State of the Sorority Overview
Stained glass window at Howard University's Rankin Chapel commemorates Alpha Kappa Alpha's founding.
Reflects 101-year record of service
Stained glass window at Howard University's Rankin Chapel commemorates Alpha Kappa Alpha's founding.
From a group of nine women, just one generation from slavery, Alpha Kappa Alpha has flourished. Now in its second century of sisterhood and service, it has grown into a global organization that serves communities worldwide.
Its powerful network has grown to more than 260,000 women in 975 chapters across North America, as well as in the Caribbean, Liberia, Germany, Korea, Japan, Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Virgin Islands.
Over the past two years, members have been motivated and inspired to unprecedented levels of service under an Extraordinary Service Program of Economics, Sisterhood and Partnerships.
Led by the International Program Committee, whose chairman is Loann Julia Honesty King, the five Platforms of ESP are making a difference in so many lives...in so many ways.
Platform I - The Non-Traditional Entrepreneur
Alpha Kappa Alpha spurred the development of 300 new businesses & expanded opportunities for 500 existing businesses.
Platform II - The Economic Keys to Success
Partnerships and collaboration were evident as the organization increased the number of persons served from 150,000 in 2007 to more than 192,000 in 2008, through financial literacy activities for youth and adults, economic fairs and other educational programs directed at improving the economic status of communities served.
Platform III - The Economic Growth of the Black Family
In 2008, proactive strategies and projects to improve the economic & social growth of Black families and enhance the academic success & personal vision of the Black male reached 2.8 million individuals.
Platform IV - The Undergraduate Signature Program: Economic Educational Advancement through Technology
This program was launched on April 21, 2007, on the campus of North Carolina A&T, in Greensboro, NC. In collaboration with colleges and universities, campus organizations, community groups, businesses and civic organizations, the undergraduates served 8,500 individuals in 2007 and increased that number to 12,450 in 2008, through community-based technology programs that help bridge the digital divide. The goal is to have 100% of the undergraduate chapters carrying out this signature program in 2009.
Alpha Kappa Alpha launched a public information offensive in the area of physical, mental and emotional healthcare and established a network of Emotional Empowerment Leaders that brought information and resources to more than 2 million people. Members pledged healthier lifestyles and Enthusiastically Shed Pounds with the Chicago Defender's "Million Pound Challenge"—a pledge that was escalated through Dr. Ian Smith and State Farm's "50 Million Pound Challenge."
June 28, 2008 witnessed every chapter in Alpha Kappa Alpha and more than 30,000 members, family members and friends across the globe participating in the "ESP 1908 Global Synchronized Centennial Walk" for Emotional, Spiritual and Physical Health, culminating with a celebratory energized walk around the DC Convention Center to kick off the Centennial Conference.
The ESP programmatic thrust has touched the lives of more than 7 million individuals globally, with a direct economic impact of more than $14.5 million.
In addition, Alpha Kappa Alpha received extraordinary support from the community at large, with more than 2.7 million volunteer hours logged on behalf of ESP programs.
Through its commitment to excellence, the organization will continue to set the standard and raise the bar...Through its passion for progressive change, it will continue to lead the way...And today and always, it will continue to leave its collective imprint on the world, as only Alpha Kappa Alpha women can do.