2020 TENTATIVE REGIONAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE*

ELETRONIC VOTING FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND BOULE

Delegate voting for the remaining regional conferences will occur electronically. Detailed information and instructions will be provided by May 1. Information regarding delegate voting for the 2020 Boule will be forthcoming.

SORORITY CERTIFICATIONS

Sorority certifications are either required or strongly recommended for the following: (1) sorors desiring to serve as Pecunious Grammateus and Tamiouchos (Financial Officers Certification - FOC); (2) sorors desiring to serve as a Graduate Advisor or on the Graduate Advisory Committee (Graduate Advisors Certification Training - GACT); and (3) candidates for a Directorate position or membership on the International Nominating Committee (Directorate Certification). Opportunities to receive these certifications are normally available at the Boule. Additionally, training for GACT and FOC is also normally available at the Regional Conferences. Postponement of several regional conferences and the tentative status of the Boule will have an obvious effect on certifications, specifically for: (1) sorors whose certification will soon expire; (2) sorors who must be certified to be eligible as a chapter candidate for election in 2020; and/or (3) sorors who seek to be nominated from the floor for selected Directorate positions at the 2020 Boule. The Directorate is currently exploring options to offer virtual training for FOC, GACT and Directorate Certification, if needed, on a limited basis. Additional information will be provided to chapters by the Regional Directors by May 1. Chapter Basileus Certification is strongly recommended but not required. The next offering of Chapter Basileus Certification will be in 2021.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Alpha Kappa Alpha encourages sorors to continue to adhere to the CDC guidelines regarding the use of masks and face coverings. We encourage sorors and chapters to donate N95 masks to healthcare professionals who are in dire need of those protective medical masks. We also applaud sorors desiring to make face coverings for personal use or to be shared with family members, close friends and sorors. Please refrain from placing the sorority crest or any other Alpha Kappa Alpha insignia on face coverings. Face coverings also are not authorized to be made and/or distributed in the name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

CORPORATE OFFICE

In recent weeks, scammers and unauthorized merchants are attempting to take advantage of our increased online shopping. As a result, Alpha Kappa Alpha social media accounts have been flooded with the promotion of products, including face masks, containing AKA trademarks. Once the Corporate Office discovers these unlawful advertisements, they are reported to our intellectual property attorneys for action. As a rule of thumb, our licensed vendors (with one exception) are not allowed to advertise on any third-party website including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Sorors are encouraged to only use licensed vendors to purchase AKA merchandise. Authorized vendors have completed an application and vetting process, including the payment of substantial fees to secure the rights to sell Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. merchandise and other products to our members. Bear in mind that AKA-licensed vendors are small business owners. Now more than ever, they need our support. Please consider purchasing gifts and other items from them rather than unauthorized vendors. You can find a list of AKA-licensed vendors and web addresses by clicking here.

Thank you for joining our weekly Day of Prayer calls on Thursdays. Let us continue to pray for families impacted by COVID-19, healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers, our sisterhood, this nation and our world. Please also pray for wisdom and compassion for national, state, and local leaders as they make important decisions affecting our communities. The designated prayer times are 7:00AM, 12:00 Noon and 6:00PM in your local time zone. Pray once, twice or at each of the designated times as your schedule allows believing in the awesome power of prayer. Continue to remain prayerful as we live through this global pandemic.

We continue to salute our Alpha Kappa Alpha sorors who are rendering selfless service as healthcare providers during this global pandemic. Meet this week's featured AKA frontline sheroes.

Soror Cristina Fernández, MD, MPH General Member Pediatrician and Newborn Hospitalists & Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York, New York	Soror Elise Dent, MD General Member Major, Medical Service Corps Maryland Army National Guard Baltimore, MD	Soror Camille Nelson, BS, RN Kappa Omicron Omega, Basileus Clinical Pharmacist Polk County, FL	Soror Nikita Lyons Smith, PharmD General Member Pediatrician and Newborn Hospitalists & Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York, New York
Soror Katrina Ghazanfar, PhD, MTS Lambda Chi Omega Molecular Biologist and Microbiologist Federal Clinical Laboratory Manager American Society for Clinical Pathology Kapolei, HI	Soror Rava Pittman Kappa Alpha Omega Family Nurse Practitioner Greenwood, MS	Soror Mary Williams, DNP, FNP-BC Iota Delta Omega Family Nurse Practitioner Owner of Urgent & Primary Care Clarksdale, MS	Soror Tammie Ayers, BSN, RN Epsilon Omega RN/ICU Neuro/Stroke & Staff Nurse Baltimore, MD
Soror Lakeidra Mims, MSW, LMSW Delta Theta Omega Trauma Burn ICU Social Worker University of AL at Birmingham Hospital Birmingham, AL	Soror Michele C. Reed, MD, FAAFP Theta Iota Omega MS Family Medicine Health Care, P.C. Rosedale and Garden City, NY	Soror Sharon Smallwood, MD Alpha Chi Omega Medical Director Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility Tulsa, OK	Soror Monifa Beal-Horton , MSN Rho Lambda Omega Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Clinics/COVID -19 Triage Dept of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Jackson, MS

We are grateful for the extraordinary work our frontline sheroes have done, are doing and will continue to do during this global health crisis.

COVID-19 Racial Disparity in the African-American Population

Why do African Americans have higher infection and death rates from COVID-19?

All human beings are at risk of infection. There are several factors to consider related to the severity of infection and mortality in African Americans and the disproportionate number of African Americans impacted. Among the factors are:

Factor #1: African Americans are more likely to have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease and obesity. All of these conditions contribute to a more severe, and sometimes fatal, course of COVID-19.
Factor #2: African Americans have a history of health disparities including less access to healthcare and inadequate or no health insurance. Both lead to less preventive care, more hospitalizations and a higher morbidity and mortality rate.
Factor #3: African Americans are more likely to live in urban areas that are densely populated. It is more difficult to practice social distancing, quarantine and isolation when living in crowded conditions.
Factor #4: Only one out of five African American workers can telework.
Factor #5: African Americans are more likely to be essential workers in transportation, government, healthcare, and food supply services.
Factor #6: African Americans disproportionately occupy low wage or temporary jobs that may not provide paid sick leave.
Factor #7: African Americans are more likely to be without a car and reliant on public transportation.

How do I protect myself?

Stay at home. Practice good hygiene (wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water when available or hand sanitizer- 60% alcohol) and cleanse surfaces. Exercise respiratory etiquette (cough into your elbow or a tissue). Observe social distancing (stay at least 6 feet away from others).

Should I wear a mask?

Non-surgical masks and cloth face coverings, whether homemade or manufactured, do not protect people from getting COVID-19 but are effective in preventing you from infecting others. Non-surgical masks and face coverings also can prevent the virus from entering your system when you touch a common surface (e.g, shopping cart handle, door handle, etc.) and then touch your face, mouth or eyes. Only first responders and some other essential workers should wear N95 masks. N95 masks are surgical masks which are required and in demand for healthcare professionals. The goal of covering your nose and mouth with a cloth mask, scarf, bandana, etcetera is to prevent the spread of COVID -19 from asymptomatic carriers. Non-surgical masks and face coverings also signal heightened awareness to the community that we are actively protecting ourselves and helping to slow the spread of the virus when we wear masks and face coverings in public.

What are the states hardest hit by COVID-19?

The United States eclipsed Italy with the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths earlier this month making the U.S. the world leader with one-third of all reported COVID-19 cases in the world. The top five (5) states with the highest numbers of reported cases in order are: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania. Counties in major urban cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Detroit, Miami, and New Orleans have been the hardest hit with significantly more reported COVID-19 cases. Not coincidentally, these cities collectively represent the nation’s most significant economic centers to the tune of approximately 20% of the nation’s economic activity.

Should I continue to stay at home if my Governor has lifted the Stay-At-Home Order?

Medical experts have expressed grave reservations about returning to life as we once knew it at this time. Moreover, the racial disparities that have been exposed should be alarming to us all. Urban areas are suffering the most during this pandemic where the spread of the virus is occurring at higher rates than other areas. There also is growing concern about the transmission of the virus by asymptomatic carriers. Significantly, there is still work to be done in order to flatten the curve. Carefully consider whether it is safe for you and your family to return to work and to non-essential activities like hair and nail salons and gymnasiums. Elected officials are concerned about economic impact, and that is certainly important. But the most important consideration during this global health crisis is the health and safety of people. Do not feel compelled to go out simply because the restrictions have been relaxed. Proceed with great care and continue to observe the CDC-recommended precautions including aggressive social distancing; frequent, thorough hand washing and good overall hygiene; and wearing a non-surgical mask or face covering. Our communities are vulnerable and it is up to us to protect one another and our loved ones by slowing the spread and, ultimately, flattening the curve.

Sample Data for NYC by Race

References for FAQ:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
NYC Department of Health https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page
Johns Hopkins https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/racial-data-transparency
Brookings https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/04/01/why-it-will-be-difficult-to-restart-the-economy-after-covid-19/
Note: Data is incomplete and up to 40% (usually 10%) of lab request forms do not include race.

How has COVID-19 affected Alpha Kappa Alpha?

Notification Protocols

The integrity of sorority impact data is directly tied to the information collected. Who should I notify?

• Notify your chapter Basileus that you tested positive for COVID-19.
• Inform your Basileus if you have been in close contact with other chapter members or sorors and where the contact occurred.
• Chapter Basileus will notify only sorors who are at risk for possible exposure without divulging the infected soror’s name.
• Chapter Basileus will remind at-risk sorors to regularly monitor their symptoms and immediately notify their doctor if they become symptomatic.
• Chapter Basileus will remind at-risk sorors to quarantine themselves and STAY AT HOME for 14 days to stop the spread of the virus in the event they become symptomatic and test positive.

Visit https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ for up-to-date worldwide COVID-19 statistics.

Check-In With the Supreme

Check-In With the Supreme for Undergraduate Chapter Basilei held on April 15, 2020

Supreme Basileus Glenda Glover is committed to ensuring the welfare of sorors during the pandemic. In addition to random calls to sorors, our Supreme Basileus has hosted a series of Check-Ins beginning with the Chapter Basilei and Graduate Advisors. She recently hosted a Check-In With the Supreme for the Undergraduate Chapter Basilei and a Check-In With the Supreme with Graduate Chapter Basilei on April 22. She will host a Check-In With the Supreme with International Committee Chairmen on Thursday, April 23. The purpose of these check-ins is to allow our Supreme Basileus to check on the mental and physical health of your sorority leaders and our membership and to provide a forum to share updates and best practices to facilitate the virtual operations and programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha during this pandemic. Supreme Basileus Glover is grateful for each and every Alpha Kappa Alpha soror and prays for the sorority and its members daily. She also recognizes and applauds the members of the Directorate, International Committee Chairmen, chapter basilei, other local sorority leaders and our Corporate Office staff as they exemplify excellence in this virtual environment.

SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming Events*

Soror Glenda Glover
Supreme Basileus

Soror Joy Elaine Daley, International Regional Director (Chairman)
Soror Kimberly Esmond Adams, Special Assistant & Risk Management Task Force Chairman (Co-Chairman)
Soror Danette Anthony Reed, First Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Kasey Coleman, Second Supreme Anti-Basileus
Soror Kaylen Long, Undergraduate Member-at-Large
Soror Hollye Weekes, Undergraduate Member-at-Large
Soror Carol Dixon, Far Western Regional Director
Soror Cynthia Howell, Executive Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Soror Martha Perine Beard, Chief of Staff to the Supreme Basileus
Soror Robyn Jones, Physician & Medical Director for Women’s Health
Soror Ora Douglass, Program Committee Chairman
Soror Cynthia Finch, MIP Committee Chairman & Healthcare Professional
Soror Jasmine Adkins Moore, Disaster Relief Committee Chairman