THE BEGINNING
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA) is an international service organization founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., on January 15, 1908. It holds the distinguished honor of being the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women.
Founded by nine visionary students under the leadership of Ethel Hedgemon Lyle, Alpha Kappa Alpha was created to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women, maintain a progressive interest in college life, and be of “Service to All Mankind.” In 1913, the Sorority was officially incorporated, solidifying its commitment to service, sisterhood, and scholarship.
Since its founding, Alpha Kappa Alpha has remained at the forefront of service and social action. Through decades of impactful programming, the Sorority has addressed educational advancement, economic empowerment, health initiatives, civic engagement, and global humanitarian efforts—improving the lives of countless individuals and communities around the world.
Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® is comprised of more than 390,000 initiated members in more than 1,115 graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 15 nations and territories, including the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, South Korea, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and West Africa.
Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is often hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.” Guided by its rich legacy and unwavering commitment to service, the Sorority continues to uphold its mission while preparing the next generation of leaders who will make a meaningful difference in the world.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind.”
The story of the Cultivating, Leading, Empowering (CLE) Pearls begins with a shared vision and a deep commitment to community. Ericka A. Owens and Jessica Price Smith recognized the need for an additional chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in the Greater Cleveland area—one that could expand the Sorority’s legacy of sisterhood, service, and leadership. After thoughtfully reviewing community demographics and identifying unmet needs, they selected Midtown, University Circle, and the near Westside of Cleveland as areas where their impact could be most meaningful.
With a shared passion for service, careful research, and guidance from regional leadership, these trailblazers brought their vision to life by creating the CLE Pearls Interest Group. They invited 81 dedicated women to join, and in November of 2024, CLE Pearls was officially recognized as an interest group, marking the beginning of a journey rooted in excellence, sisterhood, and purposeful impact.
From the outset, CLE Pearls embraced service initiatives designed to address the specific needs of the community. Programs such as Advocate for Social Justice, Empower Our Families, Enhance Our Environment, and the Prom Pop-Up Shop allowed members to make tangible contributions to the Greater Cleveland area. Through these initiatives, the group hosted and participated in events including the Annual Father’s Walk, Caregiver Workshop, Health Fair, Gun Violence Awareness Panel Discussion, and many others. These efforts strengthened community ties, nurtured leadership among members, and solidified the group’s commitment to the values of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
The dedication, vision, and service of the CLE Pearls culminated in a historic milestone. On March 15, 2026, Alpha Epsilon Beta Omega was officially chartered in Cleveland, Ohio. This achievement marked not just the formal establishment of the chapter, but the realization of a dream to serve with purpose, empower communities, and uphold a legacy of sisterhood and excellence for generations to come.
