Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ^ \mathrm { ® } , Beta Zeta Omega, Beta Sigma, and Gamma Nu chapters will celebrate the sorority’s 117th Founders’ Day on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. This commemorative event will feature a Historical Legacy Bench Unveiling Ceremony and a luncheon open to the public and members of the sorority.
The Historical Legacy Bench Unveiling Ceremony will commence at 11 a.m., honoring the late Irene Westbrooks McCollom, 15th South Atlantic Regional Director and esteemed educator in Orangeburg, SC. A dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha for more than 65 years, McCollom’s bench will be placed in the Edisto Memorial Gardens, commemorating her contributions to education, service to others and the sisterhood.
Following the bench dedication, attendees will gather for a celebratory luncheon themed, “A Vision Fair: A Legacy of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Stellar Service.” The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esquire, will deliver the keynote address. The luncheon will be held at the Claflin University Student Center, 1810 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, SC 29115.
Attorney Tiffany Moore Russell is a native of Orlando, Fla., and an accomplished leader within Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. A Silver Star and Life Member, she currently serves as the South Atlantic Regional Director, overseeing the sorority’s largest region, which includes Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Leading more than 23,000 members in over 200 counties, Russell has held numerous leadership roles at both the international and regional levels. She was the general chairman of the 70th Boule in 2022 and previously chaired the 62nd South Atlantic Regional Conference. In addition to her sorority contributions, Russell is the Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Courts, a position she has held since 2014, making her the first African American woman in Florida to serve in this capacity. She is also a devoted wife, mother, and active member of the St. Mark AME Church in Orlando.
Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased on the Beta Zeta Omega website by January 9 at https://bit.ly/Orangeburg-117FoundersDay
Latosha C. Legree, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ^ \mathrm { ® } Beta Zeta Omega Chapter said, “Celebrating our International Founders’ Day is always an exciting time for Beta Zeta Omega. We proudly celebrate the enduring legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® — a sisterhood built on service, scholarship, and unity. By honoring our founders’ vision, we continue to uplift communities and empower future generations to lead with purpose and excellence. We look forward to welcoming the public to recognize this momentous occasion with us.”
For more information, contact the Founders’ Day Committee Chairman, Marilyn Gibbs Drayton at mgdrayton2014@gmail.com.
