ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY EXPRESSES SORROW IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE EMANUEL AME CHURCH SHOOTING

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® expresses profound grief at the horrific fatal shooting of nine parishioners attending a bible study at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC on June 17, 2015. Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, also referred to as “Mother Emanuel”, is the oldest AME church in the south. Emanuel has one of the largest and oldest black congregations south of Baltimore, Maryland. Two Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members were among the fatalities. In 1979, Ms. Cynthia Graham Hurd became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Clark College (Alpha Pi Chapter). Rev. Sharonda A. Coleman-Singleton became a member of the sorority in 1999 in Atlanta, GA (Nu Lambda Omega chapter). Tragically both lost their lives in the fatal shooting.

South Carolina State Senator Clementa C. Pinckney, pastor of Mother Emanuel and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Myra Thompson, a clergy member and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., were among the fatally injured along with other clergy and members of the congregation.

“This is an unfortunate tragedy that happened during an honored tradition in the African-American community. We must continue to pray for strength and come together as a community to uplift the members of Mother Emanuel,” said International President Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, along with its local Charleston chapters of Gamma Xi Omega and Iota Omicron send their deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims, the Mother Emanuel Church family, and the people of Charleston. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will continue to keep members apprised of future developments related to the tragic shooting in Charleston.

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