Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Psi Phi Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Psi Phi
Omega Chapter - East Baltimore, Maryland
Capturing our Sisterhood's timeless legacy by sharing news that exemplifies Excellence, inspires Spirituality, and celebrates Compassion.
The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
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TABLE OF
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Contents
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Spotlight: Our Leaders
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Letter From The Basileus
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Holiday Seasonal Wraps
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LNDS Reception
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One Year of Service
"A Day of Service"
ASCEND
PINK Goes Red
NAMI
Restoring Batimore
1908 Playground Project
AKALades/Prayers
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Membership Makes Us S.M.I.L.E.
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Spotlight: Our Leaders
DOROTHY BUCKHANAN WILSON - SUPREME BASILEUS
Madam Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the Supreme Basileus of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the nation’s first Greek-letter organization established by African American college
women. Madam Supreme Basileus, comes to the position with 36 years of committed service to the 107-year old
organization of over 283,000 members and has the distinction of being the only member to serve four consecutive terms
on its international board of directors. Installed at the sorority’s national convention held in July 2014 in Charlotte, NC,
Madam Supreme Basileus is the first Wisconsin resident and the 29th Alpha Kappa Alpha woman to be elected to the
position.
As North Atlantic Regional Director, Madam Regional Director, Meredith L. Henderson joined nine other
regional directors who serve as local managers of AKA chapters and members within their prescribed geographic
territory. Madam Regional Director, now oversees the region that was the birthplace of the Sorority and includes
the states of Massachusetts, Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland,
Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia. Madam Regional Director, is the 33rd
woman to hold this position and is a direct report to the Supreme Basileus, Soror Dorothy Buchanan. Professionally,
Madam Regional Director, is a Chief of Staff in the New York State Senate where she oversees the overall
management, administration and operations of her state senator’s offices in Albany and Southeast Queens, NY.
Previously, she served as the Deputy Secretary for the President of the New York State.
All leaders in our sisterhood are here to support the organization and serve you. Strengthening your knowledge of AKA helps in your navigation in the
organization as a keeper of the ivy. Get to know your leaders Psi Phi Omega! For a complete listing of the entire 2014 - 2015 Directorate Team please access
http://www.aka1908.com/about/leadership For a complete listing of the North Atlantic Region Leadership Team please access http://
www.akanorthatlantic.org/leadershipteam.
The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Letter From The Basileus
Soror Joan Wilmer-Stewart
Creating a timeless legacy of Excellence, Spirituality and Compassion in the eastern region of Baltimore City
Happy Anniversary Psi Phi Omega chapter! We are the 980th chartered chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Incorporated and we are honored to have the opportunity to deliver our organization’s programs of
service to the eastern region of Baltimore City.
This past year has been absolutely amazing! Our chapter continued with great determination to expand
our service delivery in the city immediately upon receiving our charter; we successfully implemented all of
our organization’s international program targets and we participated with excellence on the pre-launch
and official launch of our new international program – Launching New Dimensions of Service; we received
multiple points of recognition from city officials and partners; we established relationships with new community
partners and further developed our relationships with existing valued partners; we welcomed two new corporate
partners to our family (welcome Baltimore Gas and Electric and Mercedes Benz); one of our chapter’s
scholarship programs was established under Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF);
our chapter was invited to sit on the board of three prominent Baltimore based organizations; our plans
for our future community center have taken flight; the charitable organization, Charm City Pearls
Foundation, Incorporated (501c3) was confirmed on all platforms; and, our chapter has grown
tremendously with some outstanding members who we are most honored to have inside the Psi Phi Omega
sisterhood circle.
What a difference a year makes! Psi Phi Omega has learned a lot about each other, our cherished chapter,
and about the service needs of our target community. Most importantly, we have grown together – as
women, as leaders and as stakeholders in this sisterhood. We are most grateful for God’s grace and guidance in
everything we touch and we know His best for us is yet to come.
I love and appreciate you Sorors!
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Holiday Seasonal Wraps
The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Psi Phi Omega chapter, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Baltimore
Alumnae chapter partnered to host a Winter Seasonal Wrap Drive (Holiday Adopt-A-Family) at the Delta Community
Center on Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 12:00-3:00pm.
Several volunteers assisted with the event including Alpha Kappa Alpha members from metro chapters, Baltimore
City Department of Juvenile Services, Blossom House of Restoration, and various community members. Volunteers
cooked, served, and fellowshipped in true holiday spirit with more than 30 less fortunate men, women, and children of
east Bal-timore.
Donations were distributed amongst 10 needy families. Items included hats, gloves, mittens, socks, scarves, coats, jackets,
sweaters, and other seasonal wraps. Baltimoreans enjoyed a day filled with singing, playing games, and opening gifts
dur-ing the most wonderful time of the year! Ms. Ebony Plowden, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ms. Samantha
Richards, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Psi Phi Omega Program Chairman Dr. Roshonda Contee-Davis served as
the chairmen for this event.
Psi Phi Omega Chapter Members and members of Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Launching New Dimensions of Service:
LNDS Reception
Outside, the parking lot was covered with a light coating of fresh snow, the air was frosty and cold, but in-side
McCormick & Schmick’s in Harbor East, the air was warm and electric with excitement. It was January 29, 2015, and
“Launching New Dimensions of Service,”Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s new international program, was about to be unveiled to
the public.
Psi Phi Omega, Epsilon Omega, and Rho Xi Omega, the three Baltimore City Graduate Chapters, jointly hosted the
reception which featured such local dignitaries as Baltimore City Councilman Carl Stokes, R. Anthony Mills, Eastern
Region Vice President - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, local clergy and school officials. Mr. John Berkley,
president of the Metropolitan Baltimore National Pan-Hellenic Council, the presidents of metro-politan Baltimore Divine
Nine NPHC organizations, as well as several regional and international Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority leaders. Soror Erma
Barron, former North Atlantic Regional Director, was introduced, along with the former President of the Prince George's
Council Soror Ingrid Turner. Soror Alicia Tibbs Tolson, North Atlantic Region Representative to the International
Program Committee; Soror Angela Gibson, North Atlantic Region Representative to the International Archives
Committee; and Sorors Saran Baker and Natalie Hart, Co-Coordinators of Cluster I, North Atlantic Region, brought greetings.
Partner organizations including the American Heart Association, NAMI, Wal-Mart, Mercedes Benz, Baltimore Gas and
Electric, the Alzheimer’s Association, AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, and the Baltimore City Schools were also
represented. In addition, members of the clergy and education community attended.
Mistress of ceremonies, Soror Juanita Tillery, kept the program moving with sparkling humor. The guests were
welcomed by Soror E. Francine Stokes McElveen, Basileus of Epsilon Omega Chapter. Soror Roshonda Contee-Davis, 1st
Anti-Basileus and Program Chairman of Psi Phi Omega Chapter and her counterparts at Epsilon Omega and Rho Xi
Omega chapters, Sorors Tonja Ringgold and Deanna McCray- James, outlined the program targets for 2014 – 2018. The
five target areas, Educational Enrichment, Health Promotion, Family Strengthening, Envi-ronmental Ownership, and
Global Impact, were highlighted. In addition, the Sorority’s six Community Impact Days which are held throughout the
program year were explained.
The celebratory mood was capped off by a toast offered by Soror Tracy Barbour-Gillett, Basileus of Rho Xi Omega
Chapter. Soror Joan Wilmer-Stewart, Basileus of Psi Phi Omega Chapter, presented closing remarks and emphasized that the
three chapters were excited to be rolling out the new programs of service to the Baltimore City
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
One Year of Service
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. launched a new national campaign, Think HBCU, to celebrate and
support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This campaign highlights the impact that HBCUs have on
the sorority and society. Think HBCU is a platform to encourage students to matriculate through college and increase
awareness about HBCUs across the nation. HBCU Awareness Week was held September 22-29, 2014.
Chapter members and visiting sisters represented their HBCU alma maters during the September
business meeting. School colors and paraphernalia was worn in support of the following historically black
colleges and universities: Morgan State University, Howard University, Coppin State University, NC A&T, Bowie
State University, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Tougaloo College, Hampton University, and many others.
The phenomenal Psi Phi Omega chapter members also collected backpacks filled with school supplies to
promote Alpha Kappa Alpha’s One Million Backpacks program. Over the next four years, members will donate and
distribute 1,000,000 backpacks and related schools supplies in order to fulfill the international program focus of
“Launching New Dimensions of Service”. The chapter has collected and donated over 100 backpacks to date. Go Psi Phi
Omega!
To date, Psi Phi Omega has collected over 100 backpacks in total, as well as donating over 30 backpacks to the NARC
2015 Service Project!
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
"A Day of Service"
For Psi Phi Omega, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day wa truly a day ON, not off!! On January 19, 2015, and April 18, 2015,
in the packing a total of 22,338 pounds of food at the Maryland Food Bank. To put it
Psi Phi Omega sorors assisted
in perspective, that equals 18,615 meals! Kudos to PPO for helping the Food Bank get one step closer to achieving
the goal of ending hunger throughout Maryland.
Psi Phi Omega also held a reactivation program, where chapter members and inactive Sorors participated in the
collection and donation of seasonal wraps for those less fortunate.
Maryland Food Bank
The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization, leading the movement to end hunger
throughout Maryland. For more than 35 years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across
the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully crafted programs, the food
bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to find long-term ways to
reduce hunger statewide.
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
A.S.C.E.N.D.
ASCEND is Alpha Kappa Alpha's signature youth enrichment program designed to motivate, engage and assist high
school students in reaching their maximum potential. Students in the ASCEND Program will have an opportunity to
receive academic enrichment and life skills training to support their journey to college or vocational employment. The
Program focuses on:
Achievement
Self-Awareness
Communication
Engagement
Networking
Developmental Skills
Psi Phi Omega Chapter was pleased to launch its ASCEND program at the National Academy Foundation High School
(NAF) on January 31, 2015. The event gave our 10 students and their parents an opportunity to meet PPO sorors and
prepare for the exciting curriculum ahead. Sorors Tiffaney Parkman and Kara D. Beverly led a workshop on How To
Choose The Right College For You, exposing the students to the different types of universities and important factors to
consider when selecting a college. PPO Sorors also shared their learning experiences at HBCUs, community colleges
and the military. In subsequent sessions students were given tips on how to excel with their SATs, and STEM projects
include building a light, doorbell, and voice activated switch with Dr. Mel Bayne and Engineer Ms. Tonja Eaton (Morgan
State University Alumni). Fun times lie ahead for these impressive young students and Psi Phi Omega!
The ASCEND Program will meet on the 4th Saturday of each month from 9:00am-12:00pm.
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Target I Team Tours Local High Schools To Deliver HBCU College
Presentations and Application Assistance!
The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
PINK Goes Red
Baltimore, MD - On February 6, 2015, twenty Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorors wearing red attire gathered at Lanvale Towers, an
affordable housing residence in East Baltimore City. They came together to implement Psi Phi Omega Chapter’s second
Community Impact Day, “Pink Goes Red for Heart Health Day” initiative in observance of National Heart Month and in
support of the American Heart Association.
The room was filled with many enthusiastic men and women. During the first part of the program, Soror Jakarta Blakeney,
a Nurse Practitioner, and Soror Dawn Kilby-Robb, a Physician, presented helpful information about heart health, nutrition,
and healthy lifestyles. Next, Soror Kim Grade, a Physical Therapist, led the participants through a series of low-impact
stretches and exercises. Several chapter members also demonstrated these maneuvers.
Two days prior to the event, Soror Bardett Nicholson-Premick, Target II (Health Promotion) lead, canvassed Lanvale Towers
to extend personal invitations to the “Pink Goes Red for Heart Health Day” program. She chatted with residents and passed
out informational flyers about the program. Those initial contacts paid off, as many of those residents came out to learn
more about heart disease. Pleased with the level of participation, Soror Nicholson-Premick added, “The support of the
management of Lanvale Towers was awesome!”
At the conclusion of the program, Soror Nicholson-Premick and Soror Roshonda Contee-Davis, First Anti-Basileus and
Program Chairman, thanked all of the residents for attending. As the guests were enjoying healthy snacks consisting of
sliced bananas and other fruit, one resident was overheard saying, “I am glad you all came to help us understand heart
disease. When are you coming back?”
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Another successful Alpha Kappa Alpha Impact Day! Members of Psi Phi Omega chapter support Rho Xi
Omega's 26th Annual Step Show Fundraiser, and while there collaborate with Metropolitan Baltimore
Chapters and NAMI on hosting an information table about mental health awareness. Awareness
posters were given to step show patrons to hold up in between step show presentations to draw
greater attention to this cause.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health
organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
Restoring Baltimore!
On April 12, 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American resident of Baltimore, Maryland, sustained
injuries following his arrest by policemen. On April 18, 2015, after Gray's subsequent coma, the residents of
Baltimore protested in front of the Western district police station.[1][2] Gray died the following day, April 19,
2015, a week after being arrested. Apparently in good health at the time of his arrest, Gray fell into a coma while
in transport as the result of injuries to his neck and spine sustained while being transported in a police vehicle.
Protests were organized after Gray's death became public knowledge, and spontaneous protests started after
the funeral service. A small number of those protests, became violent, and after fires, destruction and a state of
emergency being declared in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore residents were left to clean up their city.
With the destruction of multiple storehouses during the Baltimore riots, many residents (most who are senior
citizens) were without immediate access to food and pharmacy. There was little attention given to this side of
town, but YOU help to change that. The outstanding donations of food, water, and toiletries helped to brighten
the day of 171 citizens!! Many thanks to our International President, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson and our North
Atlantic Regional Director for their care and support of the city's efforts, President of the Baltimore City Council,
Jack Young, Councilman Carl Stokes, the conglomerate of East Baltimore churches, corporate partner Giant
Food Stores, Maryland Food Bank, University of Baltimore students, all Baltimore Alumni Greek Organizations Divine Nine, Metropolitan Baltimore NPHC - John Berkley, and our outstanding sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha
who donated, served the people and made financial contributions directly to Southern Baptist on the rebuild of
their senior citizens center! Many Baltimoreans felt cared for because of YOU!
On May 1, 2015, Gray's death was ruled to be a homicide and legal charges were issued against the six officers
involved in the incident, including that of second-degree murder.
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The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
1908 Playground Project
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Psi Phi Omega chapter had an awesome day of service with it's 1908 Playgrounds Project! Along with the Metropolitan Baltimore AKA chapters - Epsilon Omega Chapter, Rho Xi Omega Chapter, and Upsilon
Epsilon Omega Chapter members took on playground restore and revitalization projects across Baltimore City and
County. During today's activities, Psi Phi Omega in partnership with Dr. Bernard Harris Sr Elementary also hosted a
community food pantry and our corporate partner Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) donate 50 backpacks for our
sorority's One Million Backpacks initiative and sponsored today's events across the city/county!
We greatly appreciate the support of corporate partner Morgan Stanley who also sponsored today's event.
Thank you Baltimore City Council President - Bernard C. "Jack" Young for the citation you presented our chapter. Thank
you AKA International Program Chairman - Jasmine Adkins and AKA North Atlantic Region Program Representative Alicia
Tibbs Tolson for your presence, partnership and leadership today! Grand applause is extended to the Psi Phi Omega
Program Committee led by Dr. Roshonda Contee-Davis and Target Lead Chantel Sanford Smith. Thank you to the
collaboration team comprised of members from each chapter and co-led by the chapter presidents to ensure the
footprint of AKA shined bright in Baltimore! Thank you to our President Joan Wilmer-Stewart who worked with corporate
partners to secure support for all Metropolitan Baltimore chapters. Last but definitely not least, a huge thank you to our
International President Dorothy Buchanan Wilson who was the visionary for the collective service all chapters rendered
today with the playgrounds project. Madam President wish you could have seen all of the kid's faces and community
hands at work in Baltimore today. Vision realized! On the heels of riots and unrest we continue to make a difference and
a child smile! #AKA1908 #AKAImpactDay #LNDS #PsiPhiOmega
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One heart, a sincere service, and an unparalleled sisterhood…
We are Alpha Kappa Alpha and the legacy lives on in
Psi Phi Omega!
For where two or three are
gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.
- MATTHEW 18:20
Congratulations to
Soror Deanne Titus
on her new
job/promotion!
Soror Tiffani Middleton on her family
loss
Soror Roshonda Contee-Davis on her
family loss
Soror Joan Wilmer-Stewart on her
family loss
Soror Catherine Nicholson on her
recent military deployment
Soror Tonja Eaton for the continued
wellness of her mother
Soror Lyn Nasir for family members
who have fallen ill
PRAYERS FOR
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND &
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Congratulations to
Soror Roshonda
Contee-Davis on her
new job/promotion!
Congratulations to
Madam Basileus,
Soror Joan WilmerStewart on receiving
the “Women Who
Dare To Dream”
Award and
recognition from the
Prince George’s
County Leadership
Program on her
facilitation of board
governance training
Psi Phi Omega Chapter Is Growing!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Soror Dionne Doby
Soror Janelle Easley
Soror Erynn Elmore
Soror Dawnielle Kilby-Robb
Soror Shawn’a King
Soror Noni Robinson
Soror Tiffani Middletown
Soror Chantel Sanford-Smith
Soror Deanne Titus
Soror Jacel Watkins
Soror Veronica Williams-Sewell
Soror Aneka Winstead
I LOVE MY AKA!
SORORS SHARE WHY THEY LOVE PSI PHI OMEGA!
“I knew I had to join Psi Phi Omega when
I walked into my first meeting and felt
the warmth and love in the room. I felt
loved as a sister and it felt so good!”
~Soror Jakarta
AKA Member Since 1994
“Psi Phi Omega is where I
found my reconnection with
AKA and the sisterhood. I love
this chapter!”
~Soror Kimberley
AKA Member Since 1998
“When I came to visit with Psi Phi
Omega I felt there was a lot of
openness, warmth amongst the
Sorors, everyone was welcoming,
and I wanted to be around women
my age who understood what it
means to be an AKA in the world of
today.” ~Soror Jacel
AKA Member Since 2000
“After moving here in 2009 and
traveling back and forth to PA to
complete my duties with my
previous chapter, I wanted to find a
chapter home in Baltimore. I often
visited the website of Psi Phi
Omega and was in awe of what the
chapter was doing and with great
energy. Out of the box work!”
~Soror Suzanne
AKA Member Since 1984
“As a newly
reactivated Soror,
it was the love and
support of Psi Phi
Omega that
brought me back,
and I love what
they are doing in
East Baltimore.”
~Soror Mary
AKA Member Since
1994
IT’S ALL ABOUT
SISTERLY RELATIONS!
Psi Phi Omega Sorors
having a great time at
the chapter’s monthly
happy hour social!
 Happy Hour is every 2nd Friday with locales spread out to
cater to all Psi Phi Omega Sorors
 May 30th Family Fun Bowl Night
 June 26, 2015: Paint and Pub activity
See Soror Tiffaney Parkman and Soror Kimberley Grade for details
The Pearl Spring/Summer Issue 2015
We chartered a little over a year ago, February 16, 2014. We started with 26 members and looking forward to 40
feels amazing. To know our testimony, our grateful hearts and our passion for service is to know why we work
so hard for others in the precious name of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Our chapter has done a lot in a short amount
of time and our commitment and energy remains high.
The train is just getting started which means God's work for us has just begun. Again, Happy Anniversary
phenomenal Psi Phi Omega chapter! Keep creating the timeless legacy of Excellence, Spirituality and
Compassion for East Baltimore city. To our sisters, community partners and praying family may God return to
each of you every blessing He has and continues to give to us, as we sincerely appreciate your support - then,
now and forever
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THE
Pearl
Editor Notes
Soror Jala McClelland
Editor-in-Chief
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KARA BEVERLY
SUZANNE JEWELL
MARY HARRIS JONES
NYAMBI SHANNON
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Psi
Phi Omega Chapter
AKAVersaries
Jan uary - June
Sisterhood is.....................
“I do not believe that the accident of birth makes people sisters
and brothers. It makes them siblings. Gives them mutuality of
parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood are conditions people
have to work at. It's a serious matter. You compromise, you give,
you take, you stand firm, and you're relentless...And it is an
investment. ~ Honorary Member, Soror Maya Angelou
January
15 – Soror Erin Logan
18 – Soror Catherine Nicholson
27 – Soror Kara D. Beverly
27 – Soror Jala McClelland
27 – Soror Deanne Titus
February
21 – Soror Mary Harris Jones
March
24 – Soror Joan Wilmer-Stewart
27 – Soror Jakarta Blakeney
April
8 – Soror Margo Walker
20 – Soror Renata Arrington-Sanders
26 – Soror Tonja Eaton
26 – Soror Sia Rose
30 – Soror Roshonda Contee-Davis
30 – Soror Chantel Sanford Smith
May
5 – Soror Janelle Easley
June
2 - Soror Suzanne Jewell
www.AKAEastBaltimore.com
P.O. Box 22385
Baltimore, MD 21203