An ivy plant can survive in places other plants can't. Sounds like an apt description for the nation's oldest black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., whose symbol is the leaf of the plant.
And it certainly speaks to the longevity of the Ivy Ball, presented by the Beta Pi Omega Chapter of the sorority and The Ivy Foundation of Little Rock. The 20th edition of the ball took place Feb. 21 in the Grand Ballroom of the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.
Sorority chapter members dressed in silver and gray for "20 Years, 20 Pearls: A Platinum Affair," which featured a silent auction, a dinner of cilantro grilled chicken breast, and the opportunity to dance to the music of Kemistri featuring Nicky Parrish and guest vocalist Keith Savage.
Melanie Hillard, chapter president, and Edna Ricks, Ivy Foundation president, greeted guests. Laura Martin and event co-chairman Cassandra Davis did a retrospective of the ball, which grew from then-chapter president Janet Davis Tate's idea for a Pink and Green Dinner Dance. The audience was also treated to a '60s lip-sync performance. Further highlighting the night was a dance-off to the Ike and Tina Turner hit "Proud Mary," initiated by Parrish.
Proceeds from the ball will go toward the $25,000 in Beta Pi Omega scholarships, to be awarded in April to qualified high school seniors and undergraduate members.
-- Story and photos by
Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 03/01/2015