Learning to succeed with The Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education

from July 2023

Let’s see where this season may lead

by Amanda Rogers

The Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education has been preparing young women and men for success since 2004, but most of the city doesn’t even know they exist unless they have been involved.

The nonprofit 501c3 foundation was formed by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Xi Theta Omega Chapter, and is comprised of AKA alumni seeking to help the next generation.

“We provide education and scholarships for the underserved populations in Arlington and the surrounding areas, like Mansfield and Grand Prairie,” said Lisa StaplesWherry, vice president of public relations. “Every year we give out over $60,000 in scholarships.”

But the group doesn’t just hand out money to college-bound seniors, they show them how to find other grants and scholarships, how to study and what they need to get into and succeed in college.

The foundation has three signature events: the Winter Emerald & Gold Scholarship Ball and Debutante Presentation, YES! (Youth Education Summit) and the Family Expo.

The debutante ball requires high school girls go through six months of preparation, including teas, etiquette lessons and seminars, before being presented with their fathers and escorts at the November ball.

Girls apply in their junior year (applications closed in April) and earn scholarships based on their participation. The 15 young ladies currently in the program each receive two mentors to help them with their presentations and career choices.

“This puts these girls in a situation that they can see it,” Staples-Wherry said. “We give them scholarships and have them apply for other scholarships. A lot of times black kids don’t know that things are available to them. These girls are from all different schools. Several have gone on to be AKA.”

A recent seminar for the debutantes focused on mental health, Staples-Wherry said.

“We’re preparing them to go to college, mentally, physically and emotionally,” she said. “We want to see them succeed. We prepare them for life after high school.”

Even though AKA is an international sorority, they haven’t forgotten the young men.

At YES! (Youth Education Summit), seventh- through 12th-grade boys and girls are exposed to college preparation, leadership skills and educational opportunities through interactive workshops. The summit is free, but registration is required. Registration will open soon at Arlingtoneducation.org for the Oct. 7 summit at the University of Texas at Arlington.

At the Family Expo, held in May with the Arlington ISD, the community is invited to learn about home buying, health issues, entrepreneurship, educational advancement and business opportunities. The expo is also free, but registration is required.

For more information about the Arlington Foundation for Excellence in Education, go to Arlingtonfoundation.org.