Sorority , Incorporated ®
2021 HONORARY MEMBERS
Black Women
HONORARY MEMBERS
CHICAGO ( July 15 , 2021 ) – Eight exemplary Black women in corporate business , entertainment business , media , literature , performing arts and sports were recently inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , Incorporated ® ( AKA ) as honorary members .
Trailblazers Ursula M . Burns ( corporate business ), Ruth E . Carter ( entertainment business ), Debra Martin Chase ( entertainment business ), Cynthia Erivo ( performing arts ), Lisa Leslie ( sports ), Robin Roberts ( media ), Tracee Ellis Ross ( performing arts ) and Alice Walker ( literature ) became members of the sorority in separate ceremonies in New York , N . Y ., Atlanta , Ga ., Los Angeles , Calif ., Berkeley , Calif ., and Ft . Lauderdale , Fla ., all following the CDC ’ s COVID-19 safety guidelines .
Presiding over the formal , in-person inductions was Alpha Kappa Alpha ' s International President and Chief Executive Officer , Dr . Glenda Glover . Also in attendance were Staci R . Collins Jackson , Chair , International Honorary Members & Awards Committee and Committee Members Rose Jackson Flenorl and Rashan Ali .
“ I am honored to welcome these extraordinary women into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority . Each of these luminaries has reached the pinnacle of success in her respective field and sphere of influence . They are recognized and celebrated around the world and epitomize greatness . Since our founding in 1908 , Alpha Kappa Alpha women have been history makers and standard bearers . Our newest members are writing a new chapter in our long and distinguished history . They now join an international sisterhood of more than 300,000 members who exemplify excellence through our lifelong commitment to the communities we serve . The induction of our newest honorary members will ensure that we continue to shine our light on the extraordinary accomplishments of Black women ,” said Glover .
Honorary membership is the sorority ’ s highest honor and awarded to distinguished women whose works and contributions parallel AKA ’ s ideals of achievement and service .