If you notice that the streets of downtown Indianapolis are filled with the colors green and pink, then you will know that members of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority are enjoying their historic conference.
Next month the AKAs will host their 79th Central Regional Conference in Indianapolis April 4-7. More than 1,900 AKAs throughout the region, which includes eight states in the Midwest, are expected to come to Indianapolis, bringing with them a more than $270,000 economic boost to the city.
“We are very excited to come to Indianapolis,” said AKA Central Regional Director Gisele Casanova. “We’ve been there before, but every time is almost like a new time. We always have a good time there.”
Casanova described Indianapolis as a “great convention city” and noted that some of the participants have never been here before, but those who have appreciate the city’s variety of restaurants, nice shopping opportunities and conveniently placed hotels.”
She added, however, that more importantly, the city’s two local AKA graduate chapters, Alpha Mu Omega and Chi Chi Omega, have played a major role in the stability of the central region.
“Those local chapters have been a big part of the foundation of this central region,” Casanova stated. “These women have made sure the service programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha are well ingrained in and around your community.”
Kyna Willis, publicity chair for the regional conference, noted that it is expected to be the largest since the first one held in Indianapolis in 1931.
“We are excited about this conference because Alpha Kappa Alpha and the hostess chapters have planned multiple service and empowerment activities benefiting both the youth and community,” Willis said.
Regular sorority business and updates will be taken care of during the conference, but organizers have made community service an equally important goal.
“I want to make sure that when we come into a city that yes, we will bring income into it, but we also want to bring service for the Indianapolis community as well. That’s what we’re about, and our members are put to work during the conference,” Casanova said while laughing. “We are a service organization.”
Among the programs offered by AKAs during the conference are an annual youth summit, service projects with Girl Scout Camp Dellwood and Use What You Got Ministries, an outreach program that connects incarcerated offenders with families, as well as a free production against domestic violence called Breaking the Silence at the Madame Walker Theatre.
Non-AKA members are invited to participate in most of its programs, and Casanova said she would like to see guests have problem-solving information and resources they can take with them and utilize in their homes, churches and communities.
Casanova said two of the main goals of the AKAs are to increase membership and reactivate inactive members, and to train future leaders for important positions within the organization.
Established in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the nation’s oldest Black sorority and has built a proud legacy.
“Since we were the first sorority established by and for African-American women, we have to continue to be on the cutting edge,” Casanova said. “We have developed programs and initiatives that are on the cutting edge in terms of keeping pace with – and sometimes ahead of – what’s going on in our society, as well as providing services and making sure our communities are aware of important issues.”
