Flowers on the Vine

Sorority holds floral-themed 95-year celebration

By Eva D. Coleman
Lifestyle & Culture Editor

Flowers while they’re living. The Brookhaven Country Club was full of life in a grand, floral display as more than 200 guests attended Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Xi Omega chapter’s 95th anniversary event. With attendees dressed in their best floral attire, “A Tea Rose Affair: Honoring a Legacy of Leadership,” held on June 7, 2024, was the second of a four-day celebration honoring the founding of the first and largest Dallas chapter of the international sorority.

“We began with a membership of five that has grown to 900 plus,” Alpha Xi Omega President Rosemary Bolden said during her remarks as she saluted the five charter members who founded the chapter on June 6, 1929. Alpha Xi Omega currently has 905 members on their roster who serve the Dallas community through programs and educational initiatives.

Alpha Xi Omega has also been led by 48 other chapter presidents. Posters of former presidents lined the window view of the ballroom, with the first order of business being the announcement of those in attendance who were then escorted to stand near their poster. Attendees were encouraged to greet past presidents and take photos together.

“Alpha Xi Omega is still standing,” Devotion Chairman Stephanie Drew proudly stated before providing the meditation for the evening. “We have set the standard. We have enhanced the brand and protected its reputation.”

Event Chairman Lachon Jacobs, who is also a former president, and Co-Chairs Ingrid Buchanan and Dr. Avril Knox were all smiles as they mingled with guests. They each had a variety of roles in the coordination and execution of the evening’s program and spoke with pride about the rich history of the Alpha Xi Omega chapter.

“This longevity in itself and being able to be the leaders for others to follow is very important and it’s also just something that happened when we were the first, and now there are 11 chapters in our area; but not just AKA chapters, other D9 [Divine Nine] and other organizations,” Jacobs said. “We enjoy and we take it very personal and we take complete responsibility for doing the best that we can at all times so that others can also see what we do and do it as well.”

The charter members of the Alpha Xi Omega chapter were a valiant few who created what has blossomed into a dynamic force of hundreds in Dallas. Florence Harllee Phelps, who was initiated in the Alpha Chapter at Howard University led the effort that included Ethel Boswell Darden, Albertha Adams Lott, Annie Lacy Watson and Johnella Patton Lott, all who were initiated in the Phi Chapter at Wiley College. 

Current members are extremely proud to be a part of what they created.

“It’s a privilege to be a member of Alpha Xi Omega,” Dr. Knox said. “The foundation that our predecessors have laid to us is just amazing.”

History runs deep for some members.

“This is a legacy experience for me,” Buchanan said. “I am a third-generation legacy and so, when I think about legacy and I think about the leadership and the forefrontage of our chapter and the birth of other chapters in this area, I just think about us taking and leading the way to service to all mankind.”

Buchanan also served as emcee of “A Tea Rose Affair” and kept the evening flowing.

“We are not having tea tonight,” she said, drawing laughter. “We chose to name [the event] as a way to give to you an opportunity to celebrate in your most amazing florals.”

In addition to President Bolden, 1st Vice President Jacqueline Anderson-Vaughn and 2nd Vice President Constance Barron-Wilson gave congratulatory greetings, followed by 45th President Kassie Gossom providing grace. Attendees then dined on a mixed green salad, the entree of braised short ribs and grilled chicken with mustard cream sauce, served with roasted vegetable medley and parmesan risotto. Decorative strawberry and vanilla cake pops adorned the table as dessert.

Dinner was followed by an emotional awards presentation, with lifetime achievement award recipient, Jean Henson, shedding tears as she came forward to receive her award, causing many others to cry. The award titles saluted Alpha Xi Omega trailblazers as well. Chairman Jacobs led this portion of the event, providing descriptions for whom the awards were named and details about the honorees. 

The 2024 Alpha Xi Omega award recipients are:

Education Ambassador Award

Donnie C. Breedlove

Shirley R. Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award

Jean Henson

Eddie Bernice Johnson Community Servant Award

Dr. Myrna Dartson

The awards presentation was followed by a toast to 95 years from President Bolden. The audience was then treated to a serenade by Emmy® award-winning composer, vocalist and sorority member Jasmine Barnes who sang the Patti LaBelle classic “If Only You Knew.”

There were no wallflowers as attendees swiftly moved to the floor to close out the evening with dancing.

“I hope that they feel all the love that we put into this event because it was definitely a labor of love,” Jacobs said.