Sharon Owens designates Jan. 15 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day
Sharon Owens’ first proclamation designated Jan. 15 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day in Syracuse. The designation occurred on the sorority’s 118 Founders Day, when it became the nation’s first Black Greek sorority. Courtesy of Nikita Jankowski
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During the first proclamation of her term, Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens designated Jan. 15 as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Day in the city of Syracuse.
The designation occurred on the historically Black sorority’s Founder’s Day, according to a Friday press release. AKA members and city officials attended Friday’s official signing ceremony in City Hall.
Owens’ recognition reinforces the “vital partnership” between the city and the sorority, the release states. Members of Syracuse University AKA chapters Iota Nu Omega, the graduate chapter, and Iota Upsilon, the undergraduate chapter, shared their gratitude to Owens and the proclamation.
“This proclamation is more than a date on the calendar; it is a testament to the hard work our members put into uplifting the Syracuse community through our initiatives in education, health, social justice, and economic empowerment,” Dr. Sharon Brangman, president of the Iota Nu Omega Chapter, said in the release.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1908 at Howard University, and the Iota Nu Omega chapter was chartered in Syracuse on Nov. 11, 1972. AKA is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American women, making it the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority. The sorority has over 355,000 members globally, according to the release.
The sorority values community service with initiatives focused on health, wealth building, environmental sustainability, youth mentorship and educational scholarships, according to the release.
The Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack is a major program the sorority benefits — which addresses a “critical gap” in Syracuse’s community health and education — according to the release.
“We thank the mayor for her continued support of our mission to be of ‘Service to All Mankind,’” Brangman said.
