SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
South Central ' s 89th Regional Conference Rises to the Top with Virtual Excellence
REGIONAL CONFERENCE RECAP
Stronger Together : We Are South Central !
The year 2021 continues to be a year of reinvention ! South Central Regional Director Soror Joya T . Hayes welcomed over 7,000 sorors from Arkansas , Louisiana , New Mexico , and Texas to the historic 89th Virtual South Central Regional Conference .
All the excitement of the theme " Rising to the Top with Virtual Excellence " could be felt through the device screens . The platform for the conference blew sorors away with its realistic decor , engaging interaction , and ease of use . With the first click sorors were immediately drawn in by the engaging words of Madam Regional Director inviting each member to explore every part of the platform to get the full conference experience .
The conference kicked off with over 800 sorors who became the first graduates of the Faye B . Bryant Leadership Development Institute Cohort 1 Class . Under the theme " Unleashing the Leader Within " with Soror Emile Pendarvis Blaine , sorors gained tools on how to navigate the difficult obstacles in leadership by unleashing their personal roar .
As a precursor to this phenomenal conference , the Thursday Night Lights official welcome party proved that we work hard AND play hard . Wearing glow in the dark “ We Are South Central ” custom shirts , sorors danced to tunes that spanned the decades with DJ 4.0 .
Pink and green lights were brightened with the sound of the gavel as Madam Regional Director called the 89th conference to order . During her State of the Region Address , she took sorors on her journey from the living room of her graduate advisor to the boardroom with the Directorate making decisions to impact the life of each soror . " It is our sisterhood , our service , and our purpose that make these moments matter ," said Soror Joya T . Hayes as she spoke about how the work of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the South Central Region has inspired her to do even more to serve all mankind . The work that the 11,530 sorors in 139 chapters of the region does is a source of inspiration by itself and even more so getting it done during a global pandemic , several storms , and social unrest .
Keeping that momentum going was the energy coming from our undergraduates . Megachurch copastor Soror Mia K . Wright gave the undergraduates 5 tenets each of them should know for leadership preparation . A highlight was the recognition of 11 undergraduates who ended the semester with 4.0 GPAs . Actor and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , Inc . Mr . Anthony Anderson surprised everyone with a special guest appearance .
Everyone was excited as the new Silver , Golden , Pearl , and Diamond members made their way on the screen . South Central was proud to crown Pearl Soror and 14th South Central Regional Director Deralyn Riles Davis along with Silver Soror and 25th South Central Regional Director Katina M . Semien . These South Central Jewels were part of the newly crowned class of DPGS sorors that included Diamond , Pearl , Golden , and Silver sorors .
At the Friday night Empowerment Session , bestselling author Soror Sophia A . Nelson inspired sorors with insight from her new book , The Woman Code . In her workshop , she stressed the importance of self-care with seven how-to tips and twenty keys for a graceful and purposeful life .
On Saturday afternoon , the Public Policy Meeting with renowned professor and activist Dr . Michael Eric Dyson took place . Dr . Dyson took the birth of our great sisterhood and compared it to the emancipation of our people . Saying that we have stood in every level of leadership " taking the reigns of leadership when it was not officially ours ." After a serenade by the regional choir , legislators from Arkansas , Louisiana , New Mexico , and Texas were honored . After the Public Policy Meeting , our disco themed Saturday Night Live event was a party with a purpose , raising over $ 10,000 for EAF .
The conference had so many events and activities to keep sorors engaged that we had to put some events On-Demand . One of the most popular videos was our Legacy of Sisterhood and Service Parade featuring the bond of mothers & daughters and grandmothers & granddaughters . It was a display of love , fashion , and perpetuity . On Sunday morning , we honored Ivies Beyond the Wall with a memorial tribute video , followed by a powerful praise and worship during the Ecumenical Service led by our Spiritual Oversight Committee which featured Dr . Karen Clark Sheard as guest Psalmist .
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