Psi Lambda Omega (PLO), the Brooklyn chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), says that the Brooklyn Borough Hall building was illuminated in pink and green on Jan. 15 in commemoration of the sorority’s 117th Founders’ Day.
Natiesha Evans, PLO’s public relations officer, told Caribbean Life on Wednesday that members of her chapter, accompanied by sorority sisters throughout New York City, “came together to celebrate 117 years of service to all mankind.”
She said the celebration was made possible through partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and his deputy, the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Council, who is also a PLO member.
Evans said AKA is the first African-American sorority founded in the United States.
“It was founded on the campus of Historical Black University, Howard University in Washington D.C., on Jan. 15, 1908, by nine young women,” she said.
“The sorority credits these women for laying the foundation for what is today the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by Black college-educated women,” Evans added.
She said over 360,000 members have been initiated in graduate and undergraduate chapters internationally, “and are committed to service, social change, scholarship and sisterhood.”
Today, the organization is led by International President and Chief Executive Officer Danette Anthony Reid of Dallas, Tx.
“The Borough President, Antonio Reynoso, was so gracious and wonderful in highlighting our organization’s anniversary of 117 years,” Evans said.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Lisa Ottley, a PLO member, whose father hailed from Trinidad and Tobago, told Caribbean Life that “celebrating with the beautiful women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., on our 117th Founders’ Day Celebration is special.
“It reminds me of how awesome this sisterhood of educated women continues to solidify the goals and purpose of our auspicious organization,” she said.
“As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Psi Lambda Omega Chapter, (Brooklyn), where I currently serve as the Standards Committee chairperson, I along with my sorority sisters share our talents and give back to the community,” Justice Ottley added. “We salute BP Antonio Reynoso and our Deputy BP, Rev. Dr. Kimberly Council, for recognizing the work we do in Brooklyn.”
PLO Chapter President Dr. Thomasena Ellison Clarke, a physician by training, also told Caribbean Life that, “The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are agents of change who have been doing the work of providing necessary programs and services for 117 years.
“We will continue to press forward in these challenging times with a steadfast commitment to be of service to all mankind,” she assured. “We appreciate the Borough President Antonio Reynoso for recognizing us on this special day.”
Reynoso described AKA’s work in Brooklyn as “unmatchable”.
“As Borough President, I wanted to show love the Brooklyn way by celebrating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s 117 years of service, by lighting up Borough Hall in pink and green,” he told Caribbean Life.
“It is an honor to recognize the Deputy Borough President, Rev. Kimberly Council, who has achieved greatness, yet remains humble,” he added. “But most of all, she is a Brooklynite and one of us, who is a part of this great organization.
“I like to end with a quote from Biggie Smalls: ‘Spread love the Brooklyn way!’” Reynoso continued.
Rev. Council said: “117 years ago, a group of young women gathered at Howard University to support each other and uplift our community. Today, we continue that legacy of Sisterhood and Service.
“I’m incredibly blessed to work alongside Borough President Reynoso, who leads through a lens of equity,” she said. “I’m also grateful that he has recognized the many contributions that the local chapters Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. have made to Brooklyn.”
