Milwaukee to Host 2,500 Professional Women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at its Central Regional Conference, April 6-9, 2017

MILWAUKEE (April 4, 2017) – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® announces its 83^rd Central Regional Conference in Milwaukee, April 6-9, 2017. The four-day gathering is expected to bring more than 2,500 attendees, fill almost 3,000 hotel rooms and generate $2.4 million in direct spending for the Cream City. Alpha Kappa Alpha last met in Milwaukee for their 70^th Central Regional Conference in 2004.

“Milwaukee is privileged to be the site of this year’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Central Regional Conference,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. “It is wonderful to welcome so many great women and to honor the good work that’s underway.”

Members of the eldest, African-American women-led, Greek letter organization will be housed at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center and Hyatt Regency with functions planned at the Wisconsin Center. Alpha Kappa Alpha cited easy access to downtown eateries, unique cultural experiences, nightlife and significant historical connections as key factors for choosing Milwaukee as its 2017 host city.

“Returning to Milwaukee is a homecoming I cherish,” said Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority International President. “This time, however, I’m joined by thousands of distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and involvement in local communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri and of course, Wisconsin.”

The longtime Milwaukee-area resident is three years into her four-year term leading 993 chapters, with more than 290,000 members worldwide. In her corporate career, Buckhanan Wilson was senior vice president at Goodwill Industries responsible for a $25 million dollar enterprise in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago. She enjoyed a distinguished career with companies such as Xerox Corporation and S. C. Johnson Wax, where she was a marketing executive and the first African-American (and one of the youngest) woman promoted to brand manager.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members from across the eight state region can’t wait to paint the town pink and green upon their return to the Brew City after more than a decade. “Central Region conference attendees will work on implementing programs focused on the international theme of Launching New Dimensions of Service,” said Kathy Walker Steele, Central Regional Director. “Targets include Educational Enrichment, Health Promotion, Family Strengthening, Environmental Ownership and Global Impact.”

The sorority plans to leave its mark during a bevy of activity. April 6^th, conference attendees will spend a day with Feeding America packing food for dissemination to local pantries in an effort to reduce hunger. Members will serve greater Milwaukee in collaboration with BloodCenter of Wisconsin by hosting a Community Blood/Donor Drive on Friday, April 7^th (10:00 am to 3:00 pm) and Saturday, April 8^th (9:00 am to 2:00 pm). The sorority will also host a public event honoring local leaders who are tremendous assets to Milwaukee, including but not limited to:

• Tito Izard – President/CEO, Milwaukee Health Services
• Debbie Lassiter – Executive Director, Convergence Resource Center
• Gaulien Smith – Entrepreneur and Boy Scout Troop Leader
• Will Allen – CEO, Growing Power, Inc.
• Shanee Jenkins – AVP of Community Relations, YMCA
• Ralph Hollmon – Former CEO, Milwaukee Urban League
• Gerri Sheets-Howard – Executive Director, House of Peace
• Julietta Henry – Director, United Negro College Fund

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has maintained a presence in Wisconsin for more than 68 years with six undergraduate chapters between the campuses of UW-Milwaukee, UW-Madison, UW-Whitewater, UW-Parkside, Marquette University and a city chapter. Graduate chapters include Epsilon Kappa Omega (Milwaukee), Upsilon Mu Omega (Milwaukee) and Kappa Psi Omega (Madison).

For more information on Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and its programs, visit AKA1908.com.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek letter organization established by African-American, college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of more than 290,000 members in 993 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, Liberia, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Germany, South Korea, Bermuda, Japan, Canada, South Africa and Dubai. Led by International President Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, L.H.D., Alpha Kappa Alpha is often hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African-American women.”

About VISIT Milwaukee

Celebrating 50 years in 2017, VISIT Milwaukee is the Greater Milwaukee area’s convention & visitors bureau, marketing the destination as a top choice for business, convention, and leisure travel to national and international visitors to increase the economic impact of tourism in the region. Each year, tourism supports over 50,000 full-time jobs and brings in over $5 billion to the community.  VISIT Milwaukee has over 650 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. The City of Wauwatosa, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit www.visitmilwaukee.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.