2024 Joint Founders’ Day
General Co-Chairmen Greetings
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 2024 Joint Founders’ Day Celebration for the Detroit Metro Nine area chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®. As former presidents of the host chapters, Alpha Rho Omega and Eta Iota Omega Chapters, we are delighted that you are attending this event commemorating the 16 young women who founded this great organization 116 years ago on the campus of Howard University.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc®, founded on January 15, 1908, is an organization of women who shine in academic excellence, build leadership skills, engage in global community service, and embrace sisterhood. The sorority continues to pride itself on the active participation of scholarly women who dedicate their time, love, and talents to promote our motto “Service to All Mankind” through volunteer efforts.
Our theme for this year’s celebration, 116 Years of Leadership, Legacy, and Love of Sisterhood, encompasses our historic mission and goals. Our celebration of our Founders will highlight the tenets that makes our sorority a global service organization. We will commemorate our founder Ethel Hedgeman Lyle’s vision of sisterhood that inspires us to “Soar to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.”
Our Detroit Metro Nine Chapters implement Alpha Kappa Alpha’s six program initiatives that serves Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Sisterhood is our foundation initiative that strengthen our bonds to support our service mission. Through our sisterhood and collective power, we will impact our communities with our Joint Founders’ Day Service Project- SASHA Center and Second Chance Maternal Infant Health Program.
We will continue to embark on another year of sisterhood and service to our beloved sorority. We will continue through our dedication to perpetuate the principles set forth by our Founders and soar to new and greater dimensions. Again, we welcome you and invite you to enjoy this day honoring our illustrious Founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®.
Yours in Sisterhood and Service, Soror Carlyn J. Robinson & Soror Judith R. Hand
Ms. Carlyn J. Robinson General Co-Chairman Alpha Rho Omega Chapter Ms. Judith R. Hand General Co-Chairman Eta Iota Omega Chapter2024 Joint Founders’ Day Steering Committee
Co-Chairmen
Greetings
Dear Joint Founders’ Day Guests!
We are excited that you have chosen to spend the day with us as we celebrate our sisterhood’s 116th year of existence!
From our humble beginnings on the campus of Howard University in 1908, to the 300,000+ members throughout the world, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated remains at the forefront of advocacy, and social engagement.
We hope that you are inspired by the tribute to our Founders. The love that we have for Alpha Kappa Alpha still resonates as strongly now, as it did at its birth 116 years ago.
Currently led by servant-leaders such as our International President, Danette Anthony Reed, and our Great Lakes Regional Director, Mrs. Gwendolyn L. Kirtley, Alpha Kappa Alpha will continue to capture a vision of those that have paved the pink and green way.
Special thanks also to our sisters in the Detroit Metro Nine chapters and our Detroit Interest groups for your contributions to the success of this celebration! We could not have done it without you!
Finally, as we embark on this new journey rest assured that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is poised and prepared to maintain the commitment set forth by our Founders through scholarship, leadership, and “Service to All Mankind”. We help each other because we know there is no other like our sisterhood, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
In Service,
Gwen Jackson and Polly Lenear2024 Joint Founders’ Day Steering Committee Co-Chairmen
Ms. Gwendolyn Jackson Steering Committee Co-Chairman Alpha Rho Omega Chapter Ms. Polly Lenear Steering Committee Co-Chairman Eta Iota Omega Chapter
2024 Joint Founders’ Day Alpha Rho Omega Chapter President
Ra’Shanda M. Glenn
Greetings,
On behalf of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Rho Omega Chapter, it is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to the 116th Joint Founders’ Day Observance Luncheon. I am delighted that you have joined us as we honor our Founders and celebrate the remarkable achievements we have made over the past century.
As we come together today, we take pride in the countless contributions our sorority has made to communities around the world. We have dedicated ourselves to uplifting and empowering those in need, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals. Our commitment to service to all mankind has been a guiding principle for 116 years, and it continues to shape our actions and aspirations.
The theme for this year’s celebration, ”116 Years of Leadership, Legacy, and Love of Sisterhood,” encapsulates the essence of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. It reminds us to cherish our past achievements, embrace our collective strength, and approach the future with unwavering passion.
We are honored to have Gwendolyn L. Kirtley, our Great Lakes Regional Director, grace us with her presence and share her wisdom. Her words will inspire us to further our mission and to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.
A special thanks to Carlyn J. Robinson and Judith Hand, our General Co-Chairmen, as well as Gwendolyn Jackson and Polly Lenear, our Steering Committee Co-Chairmen, and the entire Joint Founders’ Day Committee. Your tireless efforts have ensured that this celebration is a memorable and meaningful experience for all.
Once again, I welcome you to the 116th Joint Founders’ Day Observance Luncheon and I wish you an informative, unforgettable, and enjoyable afternoon.
Yours in Service and Sisterhood,
RaShanda M. Glenn
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter President Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
2024 Joint Founders’ Day Eta Iota Omega Chapter President
Shetina M. Jones
Greetings Sorors,
Welcome to the Metro Detroit Nine Joint Founders’ Day hosted by Alpha Rho Omega and Eta Iota Omega Chapters. We are thrilled that you chose to celebrate our Founders’ together and fellowship in sisterliness with each other.
This year we commemorate the Sorority’s 116th Founders’ Day. Our Founders’ had a vision to provide space for Black women and help advance them on all areas of their life. Each day we are charged with living out the vision that our Founders’ had for a group of women turned global sisterhood.
The theme for Joint Founders’ Day is 116 years of leadership, legacy, and love. Our General Chairmen and Co-Chairmen has created a good event for you today. Please immerse yourself into today’s program and remember our Founders’ for their vision that continues propel us to be Greater Together!
Thank you for attending the Metro Detroit Nine Joint Founders’ Day, Sorors!
Let’s continue to serve and soar with Legacy, Leadership and Love!
Soror Shetina M. Jones President Eta Iota Omega Chapter2024 Joint Founders’ Day Mistress of Ceremonies
Lisa Whitmore Davis is a sought after thought leader in the community engagement space and innovative builder of philanthropic partnerships. Lisa has committed her personal and professional career to empower communities through her ability to build strategic partnerships that create capacity and pathways to power. She creatively leverages her personal experiences and 25+ years of working with nonprofits, philanthropy, private sector, county and state government to improve the lives of people and projects in marginalized communities.
Whitmore Davis holds a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, a Post Baccalaureate certificate in Non-Profit Sector Management from Wayne State University, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources and Community Relations from Michigan State University.
She is the proud parent of Dr. Allante` V. Whitmore, (Alpha Phi, Spring 2009, North Carolina A&T University)
Lisa shares her volunteer leadership in numerous civic and ecumenical spaces across SE Michigan and the Midwest. She is a proud member of Greater Christ Baptist Church where she serves as a Praise Leader and Trustee. Lisa is an active member and former officer of Alpha Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and a member of The Great Lakes (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Lisa Whitmore Davis Alpha Rho Omega Chapter
2024 Joint Founders’ Day Great Lakes Regional Director
Gwendolyn L. Kirtley
Gwendolyn L. Kirtley was installed as the Great Lakes Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® at the 70th Boule in Orlando, Florida. She will execute her term under the dynamic leadership of Danette Anthony Reed, Supreme Basileus.
In the role of Regional Director, she is responsible for leading over 7,000 accomplished, educated, and service-oriented members who commit daily to enhancing the lives of their respective communities. With a vision for a Greater Great Lakes Region, Ms. Kirtley has galvanized sorors from the great states of Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, and West Virginia to soar “Greater Together” in service and sisterhood.
Soror Gwendolyn was initiated as a charter member of Nu Upsilon Chapter at Capital University in 1981. With over 40 years of committed service to Alpha Kappa Alpha, she is a Silver Star and a Life Member. She has outstanding leadership abilities and has served at every level of the organization with a focus on teamwork, collaboration, and open mindedness. As a member of Alpha Omega Chapter, she held numerous roles including Basileus, First Anti-Basileus, Second Anti-Basileus, Membership Chair, Program Chair, Standards Chair, and Chairwoman of the Alpha Omega Foundation, Incorporated®. At the regional level, she has served as the Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Cluster Coordinator, Chairman of the Basilei Council, Protocol Chairman and Co-chairman of the 87th Great Lakes Regional Conference. Internationally, as a member of the Leadership Development Committee, she co-designed curriculum and facilitated training for hundreds of sorors who have earned various sorority certifications. She has presented nearly one hundred sorority workshops and has served as a Founders’ Day speakers. Soror Gwendolyn is a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, notably the Great Lakes Region Margaret Davis Bowen Graduate Basileus Award and the Pamela L. Redden Outstanding Silver Star Award.
Professionally, Soror Gwendolyn retired with over 36 years of experience with State Farm Insurance as a Claims Service Support Supervisor and Claims/ Litigation Specialist. As an active member of The State Farm Weather and Catastrophe Team, the largest catastrophe team and fleet in the insurance industry, Gwen aided amid the impact of Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Andrew. She is a former board member of the American Red Cross, Berea Family and Children Services, Garfield Heights Community Center, and Ivy Plaza Management Corporation. She is currently an active member of the NAACP, an ambassador with United Way and the American Red Cross.
Soror Gwendolyn received her Bachelor of Arts from Capital University in Art Therapy. She is a devoted mother of two adult children, Soror Nichole A. Kirtley and Carl Marsalis Kirtley, both of whom are HBCU graduates, Howard University and Clark Atlanta University, respectively. She is engaged to Mr. Paul Redd. Her fiancé, children and church family are counted blessings and constant reminders that to whom much is given, much is required.
Metro Nine Chapters
2024 Joint Founders’ Day Great Lakes Regional Director
Palina R. Drake, PsyD, President Pi Tau Omega Chapter
Kelly N. James, President Lambda Pi Omega Chapter
Nakisha N. Chaney, President Delta Psi Omega Chapter
Carol D. Ellis, President Theta Lambda Omega Chapter
Gwendolyn M. Bynum, President Omega Epsilon Omega Chapter
Keia Perry-Farr, President Omega Xi Omega Chapter
Lynda D. Dandridge, President Tau Alpha Omega Chapter
Ra'Shanda M. Glenn, President Alpha Rho Omega Chapter
Dr. Shetina M. Jones, President Eta Iota Omega Chapter
2024 Joint Founders’ Day Program
MUSICAL PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENT OF DAIS ENTRANCE
Ms. Shanna L. Garrison
Joint Founders' Day Protocol Committee Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
RISK MANAGEMENT REVIEW
Ms. Katrina Patillo
Joint Founders' Day Risk Management Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
Detroit Metro Nine Chorale
John Rosamond Johnson
Lyrics by James Weldon Johnson arr. Roland Carter
INTRODUCTION OF MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Ms. Judith R. Hand
Joint Founders' Day General Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Mrs. Lisa Whitmore Davis
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
WELCOME
Ms. Carlyn J. Robinson
Joint Founders' Day General Co-Chairman
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
Ms. Judith R. Hand
Joint Founders' Day General Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SPECIAL GUESTS
Ms. Shanna L. Garrison
Joint Founders' Day Protocol Committee Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
INTRODUCTION OF DAIS GUESTS
Ms. Shanna L. Garrison
Joint Founders' Day Protocol Committee Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
SERVICE PROJECT PRESENTATION
Mrs. Jackie Davis-Betsarai
Great Lakes Representative, International Program Committee
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
Dr. Remonia A. Chapman
Spiritual Oversight Committee Co-Chairman
1st Vice President and Program Chairman
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
Mrs. Bettisha Taylor-Idowu
1st Vice President and Program Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
INVOCATION
Dr. Paula Whittaker-Watkins, Chaplain
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
LUNCH IS SERVED
TRIBUTE TO ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.® FOUNDERS
Joint Founders' Day Program Committee
Mrs. Katrina M. Dixon, Narrator
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
Mrs. Karen L. Austin, Narrator
Joint Founders' Day Program/Tribute Co-Chairman
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
Ms. Danielle C. Williams
Joint Founders' Day Program/Tribute Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Ms. Carlyn J. Robinson
Joint Founders' Day General Co-Chairman
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Ms. Gwendolyn L. Kirtley
Great Lakes Regional Director
Alpha Omega Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ms. Gwendolyn Jackson
Joint Founders' Day Steering Committee Co-Chairman
Alpha Rho Omega Chapter - Detroit, Michigan
Ms. Polly Lenear
Joint Founders' Day Steering Committee Co-Chairman
Eta Iota Omega Chapter - Inkster, Michigan
CLOSING REMARKS
Ms. Carlyn J. Robinson
Ms. Judith R. Hand
Joint Founders' Day General Co-Chairman
2023-2024 JOINT FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION COMMITTEES
VENDOR COMMITTEE
Lisa Whitmore Davis - Co-Chairman
Yvonne Evans - Co-Chairman
Betty J. Howard
DeAnna Gillum-Arthur
Donna Space
Jeri Thomas Fishman
Kelly Kendrick-Miller
Kendra P. Coleman
Qiana M. Bagley
Terri L. Lowe
Tiffani Roland
SERVICE PROJECT COMMITTEE
Remonia Chapman - Co-Chairman
Bettisha Taylor-Idowu - Co-Chairman
Angel Squalls
Angela Alexander
Ashley Hails
Karen Watkins-Hollowell
Katrina Glenn
Kimberly Hairston
LaTonya Millben
Lia Shreve
Lisa Wilson
Lois Vaughn Hussein
Madison Ford
Makaila Jackson
Maxine Hudgins
Monica Martin
Pamela Green
Renee Jones Paskell
Wanda Harper
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Danielle Murray-Walton- Chairman
Tammy Green - Co-chairman
Tatanisha Lewis - Committee Member
LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
Gwen Hale - Chairman Alpha Rho Omega
Alicia Skillman
Ariel Flaggs
Collette Douglas
Staci Reed
Kellyn Mackerl-Cooper
Kimberly McDowell
Leslie Sims
Michelle Maton
Patricia Blake-Smith
Tiffany Graphenreed
PRINT AND DIGITAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Carolyn Carter - Co-Chairman
Mishara Young - Co-Chairman
Brittany Mobley - Committee Member
MEDICAL COMMITTEE
Margo Ferguson - Co-Chairman
Tonya Touchstone - Co-Chairman
Donna Rowell-Davis
Toni Grant
PROTOCOL COMMITTEE
Ledra Taylor - Chairman
Shanna Garrison - Chairman
Ann Lindsay
CecileTaylor
Clara J Hardy Stone
Cynthia Pearson-Matthews
Dawn Lee-Cotton
Dorothy Cocroft
Joi Silver
Kacey Corbin
Kimberly Cole
Leslie Rorie
Melanie White
Paula Whittaker-Watkins
Shanna Garrison
Sierra E. Fisher
Vernice Danna
Wanda Harper
EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Kelly S. Green - Co-Chairman
Therissa Allen - Co-Chairman
Alexis C. Williams
Beverly Campbell
Chaundra Frierson-Haynes
Dorian Evans-Marsh
Iris Willis
Kimberly McDowell
Lisa Brown
Lisa Taylor
Lois Vaughan-Hussain
Michele Scott Etters
Nicole Dobbins
Regina Gibson
Sandra Reese
Tawanda Allen
Teressa Williams
Therissa Allen
Tracey Meek
RISK MANAGEMENT
Katrina Patillo - Co-Chairman
Donna Northern - Co-Chairman
Katrina Dixon
Katrina Patillo
Iris Guidry
Krisma Buxton
Adanna Smith
Donna J. Northern
Paquita Adams
Kyra Joy Hope
Alicia Skillman
Donna Rowell-Davis
HOSTESS COMMITTEE
LaShell Warner - Co-Chairman
Pamela Jones - Co-Chairman
Alani Peterson
Alyssia Hence
Aneisha Thurman
Ashanti Bell Patterson
Audrey La Salle Brown
Autumn Price
Carolyn Haris-Render
Carolyn Kent
Cassia Black
Monica Conyers
Chasity Ellis
Colette Douglas
Crystal Frierson
Daija Hamilton
Delores May
Cheryl Mason
Dionne Gisstennar
Felicia Fowler
Geneva Young
Gloria Polk
Jennifer Hockenhull
Josephine Furlow
Juliana Trent
Kate Civil
Kimberly Watts
Lisa Carrington
Mariah Taylor
Marilynn Beatryce Rudolph
Mary Barnes
Mary Bowden Smith
Merrissa Benford
Monica Lewis
Pamela Hurst
Patrice Bounds
Patricia Blake-Smith
Poshale Russell
Rachel Ridley
Raquel Slade
Regina Gibson
Sabrina Smith-Campbell
Sarah Brown-Derbah
Shertina Spencer
Sierra E. Fisher
Monica D. Wiggins
Sonya Grant
Stephanie Craig
Suzanne Reid
Tiffany Graphenreed
Wanda Harper
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Tamika Donaldson - Co-Chairman
Tyese Lawrence - Co-Chairman
Karen Russell
Tiffany Jones
SpecialThank You
DETROIT METRO NINE CHORALE
Carolyn Kent, Director
Sylvia Hollifield, Accompanist
2024 JOINT FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION
Vendors
Ms. Capri's Unique Apparel Paraphernalia
Uzuri Greek Paraphernalia
Tauntus Cosmetics and Paraphernalia
Eye Candy Eyewear Luxury Eyewear
Gratia Pearl Luxury Custom Jewelry
Detroit Knitting Company Knit & Denim Items
PW Collections Boutique clothing
ST J Style Inc. Boutique clothing
Margaux & Max Fly Ties and Jewelry
The Faux Nail Lotions and Potions
AfroShe Canvas Painting and jewelry
Designer Drink Covers
Thank You
to each of you for attending the 2023-2024 JOINT FOUNDERS’ DAY
CELEBRATION