$1 Million Donated to Howard University
Contribution caps emotional day of tributes during Centennial Celebration
On behalf of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, International President Barbara A. McKinzie presented a $1 million check to Howard University on the 100th anniversary of the founding of AKA’s first chapter—Alpha Chapter—established Jan. 15, 1908 on the University's campus.
AKA International President McKinzie (far right), with former international presidents and Alpha Celebration co-chairman, presents $1 million to Dr. James Donaldson, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences.
In an address before a gathering of more than 1,500 members from around the world who returned to their “roots,” McKinzie said the gift would be a first step toward a larger contribution that will be made to the University by the end of the year.
In presenting the check to the University, McKinzie also challenged members to safeguard the history of the Sorority.
To that end, a digitized archive of the Ivy Leaf, the organization's official magazine, was donated to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. The archive contains issues published from 1921 through late 2007.
Both presentations represented the culminating activity of four days of celebration commemorating Alpha Chapter's 100th birthday.
Following an uplifting service, participating members linked arms nine abreast and, in silent reverence, weathered the chilly winter temperatures to pay homage to the Founders by walking the paths and visiting the sites on Howard's campus that were significant to the Sorority.
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