Kassidy Johnson, Skyler Ingram, D'Lauren Falkner and 157 other young ladies became new members of Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated in Memphis Tennessee. The international organization has nearly 300,000 members worldwide and just added 160 more. The International President, Dr. Glenda Glover announced a four year international
program (2018-2022) with a theme entitled Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service and with a program mission as bold as this, the addition of 160 new members will help the international sorority achieve this lofty service goal.
The real story however about the above named new members, Kassidy, Skyler and D'Lauren goes back more than 30 years ago. Their mothers have been friends, like sisters, all their lives. Kassidy's mom, Tammy Johnson, (aka Tampa Bay Tammy), Skyler's mom, Rhonda Evans Ingram and D'Lauren's mom, Sheila Branch all attended either elementary, middle, high school or college together. Though none of the mothers became members of sororities, their daughters decided to take a bold new path, with AKA.
Over the years, the mothers of these beautiful young ladies found a way to stay connected through vacations, holiday visits or just long telephone calls and now their daughters have a sisterhood bond of their own in Alpha Kappa Alpha. And, while the other 147 young ladies stories are just as important as these three ladies, as the writer of this story and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Incorporated fraternity, I am proud to announce my daughter Kassidy, as a new member to the sorority and also welcome D'Lauren and Skyler as greek members too as I have known both of them all their lives. Congratulations ladies! In addition, our lifelong family friend, Judge Jayne Chandler did the honors of pinning my daughter Kassidy, what an occasion! Thanks Judge Jayne!
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. The website goes on to say "As Alpha Kappa Alpha has grown, it has maintained its focus in two key arenas: the lifelong personal and professional development of each of its members; and galvanizing its membership into an organization of respected power and influence, consistently at the forefront of effective advocacy and social change that results in equality and equity for all citizens of the world".