CONTENTS
SECTION1
National President Letter
CentralRegional Director Welcome
CentralRegion Chapters
CentralRegional Conference Highlights
SECTION2
National Programs:Evelyn D.WilkeEssay ContestWinners
National Programs:Iota Fellowship AwardWinner
SECTION3
AprilisBusinessMonth NewsletterMonthly Columnist:SororLisa Washington
AprilisBusinessMonth .NewsletterMonthly Columnist:SororDana Parrish
SECTION4
CalltoConvention Insert
FWRCallto ConferenceFlyer NationalJournalist
Newsletter CommitteePage EasterInsert
IOTA PHI LAMBDA SORORITY, INC.
April 2025
Business Month Observance
Business Month is the largest and most recognized program that we observe in Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. The honorees and community service individuals selected are the best of the best in their business careers and vocations. On behalf of the National Executive Board and myself, we salute our Sorors that are business owners and entrepreneurs, for your ingenuity to show up and stand up, each day for financial independence, as a part of economic empowerment for yourself, your family, and the community.
The celebration of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Business Week was proposed at the first National Convention held in 1933. The second week in April was selected as the time for this observance. Today, we celebrate the entire month of April as Business Month. The original program format for the Business Week program activities has expanded to include elevating and recognizing youth business owners. The wise intentional planning for program activities that were established over ninety-two years ago, and practiced today with contemporary ingenuity is stunning. Throughout each region, public programs are done, with outstanding business and community leaders honored for their accomplishments.
The work that Iota Phi Lambda Sorority does in collaboration with business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the year, particularly during the month of April, with recognition of notable community individuals has provided for renewed business interests in local communities, elevated startup businesses to new levels of business opportunities and garnered media exposure and partnerships. The commitment of raising awareness in each respective community throughout Iota Phi Lambda, does not go unnoticed by our community collaborations and partnerships.
Black-owned businesses are a vital component of the American landscape and economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to the community. Information dated in 2024 indicated that Black-owned businesses generated $183.3 billion in annual receipts. Thirty-seven percent of Black-owned businesses in the United States are owned by Black women. Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, advocates for and financially supports Black-owned businesses as one of our major thrusts of service as a Business and Professional organization with intentional purpose.
Charlotte D. Berry, M. Ed.
24th National President
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated
Greetings from the Central Region Director!
Sorors, it is my pleasure to share my thoughts with you for the April Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., National Newsletter. I have been a member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Gamma Tau Chapter, for nearly forty years. Throughout that time, I have seen my Sorority Sisters across the nation as leaders, educators and entrepreneurs. They are women that seek to improve the lives of the people in our communities.
I don’t know who wrote it, but I always think of this quote when I think of my Iota Sisters:
Women Who Change the World
“There are women who make things better… simply by showing up. There are women who make things happen. There are women who make their way. There are women who make a difference. And women who make us smile. There are women of wit and wisdom who –through strength and courage – make it through. There are women who change the world every day… women like you.”
Anonymous
As Sorors, our work with young women and youth is especially powerful as we live in what can sometimes be a harsh and unforgiving environment where members of our community face many barriers to experiencing a feeling of wellbeing, access to good health, as well as funding for education, and entrepreneurial projects, which can result in fragile mental and physical health and financial insecurity. The Sorors of Iota have strength and courage and are women who have the capacity to change the world! I was there when the Sorority and its partners articulated the value of taking time for personal joy and serenity! I was there when the Sorority sent bottled water to communities in Flint, Michigan when their drinking water was contaminated with lead! I was there when the Sorority gave grants to small business owners during COVID! I am here now as the Sorority tries to navigate the challenges of the lack of affordable housing and food in our neighborhoods.
Even given all that we face, I feel hopeful in the future because I know we will be instrumental in guiding this country to a better place!
Sisterly,
Soror Cheryl
Central Region Director
Gamma Tau Chapter
APRILISBUSINESSMONTH
Do You Know SCORE?
More than 12 million U.S. womenowned businesses generate $2.1 trillion in revenue annually, with female founders representing 22.4 percent of small business owners. Women entrepreneurs can use a variety of resources to fuel their growth. Use the asterisk lick the read more link to learn more about SCORE.!
TheWashingtonWayLLC.isafamily-owned companyrepresentingthevariedinterestsofits members. TheWashingtonWaydoesbusiness asWashingtonWayFinancial,ataxpreparation andsmallbusinessaccountingfirm;Washington WayPublishing,assistingauthorswhowishto becomeself-published;WashingtonWayTravel, specializingingroupandinternationaltravel;Ms. LisaWeddings, DayofCoordinatorandcoming soon,T.S.CommunicationsandWashingtonWay Fitness.
Oprah Winfrey once said, “If you can get paid for doing what you love, every paycheck is a bonus.
APRILISNATIONALMINORITY HEALTHMONTH
SororLisaWashington
ThefirstWednesdayin AprilisNationalWalking Dayanditencourages Americansofallagesto getoutandstretchtheir legsandgettheirhearts pumping.
AboutNationalMinorityHealthMonth
CelebratedeveryyearinApril,NationalMinorityHealthMonth: Buildsawarenessaboutthedisproportionateburdenof prematuredeathandillnessinpeoplefromracialand ethnicminoritygroups
Encouragesactionthroughhealtheducation,early detectionandcontrolofdiseasecomplications.
TheoriginofNationalMinorityHealthMonthwasthe1915 establishmentofNationalNegroHealthWeekbyBookerT. Washington.In2002,NationalMinorityHealthMonthreceived supportfromtheU.S.Congresswithaconcurrentresolution(H. Con.Res.388)that“aNationalMinorityHealthandHealth DisparitiesMonthshouldbeestablishedtopromote educationaleffortsonthehealthproblemscurrentlyfacing minoritiesandotherpopulationsexperiencinghealth disparities.”Theresolutionencouraged“allhealth organizationsandAmericanstoconductappropriate programsandactivitiestopromotehealthfulnessinminority andothercommunitiesexperiencinghealthdisparities.”
FromSideHustletoSmartHustle:BlackEntrepreneursAreWinningwithAI
ArtificialIntelligenceisn’tjustforbigcorporationsanymore.It’s2025,It’shere,andit’shelpingBlackwomeninbusinesssavetime,earnmore, andworksmarter.Whetheryou'relaunchingyourfirstbrandorscalingyoursecondonlinebusiness,AIisthetoolthatcantakeyourhustleto thenextlevel
In2024,IntuitQuickbookssurveyed2,069Blackownedbusinesseswith0-100employeesandtheydiscoveredthatover84%ofblackbusiness ownersuseAItohelpthemruntheircompany.Thewentevenfurthertosay 39%sayAIhelpsthemdevelopideasorinspiresthem,36%sayit assistswithcustomerservice,and35%sayithelpsthemanalyzedata.
Smallbusinessesoftenoperatewithlimitedstaff,forcingownersandemployeestojugglemultipleresponsibilities.AIagentscanautomate schedulingappointments,respondingtocustomerinquiries,managinginventory,andevenprocessingpayroll.
Forinstance,AI-poweredtoolscanmanagecustomersupportthroughnaturallanguageprocessing,providinginstantanswerstofrequently askedquestions.Thissavestime,enhancescustomersatisfaction,andensuresbusinessesremainavailable24/7.
OneofthemostsignificantbenefitsofAIagentsistheiraffordability.Smallbusinessescanimplementthesetoolswithoutthefinancialburden ofhiringadditionalstaff Forexample,AItoolscanautomatemarketingcampaigns,managesocialmedia,andevenperformbasicaccounting tasks,allatafractionofthecostoftraditionalsolutions.
AIagentsarealifelineforminority-ownedbusinesses,whichoftenfacesystemicbarrierssuchaslimitedaccesstofunding,resources,and marketreach.Byleveragingthesetools,companiescanbridgethegap,unlockingopportunitiesoncereservedforlargeenterprises.
AIisnolongerjustfortechgiants.Today,BlackentrepreneursareusingAItostreamlineoperations,boostproductivity,andscaletheirbrands fasterandsmarter.CheckouttheseAItoolsthataretransformingkeypartsofbusinessownershipandwhichtoolscanhelpyouexcelinyour business:
Copyai
Category:AICopyrighting,WritingAssistant,&Content
Creator
Use for: Social media posts, product descriptions, ads,emailcampaigns&more
Why it’s helpful: Fast & easy to use with tailored suggestions for different tones and platforms
IntegrateswithEtsy,Shopify,&Amazon
Canva:MagicWrite&AITools
Category:BusinessBranding&Design
•Usefor:Designinglogos,flyers,pitchdecks,and socialcontentwithAItextandimagesupport.
•Whyit’shelpful:CombinesAI-poweredcopywriting withdraganddropvisuals it’sperfectfornonwriters,solofounders,andsidehustlerswhowant greatcontentand
TheAppAccelerator(byAmandaSpann)
Category:No-CodeAppBuilding
•Usefor:Learninghowtobuildappswithout coding designedbyaBlackwomanforBlack founders
•Whyit’shelpful:Supportsentrepreneursin turningtechideasintorealityusingtoolslikeGlide orBubble
Easter Lunch
Starter
Duck and Orange Salad
Mussels in a Wine Sauce
Garlic Mushrooms
Main Course
Roasted Lamb with Mint, Vegetables and Potatoes
Grilled Steak with Asparagus and Sweet Potatoes
Baked Salmon and Roasted Vegetables
Dessert
Chocolate Cake with Fresh Fruit
Raspberry Cheesecake
Strawberry Meringue
Take Home
Easter is April 20th.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, eggs, or shellfish may increase your risk of foodborne illness
Please check with your health professionals to avoid any allergic reactions to menu items.
WHITE CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG
FROM THE DESK OF MICHELLE GREENE NATIONAL JOURNALIST
April is here, and with it comes one of my favorite times of the year Business Month for Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.! Across the nation, our chapters are buzzing with energy and creativity as they host inspiring programs that uplift communities and promote economic empowerment.
I absolutely love seeing the variety of events our chapters put together. From elegant fashion shows that showcase style and poise, to impactful scholarship programs that invest in the future of our youth and college students, every activity reflects the spirit of Iota Some chapters go a step further by honoring local entrepreneurs and leaders with Business Awards ceremonies reminding us of the power and importance of celebrating Black excellence in business.
And if that wasn’t enough excitement our National Convention is just around the corner in July! The National Executive Board and Gamma Chapter have been hard at work planning an amazing lineup of events, and I’m confident this year’s convention will be one to remember. I can’t wait to fellowship with Sorors, share ideas, and celebrate all that we’ve accomplished.
So let’s continue to support each other’s efforts this month attend an event, post about your chapter’s work, or simply cheer on your fellow Sorors. April is shining bright with business, blessings, and the bond we share in sisterhood.
Let’s make this a month to remember!
Sisterly, Michelle Greene National Journalist
