Welcome to the White House, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Last Tuesday, September 20^th, 2011, the White House welcomed 160 Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority sisters. Fashioned in the AKA signature colors, salmon pink and apple green, the ladies attended a briefing with senior White House officials to learn more about the American Jobs Act and the Deficit Reduction Plan (PDF).

The briefing, part of the AKA’s 9th Public Policy Conference “The Time is Now!”, gave members the opportunity to explore ways to progress their civic, social and legislative agenda by focusing on unemployment, poverty, and health disparity issues they find significant to improving the lives of African Americans.

Senior leadership from the White House Offices of Communications, Presidential Personnel, National Economic Policy fielded questions related to how the AKAs could be supportive of the President’s plan in their own communities. Staff from the Office of Minority Health at HHS discussed the Affordable Care Act, and fellow AKA Dru Ealons of the EPA was on hand to talk about the impacts of clean air and energy and green jobs.

The AKA Sorority has been previously recognized by the White House and was invited to become a part of the White House Economic Recovery Advisory Board  for their dedication to improving the quality of life for citizens and for promoting peace as well as entrepreneurship and economic success among its members.

Heather Foster is the Associate Director of African American Affairs.