AKA members gather in Cincinnati conference

Gwendolyn L. Kirtley, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) commemorated Great Lakes regional director, along with Shelly S. Sherman, general chairman, Mildred E. Kennedy, general co-chairman, and members of Sigma Omega Chapter hosted sorority members from Ohio, Michigan, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia as they convened at the Duke Energy Convention Center March 28-31 for the 93rd Great Lakes Regional Conference.

Over 3,000 AKA members attended various leadership workshops, certifications, business sessions and provided community service to the Cincinnati area.

Under AKA’s current program initiative “Empower our Families,” which holds a focus on combating childhood hunger, known as CHIPP, AKA members packed 1,500 power pack bags that will contain breakfast, lunch and snack items. All items were donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati.

The conference hosted two public events on Friday, March 29, their public meeting, where the sorority honored Cincinnati community leaders and the “Pink Reign” Step and Stroll show.

Through hotel stays, restaurants and retail shopping, it’s estimated that thousands of out-of-town visitors that met in downtown Cincinnati spent more than $1.5 million.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is an international service organization founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American, college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha has 320,000 members in over 1,046 graduate and undergraduate chapters.

For more information on the Alpha Kappa Alpha Great Lakes Region, visit www.aka1908.com/greatlakes