ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY TO HOLD LEADERSHIP SEMINAR IN MUSIC CITY, PRESENCE WILL BRING SERVICE, ECONOMIC BOOST AND LOTS OF PINK AND GREEN
(Nashville, TN – June 20, 2019) - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® will provide a major boost to the Nashville economy when the service organization holds its 2019 Leadership Seminar in Music City June 27 - 30. Approximately 7,600 members are expected to attend the seminar that will offer over 80 workshops on professional development, personal growth and community service.
"Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is extremely pleased to have Nashville serve as our host city for our Leadership Seminar, a major event the Sorority offers for the professional development of our members," said AKA International President Dr. Glenda Glover.
"Members are excited about coming to Nashville for Leadership, and they are just as enthusiastic about conducting service projects while in attendance to benefit the local community as well as making a global impact."
Dr. Glover, who also serves as president of Tennessee State University, will receive a financial commitment from AKA on behalf of the institution.
“One meaningful part of the conference will be the $100,000 commitment for an endowment from Alpha Kappa Alpha to Tennessee State University. It will begin with the initial donation of $25,000 to assist with student scholarships. I'm extremely appreciative of the sorority and look forward to the presentation.”
The gift coincides with AKA’s HBCU Endowment initiative, which looks to award $10 million to the nation’s 4-year historically black colleges and universities by 2022. The goal is to establish a $100,000 endowment at each, in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha’s International Program, Target 1: HBCU for Life A Call to Action. In February, the sorority disbursed checks to 32 HBCUs totaling $1.6 million during a special presentation at its headquarters in Chicago, IL. In addition to the check presentation to TSU, an HBCU Tour is available for members to visit the institution along with American Baptist College, Fisk University and Meharry Medical College.
Another of the service projects that will take place during the conference includes providing free mammograms for uninsured women on June 27-28. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Mobile Mammography Unit will be located at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center to provide the free breast cancer screening. Uninsured women are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free service by calling 888-233-6121 or visiting www.assuredimaging.com/AKA for more information. This service project aligns with Alpha Kappa Alpha's Target 2: Women's Health and Wellness which promote heart health and nutrition. While attending the conference, members will commit to walking 8,000 steps daily and monitoring their progress on their custom-designed AKAFit. This is the sorority’s branded wireless activity tracker.
Others service initiatives that will be conducted during the 2019 Leadership Seminar include the sorority's Target 5: Global Impact initiatives with Soles4Souls and the Lions Club. The goal is to collect 10,000 pairs of shoes and 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses to support the sorority’s program partners during the conference.
Nashville will welcome Alpha Kappa Alpha by providing signage and turning some of the city's most notable landmarks pink and green, including at the Nashville International Airport and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge. The Convention and Visitors Corporation estimates that that the sorority will bring an added boost to the city's economy with lodging, dining and sightseeing during the 3-day seminar.
“Nashville is thrilled to host the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 2019 Leadership Seminar and warmly welcome each attendee," said Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. Vice President of Multicultural Community Relations Marie Sueing.
"Based on preliminary numbers, the NCVC anticipates the 2019 AKA Leadership Seminar will generate approximately $4.8 million in direct visitor spending. We appreciate Dr. Glover's leadership and support by bringing this impactful conference to our city!”
Dr. Glenda Glover serves as the 30th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Under her administration of Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainability Service, AKA's 2018-2022 International Program includes five service areas: Target 1: HBCU for Life: A Call to Action; Target 2: Women’s Health and Wellness; Target 3: Building Your Economic Legacy; Target 4: The Arts; Target 5: Global Impact; and Signature Program: #CAP. Please visit www.aka1908.com to learn more about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and its International Program.
