GREAT LAKES REGION
Great Lakes Sets Record Attendance at Virtual 90th Regional Conference
REGIONAL CONFERENCE RECAP
From April 15-18 , 2021 , the Great Lakes Region rolled out the pink carpet for sorors to strive for excellence and carry out the business of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , Incorporated ® . A virtual palace courtyard with crowns , pearls and royal banners was the scene of the Virtual 90th Great Lakes Regional Conference that was “ Regal in Excellence , Royal in Service .” Great Lakes Regional Director Soror Carrie J . Clark welcomed over 3,300 registered attendees to the conference . It was the highest attendance ever . Phi Psi Omega Chapter served as our host in suburban Cincinnati , Ohio .
The first conference event was a virtual trip to Cincinnati ’ s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center , one of the nation ’ s premier museums recounting the travels of freedom seekers from south to north . Thursday ’ s events also included informative forums on sorority Constitution and Bylaws and Finance . Additional sponsored forums provided valuable insight on affordable healthcare , Covid-19 and building Black wealth .
For the first time , the Great Lakes Region held a virtual Regional Director ’ s Gala . The Africaninspired theme reflected on the Great Lakes Region ’ s service . In addition , Soror Jenell Ross was surprised with the Rise Up Community Award for her dedication to the community and the sorority .
Soror Clark opened the plenary sessions on Friday with a stellar overview of the State of the Great Lakes Region , including an extensive account of regional service and program activities throughout the last year . Sorors also heard the inspiring State of the Sorority report presented by Supreme Basileus , Soror Glenda Glover . Other highlights include the creative virtual roll call , regional award winners and issuing the inaugural Pearls of Prayer Award .
“ Healing and Hope : Building a Better Future ” was the theme for Friday night ’ s traditional Public Meeting . Five Cincinnati organizations were recognized for their contributions of service that aligned with the sorority ’ s five targets . Keynote speaker Michele Thornton Ghee offered inspiring words about her recent rise to become CEO of the iconic African American magazines Ebony and Jet . Following the Public Meeting , sorors were entertained by a virtual step show and Greek comedy show .
The Soror Bernice I . Sumlin Jewels Tribute highlighted 7 Diamond , 7 Pearl , 43 Golden and 92 Silver Sorors . Soror Norma Solomon White , 25th Supreme Basileus , delivered the special address to our newest jewels . Then , they showed off their shining crowns during the “ Pretty Girls Rock ” challenge , kicked off with a greeting from R & B singer Keri Hilson .
The Soror Eva L . Evans Legacy Parade featured a “ slideshow parade ” of mothers , daughters , granddaughters , sisters and other family members . Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson , 29th Supreme Basileus , conducted the beautiful litany .
Sorors had all-day Saturday to get in steps during the Virtual Royal 5K Walk / Run . Informative conference workshops offered sorors time for learning and development Saturday morning .
Undergraduate sorors tackled the topic of racial unrest with an engaging conversation called Undergraduate Exchange , Part II , a continuation from the previous
regional conference . Second Supreme Anti- Basileus Soror Jasmyne McCoy and Undergraduate Member-At-Large Soror Jasmine Williams helped guide the discussion .
The Royal Masquerade Ball was the evening ’ s formal banquet . Sorors wore elaborate masquerade masks and enjoyed keynote speaker and media personality Soror Rashan Ali who helped sorors “ adjust their crowns ” and regain their regal-ness through rest , elevation , grace , alignment and lift . The evening highlight was the announcement of the winner of a two-year lease of a 2021 Mercedes- Benz through raffle tickets sales to benefit the Educational Advancement Foundation .
Sunday ’ s events closed out the conference with a touching tribute to recent Ivies Beyond the Wall , a soulstirring Ecumenical Service and vendor ’ s trunk show .
Sorors came ready to serve ! Sorors and chapters donated 1,225 pillowcase dresses , 315 pillowcase shirts , 4,205 pairs of shoes and 3,008 pairs of eye glasses to support Target 5 – Global Impact . There was also a special conference service project to purchase African American children ’ s books . Sorors donated over $ 8,500 to buy and distribute books to schools in the Cincinnati area .
Despite these unprecedented times , sorors of the Great Lakes Region came together as “ one region , one sisterhood .” Soror Clark is thankful to the sorors who attended , Phi Psi Omega Chapter Basileus Soror Carolyn K . Patton , conference General Chairman Soror LaTonya Y . Denson , Co-chairman Soror Wiona W . Berry , former Chapter Basileus Soror Tracy Turney- Smith , and the corporate and community sponsors . The 91st Great Lakes Regional Conference will be in Detroit , Michigan in 2022 .
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