Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority News – December 2017

by Sarah Williams & Berta McCallum –

The 2017 Beautillion

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter, hosted its 2017 Beautillion scholarship fundraiser on December 2, 2017

Featuring seven young men from area high schools, the gala event was hosted at the A-B Tech/Mission Health Conference Center.

Chapter president Verita Woods welcomed the crowd, and was then joined by fundraiser chair Raynetta Waters. The MC for the evening, Stephen J. Blount, then introduced the seven beaux as they escorted their mothers across the stage, before an engaging comedy presentation by mime Jesse Cowan.

Each beau then escorted his partner for the evening to dance a waltz to the tune “Sky Fall.” The seven beaux and their young ladies were: Seth Bellamy accompanied by Taniya Webber; Barry Castellanos accompanied by Taeya Vance, DeAngelo Collins accompanied by Nyla Rice; Dorain Johnson accompanied by Mackayla Johnson; Jordan Proctor-Bates accompanied by Jada Proctor-Bates; Donovan Spencer accompanied by Empress Hackett (graciously substituting for Dorian Spencer), and Xaviar DeShane Stewart accompanied by Selena Perez-Casco.

The waltz was followed by an inspirational speech by former Miss Asheville, Kahlani Jackson.

Each beau presented an oration on leadership and how they will use their leadership abilities in the future. They captivated their audience with their ability to articulate how they will positively impact Asheville or wherever their future home might be. In a special presentation, Verita Woods and Vernell Woldu presented, in absentia, a dozen pink tea roses—her favorite—to longtime member Jackie King.

Seth Bellamy, son of Mr. Lamont and Mrs. Terry Bellamy, was crowned 2017 Mr. Beautillion. He was joined by first runner-up Xaviar Stewart, son of Mr. Larry & Mrs. April Spencer, and second runner-up DeAngelo Collins, son of Ms. Athena Collins.

The honoring and recognition of the 2017 Beaux was followed by an introduction of members of the Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter and by a gala reception.

Since 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has implemented programs of service impacting countless lives. This chapter will continue to expand its presence in the community through enrichment programs such as ASCEND and the 2017 Beautillion presentation.

AKA Inducts New Members

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter inducted six new members into its Asheville chapter.

Gamma Gamma Omega warmly welcomes new members, Ms. Jalen Craig, Courtney Jones, Patricia Mathes, Jasmine Parker, Marshay Proctor-Bates, and Rhoda Waters.

The ladies were chosen based upon their ability to assist the organization in accomplishing its mission of “cultivating and encouraging high scholastic and ethical standards, promoting unity and friendship among college women, studying and helping to alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, maintaining a progressive interest in college life, and to be of ‘Service to All Mankind.’”

The first project the new members are undertaking on behalf of Gamma Gamma Omega is to provide a Health Awareness event at the Chunns Cove Assisted Living center in January 2018.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first Greek-letter sorority brought into being in 1908 as a support network for women of color. Ethel Hedgeman, a junior at Howard University in Washington, DC, dreamed of creating an organization for women of like minds for the purpose of helping others. She and eight other coeds fashioned a plan that has grown into a force of more than 280,000 women representing 980 Chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Germany, Africa, South Korea, Japan, and Canada.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter was chartered on March 31, 1940 in Asheville. The chapter provides educational and enrichment services to students through the ASCEND program, which is a national program developed by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Additionally, the sorority’s chapter members volunteer and/or donate funds to other organizations including the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), Alzheimer’s Association, Asheville Buncombe Institute for Parity Achievement (ABIPA), Housing Authority of the City of Asheville’s Residents’ Council, Manna Food Bank, St. James AME Church, City of Asheville’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Hill Street Baptist Church. The Chapter has also awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to students who have graduated from local high schools.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) is the first African American Greek letter Sorority. It was the dream of Howard University co-ed Ethel Hedgeman, who wanted to create a support network for women with like minds who would come together for mutual uplift, and unite their talents and strengths for the benefit of others. In 1908 her vision crystallized, and AKA came into being.

AKA’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”