Alpha Kappa Alpha to Journey to Montreal for Conference and to Serve City

CHICAGO - June 20, 2013 - PRLog -- Nearly 3,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – the oldest service organization founded by college-educated African-American women– will journey to the city of Montreal from July 18-21 for its biennial Leadership Conference.  Led by International President, Attorney Carolyn House Stewart, Leadership 2013 will be inspired by the theme, “Leadership and Service: A Timeless Mission.”  

The venue for the conference is the Palais des congrès de Montréal
Convention and Exhibition centre.

Members from all over the world – including undergraduates -- are coming for three days of exciting, stimulating and innovative workshops and forums.

Declared Stewart, “The world is becoming increasingly complex and its challenges demand a new leadership paradigm. With the cosmopolitan and uniquely-global city of Montreal as the backdrop, members will be inspired to master the skills that will help us lead with boldness, vision and imagination. The Conference will also realize its objective to nurture and cultivate future leaders.”

Dressed in their signature colors of pink and green, members will also engage in a series of service projects aimed at uplifting the community and showcasing Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as the premiere global service organization.  

The Sorority has designated Thursday, July 18, 2013 as “Global Service Day.” Members will dedicate the day to its mission of  “service to all mankind” through partnerships with various service organizations in Montreal. Alpha Kappa Alpha will provide gift cards for groceries to support AMCAL Family Services, donate gently-used career clothing and shoes to YWCA Montreal, and will contribute school supplies and books to Cote des Neiges Black Community Association and Coffre Aux Trésors du Chaînon. Alpha Kappa Alpha will also provide snacks for youth attending Cote des Neiges Black Community Association’s youth summit.

On Saturday, July 20, 2013, members will continue the Sorority’s service mission by working in a community garden with Action Communiterre.

The Sorority selected these organizations because they mirror AKA’s service mission by providing resources and a helping hand vital to youth, women and families.  Stewart said that rendering service to the agencies is in keeping with Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 105-year-old service mission.

The Sorority will host a series of forums aimed at engaging participants on current global challenges. There will be a Human Trafficking Forum on Friday, July 19 where panelists will join members in providing “The International Perspective on Human Trafficking.”  Many of the panel participants are from Canadian law enforcement agencies.

Alpha Kappa Alpha will also hold a Corporate Glass Ceiling Forum where a panel of Canadian citizens and representatives from major corporations will join members in exploring common concerns and identifying best practices solutions. At the same time, the forum will provide mechanisms for mutual collaboration and support. The Forum will be held on Friday, July 19 at Concordia University.

On Saturday, the Sorority will host a culminating event titled, “Canadian Citizens Forum on Global Issues.”

Sorority members will carve out time to savor all that Montreal offers including its cuisine and tourist attractions.  It is expected to pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Montreal economy during the three-day stay.

In summing up the spirit of the visit, Stewart said, “It is our hope that Alpha Kappa Alpha’s visit will make an impact and leave an impression on Montreal that will be felt long after the conference has ended.”

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. It is comprised of 265,000 members in 974 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, South Korea and on the continent of Africa. Its membership includes distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service. Alpha Kappa Alpha has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for citizens worldwide and promoting peace.  The organization is led by its 28th International President Carolyn House Stewart of Tampa, Florida whose administration's programmatic theme is “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.”