Mayor proclaims Aug. 15 AKA Day during community event
In above photo: Students and parents wait for the start of AKA Community Day outside Carver High School on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Photo by Tevin Stinson)
By Tevin Stinson
The Chronicle
Both gymnasiums on the campus of Carver High School were filled with pink and green on Saturday, Aug. 15 for the second annual AKA Community Day.
This years event, sponsored by the Phi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., featured vision and dental screenings for school-age children, the WSSU Mobile Heath Unit, Financial Pathways Mobile, educational displays, cultural exhibits, crafts, games and face painting.
The AKA Community Day also included performances from the Carver High School Cheerleaders, the Emmanuel Baptist Church Mime Team, African dancers, as well as a number of musical selections and other performances.
School supplies and backpacks were also given away.
Before receiving the backpacks students had to go to each exhibit and receive a sticker.
At the start of the event, Mayor Allen Joines read a proclamation from the city declaring Aug. 15 AKA Day in Winston-Salem.
Joines applauded the Phi Omega Chapter for its dedication to community service.
“The city of Winston-Salem would like to thank the AKAs for all they do in the community,” said Joines. “The AKAs are known for their community work, and I’m glad that we have a chance recognize the organization for all they do.”
Kenyetta Richmond, chapter president, also spoke during the event and was surprised with the turnout.
Before the event started, a line was wrapped around the gymnasium.
“We had a amazing turnout this year. The line started to form almost a hour before the event was set to begin,” Richmond said.
According to Richmond, close to 300 backpacks were given away during the community day.
“I’m very proud of what we were able to do today for this community,” said Richmond. “Community service is very important to this organization.”
Deanna Taylor, member of the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Board of Education, was impressed with the event.
“I’m very impressed,” said Taylor. “It just gives me a good feeling to know that someone cares so much about our community and our children.”
“The AKAs do an amazing job of giving back to the community, and we are truly grateful for all they do.”
Taylor, who has been with the Board of Education for almost a year, said even in her short time on the board she can see a change in the community support of the youth and schools in the community.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see our community come together,” said Taylor. “Even in my short time being here I can see how the community has come together and rallied behind its youth.”
The Phi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was founded in the early 1920s for members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority who wanted to remain active in the communities in the Triad area.
