Greetings Sorors of the Mid-Atlantic Region! As we move into a new era of Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood, the Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) affirms our commitment to connect in service and sisterhood as we implement the programs of Supreme Basileus Soror Danette Anthony Reed. Our purpose is to ensure that the Mid-Atlantic Region remains at the forefront of community service, program support, and sisterhood. I invite you to renew your commitment to our sisterhood and community service. I encourage you to connect with a local chapter and the regional team. Each of you are precious pearls, and I encourage you to serve alongside our sorors. I’m pleased to share this inaugural edition of The Connector Newsletter, which features service and leadership opportunities for general, graduate, and undergraduate members. This edition introduces the Mid-Atlantic sorors who are excited to support our chapters in service and excellence. Several service and leadership opportunities are also included in the newsletter. Subsequent editions of The Connector will highlight the events, service milestones, and accomplishments of MAR chapters and members. Please visit the Mid-Atlantic Region’s website and social media channels in the coming weeks to learn more.
Sorors, let’s connect in sisterhood and service! Soror Nadine Vargas Stewart Mid-Atlantic Regional Director
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Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood The Mid-Atlantic Region is Soaring to New Heights of Service and Sisterhood by implementing the international programs set forth by Madam Supreme Basileus, Soror Danette Anthony Reed. These initiatives will transform and strengthen our sisterhood and mobilize our members to, “lead on the front lines of change, education, and advocacy.”
The Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood Platform has six initiatives: Strengthen Our Sisterhood 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.
Empower Our Families Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® understands a healthy family is the foundation of a healthy community. We will take a multi-generational approach to fortify families within our communities by addressing child hunger and promoting positive youth development and leadership, mental well-being, and senior life.
Build Our Economic Wealth Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is launching our most progressive and revolutionary economic initiatives this century. We will further encourage and equip our members to place key strategies into action to build personal, organizational, and community economic wealth.
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Enhance Our Environment Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will make a significant impact on our environment. We will employ select strategies to optimize our collective ability and to improve and protect the environment at scale. We will prioritize activities that promote the adoption of more sustainable and responsible practices.
Advocate for Social Justice Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority always has been at the forefront of social justice to promote fairness and equity. We will equip communities with the tools, knowledge, and support to activate their voices and mobilize self-help to empower communities to help themselves.
Uplift Our Local Community Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has an ongoing history and reputation for making a global impact through local change. We will celebrate excellence, promote a focus on service, and stimulate effective culture and showcase best practices—”Local Change, Big Impact, and Global Showcase.”
Sorors, now is our time to Soar to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.
Learn more about the Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood program initiatives at your upcoming Mid-Atlantic Cluster Meeting and Undergraduate Roundup in the Fall. You can access additional information at https://aka1908.com/programs/2022-2026-targets/. CONNECTING US IN SERVICE & SISTERHOOD
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Introducing
The Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region Leadership Team
Chief of Staff Ade’Leaka McMillan Gore Zeta Chi Omega
Parliamentarian Alicia Wiley Alpha Theta Omega
Senior Advisor to the Regional Director Amirah Salaam Zeta Chi Omega
Tamiouchos Joni Robbins General Member
Executive Assistant to the Regional Director Keshetta Henderson Psi Gamma Omega
Pecunious Grammateus Sonja Brown Alpha Theta Omega
Regional Attorney Titichia Mitchell Jackson, Esq Omega Kappa Omega
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Cluster Coordinators
Regional Committees
Tidewater Aurelia Williams Gamma Delta Omega
Archivist Colita Fairfax, Chairman Iota Omega
Northern Western Virginia Sanita Walker-Resper Lambda Kappa Omega
Communications Eugenia Gardner, Chairman Lambda Kappa Omega
Northern Carolina Iman Moore Phi Omega
Communications Ayana Hernandez, Co-Chairman Sigma Tau Omega
Western Carolina Lillian Morgan Delta Xi Omega
Connection & Social Justice, NC Coordinator Jessica Holmes Sigma Tau Omega
Eastern Carolina Rhonda McCoy Iota Kappa Omega
Connection & Social Justice, VA Coordinator Briana Sewell Omicron Chi Omega
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Connection & Social Justice, VA Coordinator Traci DeShazor Alpha Phi Omega
NVS Heritage Circle Irma Richardson, Chairman Phi Omega
Constitution & Bylaws Mamie Locke, Chairman General Member
Membership Lisa Winn Bryan, Chairman Omega Rho Omega
Constitution & Bylaws Alicia Wiley, Co-Chairman Alpha Theta Omega
Membership Tameka Little, Co-Chairman Chi Rho Omega
Corporate Sponsorships Delores Forest, Chairman General Member
Mid-Atlantic Event Planner L’Tonya Stewart, Chairman Alpha Theta Omega
Corporate Sponsorships Nicole Baldon, Co-Chairman Omega Iota Omega
Music Committee Chanda Ford Branch, Chairman Alpha Theta Omega
Diamond, Pearl, Golden, Silver Sorors Saundra McCullough-Cobey, Chairman General Member
Operations and Logistics VaShawn Guice Veal Zeta Chi Omega
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Protocol Patricia Lancaster, Chairman Omega Rho Omega
Special Projects Felicia Setzer, Chairman Xi Phi Omega
Protocol Arlene Skinner, Co-Chairman Rho Eta Omega
Spirit and Inspiration Linda Gill, Chairman Alpha Theta Omega
2022-2023 Registrar Nora Baker Phi Omega
Technology Robyn Jones, Chairman Lambda Kappa Omega
Rituals Cindy White, Chairman Omega Kappa Omega
Technology Jamela Wintons, Co-Chairman Alpha Lambda Omega
Rituals Angela Stewart, Co-Chairman General Member
Training Institute Melanie Townsend, Chairman Chi Omega
Scholarship Nicole Edwards, Chairman Rho Omega Omega
Training Institute Monica Darden, Co-Chairman Rho Eta Omega
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Reunited and it feels so good! Members of the Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region turned the “City Beautiful” of Orlando pink and green for the 70th Boule. We extend our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes to 30th Supreme Basileus. Soror Glenda Glover, the 19th Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Soror Jennifer King Congleton, and all who served in their administrations. Thank you for exemplifying excellence! Pink tea roses to our Silver Stars, Golden, Pearl, and Diamond Sorors. You uphold the legacy of our Founders with poise and excellence. There were many highlights and good times during the Boule, including a visit from our Soror and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. You can view Soror Kamala’s speech at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB36wVm6Nte.
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Undergraduate Corner Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator Apply Before September 10 To ensure the active participation and engagement of Mid-Atlantic undergraduate members, Madam Regional Director, Soror Nadine Vargas Stewart, proudly announces the creation of Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator positions. Undergraduate Cluster Coordinators will serve alongside Cluster Coordinators on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership Team. A total of five undergraduate cluster coordination positions will be appointed. Undergraduate Cluster Coordinators will participate in the following leadership duties: • Serve as liaison to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Team to address and represent undergraduate concerns; • Encourage attendance of Mid-Atlantic undergraduate sorors at all undergraduate functions and conferences; • Serve as a committee member for undergraduate activities at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference; and • Participate in planning and coordination of Mid-Atlantic Regional Activities, as assigned. Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria: • Must be an active undergraduate soror, in good academic standing, in the Mid-Atlantic Region; • Must have no outstanding financial obligations to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; • Must have at least one academic year remaining in your undergraduate career; and • Must serve/have served in at least one elected position in an undergraduate chapter.
Applications must be submitted on or before September 10, 2022. Application link: https://form.jotform.com/mar_tech/ug_cc_app. For additional information, contact chiefofstaff@midatlanticaka.org.
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Undergraduates I got all my sisters with me.
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Soror Jameliah Pinder on her appointment to the International Nominating Committee. During the 70th Boule, Jameliah took over Madam Regional Director Nadine Vargas Stewart’s Instagram! Be sure to follow Madam Regional Director on social media because we will host additional undergraduate social media takeovers in the future. Photo: Jameliah Pinder
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Heed the Call to Serve All Mankind There are many issues affecting our local and global communities. Serving all mankind requires all of us—general, undergraduate, and graduate members—to devote our time, talent, and treasure to implementing our International Programs. We honor the legacy of our Founders through our collective service and leadership. Each of us have valuable experiences, relationships, and insights that we can use to address issues like food insecurity, health disparities, civil and social justice, and education attainment. Now is the time to connect with a Mid-Atlantic Committee, heeding the call to serve all mankind! If you are interested in serving on a Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee, please complete the Mid-Atlantic Soror Skills survey (https://form.jotform.com/mar_tech/2022_MAR_skills) by August 15.
Extra, Extra,
We Want to Know All About It.
The Mid-Atlantic Communications Committee invites all chapters and general members to submit chapter events, celebrations, soror accomplishments, and milestones for publication in The Connector and on social media platforms. Please submit photos that are at least 300 dpi and program or event flyers in jpeg (.jpg) format only. For additional information, don’t hesitate to contact us at newsletter@midatlanticaka.org.
Please submit your information online at https://form.jotform.com/mar_tech/chapter-event-submission.
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Meditate Rise From time to time, The Connector will feature discussions with Committee Chairmen. Recently, Soror Eugenia Gardner sat down with Soror Linda Gill to discuss the mission and upcoming activities that the Spirit and Inspiration Committee will offer sorors. Please follow the MAR social media channels to receive weekly inspirational quotes and meditative scriptures. Question: What is the purpose of the Spirit and Inspiration Committee? Answer:
We have a simple mission -- to support our sorors. The Spirit and Inspiration Committee: -Helps members continue to grow in the awareness of their divinity; -Inspires members through communal prayer, and -Fosters the use of spiritual gifts and talents of Mid-Atlantic Region members.
Question: What is the importance of Meditate and Rise? Answer:
The name Meditate and Rise (MAR) is based on what Jesus modeled as a servant leader. He rose daily to go to a quiet place to seek direction for the day, then rose to accomplish what He was to do. Jesus meditated first, then rose to act. There are positive connections between service and sisterhood, directed efforts to imagine, create, and gain the strength to act, and benefits of prayer and meditation.
Question: How will the Spirit and Inspiration Committee help sorors connect? Answer:
Since our founding as a Sorority, members have supported each other. It is the goal that the Spirit and Inspiration Committee will be a resource of faithful servants working in God’s vineyard as well as models of spiritual support.
Question: What are MAR Moments? Answer:
Meditate and Rise (MAR) Moments will be a section in each newsletter devoted to short spiritual messages that provide opportunities to hear from different voices and cultivate space for personal reflection. Messages will be written by the Spirit and Inspiration Committee Chairman and Committee members.
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Question: How can sorors connect with the programs, services, and resources the MAR Spirit and Inspiration Committee offers? Answer:
MAR members will be available to serve as speakers at various chapter functions, Regional Conferences, Cluster meetings, etc. Once the Committee meets as a group, we will identify additional services and resources available to members. Contact the Spirit and Inspiration Committee at spiritualteam@midatlanticaka.org.
Question: Our members come from different faiths, religious and spiritual backgrounds. How does the Spirit and Inspiration Committee support the diversity of our members in their spiritual growth and development? Answers: As birthers and helpers, women support other women, their families, and the community, so we share a commonality regardless of our religious views. Our emphasis as a Region is on sisterhood and service, and the Spirit and Inspiration Committee will be cognizant of our role in helping to define and perpetuate both. Question: How will the inspirational and spiritual quotes shared weekly on social media help us build connections with our sorors, families, and the communities we serve? Answers: The weekly quotes provide a positive yet reflective thought to “chew on” for the remainder of the week. They will come from a wide range of multicultural, multi-faith, and cross-generational individuals that will serve as a connecting bridge to enhance sisterhood. Additionally, the quotes should enlighten our paths as we go forth in service. Question: What do you hope to accomplish as Chairman of this committee? Answer:
My greatest desire as Chairman is to continue the great work modeled by the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Regional Spiritual Care Team, and to inspire, encourage, and reignite the emphasis on the strength of our bond of sisterhood through self-reflection and service for the purpose of reaching and teaching.
Question: What’s your favorite scripture or inspirational quote? Answer:
I have many inspirational quotes and favorite scriptures, but the ones I will share are, “The more you give, the more you receive; as you heal others, you are healed,” by Susan Taylor, and “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” Nehemiah 8:10.
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Connecting with the Regional Office Madam Regional Director has established the following office hours: Monday to Thursday - 7:00PM - 9:00PM Friday - 9:00AM - Noon Saturday - Closed Sunday - Closed MAR Office: (919) 901-5747 Soror Nadine Vargas Stewart: rd@midatlanticaka.org Follow the Mid-Atlantic Region on social media. AKA.MidAtlanticRegion |
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The Connector is a quarterly publication of the Mid-Atlantic Region. July 2022 (C) Contact the Communications Team at communications@midatlanticaka.org. Communications Chairman: Soror Eugenia R. Gardner Communications Co-Chairman: Soror Ayana Hernandez Newsletter Chairman: Soror Stephanie Davenport
Graphic Design: Soror Carshia Lomo-David Social Media: Soror Elise McGlothian Technology Chairman: Soror Robyn C. Jones