Chapter News

March 28th through April 2nd, the Preeminent Pi Xi Chapter hosted their “Spring Pretty Girl Skee-Week” on the campus of University of Central Missouri (UCM). Sorors planned interactive and educational events aligning with the International program targets The Skee-Week kicked off Sunday, March 28th with “Pretty Soulful Sunday” where students were asked to submit prayer requests to the chapter instagram to promote spiritual uplifting. Monday, we supported Black businesses by purchasing three large letters for the chapter on campus room from student small business owner, Kayla Bailey called “Phallons Gallery”. We are very excited to decorate our chapter room with her art. Tuesday, we hosted a virtual poetry slam to support “The Arts!”. Led by Soror Brianna Miles, the event had great participation and students were able to showcase their talents. Wednesday, we hosted a live podcast via Instagram Live titled “Don’t Touch My Hair!” which is part of a podcast series called “Pink, Green, and Everything In Between”. Soror Alleyiana Brown was joined by Sorors Mariah Wilcox-Hatcher and Donayah Fisher to participate in a conversation about hair and mental health; aligning with Target 2:Women’s Healthcare and Wellness. The sorors covered topics such as their personal views and connection to their hair, how corporate America views Black hair and how hair can affect mental health and overall well being. The event was a success and sparked conversation! Friday, focused on Target 1 “HBCU For Life: A Call to Action”. This virtual event was called “Klass is in Session: A Guide to Selecting an HBCU Graduate School”. Three speakers shared their views and advice via Instagram for selecting a graduate school at an HBCU. The Spring Skee-Week was a success for the Preeminent Pi Xi Chapter. Soror Jahana Hamilton serves as Basileus.

The year 2020 ravaged the world with the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Our small communities within Logan County have not escaped the virus’ wrath – not even Langston City, the home of Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter for the last 90 years. Our devoted sorors continued to have our weekly prayer service led by Soror Gwendolyn McCarroll, and, thus Covid- 19 did not stop Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter from celebrating, rejoicing, and serving the entire year of our 90 years of sisterhood in Langston, Oklahoma and surrounding communities. While we grieved the loss to the virus of Sorors and other community residents, we became more vigilant in embracing sisterly love, sacred spirits, serious commitments, and needed services for others. We used our 90th anniversary and the purpose of our sisterhood to give us strength, unity, and love to propel us as we gave funds to individual families, single parents, and Langston University students to help with food and personal items as they isolated themselves from Covid-19. We supplied cases of water to the Langston Fire Department during the hot dry summer months as they fought fires; we gave contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, breast cancer awareness, to a health caregiver, and to a foster parent who cares for special needs children. We also set in motion the digitizing of our chapter’s current and older documents. In February 2021, our Basileus, Soror Marion Logan, climaxed our anniversary celebration with a video on the history of Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter and what it has meant to our community, the State, and the Nation. View this video on Alpha Upsilon Omega’s various social media platforms at @auo1931_aka.

Omega Nu Omega member, Councilwoman and Soror Ryana ParksShaw, along with Councilwoman (and Soror) Melissa Robinson successfully led Kansas City legislation that supports natural hair and styles in professional environments without discrimination. The Kansas City, Missouri City Council unanimously passed the Act (Ordinance No. 200837) in October of 2020. CROWN stands for Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair. ParksShaw remarked, “Black women and men should feel comfortable enough to bring their authentic selves to work without backlash or consequences.” ONO is proud of the tireless work Soror Parks-Shaw puts in as she is committed to serve her community.

Respectfully submitted by Soror Lashonette Kemp, Ivy Leaf Reporter Omega Nu Omega, Springfield, MO

Our Time is Now On October 22, 2020, the Colorado graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. presented Our Time Is Now: Vote Colorado 2020. Mu Omega Omega Chapter (Soror Evetta McMillian-Walker, Basileus), Epsilon Nu Omega Chapter (Soror Sharon Hicks, Basleus) and Iota Beta Omega Chapter (Soror Pandora Osler, Basileus) hosted the event. Community and state experts discussed why our right to vote is fundamental to our way of life; this important discussion included general information on voting rights laws. Madam Regional Director Twyla Woods Buford attended and enjoyed the professional and clear way that the moderator and panelists presented information. Soror Simone D. Ross (Mu Omega Omega) moderated the event. The invited soror panelists were Senator Rhonda Fields (Epsilon Nu Omega), attorney Michelle Adams (Mu Omega Omega) Chapter and Desiree Terrell (Iota Beta Omega), Colorado Connection Coordinator. The 60 attendees enjoyed the discussion that focused on voting issues and voter suppression in Colorado.

Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Holds Covid-19 Vaccination Community Forum—Sunday, January 31, 2021 via zoom and Mu Omega’s Facebook Page

Along with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Beta Omega Chapter, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City Area, and Plain Talk, Mu Omega Chapter sponsored a community forum addressing the COVID-19 vaccination. Area physicians including Dr. Kimberly Hatchett Johnson, Dr. Shequita Richardson, Dr. Shynda Miles, Dr. Rodney Beasley and Dr. Harrish Ponnuru spoke in a round table talk moderated by Meredyth Vick, Esq., Vice-President of Mu Omega Chapter. Participants shared an open, honest and lively discussion about the pros and cons of taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The full version of the conversation is available on Mu Omega Chapter’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Alpha-Kappa-Alpha-Sorority-Inc-Mu-Omega-Chapter-141313352600425) and The Urban League of Greater Kansas City’s website (www.ulkc.org).

Dr. Rodney Beasley —Internal and Critical Care Medicine Specialist

Iota Zeta Omega Chapter

Members of Mu Omega Chapter, Kansas City, KS conducted a letter-writing campaign during their February 2021 chapter meeting. State Representative Gail Finney, who is also a member of our esteemed Sorority, introduced a bill allowing members of the sorority to buy official Kansas AKA license plates. Mu Omega emailed more than 30 letters to the Legislature to be read during the bill’s introduction on February 9 ,2021 in Topeka, Kansas. Kansas will join 27 other states in having official AKA license plates if the bill is passed.

Kansas Representative Barbara Ballard introduces a bill to the Kansas Legislature in support of an official Kansas AKA license plate.

Beta Omega Chapter Spring Events and Programs