AKA sorority celebrates 50 years of service
The Las Vegas chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority celebrated 50 years during a gala April 18 at the Monte Carlo.
The Theta Theta Omega chapter began with 12 women determined to serve the community and enhance young people’s lives.
The highlight of the Golden Anniversary Gala led by Keysa Rogers and Kim Martin was the introduction of six of the founding members in attendance: Jackie Hoggard and Margaret Crawford of North Las Vegas, Barbara Kirkland and Lois Bolden of Las Vegas, Pat White of Sacramento, Calif., and Dorothy Thornhill of Los Angeles.
The first chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded more than 100 years ago on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. It now has 980 chapters in 48 states and eight countries. The organization has built schools in Africa, led voting projects and created nationwide leadership and educational programs.
Guests learned more about the organization’s history by visiting the onsite 50th Anniversary Museum, which contained a collection of photos and other artifacts.
Attendees ate salmon and baked chicken, with lemon pineapple cake with white cream frosting for dessert.
Music by Barry Black and the Senzulas band followed by DJ Thump had the room rocking to the latest sounds.
Among the guests were former state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas; Sylvia Allen, president of 100 Black Women; Las Vegas Links President Kathleen Knight and her husband, Bubba Knight; Girlfriends Inc. President Marie Ray Scott; Nina Bailey of Zeta Phi Beta sorority; Daniel Monroe; Dr. Dexter Morris of the Grand Boule; E. Lavonne Lewis; and Lillian McMorris.
Alpha Kappa Alpha President Celeste Hunter said the sorority has launched new dimensions of service through five target areas to improve community involvement: education, health, family, environmental ownership and global impact.
The Las Vegas Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter, along with the Pearls Foundation, which is its charitable arm, has given out more than $100,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.
