2019 Inductee
Chartered in Little Rock in 1937, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Beta Pi Omega Chapter is the oldest graduate chapter in the state of Arkansas and is committed to providing assistance to families, students and organizations in the community. The chapter’s 265 members spearhead service projects, health fairs, workshops, education programs, voter drives, cleanups and fundraisers and donate their time and money to improving life for future generations.
Beta Pi Omega’s members are trailblazers in the fields of education, math, the arts, public service, and business. From their positions in the community, they advocate for positive change in families, neighborhoods, schools and churches.
The chapter sponsored the chartering of Gamma Alpha Chapter on the campus of Philander Smith College, the first undergraduate chapter in the state, as well as sponsored the chartering of Epsilon Phi Chapter on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the first African-American sorority/fraternity on the college campus.
The chapter has been recognized on international, regional and local levels for its programs and has forged partnerships with the Little Rock School District, the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock, the American Heart Association, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Lions Club International.
In the area of education, more than 500 high school seniors and college students have received scholarships or other assistance from Beta Pi Omega. The chapter has awarded scholarships each year since 1976. The Ivy Foundation, the chapter’s nonprofit arm, awarded more than $26,000 to students to pursue higher education in 2017 and continues to award scholarships each year. The chapter also hosts the “New Directions” summer workshop to teach students about careers, etiquette, finances and personal development to prepare them for the future. The chapter has collected and distributed more than 2,000 backpacks and school supplies to children in local school districts.
In 2019, the chapter partnered with 16 organizations to undertake service projects in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Day of Service. With more than 250 volunteers, donations of books, school supplies, hygiene kits, pillowcases and eyeglasses were collected, packed and distributed to those in need.