WATCH:The Legacy Of Sisterhood: Alpha Kappa Alpha

essencemagazine

We dive deep into the service and sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Transcript

00:00 It's the brotherhood and sisterhood for essence.

00:02 So this month we're celebrating the Divine 9 organizations.

00:06 Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi,

00:10 Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta

00:14 Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta.

00:18 We're showing love to our staff that are Divine 9 members.

00:21 So let's get into it with the oh so pretty ladies

00:24 of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

00:25 [music playing]

00:28 Hello, I'm Alex Ebanks.

00:30 I'm the Vice President of Communications

00:32 here at Essence Ventures.

00:33 And I was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

00:36 Incorporated in the fall of 2010.

00:39 Hi, everyone.

00:40 My name is Dominique Fluecker.

00:41 I am a member of the editorial team.

00:44 I'm the contributing lifestyle editor.

00:46 And I was initiated in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

00:48 Incorporated fall of 2015.

00:53 I decided to join, AKA from birth.

00:56 I am a proud double legacy of the sorority.

01:00 Both my grandmother and mother are both members of Alpha Kappa

01:03 Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

01:04 So as young as I can remember, I was walking around

01:08 with future AKA paraphernalia.

01:10 And so when I had the chance to become a member,

01:13 it was no question.

01:15 The proudest moment that I've had to date

01:17 is being a committee member leader.

01:20 So I led Environmental Ownership Committee for my chapter.

01:26 And that was the first time I could see myself

01:28 in a leadership role representing

01:31 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

01:35 Why are these organizations that are over almost 100 years old--

01:39 many of them over 100 years old--

01:42 and why they're necessary is because of just

01:45 the relationships and, in this point of the sororities,

01:47 the sisterhood that comes with it.

01:49 What I love about being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

01:52 Incorporated is that I can go anywhere around the world

01:54 and have sisters anywhere, and from all industries,

01:59 walks of life, backgrounds.

02:01 So that is one of the things I think

02:03 is most important for these legacy organizations

02:06 to continue for many, many, many more decades and years to come.

02:09 I can't agree more.

02:11 I feel like these organizations are extremely relevant

02:16 because it shows the power of sisterhood and brotherhood

02:20 across all different walks of life.

02:22 And it's really aspirational if you think about it.

02:25 You have a committed legacy that Alex can definitely

02:30 relate to this, where your mother or your grandmother

02:34 were a part of it before you were.

02:37 And to pass that lineage down is really important.

02:40 My line sisters and I are some of the best of friends,

02:43 been in each other's-- well, in their weddings,

02:45 have traveled together every year.

02:49 Many of them have joined me at the Essence Festival of Culture.

02:52 So that point of sisterhood, it really

02:56 does extend beyond just the moment

03:00 when you do become a member and you're initiated.

03:02 It really is that true sisterhood that has just

03:06 continued for many years.

03:07 Next year, we celebrate our 15 years

03:10 as members of the Sweet Me Pie chapter of Alpha Kappa

03:14 Alpha Sword Incorporated from Spelman College,

03:16 and just being able to go back to homecoming,

03:18 gear up for that celebration of that time

03:21 that we were initiated, it's nothing like it.

03:24 Some of the most memorable experiences

03:26 that you can think of, and that will continue.

03:30 And I can't agree more with S or Alex.

03:33 I think for me, my swords have definitely

03:36 shown up in ways that are so surprising to me,

03:41 especially during some dark moments.

03:43 So I always can rely on them for support with anything, really.

03:49 The common misconception that people have about the Divine

03:52 Nine is that all we do is party, and we don't actually

03:55 do any community service, which is the farthest thing from that.

03:59 This weekend, as we're gearing up for our Founders Day,

04:03 I'm doing community service on Sunday and Monday

04:06 with my sorority.

04:07 So it continues beyond just--

04:10 yes, there's the fun moments, but there's also the moments that

04:13 is a very serious matter, and ones

04:15 that we do take seriously and put

04:16 in the work in the community.

04:18 Yes, a very serious matter.

04:22 I am also looking to do community service

04:25 with some chapters here in Los Angeles.

04:28 And another misconception is that the work just

04:30 stops in college.

04:33 It continues with graduate chapters,

04:35 and that's really important.

04:36 [MUSIC PLAYING]

04:40 (upbeat music)

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