Memphis turned out in force recently to celebrate one of its own as Toni Wallace Franklin stepped into leadership as director of the South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Franklin, however, spent much of her remarks talking less about what she had achieved than about what she hoped to do with the opportunity.
“Becoming the regional director of the South Eastern Region is an honor,” Franklin told the crowd on Sept. 12 at Brown Missionary Baptist Church. “It was never just about reaching a destination. It was about the journey — a journey that has never been about a title. It has been about service.”
Franklin now leads AKA chapters in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. She arrived at the regional post after years of service at the chapter, regional and international levels, including leadership in Memphis’ Phi Lambda Omega Chapter, now presided over by now led by Carmen R. Patton.
The theme of Franklin’s term is, “Together We Flourish: Cultivating Champions,” a phrase repeated throughout the reception.
For Franklin, “cultivating champions” is more than a slogan.
“I believe there’s a champion in every chapter. There’s a champion in every member. There’s a champion in every generation,” she said. “And sometimes, all a champion needs is someone to see her, believe in her, encourage her and give her an opportunity to serve.”
She said her goal is to cultivate leaders who serve with compassion, embrace innovation and help prepare the next generation.
“Leadership isn’t about having a spotlight on you,” Franklin said. “Leadership is about using your life to help someone else see theirs.”
That emphasis on developing others also shaped the spiritual tone of the afternoon.
During meditation, Phi Lambda Omega Chaplain Antoinette Harvey tied Franklin’s theme to the idea that people do not flourish alone, but by investing in one another.
“Sometimes the greatest evidence of a champion is not how she rises,” Harvey said, “but how many others rise because she was willing to pour into them.”
The Rev. Bartholomew Orr, senior pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church, offered a prayer asking that Franklin be given wisdom, strength and compassion and that her time in office be marked by success and cooperation.
Franklin reflected on the path that brought her to the regional office.
Looking back over years of assignments, conferences, committee work and leadership responsibilities, she said what once appeared to be obstacles look different in hindsight.
“What I thought were detours were actually divine direction,” Franklin said. “What I thought were delays were actually divine preparation.”
The reception also included an announcement intended to extend Franklin’s impact beyond her term in office.
Organizers announced the establishment of the Toni Wallace Franklin Endowment through the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation.
The presentation focused on the rising cost of higher education and the gap that can remain between financial aid and what students actually need to stay enrolled.
“We’re not simply contributing to an endowment,” the presenter told attendees. “We’re investing in the student who dreams, but needs financial support to get there.”
The announcement was consistent with Franklin’s own history in education and service. Before becoming regional director, she served as the region’s coordinator for the sorority’s Educational Advancement Foundation and as president of Phi Lambda Omega chapter. She also served as general chair when the 90th South Eastern Regional Conference brought thousands of members to Memphis in 2022.
Franklin said she wants the region under her leadership to be measured not simply by internal accomplishments, but by what happens in the communities its members serve.
“I foresee a South Eastern Region that is known not only for what we accomplish,” Franklin said, “but a region that leaves every community we touch better than we found it.”
