Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® International President Dr. Glenda Glover says George Floyd’s cry out to his late mother before taking his last breath was a symbolic plea to all women for help.
She has called on leaders from 12 historic and celebrated African-American organizations to unite and condemn the senseless and unjustified death of Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many other Black men, women and children by police and vigilantes.
“When George Floyd called out for his mother, he was calling out to all the mothers and women around the world for justice,” says Glover, president of Tennessee State University and a Memphis native.
“We are answering that call as a sisterhood united for reform for the Black community.”
Answering the call to form the coalition was the National Council of Negro Women; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; The Links, Incorporated; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; National Coalition of 100 Black Women; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated; Black Women’s Roundtable; Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.; The Girl Friends, Incorporated; Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.; and the National CARES Mentoring Movement.
The four sororities and the nine other women’s groups represent more than five million collective voices to exert their collective power in addressing police brutality and systematic racism.
In a recent press conference, the coalition unveiled its #United4Reform Agenda to fight for racial justice and equality, and bring an end to police brutality.
Dr. Glover told the virtual audience of over 79,000 viewers that several of the action items, ranging from police reform, voter engagement and legislation, COVID-19 Relief and the 2020 Census, are focused on tearing down the walls of systemic racism. (See the complete list of the #United4Reform Action Items below.)
“This is our agenda to America and to the world as African-American women leaders of national organizations. We stand together as united women leaders with our collective memberships, and we invite you to join us, as we fight racism, and fight to save the lives of our Black women, men, and children.”
Dr. Glover adds that AKA, through its own service programs and together with the coalition, is committed to joining the American people and citizens around the world to demand change. The sorority’s International Connection Committee established a social justice agenda earlier that included three (3) specific areas to bring the might of AKAs collective membership to bear on critical issues impacting the Black community.
The areas are: Census 2020, AKAs L.E.A.D. and the Poor People’s Campaign March. Additionally, Alpha Kappa Alpha supports the NAACP in its call for sweeping police-reform federal legislation. The coalition’s agenda consist of similar action items.
#United4Reform AGENDA ACTION ITEMS
- Police Reform. Sweeping federal legislation regarding police reform mandating a zero-tolerance approach in prosecuting police officers who kill unarmed, non-violent, and non-resisting individuals during an arrest
- Voter Engagement/Voter Mobilization/Voter Education. Double local voter mobilization and participation efforts in the Black community to vote, and elect the candidates who will most effectively advocate for our communities
- Voter Legislation. Demand the Senate debate and vote of H.R.1 (For the People Act) that has passed the House of Representatives and would restore the Voting Rights Act and limit voter suppression
- Census 2020 Participation. Complete the 2020 Census and encourage our families and communities to do the same
- Engagement with Elected Officials. Contact local, state, and federal elected officials regarding any legislation that is harmful to African Americans and that does not provide equal protection under the law
- Participate with the Poor People’s Campaign. Attend the virtual march on June, 20, 2020 at 10 a.m.
- COVID-19 Relief. Advocate the passing of additional legislation that protects essential workers and healthcare professionals. COVID-19 has magnified the racial, ethnic and health disparities in the US
- Domestic Violence Protection. Offer real protections for children and adults contending with family violence, therapeutic services for abuses as well as precaution
- Mental Health Support. Implement community-based mental-health support services
- Mentoring and the Protection of Our Children. Enhance and implement service programs that provide social, emotional and academic support to help children realize their worth to unleash their potential
- Facilitate Courageous Conversations about Race and Racism. Engage in facilitated courageous conversations about race and racism in our communities
