Ladies of AKA Celebrated Founders’ Day Festivities
Photo special to the Outlook
Special to the Outlook
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is celebrating 107 years of service to the community. Two local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. celebrated the organization’s Founders’ Day the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1 with a variety of activities which took place in various locations in Tallahassee.
The Delta Kappa Omega (DKO) and Beta Alpha Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., consisting of more than 200 members locally, started the week by attending the Tallahassee Community College (TCC) Cherry Hall Alexander African- American History Month Calendar unveiling, where the Delta Kappa Omega Chapter was honored for their commitment to community service throughout Leon County as well as the programs and activities provided at the DKO/Providence Community Center. The Delta Kappa Omega chapter regularly provides educational and mentoring services to children, services to homeless veterans, and special projects that benefit the Leon County community as well as working with people who reside in the Providence community.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized as an organization that offers exemplary service to our community, which is key to the mission of our sorority,” said Chapter President Kym Grady Holcomb.
TCC President Jim Murdaugh presented the awards to several service organizations which are now featured on their annually published calendar, which for the past 14 years has featured individuals rather than organizations. Holcomb proudly accepted the plaque presented by the college on behalf of DKO and more than 70 members were in attendance to support receiving the acknowledgement.
Other highlights of the week included: group Bible study at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor R.B. Holmes on Jan. 28; sorority member appreciation game night on Jan. 30 and on Jan. 31, a Founder’s Day Luncheon was held at the Capital City Country Club where Sharon Berrian served as Mistress of Ceremonies and the keynote speaker was Thuane Fielding, South Atlantic Regional Representative to the International Program Committee.
Fielding visited from Charleston, S.C., and delivered a motivational speech to the 140 sorority sisters in attendance. The group was musically entertained by the Pearls of Joy Gospel choir, conducted by Elise Simmons. At the conclusion of the banquet, both chapters acknowledged and awarded the Soror of the Year plaques. Tiffany Randolph was named Soror of the Year for the Delta Kappa Omega Chapter and Bria Way was named Soror of the Year for the Beta Alpha Chapter.
Events of the week were concluded on Feb. 1 with church services at Jacob Chapel Baptist Church where the pastor is Rev. O. Jermaine Simmons. More than 75 sorority members attended the church service and provided a monetary donation to the church. Additionally, the chapter partnered with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Memory Clinic to collect items for Alzheimer’s patients. Large print Word Search Puzzles, large print bibles and decks of cards were collected to be provided to clients with Alzheimer’s.
Founders’ Day Chairman Diana Duhurt said, “Founders’ Day 2015 was a time to pay homage to the women who founded this great organization in 1908.”
The Delta Kappa Omega and Beta Alpha chapters reflected on the past and rendered service to the Leon County community during the special week.
