PITTSBURGH MAYOR ED GAINEY WITH ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INCORPORATED INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT AND CEO DANETTE ANTHONY REED AND GREAT LAKES REGION DIRECTOR GWENDOLYN L. KIRTLEY. (PHOTO BY CHIEF IKHANA-HAL-MAKINA)
The Courier was there as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., held its 94th Great Lakes Regional Conference in Pittsburgh, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, April 24-27, 2025.
Talk about painting the town salmon pink and apple green.
All throughout the Downtown area, one could see members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. enjoying the scenery, many of whom hadn’t been to Pittsburgh, either ever, or in some
years.
Pittsburgh, with one of the best skylines in the U.S., didn’t disappoint, either, with its picturesque views.
RAY NELL JONES WAS HONORED DURING THE CONFERENCE. (PHOTOS BY CHIEF IKHANA-HAL-MAKINA)
More than 3,000 members convened under the theme, “Greater Together: An Artful Tapestry of Service and Sisterhood”—a celebration of servant leadership, civic engagement, and the sorority’s enduring commitment to uplifting communities across the Great Lakes Region.
While some of the activities were closed to the media, others were for the public, such as their community service project, “Strengthening Black Maternal Health,” on April 24. Members assembled and donated infant and maternal care items to Healthy Start Pittsburgh, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development and Family Foundations. On Friday night, April 25, the AKAs recognized local changemakers like Jason Jones and Ray Nell Jones (no relation), and highlighted the AKAs’ national initiatives.
Later that evening, there was the “Step and Stroll Competition,” a spirited tradition of unity, performance, and pride among Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters.
Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor, Ed Gainey, attended the conference and presented Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. with an official city proclamation. Those such as regional director Gwendolyn L. Kirtley and AKA international president & CEO Danette Anthony Reed also took photos with the mayor.
RUTHIE REA, RUTHIE KING, RUTHIE WALKER. (PHOTO SUBMITTED)
The host chapters for the 94th Great Lakes Regional Conference were: Alpha Alpha Omega; Alpha Sigma; Kappa Beta; Mu Omicron; and Rho Rho. The AKA Great Lakes Region includes Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Western New York, and West Virginia. Overall, there are 97 chapters (47 undergraduate, 50 graduate) in the Great Lakes Region, with more than 7,000 members.
– Rob Taylor Jr.