Alpha Alpha Sigma Omega's History
The Beginning
In April 2015, four women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® had a vision of organizing a new chapter in the Southern District of Prince George's County, Maryland. These ladies were Tonya Wilson Jackson, Evette Lee, Kya Mathews, and Yatana M. Walker. They invited other ladies to join them, and in 2016 started a community service group called "Women of Like Minds” before adopting the name “Southern Pearls of Prince George’s County.” The members were Belinda Baltimore Lindsay, Concetta Brown Stewart, Mesheca Bunyon, June Carter, Twanna Clark, Kimberly M. Coleman, Tania B. Davis, Kelley Garrett, Kimberly Hall, Jaunese Harris, LaKeesha Hope, Tonya Jackson, Joyce M. Jackson, Tamara Johnson, Cheryl Jordan, Evette Lee, Kya Matthews, Chantrell McCormick, Linda Ricks, Lori Shabazz, Andrea Sims-Parson, Stephanie Taylor, Yvette Thomas, Yatana M. Walker, and Cormekki Whitley. These women came together out of their mutual interest and desire to provide programs and services to underserved communities in which they lived and worked. They also embraced the idea of reclaiming Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. members who had become inactive for various reasons.
Committed To Service
From 2016 until late 2018, the 25 ladies of Southern Pearls served the southern region of Prince George's County, also known as District 9, by hosting various community programs. Some of those programs included supporting Baden Elementary School by donating books, backpacks, and uniforms, and assisting with the “No Child Shall Go Without a Hot Lunch” program. They also participated in the “National Wreaths Across America Day,” remembering veterans at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. They raised awareness about heart health in February by hosting a morning Zumba class for "Pink Goes Red Day for Heart Health" and initiating a 190,800-step challenge for the year. Southern Pearls made donations to United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. and adopted a house in Clinton, MD, for the Prince George’s County “Christmas in April” program.
Becoming Official
In November 2018, the 25 ladies became an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. From 2018 to 2021, the guiding theme became “Pressing Toward the Mark,”which is exactly what they did. During this time, existing programs were continued, and additional community partnerships were added. Southern Pearls partnered with Fitness 4 Less to promote breast health awareness and established a partnership with the Town of Eagle Harbor, MD. They hosted an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Town of Eagle Harbor and partnered with BB&T Bank for a community financial seminar entitled “Growing Your Business.” Another key partnership was forged with the Upper Marlboro/Waldorf Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and volunteers from the Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church in Bowie, MD, to participate in the Prince George’s County “Christmas in April” program once again. During this time, the interest group also donated over 250 pairs of gently worn shoes in support of Soles4Souls. Southern Pearls hosted a virtual comedy show and raised $1,681 to support Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Educational Advancement Fund for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Endowment. In keeping with the Sorority’s emphasis on higher education and scholarship, a virtual HBCU workshop featuring campuses across the country was held for local high school students.
In 2020, even with the impact of COVID-19, Southern Pearls continued to "Press Toward the Mark." Members completed over 1,500 hours of community service and awarded $3,500 in scholarships to area students who were attending HBCUs. In support of community outreach efforts, members collected approximately 100 pillowcases to sew children’s dresses and shirts and 40 pairs of eyeglasses to send abroad. They also collected 15 purses, 40 pairs of eyeglasses, and 3,756 toiletries to provide to persons experiencing homelessness. They provided support to District 9 by assisting with the distribution of meals to seniors. Southern Pearls engaged in virtual opportunities to focus on physical health with Tabata and Yoga sessions; mental health with meditation and mindfulness activities; and social health by holding periodic fun events like game nights, paint and sip, and cooking lessons. The ladies also made reclamation of inactive Alpha Kappa Alpha women a priority.
“Greater Laurels to Win…”
Southern Pearls’ commitment to community service was formally recognized twice by community partners within District 9. In 2019, Southern Pearls was nominated and selected to be honored at the 90th celebration of the Town of Eagle Harbor. Southern Pearls was honored to receive the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Town of Eagle Harbor Board of Commissioners and Mayor James D. Crudup, Sr. In January 2021, Council Member Sydney J. Harrison in partnership with Purposeful Living & Giving, Inc. presented the District 9 Virtual Day of Service Awards to honor the community leaders within District 9. Southern Pearls received the Ida B. Wells Award for Excellence in Community Service on January 18, 2021, for providing over 6,000 meals to seniors within District 9. These awards were a first for any official interest group in the Notable North Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Chartering
On May 16, 2021, thirty women chartered Alpha Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter in Prince George's County, MD. The 30 charter members are: Belinda Baltimore Lindsay, Kristina Biscoe, Keisha Boggan Campbell, Concetta Brown Stewart, Twanna Clark, Kimberly M. Coleman, Jenai H. Cromartie, Tania B. Davis, Erin N. Gardner Davis, Jaunese Harris, Delisa Hernandez-Reid, Carnetta Hill-Johnson, LaKeesha Hope, Joyce M. Jackson, Tamara Johnson, Cheryl Jordan, Chantrell McCormick, M. Jerry Minor-Gordon-English, Lezell W. Murphy, Shana Murray, Veronica Murry-Lockamy, Wanda Parham-Payne, Carla Pierce, Lori Shabazz, Andrea Sims-Parson, Monique Stevenson, Yvette Thomas, Ilonka J. Walker, Yatana M. Walker, and Ivora Washington.
Our Sisterhood
Alpha Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter is composed of professional women who work together in the spirit of sisterhood and service to the community. We come from different backgrounds and places, but we are sisters connected in friendship and purpose. We are committed to our personal and professional growth and celebrate our sorors and the growth of our sorority. We are dedicated to serving District 9 of Prince George’s County, MD, and will continue to “Press Toward the Mark” by working diligently to serve and build upon the legacy of our great founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.