Alpha Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is celebrating its centennial year with the “Gala of the Century,” held on Saturday, December 17 at Motor City Casino Hotel. The Gala is among a host of special events, projects and programs commemorating Alpha Rho Omega chapter’s 100th year.
Seven young college-educated women established Alpha Rho Omega Chapter on December 15th, 1922. These seven women persevered through segregation; prejudice yet obtained a college education and, while in their respective colleges, joined Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. While in Detroit, they came together and determined that they wanted to continue to be of service to their community and therefore established the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in the state of Michigan.
Throughout the past 100 years, Alpha Rho Omega has partnered with and supported many community organizations, one of which is the NAACP. For more than 60 years, Alpha Rho Omega Chapter and our Foundation (Alpha Kappa Alpha Foundation of Detroit) have worked with the NAACP to increase awareness of social justice issues impacting the African American Community- most specifically voter education and registration. Alpha Rho Omega has facilitated a leadership program for teens, AKATeens. As a result, thousands of high school-age women have learned life and leadership skills while participating in the AKATeens program.
The 700-plus college-educated women of Alpha Rho Omega chapter hail from all walks of life and represent various careers from educators to entrepreneurs, to lawyers and law enforcement, to medical professionals, to executives, and more. They are multigenerational, from “generation z” to “the greatest generation,” who come together in the spirit of sisterhood to be of service to all mankind.
Highlights of the Gala will include a historical walking gallery uplifting 100 years of service; local entertainment all-stars including Kimmie Horne and Straight Ahead; Gala Banquet; VIP Reception; and Pink After Dark, a rousing Gala after party at the Motor City Soundboard. Gala festivities will begin with a VIP Reception at 5 p.m. The Banquet will begin at 7 p.m., immediately followed by the after-party. Rhonda Walker, WDIV news anchor, will serve as the gala’s mistress of ceremonies.
“Alpha Rho Omega’s 100-year history of vision, achievement, perseverance and purpose is a rich one,” said Alpha Rho Omega’s Centennial President, Carlyn J. Robinson. “From Soror Beulah T. Whitby, the first president of this alumni chapter and the 11th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., to today’s members of the sorority, seeds have been sown that have sprouted into a rich and lasting legacy of service to Detroit.” President Robinson continued: “This centennial year is special—not just because it marks 100 years, but because it marks 100 years of African American women in this community doing the hard work to improve and invest in the future of those who live and work in Detroit.
In 1993, Alpha Rho Omega continued its investment in Detroit with the purchase of property at 1525 Howard Street. Named after their 501(c)3, Alpha Kappa Alpha Foundation of Detroit, the graduate chapter hosts numerous sorority and community events at the building each year.
The public is invited to attend. Tickets are available through Eventbrite here.
For more information on the Gala, sponsorship opportunities, or other Centennial activities, contact Freda G. Sampson at [email protected].
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