February 2017
Volume II Issue 2
are uncertain about where you would like to serve, please visit various Greetings Sorors,
committees which may or may not interest you but do visit and make a decision where you would like to use your gifts.
You are truly to be commended for your continued hard work. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
Remember we are stronger when we work together…..many hearts beating as one.
Thank you for your creative ideas which translate into such wonderful service to our community and globally. Lambda Tau Omega showed its I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead. diversity on January 16th, International Community Impact Day, as we engaged in three simultaneous projects. Our debutantes and escorts donated shoes and assisted with packaging shoes with Share your Soles. Target I hosted a workshop, “The Purpose of The Civil Rights Movement:
Sisterly, Barbara J. Pearson-McCreary.MD Basileus, Lambda Tau Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpa Sorority, Inc. president@ltoaka.org
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Life and Legacy Reflection.” Guest lecturer, John Edwards, PhD led us on a journey through the Civil Rights Move-
In This Issue:
Page
movement. He spoke of the active role churches in Black communities
Spiritual Oversight
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played during the Civil Rights Era; Black Wall Street in Tulsa Oklahoma
In Memory of Soror Lois
ment as well touching on important facts preceding the Civil Rights
Parks
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and Arizona Prisons where Mexicans were arrested as they came across Priceless History Book Order
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Leadership Summit
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Tamiouchos Tips
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Think HBCU
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Basilei Reception
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cut out over 100 little dresses. There was a very good turnout of sorors
Joint Founders’ Day
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and ladies from the community who shared their sewing skills.
Heart Health
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Our LTO sorors have been working hard preparing their Power Point
January 2017 Donations
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Presentations relating to their individual Soror Awards. Don’t forget your
Taste of Technology
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Moments in Black History
15-16
Celebrating a Legacy of Sisterhood
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Sorors and Their Sweeties
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over the listing of upcoming events as well as the Event Calendar.
AKAversaries
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Sorors who are new to LTO, welcome to a chapter of hard working so-
Upcoming Events
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the border. His special message to the your attendees included: believing in yourself, recognizing that life has challenges, learning to control your emotions, appreciating the importance of family; posessing happiness within; knowing the importance of a healthy lifestyle; respecting others; having self-pride and knowing that each of them is important. Target V hosted a session to work on the “Little Dresses” project. They
letters of recommendation…the best to you. We have some very busy months ahead as we prepare for the Cotillion, Central Regional Conference, June Luncheon, AKAClassic and Leadership. Fall will usher in our Gospel Jazz Event and Cluster Retreat. Please look
rors. You are encouraged to get involved at the committee level; if you
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Spiritual Oversight Committee Selfless love does not seek its own. Selfishness is the root problem of the human race. It is the antithesis of love which is self-sacrificing
sion (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:13New International Ver-
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And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or re-
Selfless love is not provoked. Love does not have a trigger temper. When you’re angry, you do not love
Selfless love does not take into account a wrong suffered. Love doesn’t keep a tally of wrongs and bear a grudge. Love forgives.
sentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends Paul’s famous chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13, tells us. The Corinthian church was emphasizing a good thing, spiritual gifts, to the neglect of the best. They were using their gifts apart from love. Paul makes the point that the use of their God-given gifts would amount to nothing if the Corinthians did not make love their priority
Let God’s last commandment be OUR first priority. LOVE ONE ANOTHER
What does love look like? Selfless love is patient: The Greek
Please Pray for …………………………
word comes from two words meaning long tempered. If you’re patient you’re slow to anger, you endure personal wrongs without retaliating.
Soror Carol Sharp
You bear with others’ imperfections, faults and differences. You give
Soror Joyce Duke
them time to change, room to make mistakes. You give them grace.
Soror Stephanie Farrow Soror Ursula Carter (Displaced by fire)
Selfless love is king. Kindness is patience in action. The Greek
Soror Iesha Gray (at home on bed rest)
word comes from a word meaning “useful”. A kind person is disposed to Soror Rose Butler-Hayes (Death of her nephew Judge Wilbe helpful. She seeks out needs and looks for opportunities to meet those needs without repayment.
lie Lovett Jr.)
Soror Salwa Rahin-Dillard (death of her father Ibrahim Rahim) Soror Tonya Fight (Death of her Sister-in-law)
Selfless love is not jealous. The jealous person want to other what others have, they want things for themselves. They are too selfish to applaud others’ success. The bible says that jealousy is often the source of quarrels and conflicts (James 4:2)
Soror Tina Hughes Burke, Chairmen Spiritual Oversight Committee 2
Selfless love does not act unbecomingly. Love does not needlessly offend. Love has good manners. It is courteous, polite, and sensitive to the feelings of others and always uses tact.
In Memory of Our Beloved Soror: Lois Jean Whitmal-Parks November 23, 1933 - February 3, 2017
We pause again to pay tribute to our beloved Golden Soror Lois who has completed her journey on earth. What an honorable and outstanding life she lived. Soror Lois was born on November 23, 1933 in Memphis, Tennessee to Eunice and Nathaniel Whitmal. Her family relocated to Chicago, IL in 1941. Soror Lois graduated from Chicago Teacher’s College and taught for over 40 years at Alfred B. Kohn Elementary School. She became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Chapter, in November, 1952. Soror Lois served faithfully in Lambda Tau Omega Chapter since the 1980’s. In 1953, Soror Lois married Anderson Parks, Sr. and gave birth to two sons: Anderson Jr (Adele) and Michael (June). She was an energetic, gifted and passionate person and channeled that energy into rearing her children and into serving with numerous community and church activities. Since receiving her “Pearls,” she has served faithfully through the years as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Alpha Kappa Alpha women are known as “PEARLS,” an acronym that embodies the remarkable deeds and achievements that make Alpha Kappa Alpha a treasured jewel, the gym of Greekdom, and defines the women who have kept the AKA strand bright and beautiful for one hundred nine years.* Soror Lois is certainly one of the outstanding Alpha Kappa Alpha “PEARLS:” Pioneers Enablers Achievers Reformers Leaders Samaritans Rest in peace my dear Soror Lois. Submitted by, Barbara Pearson-McCreary, Basileus Lambda Tau Omega Chapter *Excerpts from: Green McNealy, Earnestine, PhD, The PEARLS of Alpha Kappa Alpha, A History of America’s First Black Sorority, 2010. 3
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Lambda Tau Omega- 2017 Leadership Summit The Leadership Development Committee started the year off with our 2017 Leadership Summit held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Southland School from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. There were 64 sorors in attendance. The day began with greetings from our Basileus, Soror Barbara J. Pearson-McCreary. Meditation was given by Soror Ursula Carter. The Basileus then gave her vision for 2017.” She stated that she views the new year as a time of change, for fresh visions and new accomplishments. We need creative, innovative and energetic minds and willing hands as we continue to volunteer our time and energy to Lambda Tau Omega and Twenty Pearls Foundation.” Soror Jacquelyn Young, Chairman of the Archives Committee discussed the task of this committee and asked for chapter involvement. This committee is responsible for gathering, documenting and preserving historical data for the chapter. Information to be preserved includes: public programs, such as luncheons, fund raisers, chapter anniversaries, photos, soror recognition at the local, regional or international level. Envelopes will be provided to chapter members to collect needed data. Navigating Lambda Tau Omega’s Website was conducted by Soror Tirshatha Derricks-Bey, Chairman of the Technology Committee. Sorors brought their laptops and I-pads to participate in this interactive workshop. Information included creating an event, creating a committee report, committee sign-up all via the internet. Our Sisterly Relations Activity was presented by Soror ChaVale Conner, Chairman. Sorors had to move around the room and tell each other why they were admired. Sorors stated that they enjoyed this activity. Soror Marilyn Hamb discussed the Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Committee Chairman, Utilizing Their Time Management Skills. Suggestions for Committee Chairman included: have two physical meetings per year, more as needed, announce your meetings 7-10 days in advance, have an agenda, record your minutes and be considerate of your sorors time. As Officers and Committee Chairman you are a part of the Executive Committee therefore you are expected to be in attendance at Executive Board Meetings and the General Membership Meeting. Soror Lynda Tarver, and the Standards Committee conducted the evaluation. The results are forthcoming. A special thanks to all Chapter Presenters for a job well done. Our 2017 Leadership Summit ended at 2:00 p.m. as we prepared for Lunch.
Soror Jeanette W. Rogera LeadershipChairman
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Tamiouchos Tips 2017 Twenty Pearls Foundation Obligations The 2017 Fundraising Obligation for each general member is $375.00. The 2017 Fundraising Obligation for each Board of Director member is $500.00. All fundraising obligations (assessments) must be paid in full by the 31 st of December, of the same year, in order for a member to remain in good standing. Checks are to be made payable to Twenty Pearls Foundation, Inc.
2017 Lambda Tau Omega Dues Graduate Members
$310
Graduate Life Members
$185
* Graduate Members (62+)*
$294
* Graduate Life Members (62+)*
$169
*Must be LTO Financial 2 Consecutive Years … Checks are to be made payable to Lambda Tau Omega. A LTO late fee of $10.00 will be assessed to all dues paid after January 14, 2017. In addition, an AKA late fee of $10.00 will be
assessed to all dues paid after January 31, 2017
Reimbursement Requests: Prior Planning Promotes Peace As expenses are being incurred, begin at that time to plan/prepare for its payment. When submitting a voucher for reimbursement, ensure that the following has occurred: The correct voucher has been completed (in its entirety): Twenty Pearls Foundation, Inc. à Pink Voucher Lambda Tau Omega Operating Activities àPale Green Voucher Lambda tau Omega Program Initiatives Activities à Bright Green Voucher The appropriate signatures have been obtained The accurate documentation has been attached Soror Sarah Lewis-Weaver 7 Tamiouchos
When purchasing for Twenty Pearls Foundation, use the tax exempt letter T
#NewYearNewYouThinkHBCU In honor of Black History Month let’s revisit all 107 HBCUs Alabama A&M University Alabama State University Albany State University Alcorn State University Allen University American Baptist College Arkansas Baptist College Barber-Scotia College Benedict College Bennett College for Women Bethune-Cookman University Bishop State Community College Bluefield State College Bowie State University Central State University Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Clafin University Clark Atlanta University Clinton Junior College Coahama Community College Concordia College-Alabama Coppin State University Delaware State Bank Denmark Technical College Dillard University Edward Waters College Elizabeth City State University Fayetteville State University Fisk University Florida A&M University Florida Memorial University Fort Valley State University Gadsden State Community College Grambling State University H Councill Trenholm State Technical College Hampton University Harris-Stowe State University Hinds Community College at Utica Howard University Huston-Tillotson University Interdenominational Theological Center
J.F. Drake State Technical College Jackson State University Jarvis Christian College Johnson C. Smith University Kentucky State University Knoxville College Lane College Langston University Lawson State Community CollegeBirmingham LeMoyne-Owen College Lincoln University-Missouri Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Livingston College Meharry Medical College Miles College Mississippi Valley State University Morehouse College Morehouse School of Medicine Morgan State University Morris Brown College Morris College Norfork State University North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina Central University Oakwood University Paine College Paul Quinn College Payne Theological Seminary Philander Smith College Prairie View A&M University Rust College Saint Augustine’s University Savannah State University Selma University Shaw University Shelton State Community College Shorter College Simmons College-Kentucky South Carolina State University Southern University & A&M College
Southern University at New Orleans Southern University at Shreveport Southwestern Christian College Spelman College St. Augustine’s University St. Philip’s College Stillman College Talladega College Tennessee State University Texas College Texas Southern University Tougaloo College Tuskegee University University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of the District of Columbia Virginia State University Virginia Union University Virginia University of Lynchburg Voorhees College West Virginia State University :Wilberforce University Wiley College Winston-Salem State University Xavier University of Louisiana
Soror Jaronda Hall, Sub Committee Chairman: Think HBCU
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Making an Impact on Our Sisterhood Basilei Recption with Soror Norma Solomon White, 25th Supreme Basileus
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Lambda Tau Omega
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coronary or other arterial revascularization.
People 21 and older who have a very high level of bad cholesterol (190 mg/dL or higher)
People with Type I or Type II diabetes who are 40 to 75 years old New guideline outlines the best dietary pattern and exercise for heart disease
Exercise 40 minutes three to four times a week
Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, poultry, fish, nuts
Heart Health
Avoid red meat, sugary and processed foods
Preventing heart disease (and all cardiovascular diseases) means mak-
Reduce sodium intake to lower blood pressure
ing smart choices now, that will pay off the rest of your life. You’re never too young—or too old, to take care of your heart.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN RISK DETECTION INCREASES Improved accuracy in detecting heart disease
For the first time ever doctors can calculate cardiovascular risk in African-American, whose risk levels are higher than whites.
For the first time stroke risk has been added to the equation African-Americans at greater risk for heart disease
Providers are encouraged to adopt the new risk equation ASAP, because it is based on a broader, more current set of research data which assess both heart attack and stroke risk.
The new equations are recommended for 40 – 79 year olds and measure a person’s risk for a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years.
A separate equation is available to estimate a person’s lifetime risk, which is recommended starting at age 20
Lack of exercise, a poor diet and other unhealthy habits can take their
*https://www.goredforwomen.org/fight-heart-disease-women-go-red-
toll over the years. Anyone at any age can benefit from simple steps to
women-official-site/about-heart-disease-in-women/research (Heart Dis-
keep their heart healthy during each decade of life. Here’s how:
ease Research)
OBESITY: Manage and Treat Like a Disease: Eat fewer calories than your body needs, exercise more and change unhealthy behaviors. Weight-Loss helps reduce health risk more than previously thought. STATINS MAY BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE: Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs should be prescribed to more Americans at risk for Heart Disease. Risk of heart attack drops 20 percent for each 39 mg/dl reduction in bad LDL (cholesterol)
Submitted by Madam Basileus
Statin therapy patient recommendations The guideline recommends statin therapy for the following groups:
People without cardiovascular disease who are 40 – 75 y.o. and have a 7.5 % or higher risk for heart attack or stroke within 10 years.
People with a history of heart attack, stroke, unstable or stable angina, peripheral artery disease, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or
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January 2017 Donations
Thank You Sorors! You Are Making a Difference! AKA One Million Backpack Sheila L. Allen-Stokes Renee Collins Stephanie Farrow Margaret LaPorte Erica McGhee June Mitchell Ruby Roberson
Think HBCU
Barbara J. McCreary Jerry D. Bridges Ursula Carter Paula M. Daniels Toya T. Harvey Lynsey Mitchell Jeanette W. Rogers
AKA One Million Backpack and Think HBCU Marilyn Hamb Alise Buford-Johnson Money Bullock Sharlean Brooks-Gettings Tonya Fight Saundra D. Jones Jaronda Lightfoot-Hall Sandra D. Rogers Tammy Wheeler Kimberly Williams Camille Willis
Sorors get your donations ready! We collected 95 backpacks with supplies for AKA One Million Backpacks and $570 for Think HBCU in the month of January. 2017 Goals AKA One Million Backpacks: 900 backpacks with supplies Think HBCU: $5,000
#AKA_WeCanDoIt Soror La’Sheah S., One Million Backpacks Chairman
Soror Zenobia C., One Million Backpacks Co-chairman Soror Jaronda H., Think HBCU Chairman
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MOMENTS in BLACK HISTORY WHERE WOULD WE BE?
pan . So he swept his pile of dirt over and left it there. He then decided to mop the floor, but the mop was gone. You see, Thomas W. Stewart, a black man,
This is a story of a little boy named Theo who woke up one morning and asked his other, Mom, what it there were no Black people in the world?
invented the mop . Theo yelled, “Mom, I’m not Well, his mother thought about that for a moment, and having any luck”. “Well, Son, let’s me finish washing then said, “Son, follow me around today and let’s just these clothes and we will prepare a list for the grocery see what it would be like if there were no Black people store” she said. When the wash finished, she went to place the clothes in the dryer, but it was not there. You in the world”. She said, “Now go get dressed and we see, George T. Samon, a black man, invented the will get started”. Theo ran to his room to put on his clothes and shoes. His mother took one look at him and said, “Theo, where are your shoes and those clothes are all wrinkled Son. I must iron them”. But when she reached for the ironing board it was no longer there. You see, Sarah Boone, a black woman, invented the ironing board and Jan E. Matzelinger, a black man, invented the shoe lacing machine. “Oh well, please go and do something to your hair” she said. Theo ran in his room to comb his hair, but the comb was not there. You see, Walter Sammons, a black man, invented the
comb . Theo decided to just brush his hair, but the brush was gone. You see, Lydia O. Newman,
clothes dryer
.
Mom asked Theo to go get a pencil and some paper to prepare their list for the market. So Theo ran for the paper and pencil but noticed the pencil lead was broken. Well, he was out of luck because John Love, a black man, invented the pencil sharpener
. Mom reached for a pen, but it was not there because William Purvis, a black man, invented the fountain pen
. As a matter of fact, Lee Bur-
ridge invented the typewriting machine
and W.
a black woman, invented the brush . Well, this was a sight, no shoes, wrinkled clothes, hair A. Lovette, the advanced printing press . a mess, even Mom’s hair, without the hair care inventions of Madam C. J. Walker. Well, you get the picture. Theo and his mother decided to head out to the marMom told Theo, “let’s do our chores around the house ket. Well, when Theo opened the door he noticed the grass was as high as he was tall. You see, the lawn and then take a trip to the grocery store”. Theo’s job was to sweep the floor. He swept and swept and swept. When he reached for the dustpan, it was not mower was invented by John Burr, a 15 black there. man. You see, Lloyd P. Ray, a black man, invented the dust-
They made their way over to the car and found it just wouldn’t go. You see, Richard Spikes, a black man,
der Miles, a black man, invented the elevator. He also usually dropped off the office mail at a nearby mailbox, but it was no longer there. Philip Downing, a
invented the automatic gear shift and Joseph Gammel invented the supercharge system for black man, invented the letter drop mailbox and internal combustion engines. They noticed that the few cars that were moving were running into each oth- William Barry invented the postmarking and cancelling er and having wrecks, because there were no traffic signals. You see, Garrett A. Morgan, a black man, in- machine . vented the traffic light
Theo and his mother sat at the kitchen table with their heads in their hands. When his father arrived he asked, “Why are you sitting in the dark?” Why? Because Lewis Latimer, a black man, invented the fila-
.
Well, it was getting late, so they walked to the market, got their groceries and returned home. Just when they were about to put away the milk, eggs and butter they ment within the light bulb noticed the refrigerator was gone. You see, John
Standard, a black man, invented the refrigerator So they just left the food on the counter.
.
By this time, Theo noticed he was getting mighty cold. Mom went to turn up the heat and what do you know? Alice Parker, a black female, invented the heating fur-
nace . Even in the summertime, they would be out of luck because Frederick Jones, a black man, in-
vented the air conditioner
.
Theo quickly learned what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world. Not to mention if he were ever sick and needed blood. Charles Drew, a black scientist, found a way to preserve and store blood, which led to his starting his world’s first blood bank. What if a family member had to have heart surgery? This would not have been possible without Dr. Daniel Hale Williams a black doctor, who performed the first openheart surgery. So if you ever wonder, like Theo, where would we be without US? Well, it’s pretty plain to see. We would still be in the DARK!
.
It was almost time for Theo’s father to arrive home. He usually takes the bus, but there was no bus, because its precursor was the electric trolley , invented by another black man, Elbert R. Robinson. He usually takes the elevator from his office on the 20th floor, but there was no elevator, because Alexan-
Submitted by Soror Marydale Donald, Chairman Target III: Family Strengthening
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CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF SISTERHOOD A TIME FOR REFLECTION Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. celebrated Sisterly Relations Day around the world on Sunday, January 15, 2017. A better day could not have been chosen than the day of our founding, JANUARY 15th. On Sunday, January 15th, Sorors of Lambda Tau Omega Chapter gathered at John’s Bar and Grill to celebrate the day with one of our GOLDEN Sorors to show her some love and appreciation for all of the many things she has done to develop our chapter locally as well as internationally. It was a joy to listen to her speak of her experiences as an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman. She indicated how much she enjoyed the afternoon and how appreciative she is that we still care about her. The time with Golden Soror Jackie allowed us to: Reconnect , Scatter seeds of kindness, Strengthenour bonds of sisterhood, Sprinkle love on AKA Sorors and “Nurture Our Ivy.”
Photos complements of Soror Damika Davis
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Sorors & Their Sweeties
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JANUARY 2017 HODEGOS REPORT
hAPPY AKAVERSARY Soror Nicole McCreary-Casmay Soror Judy Rush Soror Linda Varnado
February 26 1995 February 4, 1991 February 4, 1991
First Intake LTO: Soror Jaqueline Toler February 8, 1983
Soror Leah Hill Hodegos
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Please refer to the Event Calendar on the website for the date, location and time of committee meetings
Apr. 6-9th: Central Regional Conference Apr. 18th: AKA/NAMI Awareness May 7th: Miss Prominent Pearl Cotillion May 20th: AKA 1908 Playgrounds Project June 10th: June Luncheon-Silver Lake Country Club June 20th: The Longest Day (Alzheimer's Association) June 25th: An AKAlectic Gospel & Jazz Brunch July 13th-16th: Leadership 2017 Sept 16th or 17th: AKAKLASSIC (TBD) Oct. 16th: Childhood Hunger Awareness
Newsletter submissions are due to the Basileus on the first Monday of each month. The March newsletter submissions must be in by March 6, 2017. Please send all submissions to: president@ltoaka.org. Be sure to Cc Soror Ruby Roberson at ruby.roberson@sbcglobal.net. Next month, featured articles will include: “The Gentle Winds of Change�
Many Hearts Beating as One 20