigs for Sister’s Network. In addition we collected 660 undergarments, 554 pairs of socks, 154 feminine products and 22 belts for Ferrell Girls Preparatory Middle School. Your generosity is appreciated!

The Day of Prayer Committee closed out the weekend with a spirit filled, uplifting Sunday service. The weekend provided something for everyone. The MemberShip Committee would love to know what we can do to improve the Chapter Retreat. Please use the link in our Tea Rose to complete the survey.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped plan, execute, serve, donate or participate in any way to make the chapter retreat a Trifecta experience!

Our next port of call is a Reactivation activity, September 24, 2022 10:00am at Hillsborough Community College- Brandon Campus. Please send the names of local inactive sorors to: thegtomembership@gmail.com

See you on the ship,

Soror Deidre R. Jones MemberShip Chairman

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

SOULS TO THE POLLS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

STORM TIPS FROM MADAM REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Encourage members to download two apps that may be helpful with communications during this time:

MarkedMe Safe is a one-touch application to notify friends and family that you are okay. Sorors can enter the basileus name in the app and mark themselves safe after the storm has passed.

WhatsApp lets you send messages, and make voice and video calls from your smartphone over the internet rather than your mobile network for free.

Once you and your family are safe after the storm, call chapter sorors every four to six hours (if you are able) to assess their needs. Let them know if they don’t feel comfortable requesting assistance through the basileus, they can do so through the International Disaster Relief Committee at disasterrelief@aka1908.com.

Tally and report chapter needs to Madam Regional Director at sartmrussell@gmail.com by 5 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30. She wants to know, by chapter, how many sorors are… -without power, -without running water, -in need of food, or -are displaced from their homes (if you evacuated please make sure new address is given)

Share the following links with sorors for helpful information and resources:

https://www.redcross.org/get-help.html

https://www.weather.gov/

https://www.fema.gov/

https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.ready.gov/

https://www.ready.gov/national-preparedness-month-social-media-toolkit#graphics

https://dph.georgia.gov/

https://www.floridahealth.gov/

https://scdhec.gov/

SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION NEWS

Sorors Sorors

SORORS SHINING BRIGHTLY

On August 28th, the Florida State Coalition of NCNW, Inc. installed its officers for 2022-2024. The organization was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935. The mission is to lead, empower, and advocate for women of African descent, their families, and communities.