Mid-Atlantic Region Chapter Programs
Alexandria, VA Chapter Works with Young Black Males
Members of Phi Nu Omega Chapter in Alexandria, VA. are preparing young black males for the demands and challenges of the future by working with local middle school boys. With a commitment to serving the community, the Chapter partnered with the George Washington Middle School and the Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to present a program that focused on three of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s ESP International Program targets: (1) The Non-Traditional Entrepreneur; (2) The Economic Keys to Success; and (3) The Economic Growth of the Black Family.
George Washington Middle School Principal Boggan, Chapter VP-Program Committee Chairman Sharon Worthy and students
To drive home the message, presentations were made on the following topics:
It’s All about the Benjamins…A Supersized Life Requires Supersized Savings! – Presented by F. Douglass Lewis, Jr.,President, FDL Financial Services, Inc., Washington, DC;
From the Projects to the White House– Presented by Steven Nesmith, Esq., Partner,
Holland & Knight LLP, Washington, DC; and
Career Exploration & Going to College – Presented byAlpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter, Prince William County, VA, and Iota Alpha Chapter, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
The principal of George Washington Middle School is AKA member Keisha Boggan.
Making a Difference in the Norfolk Community
Iota Omega Chapter’s ESP implementation, which is captured under Platform III – The Black Family – measures up to Alpha Kappa Alpha's resolve to "provide service to all mankind." Guided by AKA's service mission, the Chapter conducted an educational seminar with over 100 participants from local communities in attendance.
The seminar provided workshops that educated the community in money management, successful parenting, enhancing family relationships, the black male and developing healthy relationships with females, dressing for success, self esteem building for youth, playing fun activities based in math and science and understanding differences.
Not only did the attendees gain valuable information to assist in their development of self-sufficiency, some participants also won gifts! With donations from the community, the Chapter was able to provide weekend vacation packages, monetary gifts and various door prizes to individuals in attendance.
In the same spirit of service that marks this program, Iota Omega adopted six families within the community and assisted them in finding employment, resolving housing issues, mentoring the entire family and connecting them with community resources.
The Chapter has also coordinated two First Responder Service Programs for youth ages 11-17. Training was provided through the collaborative efforts of Norfolk’s American Red Cross, the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters and the Norfolk Police Department. (The FBI is planning to join this collaborative effort in fall 2008.) Trainees were taught: Understanding Disaster, How to Prepare for Disasters, Potential Causes for Disasters, How to Apply Disaster Training to Your House, CPR and Homeland Security. The two training sessions drew 40+ young participants.
All of the events conducted by Iota Omega Chapter Platform III Committee have drawn media attention from The Virginian-Pilot newspaper, Channel 10 News and Fox 43 News.