SYRACUSE, N.Y (NCC News) – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Syracuse University is highlighting the strength of its sisterhood and commitment to reaching the Central New York community following its new member presentation on Monday.
Part of the Divine Nine, the sorority is highly renowned for its lifelong bonds and commitment to community service. SU sophomore Alex McGruder’s family is deeply rooted in AKA. His grandmother is a Pearl Soror, which is a member that has served for 65 or more years and is the highest honor one can achieve. McGruder’s mother is also a part of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
On Monday, McGruder watched his younger sister, Hailey, become initiated. With three generations of his family in AKA, he reflected on the meaningfulness of the bond.
“Yeah, that’s the thing with the Divine Nine sororities in the African American community. You’re not just a part of the sorority for your four years in college. It’s literally a life thing. It’s in your blood,” he said.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the largest sorority within the Divine Nine. Founded in 1908 as the first Black Greek-letter sorority at Howard University, it includes more than 390,000 initiated members worldwide. Its mission centers on service, with a founding principle of being of “Service to All Mankind.”
Members have continued that mission through community outreach in Central New York. In November of 2025, AKA helped distribute almost 100 Thanksgiving main courses at the Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church.
Newly initiated SU sophomore Kennedy Dancy has expressed goals in raising awareness about the Divine Nine through community service efforts.
“I’m very passionate about educating people on the sorority and just the Divine Nine in general. I feel like at Syracuse, there’s not as much recognition for it as like [National] Pan-Hellenic on the council. And so, probably more outreach in that sense and more on educating people,” she said.
Alpha Kappa Alpha also partners with We Rise Above The Streets Recovery Outreach Inc. to provide help for underserved groups in the Central New York Area every Saturday.