Observance of AKA International MLK Community Impact Day
Submitted by Vickie R. Pearcey
In partnership with the city of Fort Lauderdale and the MLK Day Committee, the members of the AKAdemic Foundation, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Rho Omega Chapter, recently participated in the historic MLK Day parade in observance of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s International MLK Community Impact Day.
A record number of ninety members and thirty students marched in the parade in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with 100% participation from each of the sorority’s five International Targets: Educational Enrichment, Health Promotions, Family Strengthening, Economic Ownership and Global Impact. Members of each target not only took part in walking, but contributed significantly in the following ways: high school members of the Signature Program ASCEND, distributed “So You Want to Go to College” workshop and College Tour flyers to the community along the parade route; Health Pro-motions members performed blood pressure screenings and provided blood pressure logs to participants; members of Family Strengthening target promoted the initiative, “End Childhood Hunger” by distributing nutritional bars to spectators; Environmental Ownership members in tandem with Future ASCEND middle school students participated in the park clean up; and the Global Impact target made all connections for these partner “SHIPS” and secured the spot in the parade.
Our Miss Precious Pearl 2016 and her court were a highlight of the participation as they waved to the crowd from a beautifully decorated vehicle and the members of Zeta Rho Omega added a fun piece as they provided stroll entertainment!
Many community members indicated how excited they were to be so positively affected by the various activities and services provided during this historic Community Impact Day! Both presidents, Rae Nicklos-Welch and Jeannie B. Floyd of AKAdemic Foundation and Zeta Rho Omega Chapter respectively, agreed that the goal to make a difference while being of service to all mankind locally and globally was certainly achieved.
