For 25 years, there wasn’t an active chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) on campus. But three years ago, that changed.
On November 14, 2021, the undergraduate Eta Alpha chapter, which is under the AKA umbrella, was reinstated at Illinois State University. AKA is a historic African American sorority, founded in 1908 at Howard University. It is part of the “Divine Nine,” a group of National Pan-Hellenic organizations founded to connect and empower African American college-educated fraternities and sororities.
Last spring, about 300 AKA members and ISU students attended an event on ISU’s campus to support the new members presentation of 11 ISU students who became members of the Eta Alpha chapter. Dr. Irenea Walker, assistant professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, is the faculty advisor.
“The presentation is to show the newest members of our organization,” she said. “That was the first presentation we’ve had in over 25 years on campus.”
Senior Dyana Davis is president of the chapter. She was part of the group of students who brought back the chapter three years ago. She also serves as president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at ISU, which serves as the coordinating council for the historically African American Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities.
The Eta Alpha chapter hosts a week-long event each semester called “Skee-Week,” that’s open to the campus community. Last spring, events brought in speakers on financial wellness, healthy eating, and Black-owned businesses.
Activities tie into at least one of AKA’s six initiatives, which are: Strengthen our Sisterhood, Empower our Families, Build our Economic Wealth, Enhance our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift our Local Community.
Eta Alpha members have engaged in community service by volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, voter registration efforts, visiting nursing homes, making blankets for dialysis patients, and writing notes of encouragement for Baby Fold clients.
In July, Davis served as one of the chapter’s delegates to the International AKA Boule Convention in Dallas, where she was one of 20,000 women present when Vice President Kamala Harris, an AKA member, spoke.
“Meeting all the other sisters and hearing all their ideas, I have so many ideas now to bring back to our campus,” Davis said.
Walker said the bond that forms between sorority sisters is the foundation of the sorority.
“There’s a sisterhood, being there for one another and forming friendships that will become lifelong for some. This is definitely an organization where young ladies can connect and get involved, not just in the community but by being of service to all ISU students. When they return to campus, we’ll be ready to start service to the campus and community. We’re excited.”
Although AKA is primarily comprised of African American members, individuals of all races are welcome to join. For information about membership, visit the AKA website. For questions about ISU’s chapter, contact Dyana Davis at Dmdavi6@IllinoisState.edu.
