Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, will celebrate the distinguished service and legacy of Sharon Brown Harriott, its 18th South Atlantic Regional Director, with a special bench dedication ceremony on Saturday, January 24, 2026, on the historic campus of Columbia College.
Mrs. Harriott, a devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, is widely recognized for her exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to sisterhood, and decades of service to communities across South Carolina and the South Atlantic Region. Her tenure as regional director advanced the sorority’s mission of scholarship, service, and social impact while strengthening chapters across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
A proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, Harriott built a distinguished 36-year career in education, directing student services programs for high school students and adults transitioning into higher education and the workforce. For 34.5 years, she served in counseling and administrative roles at Midlands Technical College. She is also a licensed funeral director and an active leader in numerous civic and professional organizations, including the 1994 class of Leadership
“We are honored to pay tribute to Mrs. Sharon Brown Harriott, an exceptional leader who has left an indelible mark on Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the communities she touched,” said The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esquire, South Atlantic Regional Director for the sorority. “This bench dedication serves as a lasting tribute to her vision and steadfast commitment to service commitment to service excellence, and it symbolizes our appreciation for her contributions to our sorority and to the community at large.”
The wording on the bench reads: “Dedicated in honor of Sharon Brown Harriott, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, 18th South Atlantic Regional Director, for her
life of significant service to her community and chartering Upsilon Zeta Chapter – January 24, 2026.”
Additionally, a plaque that will be presented in her honor reads: “Dedicated to Mrs. Harriott, whose leadership led to the establishment of the first Greek letter organization and the first African-American sorority at Columbia College, this bench stands as a lasting tribute to her commitment to sisterhood, excellence, and an enduring legacy that continues to inspire.”
The bench will be placed in a prominent location on Columbia College’s campus, symbolizing rest, reflection, and the impact of a woman whose work uplifted generations. The dedication ceremony will include remarks from sorority leadership, members of the community, and representatives of Columbia College.
The Bench Dedication Honoring Sharon B. Brown Harriott will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10:00 am at the Columbia College Spears Center for The Arts.
Members of the public, community partners, and sorority members are invited to attend this celebration of legacy, leadership, and service. For more information, please contact Dr. Ivadella Walters, 803-608-4100, IvaWalters@gmail.com.
