SOARING SOARING into into Summer Summer THE IVY THE IVY Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter - Chartered 1927 J U N E 2 0 2 3 | V O L . 6 VVine ine
THE IVY THE IVY VVine ine
Greetings Sorors,
We have made it to the month of June! Alpha Gamma Omega has been busy the first six months of 2023.
We began the year preparing ourselves for the many tasks at hand by attending our Executive Leadership Retreat and Transition Meetings. We held a Membership January 15 Reclamation Paint & Sip; participated in the 38th Annual MLK Jr. Commemorative Concert, Marched in the MLK Day Parade and served at the LA Works MLK Day of Service at the LA Coliseum. DPG Pink Hearts Breakfast, We celebrated 95 Years at the LAX Westin while dancing to Jeffrey Osborne during his live performance. We strolled, attended the HBCU Night at the LA Clippers game, and attended the 94th Far Western Regional Conference. We maintained our status as an EAF Platinum Level chapter. The AGO Squads are meeting. We joined the sorors from the Far Western Region at the first Regional Founders’ Day celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada. We gave thanks at our AGO Founders’ Day church service and celebrated at Soul Food Sunday. We enjoyed having our Iota Beta and Tau Kappa sorors at our joint chapter meeting and celebrated the graduating seniors. We welcomed our new Diamond, Pearl & Goldens Sorors as they reached new milestones! We shared a lovely afternoon with sorors, family and friends at our Mother’s Day Luncheon. We enjoyed sisterly fellowship touring of the Pasadena Showcase House. AGO is staying connected with attendance at AKA Day at the Capitol and other community involvement events. We are contributing to the college education of several young ladies by granting scholarships later this month.
Amidst all the above, we continued to focus on our International Initiatives.
Strengthen Our Sisterhood: AGO sisterliness is present, we have 8 Soror squads are active: AGO
Birthdays, Bookclub, Walking, Strolling, Workout, Brunch, Theatre and Foreign Films and the Public Relations Production Squad.
Empower Our Families: YLI and CHIPP programs have been launched.
Build Our Economic Wealth: we are kicking off Black Dollars Days: Wear Pink, Spend Green, Buy Black as we pledge to spend $19 08 each week to help reach our collective goal of $8 million in one month!
Enhance Our Environment: we have planted trees and plants to conserve our environment, learned how to compost and assisted monthly with the open market food giveaway
Advocate for Social Justice: marched in the Los Angeles MLK Day Parade; 1619 Watch Project
Uplift Our Local Community: preparing to build a house while supporting local organizations.
Sorors, this is not a complete activity list, but as you can see, we have been busy Alpha Kappa Alpha women! We all have made a commitment to serve. As we prepare for our summer hiatus, let’s make a commitment to get some much-deserved rest!
Remember: Our Unity is our Strength and our Diversity is our Power! – Soror Kamala Harris In Service & Sisterhood,
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter - Chartered 1927 M A Y 2 0 2 3 | V O L . 5
Soror Cheryl Lynn Mason, Basileus AGO1927…..Building on the Legacy of Service & Sisterhood Cheryl
Lynn Mason
THE IVY THE IVY VVine ine
OOfficers fficers
Basileus
Cheryl Lynn Mason
First Anti-Basileus
Lynette K. Brooks
Second Anti-Basileus
Felicia Price
Grammateus
Keisha M. Scott
Anti-Grammateus
Alvina Heard
Epistoleus
Carmecia Carson-Glover
Pecunious Grammateus
Cynthia T. Dukes
Anti-Pecunious
Grammateus
Natasha Gilmore
Tamiouchos
Regina Owens-Dillard
Anti-Tamiouchos
Arlene Spears-Smith
Nominating Committee
Ruthe Morgan-Grigsby
Lisi Cash
Cambreisha Montgomery
Tajarah Nicholson
Eldora Prentiss
Amazyng Royále
Djuanique Slaughter
Philacter
Danielle King
Hodegos
Melissia Buckhalter Honoré
Parliamentarian
Walta Smith
Chaplain
Kiri Arrington-White
Archivist
Barbara Spears
Director of Public Relations
LaTricia Guyton Morgan
Members-at-Large
Bridgette Eagle Spirit
Kimberly Green-Russell
Gloria Wilkerson
Graduate Advisor - Iota Beta
Martha Pruden Hamiter
Graduate Advisor - Tau Kappa
Medica Denton Dave
The Ivy Heritage Foundation, Inc.
Saundra T. Bishop
Ivy Vine Editor
Sharice Bryant
Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter
Chartered 1927
Meeting Place
2615 Ellendale Place
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter - Chartered 1927
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JJUNE UNE 2023 2023
June 3, 2023 Chapter meeting | AGO House | 12:00 pm June 5, 2023 ECON Wealth meeting | 7:00 pm | ZOOM June 6, 2023 PR Committee Meeting | Time TBA | ZOOM June 7, 2023 EOE Meeting | 6:30 pm | ZOOM June 8, 2023 Membership Committee meeting | Time TBA| ZOOM June 11, 2023 Scholarship Event | 2pm-4pm | AGO House June 14, 2023 NPHCLA Committee meeting | Time TBA | ZOOM June 17, 2023 EOE Arbor Day Tree Planting | 9am-4pm | Juniper, CA June 18, 2023 Habitat for Humanity June 20, 2023 Housing Committee meeting | 6:30 pm | ZOOM June 21, 2023 NPHCLA Committee meeting | Time TBA | ZOOM June 21 | FIRST DAY OF SUMMER June 24, 2023 Open Air Market | 9:30am-1:30 pm | Crenshaw UMC June 25, 2023 Tech Savvy Workshop | 2pm-4pm | AGO House June 26, 2023 GAC meeting | Time TBA | ZOOM June 27, 2023 IVY HERITAGE | 6:30pm | ZOOM J U N E 2 0 2 3 | V O L . 6
Virginia Hathaway | June 1
Sonya Steele | June 2
Cambreisha L. Montgomery | June 3
Faustina Floyd | June 5
Tajarah Z. Nicholson | June 6
Tisa Hill | June 6
June E. Bleavins | June 11
Caprice J. Grigsby Smith | June 13
Stephanie I. Patton | June 14
Saundra T. Bishop | June 17
Helen Ricks | June 17
Janice Hutto Johnson | June 18
Ruthe L Morgan-Grigsby | June 18
Angelle Brooks | June 24
June C. Brandon | June 25
Alicia Morehead Gee | June 26
Bertha O. Jackson | June 27
Khalisha N. Jefferson | June 30
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J U N E
J U L Y
Anita L. Morris | July 2
Kiri Arrington-White | July 2
Kimberly Britt | July 3
Betty L. Edwards | July 4
Lavette M. Quinn | July 5
Hazel Price | July 8
Patricia Henderson | July 10
LaTricia L. Guyton Morgan | July 11
Robbie Danzie | July 13
Shelby D. Boagni | July 14
Kayla Dillard | July 15
Medica S. Denton Dave | July 15
Danielle Richardson | July 17
Lesa R. Smith | July 18
Kyndal Wilson | July 18
Rhena Smith | July 20
Chére C. Talbert | July 20
Johnetta Jones | July 23
Pamela Chestnut | July 23
Ashley Joseph | July 28
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TEA ROSES TO
Thank you to the May Hostess Committee, Chaired by Didra Brown Taylor! Sorors Gia Bosley, Qiyamah Alexis, Makebra Bridges, Holly Hancock, Angela Hall and Stephanie Patton.
Tear Roses to Soror Jeri Johnson, Strengthen our Sisterhood Bookclub finished up "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama – The next bookclub read is “Finding Me” by Viola Davis – next meeting will be in September.
Tea Roses & Thank you to the Soror Margaret McCauley and our chapter prayer warriors who keep our chapter lifted in prayer on our weekly Thursday prayer calls.
Tea Roses and Thank you to Soror Sharice Bryant & Soror Danielle King,Technology Committee for setting up our sound system and presentations during meetings and activities held in May!
Tea Roses to Soror Tahirah Nyanin and the The Uplift Our Local Community Committee has designed an Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter T-Shirt fundraiser.
Tea Roses to The Uplift Our Local Community Committee and Soror Tahirah Nyanin for leading the fundraising effort for the house build project in South Los Angeles through Habitat for Humanity. To date, we have fundraised over $1900 towards our $5,000 goal!
Tea Roses to Soror Dilara Uskup and Soror Deborah Uskup and the Mother's Day Committee for coordinating a wonderful Mother's Day Brunch. Tea Roses for collecting and distributing 200+ hygiene kits.
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TEA ROSES TO
Tea Roses to Soror Lynette K. Brooks, Soror Kimberly Green
Russell and Soror Tracey Booker who have secured a school for our CHIPP program!
Thank you Strengthen Our Sisterhood and Membership Committee for coordinating our Diamond, Pearl, Golden celebration at chapter meeting.
Tea Roses to Soror Rhena Smith for decorating the DPG chairs in honor of our DPG Celebration. Tea Roses to Soror Susan Hall
Comrie and Soror Kimberly Green Russell for decorating and Soror Carmecia Carson Glover for the Crowns.
Thank you to the AGO Hodegos, Soror Melissia Buckhalter
Honore and the hostesses committee for coordinating our toast and cake during the DPG celebration.
Tea Roses and Thank you to Technology Chairman, Soror
Sharice Bryant for editing and presenting the DPG video at chapter meeting.
Thank you to Soror Angela Demola Marcano, Soror Gloria Wilkerson, Soror Sheila Faulk for interviewing our new DPG
Thank you to the Soror Suzanne Cutter and the strategic planning committee for working monthly on the strategic plan for AGO.
Tea Roses to Soror Regina Owens Dillard and the finance committee.
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TEA ROSES TO
Tea Roses to Soror Dilara Uskup and the Build our Economic Wealth Committee for presenting the Attain the American Dream Workshop home buyers workshop.
Thank you to Soror Sharice Bryant for creating our AGO 2023 Virtual Graduate booklet.
Tea Roses to Soror Alison Taylor for attending and as the AGO Chapter member who attended AKA Day at the Capitol.
Tea Roses Soror Cynthia Brockman-Coleman, Strengthen our Sisterhood workout squad 2nd Saturday 8:00 AM workouts at the Sofi.
Empower our Families, Soror Tracey Booker and Soror Kiri Arrington White and Soror Cynthia Brockman Coleman for hosting Relax, Release, Repurpose & Reflect (Coping Strategies for Maintaining Your Mental Health) an excellent mental health workshop and activity.
Tea Roses to Soror Barbara Solomon who provided the commencement address for the USC School of Social Work.
Tea Roses to the Soror Susan Hall Comrie and the Rituals Committee for coordinating the IBTW for Soror Marva T. Rowell.
Tea Roses to Soror Regina Dillard and Soror Cynthia Dukes for your excellence and dedication to our Finances.
Tea Roses and Thank you to Soror Cynthia Dukes for serving in excellence as our 2023 Pecunious Grammateus.
Tea Roses to the Empower our Families, Soror Tracey Booker and Soror Kiri Arrington White for holding the June YLI meeting
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TEA ROSES TO
Tea Roses to Soror Sonya Steele for coordinating the AGO Play Squad who viewed "Ain't Misbehavin".
Tea Roses to Soror Clarice Kavanagh for coordinating the tickets for Tina The Musical.
Tea Roses to the Enhance our Environment Program Initiative committee, Soror Angela Griffin and Soror VP Bland for community support at Crenshaw United Methodist Church with the Harvest Crops + Produce Giveaway.
Tea Roses to Soror LaTricia Guyton Morgan for preparing the Public Relations Tool Kit and PRPT Squad Photo Tips and for creating the AGO PR Sweaters.
Tea Roses and Thank you to Soror Angela Griffin and Soror Edna Burems for taking the minutes at our May Meetings.
Tea Roses to Soror Tracey Booker for coordinating our April Birthday Squad Lunch.
Tea Roses, Congratulations and Thank You to Soror Danielle King who serves as our Philacter and Co-Chairman to Technology! Soror Danielle has completed her masters course studies at Cal State Long Beach and is planning to relocate out of our city during the summer. We will truly miss seeing you at our meetings - but you will always be part of AGO!
Tea Roses and Thank you to Soror Angela Griffin and Soror Edna Burems for taking the minutes at our May Meetings.
Tea Roses to Soror Tracey Booker for coordinating our April Birthday Squad Lunch.
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TEA ROSES TO
Tea Roses, Congratulations and Thank You to Soror Danielle King who serves as our Philacter and Co-Chairman to Technology! Soror Danielle has completed her masters course studies at Cal State Long Beach and is planning to relocate out of our city during the summer. We will truly miss seeing you at our meetings - but you will always be part of AGO!
Tea Roses to Soror Sheila Faulk for planning our May Birthday Squad Lunch..
Tea Roses to the Build our Economic Wealth Committee and Chairman Soror Hope Crawford, for shifting from the original June plans to launching our Recycling Black Dollar Month efforts.
Tea Roses to Empower Our Families. Soror Tracey Booker Chairman, for submitting Mental Health Ivy Vine articles.
Tea Roses to Protocol Committee, Soror Edna Burems for our monthly Protocol Tips and for supporting our Rituals committee at our IBTW ceremonies.
Tea Roses to the Enhance Our Environment Committee, Soror Angela Griffin Chairman and Soror VP Bland Co-Chairman and all of the committee that attend the Enviro-Fest. AGO Hosted a book showcasing a party setup without Single Use Plastic.
Tea Roses to Ritual Committee and Soror Susan Hall Comrie Chairman and Soror Tajarah Nicholson Co-Chairman for making sure our IBTW ceremonies are carried out with excellence.
Tea Roses to Technology Committee Chairman, Soror Sharice Bryant for sending out mental health tips via text.
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Prayers & Get Well Wishes Prayers & Get Well Wishes
Get Well Get Well
Cardsarewelcome. Cardsarewelcome.
Praying for Soror Grace Cain who is recovering from eye Surgery.
Praying for Soror Hattie McFrazier who is recovering from eye Surgery.
Praying for Soror Margaret McCauley who is recovering from eye surgery.
Praying for Soror Marie Kendricks who is recovering from a broken foot.
Praying for Soror Virginia Hathaway who is recovering from knee surgery.
Praying for Soror Kim Foley who is recovering from surgery.
Praying for Soror Doris Fork who is having health challenges
Praying for Soror Claire Chisholm who is recovering at home.
Praying for Soror Marguerite Phillips who is having health challenges.
Praying for Soror Janice Hutto Johnson who is having health challenges.
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SisterlyReminders SisterlyReminders
Meeting Attire:
The attire for our monthly Chapter meetings is Business. Sorors, please do not wear casual clothing.
Please do not park on the grass or park in the back lot if you are not staying for the duration of the meeting.
Frequently check your email for AKA and AGO correspondence.
Chapter Directory: Please do not share our chapter directory or chapter contact information with anyone outside of the sorority.
Newsletter Submission:
The deadline to submit items for The Ivy Vine newsletter is the 15th of each month with the exception of January
The January submission deadline is the 23rd. Send submissions to Soror Cheryl Lynn Mason, Basileus at sororcherylmasonago1927@gmail.com.
Title your email: For the Newsletter
E-blast Requests:
To request an E-blast, please send a prepared message/flyer to sororcherylmasonago1927@gmail.com. Copy
Soror Carmecia Carson-Glover, Epistoleus at epistoleus@akaago1927.com
Title your email: E-blast Request
Meeting Calendar: Committee Chairmen should contact Member-at-Large
Soror Gloria Wilkerson, to provide her with your planned meeting dates. Contact Soror Gloria at rosyfloglo15@att.net or (323) 829-7615.
Clear dates prior to sending meeting notices to committee members
Copy the Basileus and First Anti-Basileus on all meeting notices.
Meeting Attendance and Sign-In:
Remember to sign-in at each monthly chapter meeting. You can do this by scanning the QR Code at the meeting and/or contacting the Anti-Grammateus, Soror Alvina Heard at antigrammateus@akaago1927.com. Your attendance is very important.
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Committee Chairmen:
Committee Chairmen should contact Soror Martha Pruden Hamiter regarding the availability of the AGO house for committee meetings and activities.
mphamiter@gmail.com | (323) 376-8815
Upon confirmation of your meeting/activity date, contact Soror Grace Cain to obtain keys to the house. 4gwc@ca.rr.com | (323) 730-8108
Private Rental:
When requesting use of the AGO house for private rentals/events, contact Soror Martha Pruden Hamiter, AGO House Rental Agent, for a rental contract, available dates and applicable fees.
mphamiter@gmail.com | (323) 376-8815
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Empower OurFamilies: Empower OurFamilies:
Monthly Mental Health Monthly Mental Health Monthly Mental Health Awareness Check Awareness Check Awareness Check
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, an event dedicated to raising awareness and helping people find support for PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is regarded as a very common mental health condition, and it can impact an individual's life in profound ways.
9.1% of African Americans have been diagnosed with PTSD—compared to 6.8% of non-Hispanic white Americans. African Americans men and women, children and adults have a higher chance of being victims of traumatic violent crime, which makes meeting the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis more likely.
Learn more
1. PTSD in the Black Community https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/ptsd-in-theafrican-american-community
2. Improve the Health of Black Women. Make Racial Trauma at Work Extinct https://www.newsweek.com/improve-health-black-women-make-racialtrauma-work-extinct-opinion-1707468
3. The Link between Racism and PTSD
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/culturally-speaking/201509/thelink-between-racism-and-ptsd
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RANDOM ACTS OF RANDOM ACTS OF SISTERLINESS SISTERLINESS
This year, my birthday was on Mother's Day. Although I was cheerful, one does feel a little "slighted" as most of the attention was on Mothers, as it should be.
Sunday, my doorbell rang, and to my surprise, there stood Madam Basileus, Soror Cheryl Mason, with a lovely large, green gift bag. She greeted me with warm birthday greetings and a hug. I was in total disbelief and shock! How special she made me feel, as I am not an Officer or Committee Chairperson. Tears literally began!
Next Soror Susan Hall Comrie treated me to a wonderful birthday breakfast. I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness, smiles, hugs, company and well wishes!!
Thank you for the Sisterliness on my special day!
-Soror Nalis Mercier
Committee Announcements Committee Announcements Committee Announcements
Harvest Crops + Produce Giveaway Harvest Crops + Produce Giveaway
Date: Saturday, June 24, 2023
Time: 9:30 am-1:30 pm
Location: Crenshaw United Methodist Church, 3740 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Join us as we Enhance Our Environment and promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle by providing service at Crenshaw United Methodist Church. Our morning will begin by harvesting crops at their bountiful community garden. During the Open-Air Market, we will unpack and sort a variety of fruits, vegetables, and prepackaged healthy foods for the community to shop locally-sourced groceries.
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J U N E 2 0 2 3 | V O L . 6 Follow DreamGirlsHair! Follow DreamGirlsHair! @dreamgirlshair @dreamgirlshair
ON "PINK FRIDAYS," showcase your support on social media by WEARING PINK, SPENDING GREEN, and BUYING BLACK!
Use the hashtags
#AKAPINKFRIDAYS #BLACKDOLLARDAYS
#BUILDECONOMICWEALTH and tag
@akasorority1908.
Let's make an impact and Build Our Economic Wealth together during our inaugural "Black Dollar Days" in June!
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Dine Black Dine Black
Happy Hour @ The New Townhouse LA
Friday, June 9, 2023 - HAPPY HOUR – 3:00 – 7:00 PM
PHOTO TIME: 6:30 PM
The New Townhouse LA
6835 South La Tijera Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, 90045
Harold's Chicken & Bar Hollywood
June 7, 2023 5:30 PM
6523 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Jamz Creamery
Friday, June 30, 2023
231 E. Manchester Blvd
Inglewood, CA 90301
Stay tuned for the following:
Yoga at the Sorority house and choice of self-care services.
Black Beverly Hills shopping event on Angela Vista and Overhill Drive.
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J U N E 2 0 2 3 | V O L . 6 This Week's Highlights This Week's Highlights L.L.C Hair Care https://shorturl.at/fxO89 Asanti by Koi https://shorturl.at/gltDY JnJ Creative Candles https://shorturl.at/aBMUZ Empress Organics https://empressorganics.net/
FFarewell Farewell arewell Soror Danielle! Soror Danielle! Soror Danielle! A going away celebration for AGO's AKAmazing Philacter and Technology CoChairman, Soror Danielle King. Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 4:00 pm-7:00 pm AGO House 2615 Ellendale Place Los Angeles, CA, 90007 A tasty taco bar will be provided! Admission: $10 Pay Soror Bridgette Eagle-Spirit via Zelle 323-533-3392 Join AKA-AGO Join AKA-AGO NPHCLA Meeting NPHCLA Meeting June 27, 2023 @ 6:30 PM June 27, 2023 @ 6:30 PM One Stop Business Center One Stop Business Center 110 South La Brea Ave. 3rd Floor Room 110 South La Brea Ave. 3rd Floor Room 301 A&B 301 A&B Inglewood, CA 90301 Inglewood, CA 90301
The committee chairmen PR tool kit is coming to the Members Only section on the AGO website!
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AGO Sorors in Prayer
JUNE 2023 Leaders
JUNE 1 | Dilara Uskup
JUNE 8 | Kiri Arrington White
JUNE 15 | Sheila Faulk
JUNE 22 | Latricia Mitchell
JUNE 29 | Lesa Smith
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Purchase tickets HERE
The Ivy Vine The Ivy Vine JUNE 2023 Vol. 6 JUNE 2023 Vol. 6 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter AGOis Soaring intoJune! AGOis Soaring intoJune!