Special to The Truth
Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Incorporated, Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter of Toledo is thankful to serve the community. Under the leadership of Andrea Price, MHA, FACHE, president, and Treva Jeffries Ed.D, vice-president, community activities were offered in-person until March 2020. Later, community programs were provided virtually via Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube. Events were provided in the five Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service Program Targets, Scholarship, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Founders’ Day.
Thanks to our collaborating partners, AKAs never stopped performing community service. They are NANBPWC, Inc- Toledo Club and Maumee Bay Club, YWCA of Northwest Ohio, ABC Health Care, Top Ladies of Distinction, The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Beta Gamma Chapter, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Monroe Neighborhood Center Sewing Club, Ohio, Fifth Third Bank EMPOWER U, ProMedica Financial Opportunity Center, Lions Club International, Sole4Souls, MADD Poet Society, Feeding Children Everywhere, Grow with Google, AKA undergraduate chapters at University of Toledo (Alpha Lambda) and Bowling Green State University (Iota Iota), US Together of Toledo, City of Toledo, and the University of Toledo.
Target 1: HBCU for Life/ Signature Program #CAPsm (College Admission Program)
The focus was to promote and raise money for HBCUs and educate high school students on the College Admissions Process. One hundred and eighteen students participated, and graduating seniors participated in National College Signing Day. Over $4300 was raised for HBCUs. Three Virtual College Fairs were held, focusing only on HBCUs and two HBCU Trivia Night fundraising events. A night with HBCU Queens was hosted for students to learn more about attending an HBCU and what it’s like to be a college queen. Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter also gave $7500 scholarships to high school students.
Target 2: Women’s Healthcare and Wellness
Each year workshops and social media campaigns were conducted on Women and Heart Health, Breast Cancer Awareness and prevention, Nutrition and Wellness, and Care for the Caregivers. Activities were Pink Goes Red Day for Heart Health activity (Aerobic Workout Party), Stroke Awareness, Virtual Smoothie Happy Hour demonstrating how to make plant-based smoothies, demonstration of a warm spinach salad, and making a healthy meal. Co-hosted a Breast Cancer awareness of Triple Net Breast Cancer, distributed CDC’s Breast Cancer Risk factors fact sheet and “one size does not fit all” bra poster. Promoted Mammogram Awareness Day to encourage women to get their mammograms. A virtual “No More” Domestic Violence Awareness and Sickle Cell Awareness programs were provided. A virtual “Care for the Caregivers” workshop was conducted with the Area Office of Aging of Northwestern Ohio. Two hundred and eighty-five attendees participated.
Target 3: Building Your Economic Legacy
Hosted workshops on Financial Planning and Asset Accumulation, and Credit Repair and Monitoring. Held seminar titled “Everything Credit” in collaboration with ProMedica Financial Opportunity Center and promoted tips on social media. Hosted a webinar titled: “Estate Planning Made Easy…and We Mean Easy!” Hosted with Fifth-Third “EMPOWER U” virtual workshops focusing on slashing debt and boosting your credit score, budgeting, saving money, and protecting yourself against identity theft. Over 500 attendees participated.
Supported black-owned businesses, made over 270 purchases, and spent over $50,000.
Under Operation AKA Assist, two virtual workshops were held with Grow with Google on “Negotiating Like a Pro” and “Digital Training for Everyday Skills with 75 attendees participating. The chapter donated 60 black dolls and black action figures to Lucas County Children Services for boys and girls. The American Red Cross provided a Home Preparedness Fire Prevention virtual workshop. The chapter promoted 30 Days of Giving to the local Feeding America Food Bank via Facebook and the chapter website. Individuals were asked to donate $19.08, and $1,267 was raised for Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. Promoted “Wear A Mask” on social media, donated $1,040 to Feed Children Everyway, and $100 to Connecting Kids to Meals. The Imagine Madison Avenue School of the Arts was given boxes of uniforms, toiletries, socks, gloves, and hats for Kares Kloset.
Target 4: The Arts
Workshops were held promoting a Salute to the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement. Supported the Maumee Valley Country Day School Wolfe Gallery and hosted the MADD Poets Society. Promoted attending “A Raisin in the Sun” play at the Toledo Repertoire Theater. Black History Month disseminated information about the impact of the Harlem Renaissance and
The community was encouraged to take a virtual tour of The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio through the museums’ partnership with Google Arts and Culture. Held virtual “Harlem Renaissance House Watch Party” streamed live via Facebook and Black Art movement featuring Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni. Over 55 attendees participated. The chapter supported Governor DeWine’s proclamation in establishing Toni Morrison Day on February 18, 2021.
Target 5: Global Impact
The chapter held community service that had a global impact in collaborating with world organizations. The chapter donated 96 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls, 28 eyeglasses, 25 pillowcase little girls’ dresses, and 24 boys’ shirts for children in Haiti. Donated feminine hygiene products to The American Cultural Exchange Services (ACES.) Inspirational Pen Pal postcards were mailed to children through Any Refugee Organization. Held virtual World Refugee Day in 2020 via Zoom and collected toiletries and cleaning supplies for US Together of Toledo (RAAP). Conducted a Global Impact Day workshop entitled “Stop Trafficking: Human Trafficking Awareness.” Presented World Refugee Day on Facebook in 2021 in conjunction with the US Together, where Black Refugees were discussed. Over 178 people were served.
AKA Founders’ Day event in 2020 incorporated Black Girls Rock and Exemplify Excellence Awards. Honorees were Maumee Bay Club of NANBPWC- Legacy of Excellence Award, Celeste Smith, Social Humanitarian Award, Ambrea Mikolajczyk -Shot Caller Award, Natalie Grey, Young, Gifted and Black Award, Sonia Flunder-McNair- Community Change Agent Award, Paula Hicks- Hudson-Icon Award and Julia Holt, Pearl Award.
AKA Virtual Founders’ Day event held in 2021 honored Black Girls Rock and Exemplify Excellence community leaders: Stephanie Teamer-Legacy of Excellence Award, Amaya Strong -Black Girl Magic Award, Wendi Huntley-Shot Caller Award, J’Vann Winfield-Young, Gifted, and Black Award, Tracee Ellis-Social Humanitarian Award, Leila Harris-Community Change Agent Award, Doni Miller-Icon Award and Margaret Huntley- Pearl Award.