Last week, approximately 4,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Incorporated® gathered at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut for a Public Meeting, which officially kicked off the sorority’s 94th North Atlantic Regional Conference.
The theme, “Soaring to Service through Advocacy,” set the tone for the four-day conference that was all about sisterhood, service, and inspiration. Sorority members in attendance represented 11 eastern states and the District of Columbia.
Sunny Hostin, Esq., who is an Emmy-Award winning legal journalist, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” bestselling author, and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, was the mistress of ceremonies for the Public Meeting. Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Hayes, III, senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, was the keynote speaker.
While hosting the meeting, Elicia Pegues Spearman, Esq., AKA’s North Atlantic Regional Director, said, “Let us remember. Advocacy is not just a word. It is a calling. It is about using our collective voice, our education, and our passion to create real and sustainable change. Together we are soaring, not just flying, but rising with purpose, with dignity and with an unshakable commitment to our communities.”
Members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council offered greetings on behalf of their respective sororities and fraternities, and congratulated the following honorees: The Empower Our Families Award recipient Dr. Melony Samuels, CEO and founder of The Campaign Against Hunger; the Build Our Economic Wealth Award recipient Mark Mason, Chief Financial Officer, Citi; and the Uplift Our Local Community Award honoree the Honorable Adrienne Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council (District 28).
Danette Anthony Reed, International President and CEO of AKA, extended her appreciation to local chapters of AKA and partner organizations as well as members of the Divine Nine organization. She shared, “Your presence during our regional conference signals a willingness to partner with and support our collaborative efforts. I know all of us are needed now more than ever because we’re witnessing unprecedented social, political and economic uncertainties. So, we’re glad you’re here.”
Photos courtesy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. North Atlantic Region
From left to right Tennille Miller, Deneen Hendrick, Rev. Adriane Blair Wise, Regional Director Elicia Pegues Spearman, Dr. Elaine Flake, Sheila Giddings, Nicole A. Davis. 
Presiding over the conference is AKA’s North Atlantic Regional Director Elicia Pegues Spearman, who is also CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut. 
Sunny Hostin, Esq., an Emmy-award winning journalist, co-host of ABC-TV_s “The View,” bestselling author, and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the public meeting 
Former International President of AKA Norma Solomon White. 
The after-party entertainment was provided by celebrity DJ D-Nice. 
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. poses with products that were donated to CAMBA, Inc. 
Pink and Green was on full display last week at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut during the Public Meeting of AKA_s 94th North Atlantic Regional Conference. Credit: Photos courtesy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. North Atlantic Region
The North Atlantic Region is the birthplace of AKA, an international service organization founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women and comprises more than 365,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters in 11 countries. The region encompasses 155 chapters throughout Eastern New York, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
In the spirit of service, donations were collected for the 94th North Atlantic Regional Conference Service Project and presented to representatives from CAMBA, Inc., a non-profit agency in New York that provides support services to help individuals and families establish their economic stability, and to thrive physically, educationally, and emotionally. Detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener, and laundry bags were among the items donated.
After attending an uplifting Public Meeting and contributing to the service project, it was time for an “Old School / Hip-Hop / R&B After Party,” featuring celebrity DJ D-Nice.