Milwaukee has become a sea of salmon pink and apple green as more than 3,500 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority have gathered Downtown for their 89th Central Regional Conference.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the first and oldest Greek-letter organization established by service-minded Black college-educated women. Founded in 1908 on the Washington, D.C., campus of Howard University, the sorority recently celebrated its 115th anniversary.
Themed “A Confident and Captivating Region Soaring through the Journey of a Lifetime in a Great Place on a Great Lake,” this year’s regional conference has broken previous attendance records.
Under the leadership of Alpha Kappa Alpha International President Danette Anthony Reed and Central Regional Director Kiahna W. Davis, the four-day conference features business sessions that advance the sorority’s mission of “Service to All Mankind,” workshops focused on the sorority’s six international program initiatives – Strengthen Our Sisterhood, Empower Our Families, Build Our Economic Wealth, Enhance Our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, Uplift Our Local Community – and professional development opportunities.
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“Our regional conference will be our largest gathering ever,” Davis says in a news release. “With more than 3,500 graduate and undergraduate members attending, we are excited to descend on Milwaukee and generate an economic impact of more than $6.5 million for the city.”
More than half of the businesses used by the sorority during the planning phase are Black-owned, Davis noted.
Throughout the conference, Alpha Kappa Alpha members have been collecting non-perishable food items for the sorority’s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack program. The international initiative helps eradicate childhood hunger by providing nutritious food to local children in need. Food items being collected at the Wisconsin Center include ramen noodles, juice boxes, fruit snacks and cereal bars that will be distributed to children in Milwaukee’s most underserved communities.
Alpha Kappa Alpha invites the public to participate with food donations or gift cards from 4-8 p.m. on Friday. Donations can be brought to the Wisconsin Center vendor exhibit hall.
The sorority held a blood drive on Thursday and the Hoan Bridge has been illuminated in the sorority’s colors.
On Friday, Alpha Kappa Alpha will host its central regional conference public meeting at 6 p.m. at the Wisconsin Center.
Television courtroom judge Mablean Ephriam will deliver the keynote address. The sorority will also recognize Divine 9 leaders from the National Panhellenic Council. COA Youth & Family Centers, Owen’s Place and Moms Mental Health Initiative will receive the Kiahna W. Davis Regional Director Award.
Immediately following the public meeting, Alpha Kappa Alpha will present “Steppin in the Miltown” step show. The event will showcase the culture and tradition of stepping from historically Black fraternities and sororities. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/alpha-kappa-alpha-central-region-step-show-and-d9-after-party-tickets-554497877077
Notable Milwaukee-area members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority include Milwaukee Alderwoman Milele Coggs, former politician Nikiya Harris-Dodd, Sen. Lena Taylor, Rep. LaKeshia Myers, and Milwaukee County Chief Judge Maxine White
