By Aneesa Grant, The Seattle Medium
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American, college-educated women,is set to host its 94th Far Western Regional Conference (FWRC) in Bellevue, WA, from April 20 to 23. With more than 1,300 attendees from nine states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, and Utah, it is estimated that the conference will generate more than $3.9 million in direct economic impact to the region.
The conference, with its theme of “Regin: The Dynasty of Service and Sisterhood,” will focus on implementing programs aligned with the sorority’s international theme of “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.” These program initiatives include Strengthening Our Sisterhood, Empower Our Families, Build Our Economic Wealth, Enhance Our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift Our Local Community. Members from across the region will participate in training workshops, host a job fair, and conduct the business of the sorority during the four-day gathering.
“Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is thrilled to bring our Far Western Regional Conference back to Bellevue. Our members are committed to not only leaving a substantial financial impact in the Pacific Northwest but more importantly positively impacting the local community through high impact programs of service,” said Shelby D. Boagni, Far Western Regional Director.
The conference will include several community service activities, aligned with the program initiatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed. In partnership with Bloodworks Northwest, the sorority will host a blood drive in honor of their beloved member, Dr. Millie Russell. Dr. Russell, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha for over 65 years, spent 26 years working with the King County Central Blood Bank and over three decades as an educator at the University of Washington. The blood drive will be held at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency on Thursday, April 20, between 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. and is open to the public.
In addition to the blood drive, the sorority will host a letter-writing campaign in support of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, the most comprehensive legislative attempt yet to address the crisis of Black maternal mortality in the United States. The campaign will also take place on Thursday, April 20, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. Materials will be provided to help participants write letters to their elected representatives, urging them to support the act. This is a significant move as the U.S. currently has the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed nations, with significant racial disparities, with Black women losing their lives at three to four times the rate of white women due to maternity-related causes, independent of age, economic background, or education.
The public is also invited to the sorority’s Public Meeting, themed, “Uplifting our Local Community to Soar,” at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. During this event, local organizations and individuals whose services are in line with the sorority’s program initiative, Uplifting Our Community, will be honored. The Public Meeting will also feature state and local elected officials and Grammy award-winning contemporary gospel singer and writer, Erica Campbell.
“We’re thrilled to see the distinguished women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority experience the best of the Pacific Northwest in Bellevue, while simultaneously providing meaningful service to the community,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue Washington.
