Local Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Helps Aspiring Business Owners

Members of fraternities and sororities not only help their communities during their undergraduate years, some continue this work on the graduate level. The Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Lawrenceville, Georgia has been making an impact in Gwinnett County, GA since 1994.

The graduate chapter of the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women recently announced award recipients of their Upsilon Alpha Omega Graduate Chapter Scholarships. The scholarship enables eight budding Green T.I.E. (Training Inspires Entrepreneurship) Affair entrepreneurs to move to a next-level business training session sponsored by the Small Business Development Center in Lawrenceville.

Award recipients included Ms. Shelly Beer, Mrs. Millicent Black, Mrs. Ellen Craig, Mrs. Angela Johnson, Ms. Margaret Johnson, Ms. Tania Saint-King, Ms. Alexia Whitaker and Ms. Carrie Winchester.

Shelly Beer is excited about all of the possibilities available for entrepreneurship. “I realized that it is time for me to step out on my own, after working in the giftware business for nine years and being laid off at my last job, I am very grateful for being selected for the boot camp scholarship,” said Ms. Beer.

Sponsored by the Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation, Incorporated, the charitable arm of the AKA Gwinnett County graduate chapter,  the November event drew 49 prospective or current business owners.

The Green T.I.E. Affair, now in its fourth year, targets non-traditional entrepreneurs, namely minority women, in keeping with the focus of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s national service program.

 (Scholarship recipients pose with Upsilon Alpha Omega President Kathy H. Jackson (far left), Gwinnett Pearls of Service Foundation President Debbie Payton (far right), and Mr. Mr. Robert Andoh, Area Director of the University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center-Gwinnett.)