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