Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Rho Psi Omega Chapter
Charlotte, NC
Our
Programs
Rho Psi Omega is dedicated to serving the local community and making a positive impact. We are committed to empowering and uplifting our community through dedicated service and strong leadership. Our goal is to create lasting change and inspire others to join us in our mission.
Empower Our Families
Rho Psi Omega has a long history of providing multi-generational support to fortify families in our community because the Chapter understands that a healthy family is the foundation of a healthy community.
Areas of Focus
Childhood Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP)
During the 2023-2024 school year, Rho Psi Omega adopted Mallard Creek Elementary School, a Title I school, to lessen the impact of childhood hunger. Over the course of the school year, the Chapter assembled and delivered 1,560 “Power Packs” of essential food supplies to 65 needy students. This school year, the Chapter looks forward to expanding its support to even more students.
Mental Health Awareness
Rho Psi Omega collaborates with community partners to raise awareness about trauma, anxiety and depression. The Chapter facilitates conversation and education that remove the stigma associated with mental illness. To that end, the Chapter recently hosted a mental health symposium titled “Protecting Our Future” that reached 108 community members.
Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)
YLI is a youth-led and highly interactive leadership development program designed to empower and engage youth ages 11-13. The program is designed to cultivate youth leadership, engagement, and success across school, family, and community. YLI is guided by a framework that includes three “learn by doing” lessons:
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Module 1: Foundation of Leadership & Success
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Module 2: Engagement in Exploration, Discovery and Self Expression
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Module 3: Using the Power of Purpose to Drive Success
During the 2023-2024 school year, Rho Psi Omega supported 7 YLI participants through six monthly leadership activities and, this year, the Chapter is excited to welcome its second cohort of student leaders.
Our Seniors
Rho Psi Omega focuses on creating informative and empowering programs to help seniors navigate life. The Chapter recently hosted “Seniors Morning Out,” a fun, interactive program at the McCrorey YMCA, including line dancing and health education.
Build Our Economic Wealth
Rho Psi Omega takes a progressive approach to building on personal, organizational and community economic wealth.
Areas of Focus
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
Rho Psi Omega advocates for and supports the growth of women entrepreneurs by celebrating, empowering, and spotlighting local women entrepreneurs. So far this year, Rho Psi Omega has supported over 150 women entrepreneurs by spotlighting children’s book authors and black, women-owned small businesses, and hosting a women entrepreneur networking event.
Sister Circles
Rho Psi Omega sponsors Sister Circles, which are accountability groups for Chapter members to support individual financial goals such as saving, investing and giving.
Black Dollar Days
During the month of June, Rho Psi Omega leverages its buying power to funnel revenue to black-owned businesses and brands. Additionally, the Chapter published “Pink Pages,” a directory of businesses owned by Chapter members, and hosted a “Soror Sales” event featuring members’ products and services. Overall, Rho Psi Omega members tracked 107 purchases at Black-owned businesses, totaling nearly $27,000 in economic impact.
Financial Wellness & Planned Giving
Rho Psi Omega assists Chapter members with legacy planning, supported by wealth management experts who provide one-on-one financial counseling.
Enhance Our Environment
Rho Psi Omega employs strategies to improve and protect the environment by prioritizing activities that promote the adoption of more sustainable and responsible practices and by encouraging individuals and communities to employ eco-friendly practices to reduce household waste.
Areas of Focus
Tree Planting
Rho Psi Omega aims to plant trees to make a collective environmental impact. During the spring of 2024, Rho Psi Omega planted trees at Thomasboro Academy and Hidden Valley Elementary School, and the Chapter is excited to continue its tree-planting efforts during the fall.
Waste Reduction
Rho Psi Omega educates members and the community on the benefits of waste reduction practices, encourages the adoption of eco-friendly practices that reduce waste, and educates members and the community about household waste reduction. To support this effort, Rho Psi Omega members recycled 156 hair care products and continue to collect metal tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
Community & Home Gardens
Rho Psi Omega educates members and the community on the purpose and benefits of community and home gardens and encourages the creation and development of community and home gardens. As a regular guest of the Baxter-Polk House in Third Ward, Rho Psi Omega has valued the opportunity to help maintain their home garden.
Shredding & Electronics Recycling Day
Rho Psi Omega encourages members and the community to securely shred old paper documents, thus reducing the burden on landfills and natural resources. The Chapter plans to host a shredding event in November 2024 and measure the pounds of shredded paper and its positive environmental impact.
Uplift Our Local Community
In recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s long history and reputation for making a global impact through local change, Rho Psi Omega donated more than 9,500 items, including toiletries, hats, gloves, socks and snacks, as part of its MLK Day of Service. Additionally, the Chapter collected and donated 5,353 feminine hygiene packages to local agencies, and packed and delivered “Blessed Bags” to 13 local charities, and provided hands-on service to 3 local community organizations.
In recognition of heart health month, Rho Psi Omega hosted its 10th Annual Pink Goes Red event in February to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke. The event focused on physical fitness, including an exhilarating Zumba class, blood pressure screenings, and a health fair of community resources to support a healthy lifestyle.
In support of the AKA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference held in Charlotte in April 2024 and in recognition of AKA’s longstanding commitment to education and literacy, Rho Psi Omega donated 266 books by black authors to support students in grades K-5.
Annual Debutante Cotillion Program
in partnership with
Queen City Ivy & Pearls Foundation
The Debutante Scholarship and Cotillion program provides an opportunity for high school seniors to learn and explore numerous topics and issues through a program of personal development, improvement and discovery, while learning the importance of giving back to the community through service projects.
Email: debs@rpoinc.org
