Greetings Sorors,

As Basileus of the outstanding Psi Kappa Omega Chapter-Great

Lakes Region, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and

yours a wonderful New Year. I would like to extend a special

thanks for the privilege to serve as the front-runner of our chapter

working collaboratively with the members to move forward with

Supreme Basileus Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson and Regional

Director Toni Kendrick in moving their programs forward in

supporting and serving others. As we move into “Launching New

Dimensions of Services” we are excited about the key themes

set for 2014-2018. I also would like to extend my heartfelt

Congratulations to Psi Kappa Omega’s newly elected officers for

the 2015-2016 term. Thank you for your continued commitment

to “service to all mankind”.

On January 10, 2015, we celebrated “Launching New Dimensions of Service” with a celebratory

toast during our regular meeting. The festive celebration provided an atmosphere of jubilation.

Sorors made individual commitments to take the lead of various activities with sisterly love and

support. On January 19, 2015, we had our first Community Impact Day of 2015: Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. Service Project. This event was led by Soror Deirdre Stokes. It was a wonderful

service project. In honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the members of Psi Kappa

Omega Chapter engaged in philanthropic service to 115 adults and 10 children. We partnered

with God’s Kitchen to provide a delicious family style meal (chicken, greens, yams, cornbread,

punch/water and peach cobbler) for homeless and vulnerable families. We purchased the food,

designed the program, and advertised the event to the community. God’s Kitchen volunteers

prepped and cooked the food. At the end of the meal and presentation, participants were

provided personal items prepared by Soror Shirley McKinney. The items included gloves, hats,

scarves, hand warmers, dental/personal care products and combs in three sizes. We thank you

Soror McKinney.

We have numerous tasks before us. However, following our motto "Supreme in Service to

All Mankind", we have accepted the challenge to give of our resources, our time and our talent

to Serve, Serve, and Serve. Sorors, together I know we will make a difference in Albion and

Battle Creek. We are called to do philanthropic work. We are off to a great start. Thank you and

blessings as we move forward.

Sisterly Love,

Soror Mae Ola

Message From The Basileus Basileus Mae Ola Dunklin 1st Anti-Basileus Michelle Moore Grammateus Cheryl Emanuel Anti- Grammatues Tiffany Nunnally Pecunious Grammateus Burton Foster Anti-Pecunious Grammateus Toni McClenney Tamiouchos Chandra Youngblood Parliamentarian Cortaa Robinson Epsiloleus Shirley McKinney Philacter Cortaa Robinson Chaplain Grindl Williams Ivy Leaf Reporter Dr. Brandi Odom Historian Dr. Joyce Brown Hodegos Grindl Williams

Inside this issue of “The Pretty Pearl”:

Message From The Basileus

1

Nurturing Our Ivy: Featured Soror of the Month

2

Nurturing Our Ivy: Accomplishments , Awards , & Condolences

2

Launching New Dimensions of Service

3-5

Supreme in Service-Community Impact: MLK Jr. Soul Food Dinner

6-8

HBCU College Spotlight 9

Sisterly Relations: Birthday’s & AKA Anniversary’s

9

Calendar of Events 10

January 2015 Volume 1, Issue 1

ΨΚΩ Officers (2015-2016)

Mae Ola Dunklin

2

Soror Joyce A. Brown is a motivational speaker and best-

selling author who uses her creative energy to give

voice and meaning to the challenges women face in

all walks of life. She grew up in Rockford, Illinois in

a household of strong women, but her professional

career expanded her reach into Peoria and Battle

Creek, Michigan.

Dr. Brown has 3 sisters, 2 children, and 2

grandchildren. Dr. Brown is a graduate of Bradley

University, where she received her B.S. and M.A.

degrees, and a graduate of western Michigan

University where she received her Ph.D..

Dr. Brown is a proud member of Alpha Kappa

Alpha Sorority, Inc. initiated December 14, 1968,

at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. As part of

her “service to all mankind”, Dr. Brown has had the

opportunity to serve as a Charter Member of three Alpha

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chapters.

Amongst Dr. Brown’s numerous accomplishments, she has

served as a direct services worker, executive director, program

director for a major foundation, and an entrepreneur.

Additionally she is the proud recipient of the multiple awards

including:

ATHENA Award from Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce

Sojourner Truth Award from National Association of Negro

Business and Professional Women

Rosa Parks Award from the NAACP Battle Creek Senior Branch

Dr. Brown has experienced many uplifting moments as a

professional and as a dedicated parent and strives

to bring those events and lessons to life through

her characters in the contemporary fiction novels

she pens.

Dr. Brown authored the book titled What You

Can Get Away With, which made the African

American Literature Book Club’s #7 best-seller

list in 2014. Additional books authored/co-

authored include:

Brown, Joyce A. (2014) Getting Away with

Everything. Chicago, Illinois: Live The Dream

Publishers

Brown, Joyce A., M-LAS. (2014) Baring It All:

The Ins and Outs of Publishing. Chicago,

Illinois: Macro publishing Group.

Brown, Joyce A., M-LAS. (2014) Signed,

Sealed, Delivered…I’m Yours. Chicago, Illinois:

Macro publishing Group.

Kai, Naleighna, Brown, Joyce A., Prince,

Valerie, Kennerson, Martha, Peters, Susan D.,

and McLaurin, D.J. (2014) Pleasures &

Treasures. Chicago, Illinois: Macro publishing

Group.

Nurturing Our Ivy: Featured Soror of the Month

Dr. Joyce Brown

Nurturing Our Ivy: Accomplishments , Awards , & Condolences

Accomplishments

Soror Chandra Youngblood- Soror Chandra Youngblood was chosen to travel to London, England December 5-13, 2014 as part of Battle Creek Public Schools “Study Tour” program for Schools in the Hood. The mission of the “Study Tour” was to visit turnaround schools that have turned student achievement around in

challenging populations. Congratulations and good luck in your endeavors.

3

The 2014-2018 International Program will focus on Launching New Dimensions of Service℠. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, through its 265,000 members and 986 chapters, will have an opportunity to address community needs with programs in five target areas:

Educational Enrichment

Health Promotion

Family Strengthening

Environmental Ownership

Global Impact

Target I: Educational Enrichment

Members will engage in the sorority’s signature youth enrichment program,

ASCEND℠ with efforts designed to motivate, engage and assist high

school students in reaching their maximum potential. ASCEND℠ will

focus on Achievement, Self-Awareness, Communication, Engagement,

Networking and Developmental Skills. Students in the ASCEND℠

Program will have an opportunity to receive academic enrichment and life skills training to support their

journey to college or vocational employment.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will promote the learning process by providing substantial

support to students through AKA One Million Backpacks℠. Members will donate and

distribute one million backpacks and related school supplies to students over the four year

period.

Support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will be a priority as Alpha

Kappa Alpha launches a national campaign, Think HBCU℠ to highlight HBCUs and their

contribution to the sorority and society. Through education, engagement and advocacy,

HBCUs will be showcased as critical venue for moving students to and through college.

Target II: Health Promotion

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will promote health awareness in three areas: Alzheimer's

Disease, Stroke and Mental Illness. The Alzheimer's Disease and Caregiver Support

Program will generate awareness and support for Alzheimer's programming and research.

Alzheimer's disease is one of the fastest growing health challenges among African Americans.

Stroke and Heart Disease Awareness will remain a focus area as Alpha Kappa Alpha

launches a major stroke prevention awareness campaign with emphasis on hypertension management, diet

and exercise. Mental Health will be highlighted as members bring attention to the mental illness among

diverse populations with low utilization of mental health services.

Launching New Dimensions of Service

4

Target III: Family Strengthening Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Family Strengthening Programs will target critical issues facing

many families, including lack of food, shelter and financial means. Community based

Childhood Hunger Initiatives will be launched in partnership with local agencies, food

banks and community pantries.

The Family Seasonal Wraps℠ Program will be offered as the sorority sponsors a major initiative to

collect and donate hats, gloves, socks, scarves, coats, sweaters and other seasonal wraps for families in need.

Fiscal Responsibility Programs will be initiated as members work with partner organizations and families to

help increase their understanding of budgeting, basic financial planning and benefits of home ownership.

Target IV: Environmental Ownership Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will implement high impact programs to provide healthy environments and

improve the quality of life in the underserved communities.

The AKA 1908 Playground Project℠ will be launched to ensure children have safe

and inviting places to play. Sorority members will restore and renew 1,908 existing

community and school playgrounds with its Restore, Refresh and Renew Project℠.

Through its Acts of Green Program℠ members will promote environmental

sustainability by encouraging recycling, litter prevention and waste management through daily green efforts

in local communities.

Target V: Global Impact Sorority members will implement the UNA-USA Global Classrooms Project to prepare today's youth for an

increasingly global and complex society. Alpha Kappa Alpha members will work in partnership with the UNA-

USA (United Nations Association) to expand understanding of the UN, its mission and focus. A biennial

Intergenerational Model U.N. Conference will be convened.

Through its renewed Africare partnership, Alpha Kappa Alpha Chapters will implement

youth hunger initiatives on the continent of Africa.

Launching New Dimensions of Service

5

January 10, 2015- The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- Psi Kappa Omega

Chapter- celebrated “Launching New Dimensions of Service” with a toast and

festivities in an atmosphere of jubilation. Sorors made individual commitments to

take the lead of various activities with sisterly love and support.

Launching New Dimensions of Service: 2015 Psi Kappa Omega Chapter Celebration

6

January 19, 2015- The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- Psi Kappa Omega

Chapter- Martin Luther King Jr. -Day of Service sponsored God’s Kitchen (Battle

Creek, Michigan) delivered 125 Soul Food Dinners (115 Adults; 10 Children) to the

community.

Supreme in Service-Community Impact: Martin Luther King Jr.—Day of Service– Soul Food Dinner

7

Supreme in Service-Community Impact: Martin Luther King Jr.—Day of Service– Soul Food Dinner

8

Supreme in Service-Community Impact: Martin Luther King Jr.—Day of Service– Soul Food Dinner

9

U.S. News has recently announced its annual

rankings of nation’s best colleges and

universities.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines an

HBCU as "any historically black college or

university that was established prior to 1964,

whose principal mission was, and is, the

education of black Americans, and that is

accredited by a nationally recognized

accrediting agency or association

determined by the Secretary (of Education)

to be a reliable authority as to the quality of

training offered or is, according to such an

agency or association, making reasonable

progress toward accreditation."

The historically black colleges and

universities (HBCUs) were compared with

each other on the criteria of faculty

resources, faculty salary, retention, student

selectively, alumni giving, and financial

resources. Eighty HBCUs were qualified to

be included on the list; out of which, 69 were

ranked and 11 were unranked.

HBCU College Spotlight: 2015 Rankings: The Top 25 from US News

Sisterly Relations: Psi Kappa Omega Birthday’s & AKA Anniversary's

RANK UNIVERSITY LOCATION

1 Spelman College Atlanta, GA

2 Howard University Washington, DC

3 Morehouse College Atlanta, GA

4 Hampton University Hampton, VA

5 Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL

6 Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA

7 Fisk University Nashville, TN

8 Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL

9 Claflin University Orangeburg, SC

10 North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, NC

11 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC

12 Tougaloo College Tougaloo, MS

13 (Tie) Delaware State University Dover, DE

13 (Tie) Dillard University New Orleans, LA

15 (Tie) Morgan State University Baltimore, MD

15 (Tie) Winston-?Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC

17 Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, NC

18 Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA

19 Jackson State University Jackson, MS

20 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC

21 (Tie) Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA

21 (Tie) Tennessee State University Nashville, TN

23 (Tie) Alabama A&M University Normal, AL

23 (Tie) University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD

25 (Tie) Bennett College Greensboro, NC

25 (Tie) Bowie State University Bowie, MD

AKA Anniversary’s

January 1994 None

February None

Birthday’s

January 11th Mae Ola Dunklin

February 2nd Shirley J. McKinney

10

P.O. Box 804

Battle Creek, MI 49016

Email: Maeolad@aol.com

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.-

Psi Kappa Omega Chapter

Calendar of Events January

January 7, 2015-Executive Board Meeting

January 10, 2015-Chapter Meeting

January 15, 2015– 107th Anniversary Founder’s Day January 19,2015-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service February

February 1-7, 2015- Pink Goes Red for Heart Health (Wear Red) February 4, 2015-Executive Board Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 6:00

p.m.)

February 5, 2015- “Red Selfie” Day (Wear Red) February 6, 2015– Sisterly Relations Events (Wear Pink & Green)

Findley’s Dinner (140 Columbia Ave E, Battle Creek, MI @ 5:00 p.m.)

Bowling (775 West Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek, MI @ 6:00 p.m.) February 15, 2015-Sisterly Relations- Lewis Chapel AME Church (522 West Center

Street, Albion, MI @ 11:00 a.m.) (Wear Pink)

February 15, 2015-Sisterly Relations– Dinner @ The Davis’s Home February 15, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting @ The Davis’s Home March

TBA April

April 8-12, 2015-84th Great Lakes Regional Conference

April 18, 2015-Battle Creek Central Hall of Fame Banquet May

May 2,2015-Mother’s Day Brunch 1908 Playgrounds Mobilization Day June

The Longest Day™ Alzheimer’s Support Activities July

Mental Health Awareness Day August

TBA September

TBA October Childhood Hunger Awareness Day November TBA December

TBA

JANUARY 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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FEBRUARY 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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P.O. Box 804

Battle Creek, MI 49016

Email: Maeolad@aol.com

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- Psi Kappa Omega Chapter

Calendar of Events January January 7, 2015-Executive Board Meeting January 10, 2015-Chapter Meeting January 15, 2015– 107th Anniversary Founder’s Day January 19,2015-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service February February 1-7, 2015- Pink Goes Red for Heart Health (Wear Red) February 4, 2015-Executive Board Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 6:00 p.m.) February 5, 2015- “Red Selfie” Day (Wear Red) February 6, 2015– Sisterly Relations Events (Wear Pink & Green)

Findley’s Dinner (140 Columbia Ave E, Battle Creek, MI @ 5:00 p.m.) Bowling (775 West Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek, MI @ 6:00 p.m.)

February 15, 2015-Sisterly Relations– Founder’s Day Celebration- Lewis Chapel AME Church (522 West Center Street, Albion, MI @ 11:00 a.m.) (Wear Pink)

February 15, 2015-Sisterly Relations– Dinner @ The Davis’s Home February 15, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting @ The Davis’s Home March March 4, 2015- Executive Board Meeting (718 Austin Ave Albion , MI @ 6:00 p.m.) March 21, 2015– Sorority Chapter Meeting ( April April 1, 2015-Executive Board & Sorority Chapter Meeting (TBA @ 9:30 a.m.) Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 6:00 p.m.) April 8-12, 2015-84th Great Lakes Regional Conference (Pittsburgh, PA) April 18, 2015-Battle Creek Central Hall of Fame Banquet May May 2,2015-Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch May 6, 2015- Executive Board Meeting (718 Austin Ave Albion , MI @ 6:00 p.m.) May 9, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 9:30 a.m.) 1908 Playgrounds Mobilization Day June June 3, 2015-Executive Board Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 6:00 p.m.) June 13, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 9:30 a.m.) The Longest Day™ Alzheimer’s Support Activities July July 15-19, 2015-Leadership Conference (Chicago, IL) Mental Health Awareness Day August Back to School Bash/Retreat September September 12, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 9:30

a.m.) Festival of Forks October Michigan Cluster Meeting-TBA Childhood Hunger Awareness Day November November 14, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting (153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI @ 9:30

a.m.) December December 12, 2015-Sorority Chapter Meeting (718 Austin Ave Albion , MI @ 9:30 a.m.)

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