Sorority Supports National Urban League's Centennial Campaign
Crusade parallels AKA's mission to help the underserved
At the request of the National Urban League (NUL), and on the eve of its Centennial in 2010, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's International President Barbara A. McKinzie appealed to members to join the NUL in its Centennial Campaign, which has as its theme: "I AM EMPOWERED!" In her request, McKinzie noted that AKA had reached its 100-year milestone in 2008 and can, therefore, share the League's pride.
She noted that the National Urban League is an historic civil rights organization that has been at the forefront in the push for economic empowerment and improved quality of life for the nation's underserved. She said this parallels Alpha Kappa Alpha's mission: "To provide service to all mankind."
Accordingly, as a show of support and as a way of saluting the League, she asked members to get involved with this two-pronged campaign that involves national marketing and grassroots mobilization. A key goal is to push U.S. citizens to pledge their support to achieve a set of broad goals that will empower the underserved citizens to reach the following "achievables" by the year 2025:
• Every American child is ready for college, work and life;
• Every American has access to jobs with a living wage and good benefits;
• Every American lives in safe, decent, affordable and energy efficient housing on fair terms; and
• Every American has access to quality and affordable health care solutions.
In a communication to the membership, McKinzie said she is joining the Sorority's International Connection Committee to urge chapters and members to:
1. Send a letter from chapters congratulating the League for its Centennial and 100-year proven track record of improving the quality of life of all people, particularly those in lower-income areas.
2. Attach a fact sheet with the letter that lists the chapter's programs and initiatives that support the League's "I AM EMPOWERED" program.
3. Sign a pledge of support for the "I AM EMPOWERED" program.
In underscoring the urgency of the campaign, McKinzie said: "In a time when national politicians struggle to upright the national economy, it is clear their efforts are not enough. We must fill in some of the gaps to bring along those who need help. By partnering with the National Urban League, we have a tremendous opportunity to help communities of color through a different channel. This raises our brand and increases our effect on additional numbers of people."