New York City Officially Declares January 15th as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day

New York City Council has officially designated January 15th as Alpha Kappa Alpha Day to honor the legacy and ongoing impact of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® the first sorority founded by and for college-educated Black women.

According to a the New York City Council’s website, the resolution, sponsored by two proud Alpha Kappa Alpha members—Speaker Adrienne Adams and Majority Leader Amanda Farías—celebrates the sorority’s enduring commitment to service, scholarship, and uplifting communities across New York City and beyond.

“As a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, initiated at Spelman College, I am delighted to co-sponsor this resolution,” said Speaker Adams. “Being a member of the first Sorority for college-educated Black women has been pivotal in shaping my path—particularly in becoming the first Black Speaker of the New York City Council.”

She continued, “The tenets of Alpha Kappa Alpha have empowered my life’s journey by breaking barriers and blazing trails, just as it has for generations of women before me. I am profoundly honored to support the perpetual recognition of my historic Sisterhood.”

Majority Leader Amanda Farías echoed the sentiment: “It is an honor to stand with Speaker Adrienne Adams—my Sister in Alpha Kappa Alpha—in co-sponsoring this resolution. For more than a century, Alpha Kappa Alpha has advanced education, civil rights, and service through programs that change lives.”

Farías highlighted the work of AKA members across NYC: “Sisters organize annual service projects that support local shelters, award scholarships, and mentor young women. Recognizing Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in the City of New York affirms the measurable and lasting impact of BIPOC women’s leadership.”

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha has long been a beacon of excellence and purpose, with members leading initiatives in education, health equity, economic empowerment, civic engagement, and global impact. The establishment of Alpha Kappa Alpha Day in NYC is a powerful acknowledgment of that legacy and its continued relevance today.

As January 15th approaches, New Yorkers and the broader Divine Nine community now have a reason to celebrate not just the sorority’s founding, but its vibrant, ongoing impact on lives across the five boroughs.