Feb. 27, 2005 The Sigma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosted its annual Black Arts Festival Saturday at Emancipation Garden.
"We have lots of sororities and fraternities and no one ever gets to see us," organizer Patricia Blake-Simmonds said.
Attending to bring public awareness of their chapters were Sigma Gamma Rho, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha and Omega Psi Phi. Schools displaying artwork included Addelita Cancryn Junior High and Dober Elementary.
The black fraternities and sororities were excited to share their projects with the community. A signature program for AKA is the AKA Academy, where members tutor children after school. They also hold a blouse day every year, where they donate blouses for school children who need them. A project still in the planning stages for the AKA's is Fashionetta, which is a debutante ball.
The Alpha Phi Alpha chapter was present to "let the community know we're back," said chapter president James Rhymer. "We're glad to be here. All the Greeks have decided we're going to do more together, because together we get more done."
Stedman Hodge of Omega Psi Phi was there to support his chapter. "I wanted to be part of an organization that suited my personality and take part in the events," he said. His chapter is involved in Social Action Programs: they cook dinner at Ebenezer Gardens Senior Home and award a Citizen of the Year prize, among other programs.
The entertainment portion of the Festival was kicked off with a lively performance by the Love City Leapers, who do choreographed routines with jump ropes. Members of Omega Psi Phi performed a circle walk. Attorney Darwin Carr of Omega Psi spoke about Phi Carter G. Woodson, whom Carr credits for founding Black History Month.
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