Scholarships are an integral part of the chapter’s program efforts. In 2004, Mary Castleberry, Scheherazade Perkins and Andrea Franklin proposed the idea to organize a Foundation. Later in 2005, the AKA Association for Community Development Foundation was organized for Beta Psi Omega’s charitable and education efforts. The Foundation was incorporated by the Texas Secretary of State’s office in 2006.
Beta Psi Omega Chapter is a non-profit organization. Our foundation, the AKA Association for Community Development Foundation (AKA-ACD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since its origin, there have been seven AKA-ACD Foundation Presidents: Whitney Houston, 2005-2006; Patricia Wilkins, 2007-2009; Dr. Avis Meeks Day, 2009-2011; Dr. Tasha Philpot, 2011-2012; Dr. Susan Johnson, 2013-2016; and Jacquelyn Hawkins, 2017-2020; Lotus Douglas 2021-current. Beta Psi Omega has funded college scholarships to dozens of deserving high school seniors.
To further our ability to provide scholarships, three Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancements Endowments have been established. The first endowment was established in 1992 and named in honor of our members and former South Central Regional Directors Dr. Connie Yerwood Conner and Olive Durden Brown. The Conner-Brown Endowment fund was capitalized in 2013. The second endowment was created and capitalized in 2013 and named in honor of Beta Psi Omega member and former State Representative and Speaker Pro Tem and Golden member, Dr. Wilhelmina Ruth Fitzgerald Delco. The third endowment was established and capitalized in 2020 and named in honor of our Beta Psi Omega member, Joya T. Hayes who was elected as the 26th South Central Regional Director. In addition, we have made financial contributions to the American Heart Association, CASA, Carver Museum, HBCUs, United Negro College Fund, NAACP, NCNW and assisted with relief efforts following the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey that greatly impacted members from our region.
One of the Foundation’s signature annual programs is Project G.R.E.E.N, which was created by Jacquelyn Hawkins in 2008 to strengthen the Beta Psi Omega’s ability to provide the educational needs of our local youth. Through Project G.R.E.E.N., schools supplies and backpacks are purchased, packaged and delivered for each student at Oak Springs Elementary and Texas Preparatory School-Austin. In addition, we have mentored many young ladies in various Alpha Kappa Alpha programs: On Track, Ivy Reading AKAdemy, Young Authors, Emerging Young Leaders, and A.S.C.E.N.D. We have provided workshops on numerous topics such as self-esteem, health issues and bullying. We have also been an unstoppable force of activism for voting rights, including hosting and participating in numerous voter registration drives at the African American Heritage Festival, social events and churches, as well as participating in the electoral process by casting our ballots and taking local residents to the polls to increase voter turnout.
Beta Psi Omega Chapter is a non-profit organization. Our foundation, the AKA Association for Community Development Foundation (AKA-ACD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since its origin, there have been seven AKA-ACD Foundation Presidents: Whitney Houston, 2005-2006; Patricia Wilkins, 2007-2009; Dr. Avis Meeks Day, 2009-2011; Dr. Tasha Philpot, 2011-2012; Dr. Susan Johnson, 2013-2016; and Jacquelyn Hawkins, 2017-2020; Lotus Douglas 2021-current. Beta Psi Omega has funded college scholarships to dozens of deserving high school seniors.
To further our ability to provide scholarships, three Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancements Endowments have been established. The first endowment was established in 1992 and named in honor of our members and former South Central Regional Directors Dr. Connie Yerwood Conner and Olive Durden Brown. The Conner-Brown Endowment fund was capitalized in 2013. The second endowment was created and capitalized in 2013 and named in honor of Beta Psi Omega member and former State Representative and Speaker Pro Tem and Golden member, Dr. Wilhelmina Ruth Fitzgerald Delco. The third endowment was established and capitalized in 2020 and named in honor of our Beta Psi Omega member, Joya T. Hayes who was elected as the 26th South Central Regional Director. In addition, we have made financial contributions to the American Heart Association, CASA, Carver Museum, HBCUs, United Negro College Fund, NAACP, NCNW and assisted with relief efforts following the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey that greatly impacted members from our region.
One of the Foundation’s signature annual programs is Project G.R.E.E.N, which was created by Jacquelyn Hawkins in 2008 to strengthen the Beta Psi Omega’s ability to provide the educational needs of our local youth. Through Project G.R.E.E.N., schools supplies and backpacks are purchased, packaged and delivered for each student at Oak Springs Elementary and Texas Preparatory School-Austin. In addition, we have mentored many young ladies in various Alpha Kappa Alpha programs: On Track, Ivy Reading AKAdemy, Young Authors, Emerging Young Leaders, and A.S.C.E.N.D. We have provided workshops on numerous topics such as self-esteem, health issues and bullying. We have also been an unstoppable force of activism for voting rights, including hosting and participating in numerous voter registration drives at the African American Heritage Festival, social events and churches, as well as participating in the electoral process by casting our ballots and taking local residents to the polls to increase voter turnout.