Wednesday, November 4, 2015

AKA Soror, Suzanne Shank, is the most powerful woman on Wall Street





Ms. Shank has served as President & CEO of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., L.L.C. since its inception in October 1996. She is a founder of the firm, co-owner and member of the Board of Directors. A twenty-five year veteran of the industry, Ms. Shank has led the financings for large scale projects for a variety of issuers, including the cities of New York, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, among others; Wayne County, Michigan, Cook County, Illinois, and Prince George’s County, Maryland; and the states of New York, Ohio, and Connecticut. Siebert Brandford Shank & Co, LLC, is actually the largest minority-owned municipal finance firm in the U.S. The outstanding financial firm underwrites municipal bond transactions in excess of $1.2 trillion.

Ms. Shank has won numerous awards and honors throughout her years in the public finance industry. Most recently she was inducted into the “Academy of Engineering Alumni” by Georgia Tech, named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the National Association of Securities Professionals, and included in NBC’s “Grio 100 List”, which honors African American leaders nationally. Ms. Shank has been recognized by U.S. Banker Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Women in Finance” and one of the “75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street”. Ms. Shank was also selected by the Wharton School of Business from among 100,000 graduates as one of its “125 Influential People and Ideas”. She is a recipient of the “She’s Our Hero Award” by Women in Public Finance. She has also appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg TV promoting the strength of the municipal bond market.

Ms. Shank is a graduate of The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance, and the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Ms. Shank is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

SO, YOU WANT TO BE GREEK?



Photo taken from HBCULifeStyle.com

The do's and don'ts of aspiring to be Greek.

1. Don't tell anybody! Discretion is key.

In undergrad, I met several people that wanted to pledge an organization just to change their mind at the last minute. Some were even rejected by the organization they initially wanted to join so they ended up pledging something else. This makes you look fickle. So instead of telling everybody (especially on the internet) that you are a future AKA, keep your mouth zipped.

2. Do your research!

Before I pledged my sorority, I researched ALL GLOS. Predominantly white ones, Latino-based ones, NPHC and Non-NPHC. Don't just pledge an org because of their stereo-types or because everybody is doing it. Research all the orgs so you can make an informed decision.

3. Do look beyond the hype.

Stepping and strolling is all fun and games but being a part of a GLO is so much more than the partying. Don't join just because this group steps good, or because this groups look better. Base your decision on the impact the org is having in your local community and the national community.

4. Do have prior community service experience.

Before joining an org, you should already have leadership skills that you've developed through community service. This will make you an attractive candidate for membership.

5. Do look the part!

Being a part of an org requires you to look the part. You wouldn't go to a job interview in jeans and a t-shirt. Don't go to an org's event looking shabby. Unfortunately, we live in a world where image matters. How you dress is how you will be addressed.

6. Don't lose your identity.

Joining an org should enhance your positive qualities. It should inspire you to be a better version of yourself. Not a carbon copy of somebody else. Don't stop talking to your old friends. Don't stop going to church. Don't let it change your genuine self. Stay humble.

7. Don't be discouraged.

You may not get an invitation to the org that you initially want to join. Don't fret! Try again! Worst case scenario is that you can join at the graduate level once you have your undergrad degree. If it's in your heart, it's worth the wait.

8. Do save your money!

It cost money to join a GLO so make sure you save your difference checks so that you can actually pay for it, unless you have a sponsor. Hopefully, you will be able to save for multiple years of activism so you can remain active after you graduate (BGLO).

9. Do prepare for the interview.

Look up interesting facts about your org of choice to improve your chance of having a successful interview. Displaying your knowledge of the org's history shows that you are a serious candidate. Also, highlight unique things that you can bring to the organization and how you plan to use those skills if you are chosen to be a member.

10. Do be yourself!

Everyone can tell if you are being fake. Also, go for the org that fits your personality style. Look at the national level and see if you want to be associated with that orgs history and notable members. At the same time, realize that as you grow older, you may not want to be associated with the superficial image that the organization portrays.

BONUS!

Pray about it and make the most of your experience.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc's Rising Star, Sam White, speaks out against police brutuality on social media



I have been seeing tweets by Sam White about injustices for a few months now. I thought I was following him but I wasn't. So, after reading his tweets on #AssaultAtSpringValleyHigh, I felt the time was nigh to follow him and recognize him for influencing change. I don't think I need to justify why I'm featuring him in my Celebrity Greeks blog. I mean, he has 105K+ likes on Facebook, 50K+ Twitter followers, 277K+ followers on Instagram and a half million views of him shimmying on Youtube. I need Twitter to verify him already. He's handsome, he's charming, and he's intelligent. Read his tweets below. Sam White is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Follow him on Instagram and twitter @samwhiteout.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

AKA Kamala Harris considers running for US Senate seat in 2016



The California Attorney General, announced this past January, that she is running for Barbara Boxer's U.S. Senate seat in 2016. The AG has California's first Black, first female and first Asian-American Attorney General. Harris, graduated from Howard University, where she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated's Alpha Chapter. She also attended University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she received her J.D.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

UNJUST BEATING OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI MEMBER, MARTESE JOHNSON, STUNS NATION.

Martese Johnson, a student at University of Virginia, and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, was slammed face first into concrete after he was asked for his ID. The police apparently believed it was fake and started to brutally assault the honor student. Social media has responded with hastags #MarteseJohnson and #JusticeForMartese. Virginia Governor has launched an investigation into the matter.


Thursday, January 22, 2015

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR: A PROPHET



Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, was a remarkable speaker. His actions and leadership in the Civil Rights Movement in America, made "Justice for All" possible for so many people around the world. Dr. King was indeed a Prophet. He heard God tell him to take a stand. He followed the voice of God at every step of the way. He allowed God to strengthen him and guide him to victory. He was a Prophet, and should be recognized as such. Dr. King was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

DISPELLING DIVINE NINE STEREOTYPES

Divine Nine stereotypes are as old as the Divine Nine itself (probably not, but it sounded good, didn't it?). These are stereotypes shared by Greeks and non-Greeks alike. Note, in different areas of the country, these stereotypes don't hold water. Remember, these are OPINIONS, not facts.

Let's look at the sororities first:

AKA- They wear pink and green and are known as the stuck-up "pretty girls". They have attitudes that are anything but pretty. Historically, they are lighter skinned and skinny with long hair. They practically worship themselves. In reality, these ladies are not all stuck-up. There are dark-skinned ladies, fat ladies, and nice ladies. But to most, these are the exception to the rule. AKAs have a long history of self-less community service and have raised millions of dollars for charities world-wide.

Deltas- Colors are Crimson and Creme or Red and white. Down to earth, very popular, rough, ride or die. Breakaways from AKA (they broke away to become more active in the greater community whereas AKA was just a social club initially). Deltas are high-energy and very proud of their legacy. They are very vocal about their pride. In other words, they are the loudest and the proudest. Deltas have a long record of civil rights and community service.

Zetas- Blue and White. Big ugly dark-skinned girls who like to eat. Always on the Sigmas jock. Rejects from other sororities. Now, at my Alma Mater, the Zetas were a force to be reckoned with. They were pretty and always had the bomb hairstyles. On a global scale, Zetas partner with several organizations in raising money for various causes.

SGRho- Royal Blue and Gold. Manly women who look homely. Mostly overweight. Often confused for Zetas. The nerds of the bunch. In reality, Sigma Gamma Rhos are very attractive. They are smart and normally have the highest GPAs among the sororities. They are also seen as the most active in the community. SGRhos are very important to the communities they serve.

Fraternities:

APhiA- Black and Old Gold. Nerds, undercover brothers, the first. In reality Alphas are intelligent, classy, and are true gentlemen. I never met an Alpha I didn't like.

Kappas- Crimson and Creme. Gay, "pretty boy", wanna-be AKAs. Don't drink the "Nupe Juice" lol! In reality, Kappas are business oriented and they do a lot for the community.

Ques- Purple and Gold. Nasty Dawgs who don't graduate college. Worst hazing. Most imitated. You never know if a Que is recognized by their Nationals. In reality, Omega men are well-rounded and uphold high standards of manhood.

Sigmas- Country boys that wear blue and white. Imitates Omegas. Have lowest GPAs. Mad because they are ugly. In reality, I've met some outstanding, sophisticated and handsome Sigmas.

Iotas- Brown and Gold. Seen as rejects, last in line, least respected. In reality, the Iotas at my Alma Mater ran the yard. They were the best steppers and were the most active in the community.

Bottom line: You can't judge an organization by it's stereotype. There is every type of person in every type of org. You have to get to know them before you make assumptions. Look at their contributions to society and make your decision based on that.

Friday, January 16, 2015

VH1 CANCELS SORORITY SISTERS!

Apparently, VH1 decided to pull the plug on their series Sorority Sisters, where they followed 9 members of historically black Greek-lettered organizations. I guess they couldn't take all the backlash, protest and boycotts. Honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Ava DuVernay, even pulled ads for Selma from the controversial show. Hopefully, a respectable show about sorority life can be produced in it's stead. Blogger Opinion Alert: In reality, sorority life is not always pretty or what it is hailed to be. The organizations are made up of humans. So, if you put a camera in their face, it won't all be roses. Every org has their pros and cons. I think the problem with the show was that it beefed up the cons.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Despite efforts to derail VH1's controversial series, "Sorority Sisters", the show will continue to air. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc even suspended two of their members who appeared on the show. April McRae and Joy Hammond will be reinstated after July 2016 according to AKA's national website. No other members have been suspended or expelled as of yet by any other represented organizations. Here are the wall of shame photos of the suspended members of AKA for your pleasure.

ANGELA BASSETT MAKES HEADLINES!

Angela Bassett, honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and director of "Whitney", a Lifetime biopic of the legendary Whitney Houston, makes headlines for baring her midriff. At 56, Angela Bassett takes pride in her body and rightly so. She's in great shape! Take a look at her great abs as I get ready to go to the gym in shame (lol)!