A Historic Lineup of Trailblazers Joins Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Esteemed Sisterhood
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA), the nation’s first intercollegiate historically Black sorority founded in 1908 at Howard University, has once again made history. The organization recently announced a groundbreaking class of honorary members—each an influential woman who has broken barriers in her field and continues to inspire through leadership and service.
The announcement took place during the sorority’s 2025 Leadership Seminar, “Pathways to Soar: Unlocking Impactful Leadership,” hosted in Anaheim, California. More than 9,000 members from across the globe attended the conference, which focused on fostering innovation, social impact, and leadership excellence (source: Essence).
This year’s class of honorary members includes some of the most accomplished and history-making women in modern America:
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Laura Coates, CNN’s Chief Legal Analyst and Anchor, who made history as the first Black woman to hold the position. Coates, a former federal prosecutor and adjunct law professor at Columbia University, is also a celebrated author and one of the most influential voices in legal journalism today (source: CNN).
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Karine Jean-Pierre, who serves as White House Press Secretary, is both the first Black person and the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to hold the role. Since taking office in 2022, Jean-Pierre has become a symbol of transparency, professionalism, and resilience in public communication (source: The Washington Post).
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Beverly Johnson, supermodel, actress, entrepreneur, and cultural icon, made history in 1974 as the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine. Her pioneering achievement helped redefine beauty standards in the fashion industry, paving the way for generations of diverse models (source: The New York Times).
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Gabby Thomas, Olympic medalist and Harvard alumna, became the first Ivy League graduate to win an Olympic medal in track and field. Beyond her athletic prowess, Thomas is also an advocate for health equity and women’s empowerment, combining her background in neurobiology with her passion for social impact (source: NBC Sports).
Together, these extraordinary women represent the essence of excellence, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership. Their induction underscores Alpha Kappa Alpha’s enduring commitment to celebrating those who use their influence to uplift communities and advance equality.
Honorary Membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha is the highest distinction the sorority bestows. It honors individuals who embody the organization’s core principles of scholarship, service, and sisterhood. Under the dynamic leadership of International President and CEO Danette Anthony Reed, the 2025 honorary induction ceremony was a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and global vision (source: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.).
As Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to expand its legacy—more than a century after its founding—this new class of honorary members stands as a testament to the transformative power of women who lead not only with excellence, but with heart.
Congratulations to the newest members of this historic and powerful sisterhood!