Chapter HERstory

In the spring of 2000, longtime friends and sorority members Claudette Smith Nelson and Carrie Baptiste Jackson began to discuss the possibility of organizing a group of women who would carry on the tradition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, by providing “service to all mankind” in East Lansing and surrounding communities.  

In their hearts and minds, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® was the very organization to provide empowerment and structure for needed community services while promoting sisterhood.  In October 2000, Nelson and Jackson met with Rachel A. Mallory, Alpha Kappa Alpha Great Lakes Regional Director, to discuss organizing an interest group.  During a second meeting in April 2001, which included fellow sorority member Mary Agnes Lipscomb, a petition and request to organize an interest group was presented to the Regional Director.

In early August 2001, the Great Lakes Regional Director contacted Nelson and Jackson and gave the long-awaited approval to organize an interest group within the structure of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  On August 23, 2001, an organizational meeting was held, and The Ivy Forum was formed.  On October 20, 2002, at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, the Ivy Forum met again.  Its members affirmed their commitment to the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha, “service to all mankind,” and 36 sorority women became charter members of the Chi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®.

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Since our chartering, the chapter has been the recipient of many regional and city awards and accolades for our commitment to community service over the years.