Alpha Kappa Omega November 2019 Newsletter



November 2019

Volume 1 Number 9

2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE November is a month when many sorors will personally seize
BASILEUS the moment with Target 1: HBCU for Life Activities, enjoying
Cherise Story football classics and homecoming festivities. This is evident from
the many Facebook and Instagram photos that have been posted.
ANTI-BASILEUS of PROGRAMS Because of generous donations to the HBCU for Life Committee,
Staci Taylor Fullmighter the chapter sponsored college tours to three HBCUs (Grambling
State, Jackson State and Southern University) for nine #CAP
ANTI-BASILEUS of OPERATIONS students.
Diedra Fontaine
GRAMMATEUS In the month of October, we were very busy Exemplifying
Excellence Through Sustainable Service. On October 7, 2019, thirty-six community women
Pippa Brown-Andrews received free mammograms through excellent execution of the Breast Cancer Awareness
ANTI-GRAMMATEUS Community Impact Day by our Women’s Health and Wellness Committee. Thanks to
partnerships with the Houston Lawyers Association and NAACP, the Candidate Forum in
Mary Smith Johnson preparation for the November election of the City of Houston Mayor, City Treasurer and
EPISTOLEUS City Council positions was a huge success. The Connection Committee’s efforts were
Felicia Wright evident with twenty-five candidates presenting their platforms.

ANTI-EPISTOLEUS The joint chapter meeting with undergraduate sorors from Gamma Psi (Texas Southern),
Michalyn Demaris Porter Epsilon Lambda (University of Houston Central), and Omicron Gamma (University of
Houston Downtown) was held on the campus of Texas Southern University on Saturday,
TAMIOUCHOS October 26, 2019. The event was a celebration of Target 1: HBCU for Life and Target 4:
Monica Baynard The Arts! The scavenger hunt throughout the University Museum and campus was both
ANTI-TAMIOUCHOS educational and invigorating. A special recognition to chapter breast cancer survivors was
Yavaunda White heartwarming for all in attendance.
PECUNIOUS GRAMMATEUS
Tishauna Washington Finally, this is also a season of Thanksgiving. Our chapter has a rich heritage of giving and
ANTI-PECUNIOUS GRAMMATEUS sharing in the Houston community. We will again show our compassion on November 15,
Latosha McGill Clayton 2019, through the Target 2: Women’s Health and Wellness Committee offering respite to
PHILACTOR caregivers on the AKA Caregivers’ Community Impact Day.
Shalondra Moore
Please RSVP for sorority meeting. An accurate count is necessary for an appropriately
HODEGOS organized and successful meeting. I look forward to seeing you at sorority meeting on
Laura Rousseve Allen Saturday, November 16, 2019.
REPORTER TO THE IVY LEAF
Jocquelyn Henry Roberson Remember, all sorors working together in sisterhood can make a difference in our chapter
and community. We are Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter!!
HISTORIAN
Donna Miles With a Heart for Service,
GRADUATE ADVISORS Soror Cherise Story
Erica Smith (Gamma Psi)
Patricia Roberts (Epsilon Lambda)
Dina Williams (Omicron Gamma)
PARLIAMENTARIAN
Veronica Johnson
CHAPLAIN
Charlyn Kyles
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Cynae Johnson
Andrea Miller
Marsha Penn
Mary Shockley
Connie Steward

In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas

NOVEMBER 2019 

Please inform the Basileus as you become aware of The Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter has a permanent
those who are ill or otherwise challenged. mailing address. This address should be used for all
correspondence.
Continue to pray for all sorors and
their families who are experiencing challenges. Our new address is:
Soror Shanel Geathers on the loss of her P. O. Box 35438
grandmother, Mrs. Colleen W. Neal. Houston, Texas 77235-5438
Soror Regina Carrington who is recovering nicely
at home after recent surgery. Congratulations to the following sorors:
Soror Cheryl Duncan on the loss of her sister, Ms. Soror Felicia Jordan who was awarded the 2019
Patricia C. Acquah. Texas Chapter Laureate Award by the American
Mr. Charles Houston, husband of Soror Helen College of Physicians.
Houston, who is recovering at home after recent
surgery. Soror Tramaine Chargois who was honored as one
Soror Krystle Simpson who was hospitalized. of the Top 50 Women Lawyers by the National
Soror Mae Rose Smith who recently had surgery Diversity Council.
and is rehabilitating nicely.
Soror Cheryl Griffin on the loss of her mother, Mrs. Soror Nicole Montgomery who was also honored
Bessie Lee Davis. as one of the Top 50 General Counsels for Houston
Soror Andrea Bonner on the loss of her father, Mr. by the National Diversity Council.
David Lee Mitchell.
Soror Ivy Ricketts mourns the loss of her mother, Courtesies
Golden Soror Vera Ricketts.
Soror Melva Christian who recently had surgery Courtesies and gifts are ways to express appreciation.
and is recovering at home. It is a tradition in our culture to recognize significant
Soror Cheryl Cash, niece of Soror Camille Cash, on events in the lives of those who are important to us and
the loss of her brother, Dr. David Terrell. to thank persons for the contributions they make. The
Soror Patricia Carter who mourns the loss of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sisterhood carries forth this
husband, Mr. Versee Carter. tradition of the larger society.
Soror Grenita Lathan, HISD staff and students.
Soror Lucille August, and her son, on the loss of Former Directorate Members and Former Executive
Mr. George August, husband and father, Directors should have the following:
respectively.
Reserved seating at conference and chapter events
Soror Regina Carrington when not seated on the dais.
Soror Sharon Chadwick Special identification badges at conferences.
Soror Pamela Johnson Special seating on designated conference
Soror Lillie Melton Jones transportation.
Soror Phyllis Melton Turner Recognition at chapter events.
Soror Shelley Smith A personalized sorority resolution and a floral
arrangement from the Corporate Office upon
death.
Name, rank and title(s) listed in the VSG Guide.

(Protocol Manual Page 60)

Page 2 In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas

NOVEMBER 2019 

The Southeast Texas (SETX) Cluster Retreat was held
on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at the Westin Galleria
Hotel. The theme for the retreat was “The Finale” in
recognition of the final SETX Cluster Retreat under the
excellent leadership of our South Central Regional
Director, Soror Katina Semien. Over 700 hundred
sorors attended including 105 from our chapter.

The State of the Region was
presented by Soror Katina
Semien indicating that we are in
great shape, and reiterating our
status as the second largest
region in Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Incorporated. She also
informed us that the 2020 South
Central Regional Conference will
be held in Fort Worth, Texas, on
April 9 - 12, 2020. Regional
conference registration fees were
increased to $210 for graduate
sorors and $100 for undergraduate sorors. Three
informative and interactive topics were presented
during the Cluster Retreat: Risk Management
addressed hazing and its legal and insurance
implications to the sorority; Chapter Operations
highlighted the annual chapter assessment; and a
Conflict Resolution presentation was interactive with
short vignettes on ways to handle conflict in chapters.

At the conclusion of the retreat accolades and gifts
were given to our South Central Regional Director for
an outstanding job. It was a great retreat and sorors
enjoyed themselves.

In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas Page 3

NOVEMBER 2019 

On Monday, October 7, 2019, the The #CAP Committee has been
Health Committee collaborated with extremely busy at the start of the
Solis Mammography and Sisters new school year. During the months
Network to provide funded mammograms for the of August,
Breast Cancer Impact Day. This was the first type of September, and October the
event by Solis Mammography and they were thrilled to committee has provided direct
collaborate with our chapter. The participants were service and support to
pre-screened and scheduled through the Solis Online approximately sixty students
Scheduling System. Each mammogram had a $99 at Madison, Sterling, and
value and was performed on the Curve Yates High Schools. Students have participated in
Mammography Unit, which is a new more workshops on preparing for SAT, understanding who
“comfortable” instrument. they are in order to select a college major, and financial
literacy/financial aid to assist with paying for college.
A total of 36 ladies registered During the sessions, students have been curious and
for these services. Each attentive, asking questions that brought clarity to the
participant was welcomed by college admissions process. Students were also
volunteers from the Health provided a community service log in order to keep up
Committee. Our warm smiles with service hours as they were encouraged to give
helped alleviate their fears and back and serve in their school community as well the
anxiety; and some even shed community in which they live.
tears. For many of the ladies,
this was their first Nine #CAP students were
mammogram. We completed a provided an opportunity to visit
total of 31 mammograms. There were a total of two no three of our HBCU campuses
shows, two patients who needed a diagnostic (Grambling State, Jackson State,
mammogram due to symptoms, and one patient who and Southern Universities) for
did not have a referring physician. This made a total of their high school preview days.
$3,069 of mammography services provided to 31 ladies These extraordinary opportunities exposed students to
funded by Sisters Network. Valet parking was departments of interests, dormitory and campus life,
complimentary when services were completed and clubs and organizations, and provided the opportunity
each patient was provided with educational materials, to attend a game. Students returned motivated to
light refreshments and a pink rose. Participants complete the application process, FAFSA, and begin
learned of the services through Majic 102 radio work on scholarship applications.
announcements, social media and personal contacts.
#CAP is excited
Our mission was complete! The participants were very about the IMPACT
appreciative. Our evaluation average score was 4.96 we indeed are having
out of a 5-point Likert Scale. on our young
scholars, and proud
to say we are making
a difference!

Page 4 In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas

NOVEMBER 2019 

The Houston City Elections Scrapbooking Season is upon us and
Candidate Forum was held the Committee needs your help!
October 15, 2019, from 6:00
pm and 8:00 pm at Texas All Committee Chairman are asked to
Southern University in the submit any documentation you have
Thurgood Marshall School of for the scrapbooks. Documentation
Law Moot Court Room. All includes, but is not limited to, pictures, minutes,
candidates running for agendas, sign-in sheets, and artifacts from the event.
Houston city elections were Our scrapbooks must include documentation to win!
invited. Responses from invited candidates were
overwhelming, with more than forty candidates If you are interested in joining the Scrapbook
agreeing to participate. A total of twenty-five Committee, please email Soror Jocquelyn Roberson at
candidates, or their representatives, participated in the the [email protected] .
forum and discussed their political engagement,
community activism, and life experiences, which they
believed made them uniquely suited for the office
sought.

The forum was hosted by the
following organizations:
Connection Committee of the
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated-Alpha Kappa
Omega Chapter; the Houston
Lawyers Association; and
NAACP—Houston Chapter.
Welcoming remarks were provided by Cherise Story,
Basileus; Jermecia Beachum, Past President of the
Houston Lawyers Association; and Thelma L. Harmon,
Connection Committee Chairman. The Honorable
Nikita V. Harmon served as the Forum’s moderator.
Members of the hosting organizations volunteered to
serve as greeters for both candidates and attendees, as
well as hospitality attendees, timer, social media
reporters, ushers, and registrars.

A voter’s registration table was set up and, most
encouraging, several individuals registered to vote.

The forum was open to the general public.
Registration was available through the ticketing
website, Eventbrite.

In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas Page 5

NOVEMBER 2019 

The 2019 Fall Joint Chapter meeting for Alpha Kappa Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes
Omega, Gamma Psi, Epsilon Lambda, and Omicron was born on August 24, 1936, in Baton
Gamma was held on October 26, 2019, in the Rouge, Louisiana.
Recreation Center on the beautiful campus of Texas
Southern University. The theme of this semester’s Throughout her youth, her parents
meeting was “Celebrating the ARTS & Our HBCUs." strongly advocated the value of a
Our own Dr. Cherry R. Gooden shared information college education. As a result, she
about the history and impact of the Harlem enrolled at Southern University in 1953. She earned
Renaissance. Participants then had the opportunity to her B.S. and M.S. degree in Mathematics. In 1971, Dr.
tour the University Museum and participate in an Spikes made history by becoming the first African
ARTS themed scavenger hunt that focused on works of American to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics from
art in the museum. During the meeting, sorors paused Louisiana State University (LSU).
to recognize Breast Cancer Survivors who are members
of our sisterhood, as well as shared information on During the eighties, Dr. Spikes began to move from
Domestic Violence Awareness. The meeting concluded academia to administrative positions. She held the
with chapter members creating a video wishing luck to positions of Assistant to the Chancellor, Executive Vice
the Houston Astros in their bid to win the 2019 World Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Series and an HBCU themed photo of chapters. She served as Chancellor for Southern University-
Baton Rouge and Southern University-New Orleans.
Dr. Spikes was the first female chancellor of a land
grant university in the State of Louisiana.

In 1988, Dr. Spikes made history once again being
appointed as President of the Southern University and
A&M College System, one of the largest predominantly
black university systems in the United States. As
president, Dr. Spikes became not only the first female
to lead a public college or university in Louisiana, but
also the first woman in the United States to oversee a
university system. Soror Spikes was initiated into the
Beta Psi chapter at her beloved Southern University in
1956.

Page 6 In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas

NOVEMBER 2019 

Like us on Facebook.com/AKA.AlphaKappaOmega

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @AKOmega1928

Use these hashtags with your posts #AKA1908
#Excellence #AKOmega1928 #ServiceandSisterhood

Please send written announcements to be Chapter Programs
read at chapter meetings, to the attention of Soror Staci Taylor Fullmighter, Anti-Basileus of
the Epistoleus ([email protected]). Programs
Announcements may also be handed to the Philactor at [email protected]
the beginning of the meeting. Only approved 713-471-4706
announcements will be read to the General Body.
Chapter Operations
To assist in the orderly preparation of weekly eBlast Soror Diedra Fontaine, Anti-Basileus of Operations
messages to the chapter, please submit articles ready [email protected]
for publication along with any flyers, etc. by the times 832-332-8013
noted below.
Change of Address, E-mail, or not Receiving
Monday eBlast; submit by Saturday at 9:00 p.m. “The Jewel”
Friday eBlast; submit by Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. Soror Felicia Wright, Epistoleus
[email protected]
Thank you to the Editorial Team Members/ 713-504-0955
Contributing Writers/Proofreading Team – Sorors Nell
Cline, Pamela Cormier, Elnora Flewellen, Jo-Carolyn Dues, Reactivation, Transfers, Golden/Silver/Life
Goode, Thelma Harmon, Helen Houston, Angela Members
Lundy Jackson, Clardina Jones, Erica Smith, DiAnn Soror Tishauna Washington, Pecunious Grammateus
Robinson, Krystle Simpson, and Felicia Wright. We [email protected]
appreciate you for making our newsletter a success. 832-582-5590

Death of a Soror or someone in a Soror’s immediate
family and/or information to be published in
“The Jewel”
Soror Cherise Story, Basileus
[email protected]
832-647-1017

Courtesies
Soror Laura Rousseve Allen, Hodegos
[email protected]
713-582-6021

Minutes of Chapter Meeting
Soror Pippa Brown-Andrews, Grammateus
[email protected]
713-299-8905

In Memory of Soror Jewel McFarlin Thomas Page 7

 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter
Soror Cherise Story
P. O. Box 35438
Houston, Texas 77235-5438

November 2019