Courtesy of Caroline Figaro

Madelynn Huff ’27 always dreamed of joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was inspired by her mother and grandmother, both members during their college years.

Growing up surrounded by their stories and traditions, Huff felt a strong connection to the sorority. Now, as a member of New Haven’s chapter of AKA, Huff continues to carry on that cherished legacy. 

“My mom used to sing me our song as a lullaby. So it was like a full circle moment when I was joining and we sang the song, all of us together,” Huff remembered. “It was really sweet.” 

This past year, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., a historically Black sorority, gained national media attention since former Vice President Kamala Harris was a member during her college years at Howard University. Harris has spoken about how her membership in the sorority shaped her career and commitment to public service.

The News spoke to several Yalies in New Haven’s AKA Chapter, Xi Omicron, who emphasized the sorority’s enduring significance and storied history. 

“I see AKA’s history as deeply intertwined with both Black history and American history. Since its founding, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha have played pivotal roles in major social and political movements, whether leading from the front lines or working behind the scenes,” said Caroline Figaro ’27. “That legacy of advocacy, leadership, and service is something I carry with me, knowing that I’m part of an organization that has consistently shaped progress for Black communities and beyond.” 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University, a historically Black university. AKA became the first historically black sorority. 

The New Haven chapter was chartered in 1984 and includes Yale, Albertus Magnus, Quinnipiac, Southern Connecticut State and the University of New Haven. 

“The history really means a lot to me because to me it represents excellence and community uplift,” said Kendall Archer ’27. “Even when the rest of the world was looking down on us, was looking to the Black community to put us down, AKA was building community and looking to uplift others.”  

Every four years, the sorority announces five different tenants as the principles to guide each chapter’s outreach work and activities. Right now, the tenants are “Empower Our Families,” “Build Our Economic Wealth,” “Enhance Our Environment,” “Advocate for Social Justice” and “Uplift Our Local Community.”

Chapter President Kennedy Stafford ’26 explained that initiatives inspired by the “Build Our Economic Wealth” tenant have felt particularly meaningful to her.

“One of my favorites is ‘building our economic wealth,’ which targets helping the community uplift themselves and improve the economic wealth of black community specifically,” she said. “We recently hosted a program about credit, about some internships and jobs and we also hosted, a couple of years ago, a program where we toured the different black-owned businesses here in New Haven.” 

Stafford added that the sorority also organizes “Black Dollar Days,” where members spend money at different black-owned businesses to support their economic growth. 

Stafford explained that AKA is not the only Divine Nine — the coalition of Historically Black Sororities and Fraternities — active on Yale’s campus. The sorority Delta Sigma Theta also has Yale members, as do fraternities Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Figaro concluded that one of the most important aspects of AKA is the “incredible network that comes with being a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.”

“No matter where you go, you will always find a sister, whether at the airport, in a restaurant or in a new city where you don’t know anyone,” she said. “Joining a chapter means immediately having a support system, a sisterhood. It’s like a security blanket, offering connection and belonging wherever life takes you.”

Famous members of AKA include Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison and Alicia Keys.