Black Meetings & Tourism - ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED® CONVENES OVER 4,000 ATTENDEES FOR THE 93RD SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN LITT

Industry Briefs
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED® CONVENES OVER 4,000 ATTENDEES FOR THE 93RD SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Sorority Presents $20,000 Donation to the Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) recently hosted its 93^rd South Central Regional Conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Themed “A R.E.A.L. Diamond Adventure in the Natural State,” the conference brought over 4,000 members and guests from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico to Little Rock, making a significant economic impact of more than $9 million to the central Arkansas community. “It was a great honor to host our 93^rd South Central Regional Conference in the beautiful city of Little Rock, Arkansas where our members were able to experience informative and inspiring events and activities throughout the week,” said Dr. Shawn E. Simmons, 27 ^th South Central Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. “In addition to conducting the business of our Sorority, we were dedicated to supporting local businesses and organizations that work to uplift the local community.” Dr. Shawn E. Simmons and Arkansas Planning Committee In line with its commitment to service and sisterhood, members of the sorority kicked off the conference with a tour of the Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas (CACar), a community-based facility that uses a multidisciplinary approach to reduce trauma to child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. The tour concluded with a check presentation of $20,000 to CACar. “We are so grateful to the South Central Region of AKA for their presence and donation of $20,000,” said Elizabeth Pulley, Executive Director of Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas. “The donation will help our 34 locations that serve all 75 Arkansas counties with continuing our mission of providing essential tools and resources for children who are enduring trauma due to abuse and neglect.” Jennifer Long of CAC Provides Tour The 93^rd South Central Regional Conference: “A R.E.A.L. Diamond Adventure in the Natural State” was designed to strengthen leadership skills, deepen connections and celebrate the achievements and impact made by the 145 undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the Region. Attendees participated in enriching activities, including empowering professional and leadership development workshops, meaningful networking, and professional certification opportunities. The event also featured a live concert featuring award-winning music artist NEXT, an exclusive evening of baseball on the diamond in support of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Athletic Conference Baseball Semi-Final, a Gospel Brunch featuring international gospel recording artist, Zacardi Cortez and a Parade of Pearls Tailgating Celebration. Notable guests included Danette Anthony Reed, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® International President and CEO. Additionally, in attendance were three former International Presidents, nine former Regional Directors including Arkansas' very own 13 ^th South Central Regional Director, Mary Louise Williams and 19 ^th South Central Regional Director, Carmelita Smith. Members of the AKA Board of Directors were on hand as well, including three undergraduate officers, two graduate officers, and six Regional Directors from other areas. To learn more about the South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated ®, please visit www.aka1908.com/southcentral. About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is comprised of more than 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries and territories including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women. About the South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Under the leadership of the 27^th South Central Regional Director Dr. Shawn E. Simmons of Houston, Texas, the South Central Region has more than 19,000 members and comprises more than 145 graduate and undergraduate chapters who have been serving since 1924. For more information, visit www.aka1908.com/southcentral.

Industry Briefs

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED® CONVENES OVER 4,000 ATTENDEES FOR THE 93RD SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Sorority Presents $20,000 Donation to the Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) recently hosted its 93^rd South Central Regional Conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Themed “A R.E.A.L. Diamond Adventure in the Natural State,” the conference brought over 4,000 members and guests from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico to Little Rock, making a significant economic impact of more than $9 million to the central Arkansas community.

“It was a great honor to host our 93^rd South Central Regional Conference in the beautiful city of Little Rock, Arkansas where our members were able to experience informative and inspiring events and activities throughout the week,” said Dr. Shawn E. Simmons, 27 ^th South Central Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. “In addition to conducting the business of our Sorority, we were dedicated to supporting local businesses and organizations that work to uplift the local community.”

Dr. Shawn E. Simmons and Arkansas Planning Committee

In line with its commitment to service and sisterhood, members of the sorority kicked off the conference with a tour of the Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas (CACar), a community-based facility that uses a multidisciplinary approach to reduce trauma to child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. The tour concluded with a check presentation of $20,000 to CACar.

“We are so grateful to the South Central Region of AKA for their presence and donation of $20,000,” said Elizabeth Pulley, Executive Director of Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas. “The donation will help our 34 locations that serve all 75 Arkansas counties with continuing our mission of providing essential tools and resources for children who are enduring trauma due to abuse and neglect.”

Jennifer Long of CAC Provides Tour

The 93^rd South Central Regional Conference: “A R.E.A.L. Diamond Adventure in the Natural State” was designed to strengthen leadership skills, deepen connections and celebrate the achievements and impact made by the 145 undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the Region. Attendees participated in enriching activities, including empowering professional and leadership development workshops, meaningful networking, and professional certification opportunities. The event also featured a live concert featuring award-winning music artist NEXT, an exclusive evening of baseball on the diamond in support of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Athletic Conference Baseball Semi-Final, a Gospel Brunch featuring international gospel recording artist, Zacardi Cortez and a Parade of Pearls Tailgating Celebration.

Notable guests included Danette Anthony Reed, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® International President and CEO. Additionally, in attendance were three former International Presidents, nine former Regional Directors including Arkansas' very own 13 ^th South Central Regional Director, Mary Louise Williams and 19 ^th South Central Regional Director, Carmelita Smith. Members of the AKA Board of Directors were on hand as well, including three undergraduate officers, two graduate officers, and six Regional Directors from other areas.

To learn more about the South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated ®, please visit www.aka1908.com/southcentral.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is comprised of more than 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries and territories including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.

About the South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®

Under the leadership of the 27^th South Central Regional Director Dr. Shawn E. Simmons of Houston, Texas, the South Central Region has more than 19,000 members and comprises more than 145 graduate and undergraduate chapters who have been serving since 1924. For more information, visit www.aka1908.com/southcentral.