Founders' Day - HerStory

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

story HER Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme AN INGENIOUS VIRTUAL REGION-WIDE FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION

with SPECIAL GUESTS

MARCH 16, 2024 9:00AM EDT CARRIE J. CLARK INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR LISA MITCHELL-HARRIS ATLANTIC CLUSTER COORDINATOR

CLARINE SIMPSON-VAUGHN PACIFIC CLUSTER COORDINATOR

CHARLETTA WILSON JACKS INTERNATIONAL FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

*Keynote Speaker

DR. NORMA SOLOMON WHITE 25TH INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

*Special Guest Appearance

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Welcome Greetings My Dear Sorors!

I am so happy to be with you this morning to share our love for our wonderful sisterhood during our International Region Founders’ Day Celebration. We are so blessed to have founders who courageously laid the path for us to be here 116 years later to carry on their legacy.

“HERstory: Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme,” is about the story we as Alpha Kappa Alpha women tell about yesterday, today and tomorrow. Every day we have the opportunity to demonstrate who we are, what we do and how we serve our communities around the world.

I want to extend special thanks to our First Supreme AntiBasileus Soror Charletta Wilson Jacks for serving as our keynote speaker for this event. I also want to thank our 25th Supreme Basileus Soror Norma Solomon White for delivering our Founders’ Day Charge. And, I am very grateful to our former International Regional Directors for their presence and support during this Founders’ Day celebration.

Of course, this event would not be possible without the hard work of our Founders’ Day Celebration Committee led by Pacific Cluster Coordinator Soror Clarine Simpson Vaughn and Atlantic Cluster Coordinator Soror Lisa Mitchell-Harris.

Last but certainly not least, I thank each of you for being a part of this wonderful celebration and for how you continue to work and tell “HERstory: Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme!”

In Sisterhood and Service,

Carrie J. Clark SOROR CARRIE J. CLARK INTERNATIONAL REGION DIRECTOR

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

CLUSTER COORDINATOR Greetings Sorors,

Greetings

Welcome members of the Ingenious International Region to the Region-wide Founders’ Day Celebration. It is indeed a great day to be an AKA. As your Atlantic and Pacific Cluster Coordinators, we are pleased to welcome you to this celebration planned for you to gather around the world to reflect upon and honor our Founders. Yes, 116 years later, we are still elevating their vision of service and sisterhood. These nine founders had a vision in 1908 that was far greater than themselves but with persistence, dedication, and the love for sisterhood they persevered. Your participation at today’s Region-wide Founders’ Day Celebration demonstrates your devoted love for Alpha Kappa Alpha and desire to soar in our sisterhood. This year’s theme “HERStory: Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme” signifies that the perpetuity of this organization depends on ALL of us to continue the legacy of our founders and pass on the torch. We must work to ensure the long-lasting legacy of this illustrious organization. Continue to be inspired to serve in your communities and spread the word about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® around the world.

We are blessed to celebrate today with the FIRST Legacy International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,® Soror Norma Ruth Solomon White, and our electrifying First Supreme AntiBasileus, Soror Charletta Wilson Jacks. We thank you both Sorors for taking time out of your busy schedules to share with the members of the International Region your wisdom, knowledge, grace, and experiences in the sisterhood. Your continued dedication and passion to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® will indeed uplift the members of the International Region to continue the work of this organization. We are forever grateful.

A special thanks to our Ingenious Regional Director, Soror Carrie J. Clark, and the 2024 Region-wide Founders’ Day Committee for your leadership and hard work!

It is an honor and privilege to celebrate this remarkable day with you. Thank you again for all that you do for the region and our beloved sorority.

Let’s Soar,

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Lisa Mitchell- Harris

Clarine Simpson Vaughn

LISA MITCHELL-HARRIS

CLARINE SIMPSON VAUGHN

ATLANTIC CLUSTER COORDINATOR

PACIFIC CLUSTER COORDINATOR

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

EVENT

Programme

Musical Prelude & Opening Video Welcome

Greetings from Cluster Coordinators

Soror Katrina Ghazanfar International Region Representative to the International Archives Committee Soror Lisa Mitchell-Harris, Atlantic Cluster Coordinator Committee Co-Chairman, Mu Gamma Omega Soror Clarine Simpson Vaughn, Pacific Cluster Coordinator Committee Co-Chairman, Eta Beta Omega

Meditation

Celebration Etiquette

Introduction of Regional Director

Soror Stephanie Pelton-Miller Mu Psi Omega Soror Katrina Ghazanfar International Region Representative to the International Archives Committee Soror Lasean Hardy International Region Chief of Staff

International Region Greetings

Soror Carrie J. Clark International Regional Director

Acknowledgement of Former Regional Directors and VSGs

Soror Carrie J. Clark International Regional Director

Introduction of the 25th Supreme Basileus

Founders’ Day Charge

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Soror Susan Edwards International Region Grammateus Soror Norma Solomon White 25th Supreme Basileus Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

EVENT Introduction of Musical Performance

Musical Performance

Introduction of Keynote Speaker

Keynote Address

Introduction of Musical Performance

Musical Performance

Programme

Mitchea Smalls Sigma Theta Omega Mia C. Nottage Eta Psi Omega Soror Ellen Pratt International Region Representative to the International Leadership Committee Soror Charletta Wilson-Jacks First Supreme Anti Basileus Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Deyzha A.G. Todman Sigma Theta Omega Soror Chanel Ruan-Boschulte Sigma Theta Omega

Tribute to Our Founders - Video Raffle

Closing Remarks

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Soror Katrina Ghazanfar International Region Representative to the International Archives Committee Soror Carrie J. Clark International Regional Director

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Our Founders

REMEMBERING

Our founders were among the fewer than 1,000 Negroes enrolled in higher education institutions in 1908, and the 25 women who received bachelor of arts degrees from Howard University between 1908 and 1911.

Nine juniors and seniors constituted the founding members.

The nine founding members were: Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe and Marie Woolfolk Taylor

Seven sophomores who were extended an invitation for membership without initiation were endowed with founder status. Led by Ethel Hedgemon Lyle, the nine Howard University students who came together to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were the scholastic leaders of their classes.

Each also had a special talent or gift that further enhanced the potential of this dynamic group.

To ensure the continuity of the organization, seven honor students from the Class of 1910, who previously had expressed interest, were invited to join without initiation.

The seven “Sophomores,” included: Norma Boyd, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Alice Murray, Sarah Meriweather Nutter, Joanna Berry Shields, Carrie Snowden and Harriet Terry.

After attending a sorority meeting in 1912, Nellie May Quander heard proposals from then-current members to change the group’s name, colors, symbols and motto. She quickly formed a committee, along with Norma E. Boyd, Minnie Beatrice Smith, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Ethel Jones and Nellie Pratt whose mission was to seek and acquire incorporation.

These women, committed to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, by expanding to solicit the support of other like-minded undergraduate and graduate members who held true to the vows they had taken upon their initiation. The effort culminated in the successful protection and subsequent perpetuity of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority through its incorporation on January 29, 1913, with Quander, Boyd and Smith as signers of the petition.

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Our Founders

A SALUTE TO

For 116 years Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has reigned supreme in Service to All Mankind. In 1908 at the dawn of a new century,

Ethel Hedgemon desired a Greek letter organization for African American women. She gathered likeminded scholarly women in Miner Hall on the campus of Howard University.

These women included Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Elizabeth Burke, Lillie Essie Burke, Marjorie Arizona Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe, and Marie Woolfolk Taylor. At a time in history when few people of color and even fewer women of color were enrolled in college, these strong women met to draft documents, pick Greek letters, chose colors, select symbols, and script a motto supporting their purpose and high ideals of uplifting women and girls and being of service. Focused on securing the fidelity of the new organization, the original nine selected seven sophomores who were permitted to join without initiation.

In 1913, when our immortality was threatened, Nellie Quander along with Norma Boyd, Julia Brooks, Ethel Jones Mowbray, Nellie Pratt Russell and Minnie Smith incorporated Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® to ensure her perpetuity. Indeed, our twenty pearls set a solid foundation for us as the premiere organization for college educated black women. Their foresight allowed Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® as a whole and us as members to make significant contributions America and the greater global society.

Our sorors possess many talents and a dedication to preserve the legacy of love that has been passed down to us. Love for Alpha Kappa Alpha, love for one another, and love for our fellow man. Our legacy embraces progressive ideas, evidenced by the initiatives sparked by our Supreme Basilei such as Blazing New Trails, Launching New Dimensions, and of course Soaring to Greater Heights. We have enriched minds with high scholastic standards for membership, establishment of the Educational Advancement Fund, raised millions for HBCUs, established youth mentoring programs, and inspired women and girls to seek education and careers. Alpha Kappa Alpha Women have helped change society with initiatives reducing health care disparities, supporting gender equality, voter education rights, and much more.

From Ethel’s initial spark for service to the original 9 founders, we now span 10 regions across 11 nations. 1061 chapters serve their local communities, and our membership strength is 335,0000 women selected for service and guided by love. As we salute our Founders and reflect on the legacy left to us, let us continue to make Alpha Kappa Alpha Reign Supreme in Service.

Happy Founders’ Day to the Sorors of the Ingenious International Region. Continue to lift the legacy!

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Stephanie Pelton-Miller Mu Psi Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Directors

OUR FORMER REGIONAL

Soror Bella G. Clinkscale Parker*

Soror Phyllis E. Robinson

Soror Wilma Holmes Tootle

Soror Nadine C. Bonds

Soror Gloria Harper Dickinson*

Soror Norma Jean Tucker*

FIRST INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 1990-1994

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2002-2006

SECOND INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 1994-1998

FIFTH INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2006-2008

Soror Evelyn Sample-Oates SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2010-2014

THIRD INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 1998-2002

SIXTH INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2008-2010

Soror Gizette Canegata Thomas EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2014-2018

Soror Joy Elaine Daley NINTH INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR 2018-2022

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

*Ivy Beyond the Wall

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Directorate

OUR SOARING

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Basilei

FORMER SUPREME

For more than 114 years, thirty women have passionately and ably assumed the mantles of sisterhood, leadership and service as national (and later, international) president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Under their stewardship, the sorority has evolved from a sisterhood on the campus of Howard University to a global organization laser-focused on issues involving economics, education, social action, the environment, human rights, political activism and equity.

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

* Indicates Deceased **No longer a member pursuant to action at the 67th Boule – July 2016

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Soror

CARRIE J. CLARK

Bio

INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Soror Carrie J. Clark currently serves as the International Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. She was installed in the role during the 70th Boule in Orlando, Florida in July 2022 following the appointment of Supreme Basileus Soror Danette Anthony Reed. She also served as the 29th Great Lakes Regional Director from 2018-2022.

Soror Carrie was initiated into Xi Chapter at Eastern Michigan University in 1987.

She is a proud Life Member and a Silver Star with 36 years of committed service in the sorority. Soror Carrie transitioned from undergrad into Lambda Pi Omega Chapter, in Detroit, Michigan and has been a dedicated member ever since. She has held many leadership positions within the sorority. On the chapter level, Carrie has served as Basileus, Anti-Basileus, Historian, Member Liaison, Ivy Leaf Reporter and Parliamentarian. She also has served on numerous committees as either a chairman or member including the 2008 Metropolitan Chapters Centennial Founders’ Day celebration, Art in the Park, and Lambda Pi Omega’s “Fabulous at Forty” Anniversary celebration in September 2017. In addition, she served as the President of the Pearls of Promise Foundation.

Regionally, she served on the Centennial Committee and Programs Committee as the 2003 Michigan Cluster Chairman and the General Chairman of the 81st Great Lakes Regional Conference in 2012. On the International level, Soror Carrie served on the Heritage Committee, International Membership Committee, and Undergraduate Transition Taskforce. During her previous term on the Directorate, Soror Carrie was Chairman of the Sorority’s Code of Ethics Committee, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and was the Directorate liaison to the Sanctions and Investigations Committees and chaired Soror Eva L. Evans, 24th Supreme Basileus virtual memorial tribute.

Currently, Soror Carrie is the Director of the IT Operations Department which includes the following teams: Project Management Office (PMO), IT Service Management Applications, ITAM and IT Service Management Business Relationship at Henry Ford Health Systems in Detroit, Michigan. In addition, since 1995 Soror Carrie has been an adjunct professor at Detroit area universities teaching in the areas of information technology and project management. She has received numerous sorority and professional awards including the Chapter of the Year award, Basileus of the Year award, DRIVEN award, the PMO of the Year finalist award and she was named a 2015 Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence, Eastern Michigan University Distinguished Alumni Award, Women of the Word Excellence Award, and Black Alumni Eastern Elite Award. Soror Carrie holds BA and MSA degrees and currently is working on her second Master of Science in Health Administration. Soror Carrie possesses certifications as a PMP, SCRUM Master, ITIL, and CPM to name a few.

She has many affiliations and memberships including the Project Management Institute (Great Lakes Chapter), American Heart Association – Go Red Passion Committee, an Associate of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, served as a former board member for the Youth Development Commission (YDC) and The Great Lakes (MI) Chapter of the Links, Inc.

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Soror Carrie is a member of Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit and is very blessed and thankful to have the support of her beautiful family — her husband, Mark of over 27 years of marriage, and two handsome sons (Ian Marc Clark and Noah Stone Clark).

Mark and Ian are active members of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Ian graduated in 2019 from Michigan State University, and Noah graduated from the University of Toledo in 2022.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Soror CHARLETTA WILSON JACKS

Bio

KEYNOTE SPEAKER FIRST SUPREME ANTI-BASILEUS

Soror Jacks is the First Supreme Anti-Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She has served as Supreme Grammateus, Secretary of the Educational Advancement Foundation Board of Directors and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Housing Foundation. She possesses extensive sorority experience including active membership on the International Nominating Committee, International Building and Properties Committee, International Program Committee, International Constitution Committee, and Investigations Committee. Soror Jacks was the Chairman of the International Membership Committee from 2010 to 2014 and provided leadership to the sorority that resulted in over 17,000 members reactivating their membership. With more than thirty-five years of membership in the sorority, she is a Life Member, Legacy and Silver Star.

Soror Charletta Wilson Jacks served as the Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the 60th Mayor of Atlanta-Keisha Lance Bottoms from 2018 to 2022. In this capacity, she collaborated with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the mayor’s legislative priority agenda with the City Council and other city stakeholders. As a result of her strategic collaboration, Soror Jacks was instrumental in the unanimous adoption of the yearly municipal budget, averaging over 650 million during the administration of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. With her extensive community development background, Soror Jacks continues to provide leadership and strategic planning on transformative community and economic development policy initiatives.

Soror Jacks’ commitment to the City of Atlanta was recognized in grand style on February 1, 2022. The Atlanta City Council held a “Proclamation Ceremony” for Soror Charletta recognizing her 21 years of outstanding service to the citizens of Atlanta. The City of Atlanta and the Fulton County Commission declared February 1, 2022, as “Charletta Wilson Jacks Day” in the City of Atlanta and the entire Fulton County, Georgia. The 61st Mayor of Atlanta- Andre Dickenspresented Soror Jacks with the highest and most prestigious Phoenix Award for 21 years of dedicated service to the people of Atlanta.

Prior to the appointment by Mayor Bottoms, Soror Jacks served as Director of the Office of Planning and Director of the Office of Zoning and Development. She was tapped to spearhead a new customer focused initiative due to the tremendous increase in development activity in the city and her extensive knowledge and over 30 years of experience in planning/community development and construction/project management. Viewed as a “go-to” professional for development of large-scale multimillion dollar residential, commercial, and industrial projects, Soror Jacks is frequently sought after to educate citizens and neighborhoods on community engagement and understanding the impact of development on communities. She has been an instrumental player in many of the City of Atlanta’s major development projects, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, However, she is most proud of her involvement in two of the city’s most transformative development projects. These projects include redevelopment of a 40-acre undeveloped area in downtown Atlanta: The Gulch, to be transformed into 12-15 new city blocks of new infrastructure, roads, sidewalks, open space and parks and the creation of development regulations for the sale of the Turner Field Stadium. This transaction set the groundwork for the redevelopment of this massive facility and surrounding area into a major commercial, institutional, and residential development.

As the first female African American to be appointed as the City’s Zoning Administrator, Soror Jacks established a pathway for clear interpretation of the city’s complex development regulations. She is that professional that laid the groundwork and executed the first ever “quick-fixes” to the City of Atlanta’s over thirty-year-old Zoning Ordinance. As a result of her foresight and forward thinking, the Department developed a plan to update the outdated Zoning Ordinance to align it with current development trends and planning principles.

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Soror Jacks is a graduate of Howard University (B.A.) and Clark Atlanta University (M.PA.) and a member of Saint Philip AM E Church. She is married to Bernard Ricardo Jacks and they are the parents of Ricardo Wilson Jacks. She is most proud to be called “Mimi” by her granddaughter- Parker Leigh Jacks.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Soror NORMA SOLOMON WHITE

Bio

FOUNDERS‘ DAY CHARGE 25TH SUPREME BASILEUS

Soror Norma Solomon White, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, is the daughter of the late Gilbert and Soror Ruth Solomon. She is a graduate of Florida A and M University where she was the first female in the famed “Marching 100 Band” and Columbia University She also attended the State University of Iowa and received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Florida A and M University.

Professionally, Soror White served as the first female band director in Jacksonville, Instrumental Music Coordinator, High School Assistant Principal, Magnet Program Coordinator and Part-time Music Supervisor after her retirement. She also served as Program Facilitator at Florida Community College.

Soror White served as Basileus of Gamma Rho Omega Chapter for two four year terms; South Atlantic Regional Director; Member of the International Program, Membership, Standards and Finance Committees; Chair, International Structure and Operations Commission; Chair, International Program Committee; Vice President and President, Educational Advancement Foundation Board; 25th Supreme Basileus; and Chair, Council of Presidents, NPHC. During her leadership as Supreme Basileus. she initiated “ON TRACK”, established and standardized Leadership Development, established the Disaster Relief Fund and built ten schools in Africa. She also published “So Now You’re Elected” in 1975 and revised copies later, “A Legacy Supreme in 2000 AND “A LEGACY SUPREME II” IN 2017.

She is the first Legacy Supreme Basileus in the history of the sorority and is the first Supreme Basileus from the state of Florida.

Soror White received numerous honors and awards including, The First Lady of Music in Jacksonville, Mayors Trailblazers Award, Girl Scouts “Woman of Distinction”, Video and Oral History Interview as a permanent part of the Historymakers collection at the Library of Congress, Carey B. Preston Leadership Award; Founders Graduate Service Award; and Chair, Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration in 2008.

She served as the first female Senior Warden at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church; President, Bold City Chapter, The Links, Inc.; Chairman, Florida Commission on the Status of Women; Charter President, Ladies of DivaNation, the Red Hat Society; President, Duval Retired Educators Association, and District Director, Florida Retired Educators Association.

HONORS On June 23, 2017, the South Atlantic Regional Director placed a marker in honor of Soror White at the Gamma Rho Omega Sorority House in Jacksonville, Florida On December 23, 2017, the Dr. Norma Ruth Solomon White Parkway was installed by the Jacksonville City Council in her honor.

In 2018, the 29th Supreme Basileus presented her the Litany Award.

In 2022, she wrote and published “My Story”, a book describing the southern girl who grew up in a shotgun house on Beaver Street and Became “The Flying Supreme.”

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Soror MIA NOTTAGE

Bio

MUSICAL SELECTION ETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER

Soror Mia Nottage is a native of Freeport, The Bahamas, where she obtained her early education. She has represented her schools at local, national and regional levels and has won National awards for her talents in story-telling, music, and dance. Soror Mia participated in many extracurricular activities, one of her favorites, the 20 Pearls program, run by the Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, where she fell in love with what the sorority looked like in the community.

After graduating high school, she attended St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Development Studies and Spanish. Not having the opportunity for membership in Canada during undergrad, Soror Mia was proudly initiated as member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Eta Psi Omega Chapter in November 2017 and has remained active since.

Soror Mia has served in The Bahamas Foreign Service as a Diplomat for 12 years and in her capacity, has served at the Bahamas Consulate in both Miami and Atlanta as Vice Consul for four years as one of the youngest officers posted abroad. Upon return home from Diplomatic post, she has served as a Senior Protocol officer and Team Lead. Notable projects include the Protocol management of VP Kamala Harris’ visit to The Bahamas in June 2023 along with Regional leaders and many National events.

Soror Mia’s talents have served her well in her involvement in the Sorority and the Chapter. She has served as Connections Chair and on several committees, including Honour’s Day, Charter Day, Founder’s Day and Hospitality and Sisterly Relations Committees. Soror Mia serves on the 2024 Eta Psi Omega Chapter’s Executive Committee as Protocol and Standards Chair. She has provided music for many programs and functions, including the International Regional Day of Prayer Service August 2022.

Outside of her career and work in the sorority, Soror Mia is an avid junkanooer, has been active within the community as a Junior Achievement advisor, volunteer and Literacy mentor. In her spare time, she loves to read romance novels, travel and explore new places, and spend time with her family. She is a member of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral’s choir and has always used her vocal talents to bless others, training and singing with the Monastery singers in Halifax and the Our Lady of Lourdes Choir in Atlanta. She is the best daughter to Beatrice and Wellington Ferguson, loving sister to Soror Mira and the most amazing wife and mother to her husband K. Kelly Nottage and two girls Khloe and Kamryn.

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

SororCHANEL RUANBOSCHULTE

Bio

MUSICAL SELECTION SIGMA THETA OMEGA CHAPTER

Soror Chanel Ruan-Boschulte was born on St.Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands. She is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands, where she majored in Business Administration.

Soror Chanel became a member of the Sigma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the Fall of 2007. She has served as Cluster II Coordinator, Connections Coordinator, Founders' Day Chairman, and EAF Captian and is currently on the Nominating Committee.

Soror Chanel started singing and playing piano in church at a very young age. She has worked on vocals with numerous artists and bands in the Virgin Islands. Soror Chanel is a former Mrs. Virgin Islands. She is a modeling and pageantry coach for girls of all ages throughout the Caribbean. Soror Chanel is an accomplished martial artist in the disciplines of Karate, Kav Maga, and Taekwondo. She is an avid gardener and award-winning orchid collector.

Soror Chanel has two children, her son James Boschulte, III, age 14, and daughter Brenda-Rose Chanel Boschulte, age 2, with her husband James of 17 years.

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Committee

2024 FOUNDERS’ DAY

Soror Carrie J. Clark

INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Soror Lasean M.G. Hardy

Soror Lisa Mitchell-Harris

Soror Clarine Simpson-Vaughn

Soror Athea R. Carter

Soror Liyah Davis

Soror Katrina P. Ghazanfar

Soror Stephanie Pelton-Miller

Soror Mitchea Smalls

Soror Deyzha A.G. Todman

INTERNATIONAL REGION CHIEF OF STAFF PSI DELTA OMEGA

PSI BETA OMEGA

MU PSI OMEGA

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

ATLANTIC CLUSTER COORDINATOR MU GAMMA OMEGA

PI UPSILON

SIGMA THETA OMEGA

PACIFIC CLUSTER COORDINATOR ETA BETA OMEGA

PHI OMICRON OMEGA

SIGMA THETA OMEGA

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® INGENIOUS INTERNATIONAL REGION

Ingeniously Celebrating a Legacy Supreme