Several were educators and met each other at various school and community activities. The nearest chapter was twenty miles away in St. Petersburg, and another fifty miles away in Tampa.
The chapter was chartered on August 13, 1977 by Mrs. Norma Solomon White, the Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Annie Pearcey was named the chapter’s First Chartering President. In 1978, we started a tutoring program for 10th and 11th graders at Lincoln Middle School in Manatee County and Booker High School in Sarasota County. Our first scholarship recipient was Vickie Pearcey from Sarasota High School, class of 1978. Vickie then attended the University of Miami and became a member of the sorority.
On June 20, 1981 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. sponsored “Take A Friend To Lunch” at the Hyatt House in Sarasota. This community event increased the opportunity to tell others about the sorority. The Chapter adopted “You’ve Got A Friend” as the chapter’s official song.
In November of 1982, the Chapter collaborated with Mrs. Thelma Caruso and the Chancel Players to present “God’s Trombones” by James Johnson at Christ’s Episcopal Church and St. Mary Missionary Baptist in Bradenton. The diverse cast included community members as well as members speaking and singing spirituals directed by Mrs. Edwina Stanley. Members also participated in the Panhellenic Chorale concerts to perpetuate the Negro Spiritual.
The chapter’s first Fashionetta was held on November 8, 1984 at the Sarasota Opera Theatre. We also participated in the Fashionetta’s of 1985, 1986, 1989 and 2011 in both Sarasota and Bradenton.
In March 2009, the chapter held its first "Beautillion" to showcase the young black men in the Manatee and Sarasota counties.
In 2013, the chapter held its first Pink Ice Ball at Fete Ballroom in Lakewood Ranch. In partnership with the Ivy Foundation, Incorporated, the Pink Ice Ball is our signature fundraiser.