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The AKA Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter Launches Think HBCU
Campaign
Special to The Truth
The Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. has launched a national campaign – Think
HBCU – to highlight the contributions of historically
black colleges and universities to the sorority and society,
and the local alumnae chapter, Zeta Kappa Alpha, through its
Educational Enrichment Committee, has organized a local
campaign – “Support Historically Black Colleges and
Universities” I which HBCUs will be showcased as a critical
venue for moving students to and through college.
Since 2016, nearly two
dozen Zeta Alpha Omega chapter members have formed
“villages” and adopted local HBCU students to support and
encourage students on their journey to graduation. Members
of the village send cards, text messages, notes and, of
course, care packages to let students know they are cared
for and to uplift them when things get tough.
“These students are part
of a village,” explains Katina Johnson, chairman of the
committee. “Sorority members have reached out to mentor
them.”
While most of the contact
between students and village members has been electronic,
many students have already met their village members for
lunch, dinner or casual outings to get to know each other
An official meet and greet was held on Saturday, June 23,
2018 at Sanger Branch Library to bring students, their
families and village members together and to celebrate the
students’ academic and athletic accomplishments.
The committee briefly
shared a presentation to introduce the HBCU students to
those in attendance and later heard from the students
themselves who shared details about their HBCU experience
and how their village experience has impacted them. Parents
also had the opportunity to share how attending an HBCU has
impacted their student. Students received a certificate
acknowledging their academic success, as they have either
been or are on the Dean’s List.
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The program concluded with
guests viewing an HBCU gallery of paraphernalia and
artifacts and a fellowship reception sponsored by Vito’s
Pizza and members of the organization.
Participating HBCU
students include: Tanevea Bush (Johnson C. Smith,
double-majoring in Biology and Chemistry); Brittany Coleman
(Central State University, a graduating senior majoring in
Social Work); Dannie Duhart (Morehouse College, May 2018
graduate), Myranda Duhart (Spelman College); Jillian
Highsmith (Johnson C. Smith University, May 2018 Magna Cum
Laude graduate in Criminology); LaShay Macon (North Carolina
A & T University, graduating senior majoring in Child
Development and Family Studies), Ramzee McGee (Dillard
University); Blake Minter (Bethune-Cookman University,
rising junior majoring in Accounting); Jewel Rollins
(Central State University, a rising junior and member of the
track team majoring in Exercise Science); Joirdin Quinn
(Central State University, May 2018 Magna Cum Laude graduate
with a degree in Social Work); Deonne Williams (North
Carolina A & T University, rising junior majoring in
Business Management)
Committee members: Katina
Johnson (Chairman), Cassandra Adams (Co-Chairman), Elinor
Allen, Lenora Barry, Pamela Cockrell, Alice Cole, Alexii
Collins, Julia Holt, Treva Jeffries, Janae Miller, Cheryl
Phillips, Saundra Smith, Leigh Utley and Cheryl Wallace.
HBCU students who wish to
participate in the “HBCU Village” should email Katina
Johnson at
katinaj73@gmail.com with their name, school and contact
information.
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