Chapter History

During a cool winter evening in 1996, nine members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated were involved in a conversation that centered on the growth of Broward County and the number of new members relocating to the area. This included active as well as inactive members. The current population growth in Broward County during this time exceeded 20,000 each year. As the discussion continued, the possibilities of starting a third chapter in Broward County evolved. Devarn Flowers was elected to lead the Interest Group. The ladies realized the need for a mentor to guide them in a positive and progressive direction. Margaret Blake Roach was identified as that person. Roach began by defining the Interest Group as “A Catalyst for Excellence”, and guided them in defining reasons for establishing a new chapter which were to:

  • Foster a greater outreach for AKA, thus providing the opportunity to touch the lives of more children and families in the community.
  • Aid in reaching members who have much to offer the organization by addressing the needs of the community and those who are less fortunate.
  • Carry out the ideals, traditions and programs through the development that implements the national foci.
  • Utilize the county’s three major universities and one community college as a means of attracting talented new members as well as a means for developing an articulation to plan and implement various cultural community and educational programs.
  • Be instrumental in bridging the gap for those affected by social and welfare reform.

After identifying reasons for the establishment of a new chapter, the group went to work. The nine members began meeting at the home of Rose Merritt. The members included Jacqueline Blaylock-Smith, Kathryn Fullins, Devarn Flowers, Lisa George, Agnes Greene, Laura Martin, Rose Merritt, Evelyn Smith and Delores Williams. Kathryn Fullins and Evelyn Smith made the initial contact with the South Atlantic Regional Director, Lucretia Payton-Stewart. She gave the group her blessings and forwarded the necessary documents to assist in planning.

As the group continued to meet, high aspirations and goals were formulated. They centered on Sisterly Relations, Leadership, Program and Community.

After establishing general guidelines for operations, the group began inviting additional members who, they thought, would carry out the ideals and aspirations identified. Among the first ladies to be invited were Eloise McCoy-Cain, Linda Whye and Ernestine Williams. They were followed by Marianne Davis and Sonya’ Williams Finney. The group continued until thirty-one members were identified: Mary Ann Bacon, Jocelyn Blaylock, Sharoen Goodwin, Hazel Grisham, Sandra Irish, Shirley Clark Lamar, Rosa Lawson, Sylvia Rhodes Lewis, Venetta McCullough, Willie Ethel Meeks, Lillie Moltimore, Martha Pinkston, Jaris Whitehurst Roberts, Edith Gooden-Thompson and Gail Ward.  After the group was formed the following officers were elected:

President
Devarn Flowers

Vice President
Rose Merritt

Secretary
Linda Whye

Treasurer
Lisa George

Parliamentarian
Jacqueline Blaylock-Smith

Program Chairman
Venetta McCullough

Chaplin
Evelyn Smith

In meeting the programmatic requirements for chartering, several projects were identified and implemented. Care packages were made and donated to Women in Distress, as well as teenagers in need. The ladies spent hours on Saturdays feeding the homeless at the Mills Center (primary health care facility).

Upon completion of the requirements set forth by the international office, the group was officially approved as the Metropolitan Broward Interest Group at the meeting of the Directorate in March. A chartering date of May 31, 1997 was then submitted and approved by the South Atlantic Regional Director.

All eyes were on Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 31, 1997, as thirty-one ladies became charter members of Upsilon Xi Omega Chapter (UXO), the first graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha to be chartered under the auspices of Lucretia Payton Stewart, South Atlantic Regional Director. Upsilon Xi Omega encompasses members from the metropolitan areas of Fort Lauderdale-Broward County. Prior to the chartering ceremony, the group rendered services under the Metropolitan Broward Interest Group.

The festivities began on Friday evening at the Wyndham Hotel with a reception for Lucretia Payton-Stewart. After greeting each member, Payton-Stewart addressed the group, viewed their scrapbook and listened as the members elaborated on the various community services they rendered.

Saturday, more than fifty members from visiting chapters looked on as Lucretia Payton-Stewart performed the chartering ceremony. Assisting Payton-Stewart were Frederica S. Wilson and Margaret Roach, former South Atlantic Regional Directors; Alexandria Holloway and Maria Jerkins, Cluster 1 Coordinators and Carol Degraffenreidt, President Zeta Rho Omega. Following the chartering ceremony, some four hundred members, family and friends gathered for UXO’s chartering celebration banquet.

Using the theme, “A Celebration of Excellence”, Laura Martin and Martha Pinkston greeted the guests and set the tone for the evening. The introduction of the charter membership and recognition of all visiting members were given by Frederica S. Wilson. Other highlights were musical selections by Jaris W. Roberts, reading of the proclamation by Commissioner Sylvia Poitier, tributes of service from various fraternities and organizations by Devarn Flowers and Rose Merritt, and greetings and congratulations from Lucretia Payton-Stewart.

The chartering is over; it’s time to get to work. The first order of business was the election of officers for the chapter. The following officers were elected:

President
Rose Merritt

Vice President
Devarn Flowers

Secretary
Linda Whye

Financial Secretary
Sharoen Goodwin

Treasurer
Sandra Irish

Corresponding Secretary
Jacqueline B. Smith

Official Hostess
Marianne Davis

Doorkeeper
Shirley Lamar

Parliamentarian
Lisa George

Ivy Leaf Reporter
Sylvia Lewis

Historian
Kathryn Fullins

Chaplin
Edith Gooden-Thompson

The structure of Upsilon Xi Omega was derived from the Constitution and Bylaws, Manual of Standard Procedure of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised as the parliamentary authority. The members of Upsilon Xi Omega, realizing the essential needs of the chapter, were eager to create a list of ideas and strategies for managing meetings more effectively. First on the list of priorities was getting to know the governing documents of AKA and formulating the first chapter bylaws, outlining the policies and procedures for conducting meetings; elections; duties of officers and committees; member responsibilities and financial obligations. The chapter bylaws were then part of the structure of the chapter. In the ensuing years, the chapter bylaws have been updated, as necessary, based on chapter needs and changes to the governing documents.