In 2021, Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Incorporated®, marked its 75th year of community service in Pensacola, Florida, and 64 years of presenting Debutantes to society.
The organization has presented over 1,000 young Black women to society since 1956. The young ladies participate in various activities that promote scholarship, leadership, service and personal development, and this service program has traditionally culminated in an annual formal ball.
Because of the pandemic, however, the Debutantes created history by being presented during the Sorority’s first-ever Virtual Debutante Presentation, which was broadcast to ticketholders on the evening of Monday, December 27, 2021. Six exceptional “Illuminations of Elegance” were presented during the Chapter’s 75th year. College scholarships were awarded to three Debutantes, totaling $6,500 from the proceeds of the event.
The third-place scholarship was awarded to Reagan Kennedy; second place went to Kori Anthony; and the first-place scholarship was awarded to Keira Watson.
The chapter also honored its first Pearl members, members of the chapter with 65 to 74 years of active service to the sorority, and its newest Silver Stars, members of the chapter with 25 to 49 years of service.
AKA members Jennifer Kennedy and Michele Lee Anthony were the Debutante Presentation CoChairs. The choreographer was Sheree Triplett Roberts, with the assistance of two of the Debutantes, Keira Watson and Kori Anthony.
Founded in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, an international organization, is the first sorority established for college-educated Black women in the United States. The six high school seniors presented to society as AKA Debutantes were as follows:
