THE PROMISE - VOLUME 1, ISSUE 5 by Keia Perry-Farr

Official Newsletter of Omega Xi Omega Chapter New Haven, Michigan

The

THE PROMISE THE PROMISE THE PROMISE Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Keia Perry-Farr, President Tamaria White, Editor

May 2023

A Message from the Basileus

Sorors, it has been a very productive month for the OUTSTANDING Omega Xi Omega Chapter! If I wasn't already a member I'd say "Where do I sign up?!" We had a wonderful workshop with Soror Jackie DavisBetserai, International Program Committee, Great Lakes Region Representative, and Great Lakes Regional Program Committee Chairman. She brought very valuable information that confirmed OXO is right on target! Our Buddy Love tree found his home when we planted him at the Mt. Clemens YMCA and passed out 10 additional river birch trees to community members!

Our Mentorship Program launched this month and we have made a tremendous footprint in the community with our CHIPP Program, Voter Registration Advocacy, Active Shooter Training and so much more. Let's continue to SOAR throughout Macomb County and let our light so shine for all to see as we work to be of service to all mankind.

I hope you are excited about our 4th Annual Tickled Pink Comedy & Jazz Brunch coming up next month. Ticket sales are underway and proceeds will help us to continue to go strong with our programming and community service. Be sure to get your ticket today and invite your family and friends!

Blessings,

Soror Keia

INTHISISSUE VOLUME1,ISSUE5

MessagefromtheBasileus-2

ListofChapterOfficers-4

ListingofCommittees&Chairmen-5

EventHighlights-6

Chaplain'sCorner-10

EmpowerOurFAMILIES-11

BuildOurECONOMICWEALTH-12

EnhanceOurENVIRONMENT-13

AdvocateforSOCIALJUSTICE-14

UpliftOurLOCALCOMMUNITY-15

Protocol-16

Bylaws-17

Standards-18

SORORSSOARINGtotheTOP-19

Birthdays-20

AKAversaries-21

ContactList-22

SavetheDate-23

The Omega Xi Omega Chapter was chartered and exists as the result of clear collective vision and strong leadership. As women of character, we seek to embody and enact the highest ethical standards within our chapter while fostering a culture of uncompromising unity both within our chapter - as evidenced by the strong bonds of sisterhood among our members - and within the community as demonstrated by exemplary programmatic service and our strong partnerships with local community leaders and service organizations

Omega Xi Omega Chapter Values Statement

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Soror Keia Perry-Farr

Basileus

Soror Charo Earle

Anti-Basileus

Soror Michelle Williams-Ward

Grammateus

Soror Cathy Carr

Anti-Grammateus

Soror Tamaria White

Epistoleus

Soror Linda Ewing

Tamiouchos

Soror Kimberley Will

Pecunious Grammateus

Soror Teneka Liddell

Hodegos

Soror Kea Norrell-Aitch

Philacter

Soror Stephanie Edwards

Parliamentarian

Soror Brianna Harris

Ivy Leaf Reporter

Soror Carla Postell

Historian

Soror Juanae Stephen

Chaplain

Soror Melanie Harris-Farmer

Member-at-Large

Soror Pamela Tinsley

Former Basileus

STANDINGCOMMITTEES&CHAIRMEN

Bylaws:SororStephanieEdwards

Finance:SororLindaEwing

Program:SororCharoEarle

Standards:SororTuandaWard-Holmes

Membership:SororCarlaPostell

Archives:SororCarlaPostell

Technology:SororNathifaRiley

LeadershipDevelopment:SororSandraBoykins

Courtesy:SororTenekaLiddell

Protocol:SororGloriaWare

Fundraising:SororCydGrace

Publicity:SororBriannaHarris

EAF:SororShawndalynn"Nikki"Roberson

RiskManagement:SororConsueloMartinez

Awards:SororBriannaHarris

PROGRAMINITIATIVES&CHAIRMEN

StrengthenOurSISTERHOOD:SororDwanMcGrady(SisterlyRelations)

EmpowerOurFAMILIES:SororShemyaDoster

BuildOurECONOMICWEALTH:SororHelenaJones

EnhanceOurENVIRONMENT:SororHeatherLloyd

AdvocateforSOCIALJUSTICE:SororEdnaClark(Connections)

UpliftOurLOCALCOMMUNITY:SororTomaraNolen

ADHOCCOMMITTEE&CHAIRMAN

Rituals:SororPamelaTinsley

InternalAudit:SororTuandaWard-Holmes

NPHCRepresentatives

SororArgentinaAbney

SororMichellaKing

SororMichelleWilliams-Ward

Empower Our Families CHIPP Empower Our Families CHIPP Empower Our Families CHIPP

IInitiative Initiative nitiative Seminole Academy Seminole Academy Seminole Academy

The Empower Our Families Committee conducted a CHIPP program at Seminole Academy. Students participated in Healthy Lifestyle learning, and storytime, and received healthy snacks, and certificates. The Committee has indeed made use of the entire $5000 grant and we have enough food supply to last through the end of 2023!

Voter Registration at Voter Registration at Voter Registration at

Covenant Missionary Church Covenant Missionary Church Covenant Missionary Church

Advocate For Social Justice Committee participated in a Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 29th where 1 proud Voter was Registered at the event!

Vinson AME Chapel Welcomes AKA

OXO to services on April 30, 2023

Strengthen Our Sisterhood held a wonderful 5th Sunday Worship and Brunch Event where 24 Sorors came together to worship, congregate, break bread, and enjoy each other. Thank you to Soror Jacquelynne for opening her church doors to welcome OXO!

OXO Mentorship Program OXO Mentorship Program OXO Mentorship Program

Omega Xi Omega's Membership Committee launched our Mentorship Program. Mentees enjoyed brunch with their mentors following the worship service!

Chaplain's Corner

Please join me on the 19th of each month for the Sisters

Refueling Our Faith Prayer Call from 7:00-7:08 pm via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82514228338?

pwd=QkVGK1JTK0NnWVRSblB1Y2x5am1xdz09

This month I am following up on the previous Chaplains page in the April Newsletter. We talked about getting through various situations and I listed six of the twelve scriptures that will help get us through. Again, if we trust and believe in the word of God, life’s challenges become a little easier to deal with.

Listed below are the final six.

When You Are Grieving

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

When You Need Comfort

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

When You Are Scared

Deuteronomy 31:16 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

When You Are Insecure

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

When You Are Lonely

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

When You Are Angry

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Sisterly, Soror

Juanae

OXO Chaplain

EMPOWER OUR FAMILIES

We all can acknowledge that in a lifetime, everyone will experience periods of stress, anxiety, sadness, and or grief. But did you know that women are twice as likely as men to experience a depressed episode and African American women are only half as likely as their Caucasian counterparts to seek professional help and support for those episodes. Many women are natural supporters. We support our families, friends, Sorors, spouses, significant others, children, etc., and then do not have much energy and time left to take good care of ourselves.During Mental Health Awareness month (and every month) please remember to pour into your own cup by resting when you are tired, practicing self-care, and connecting with those you love. You never know what a person is going through so let’s make a point to first take care of ourselves and seek professional mental health help if needed and also check on your family, friends, and Sorors.

BUILD OUR ECONOMIC WEALTH

ENHANCE OUR ENVIRONMENT

OXO partnered with YLI and YMCA Mt.Clemens to celebrate Earth Day by planting a river birch tree affectionately known as "Buddy Love"

BUDDY LOVE

ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

Juneteenth – A Celebration of God’s Faithfulness and Freedom

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

While many of us have been taught that slavery ended on January 1, 1863, when the Emancipation Proclamation (first issued on September 22, 1862, by President Abraham Lincoln) was signed, the long road to freedom (physical, mental and spiritual) has been impacted by opposition, delay and thankfully PROGRESS. What we celebrate in 2023 as Juneteenth, originated when General Gordon Granger arrived in the state of Texas on June 19, 1865, and read the emancipation proclamation to those who had been living as enslaved individuals in Texas. The message was also heard, again, by those who had been brought to Texas from formerly Confederate states in an effort by their oppressors to maintain their subjugating hold and economic benefit. The very next year, these newly freed African Americans initiated what would become an annual celebration of Emancipation -- known as Jubilee Day. On June 19, 1979, Texas made Juneteenth an official holiday. It is also important to know that Ms. Opal Lee (a retired Texas teacher and activist) is considered the Grandmother of Juneteenth in honor of her walk from Fort Worth Texas to Washington, D.C. to help get Juneteenth recognized as a National Holiday. While the journey was long, her tenacity and efforts (along with those of countless others) were indeed rewarded. On June 19, 2022, President Biden signed Juneteenth into law as the newest Federal holiday. You might also be interested to find out that many of the traditions deeply and dearly held within the Black Community find their roots in the time period on or shortly before January 1, 1863. Dr. Daniel Black from Clark Atlanta University highlights a couple of notable examples such as[1]: Watch Night Services - Many Black churches celebrate what is known as Watch Night service. The purpose of this annual worship service originates from African Americans gathering together on Freedom’s Eve, December 31, 1862, to pray and await the abolition of slavery on January 1, 1863.

Family Reunions – What we understand as family reunions today, originate from the search for lost and “stolen away” family members that took place immediately after emancipation.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr, a member of the first class of awarded “Genius Grants” by the MacArthur Foundation, lists Juneteenth as one of the top three most important dates in history for America (along with the Emancipation Proclamation (signed on January 1, 1863) and the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865, which abolished the institution of slavery)[2]. He also debunks a number of myths and implications of Juneteenth in the linked CBS news interview.

There are a number of ways we can celebrate Juneteenth with our friends and family such as[3]:

·Supporting a black-owned business or eating at a black-owned restaurant

·Reading African American novels or reciting Black poetry.

·Donating to social justice organizations that uplift, advocate, investigate, or litigate causes near and dear to the Black community

For more information on how to keep your Juneteenth celebration going year round check out this podcast by Professor Gordon Reed from Harvard University. There are also a number of ways to celebrate Juneteenth in our professional lives. Dr. Ella Washington and Dr. Jasmine Sanders provide examples of ways to enhance the DEI climate within your organization in conjunction with honoring Juneteenth[4]. OXO, we look forward to seeing all of your Facebook or other social media posts on Juneteenth as we thank the Lord, honor our ancestors, and remember the command of Jesus to -- Stay Woke (Matthew 24:42)

“Emancipation Day is the day America meets Jesus. Now there is the possibility that you might come to know Christ” – Dr. Daniel Black

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC0yCVgJlMw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6unHgUZ6IA

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-juneteenth

https://hbr.org/2021/06/how-your-organization-can-recognize-juneteenth

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Uplift Our Local Community Uplift Our Local Community Uplift Our Local Community and Risk Management and Risk Management and Risk Management

C.R.A.S.E C.R.A.S.E C.R.A.S.E

Uplift Our Local Community in collaboration with the Risk Management Committee and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. hosted a much-needed educational session to help our community stay prepared. 50 participants learned what to do in the face of a crisis situation at the Active Shooter/Stop the Bleed training.

PROTOCOL GEMS

Disposal of Alpha Kappa Alpha Materials

The following materials shall be shredded or burned for permanent and proper disposal,

Official Jewelry

The signature jewelry of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated shall be a single stand of cultured pearls.

Life Membership Pin

The life membership pin can be worn at the soror’s discretion. It must not interfere with the placement of the Sorority Badge.

BYLAWS

STANDARDS

PROPER DISPOSAL OF SORORITY MATERIALS

Our years are filled with items that we treasure as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. We are given our first copies of the Constitution and Bylaws upon initiation and updated copies during our active membership. We collect Regional Conference souvenir t-shirts, those fabulous Boule bags or purchase special AKA “one-of-a kind customized, had to have it jackets”. What should we do to ensure the proper disposal of Sorority documents and paraphernalia?

The following materials should be shredded or burned for permanent and proper disposal to avoid improper use or to prevent use by non-members.

· Constitution and Bylaws

· Manual of Standard Procedure

· Rituals

· Any publication of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® containing private and confidential information

· International, Regional and Chapter Directories

· Paraphernalia

The Chapter Basileus should consult the family on disposition of the Sorority badge, jewelry, paraphernalia and documents. The Sorority badge may also be buried with the Soror, placed in the custody of a Soror, returned to the Corporate Office or retained by the family. The Chapter Basileus is also responsible for making the family aware of these options and informing the Corporate Office of the decision.

Electronic Files

Delete from computers used in public areas, such as libraries, copy centers (FedEx, Kinko’s), hotel business centers, work computers and shared computers.

The best practice is to save all information to a disk or other portable data storage device rather than saving information to a hard drive of a computer used in public areas.

For more information regarding the proper disposal of Alpha Kappa Alpha documents and paraphernalia refer to:

The Official Guide to Alpha Kappa Alpha Protocol

Soror Jackie Davis-Betserai International Program Committee, Great Lakes Region Representative, and Great Lakes Regional Program Committee Chairman presented her vision for Our International Program Initiatives to Omega Xi Omega Chapter at our April Chapter meeting. Omega Xi Omega Chapter was recognized as we Soared to Greater Heights in Sisterh ative