Political Moves by Alpha Kappa Alpha in Washington, D.C.
Hey there! Big news is coming out of Washington, D.C. lately. You may have heard of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the beloved historically Black sorority that boasts some seriously impressive names in its lineup—one of which is our current Vice President, Kamala Harris. Well, guess what? They’re making waves in the political arena like never before by launching their very own Political Action Committee.
What’s the Deal with the PAC?
So first things first, what’s a PAC? Well, a Political Action Committee is basically a group that raises funds to support political campaigns. In this case, the newly formed AKA 1908 PAC will be all about mobilizing votes, particularly aiming to uplift political representation for the sorority’s members and the broader community they serve.
This move is pretty unique for a sorority and signals how serious AKA is about making a difference—especially as we gear up for the big elections coming up in November. We know both Democratic and Republican parties are eyeing the African American voter base closely, and with over 2 million alumni in the Divine Nine network, AKA is positioning itself as a major player in this game.
A Historic Moment
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane. Back in 2020, when Kamala Harris was announced as Joe Biden’s running mate, there was a beautiful flood of donations rolling into their campaign—$19.08 each, to be precise. Why that amount? It’s a tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s founding year—how cool is that?
Now, if you thought that was a one-off moment, think again. Kamala Harris has been keeping her AKA connections alive and well since taking office. During her time as Vice President, she even welcomed leaders of the Divine Nine to the White House. This was the first time all of those sorority and fraternity heads were invited there to meet with a sitting president or vice president. That’s some serious history right there.
Mobilizing the Divine Nine
Just last month, with Biden backing out of the race and giving his nod to Harris, all the Divine Nine presidents got together and made it clear that they were ready to step up. They promised an “unprecedented voter registration, education, and mobilization coordinated campaign.” Now that’s a collective force to reckon with!
Supporting Candidates
As we dig a bit deeper into what this PAC can do, each member of the sorority and their families can contribute up to $5,000 to support federal campaigns and political parties. Kiahna Davis, a regional director, is listed as the PAC’s treasurer. While we didn’t get a chance to hear from her directly, the excitement is palpable for what’s to come.
Harris’s Connection to AKA
Kamal Harris is a big fan of AKA—she’s even compared the sorority to family. It’s surely no surprise that her first public event after becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee was with another Divine Nine sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. She has been keeping her ties strong with AKA and participated in their gatherings earlier this summer. And let’s not forget the rally she held in Atlanta, where her support base included a diverse mix of Divine Nine alumni making their mark in politics.
More Greek Organizations in Politics
And it’s not just AKA stepping onto the political stage. Other Greek organizations are doing their part too. For instance, Phi Beta Sigma, a fraternity in the Divine Nine, also has a PAC. There’s even a Fraternity & Sorority Political Action Committee that was established back in 2005, focused on supporting candidates who stand up for the fraternity and sorority experience.
The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, this PAC from Alpha Kappa Alpha is not just about them—it’s a movement that could sharply uplift representation for Black communities everywhere. It’s exciting to watch how our sorority sisters are rallying together to make waves in the political arena and influence the decisions that matter most.
