Photo by Victor Powell.
The decision to pursue membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Inc. was a natural one for Keniece Gray.
Many of her family members and mentors who were involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is the first the first Greek-letter sorority established by African-American women (in 1908).
Today, the sorority remains committed to initiatives on which it was founded: cultivating high scholastic and ethical standards, promoting unity and friendship amongst college women, leadership development, and implementing programs internationally to make a positive global impact.
But it was the organization’s emphasis on bettering the Greater Cleveland community through service that most moved Gray, a native Clevelander and an avid volunteer.
“I really care about uplifting the community and leadership development. Alpha Kappa Alpha is my platform to serve,” said Gray, who is in an undergraduate in the accelerated/integrated masters of accountancy program at the Weatherhead School of Management. “If I can use that platform to make the city even better, or do even greater things, I want to do that.”
Having served as standards chairman, vice president and president of the CWRU chapter and coordinator of the undergraduate Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania cluster, Gray realized she could—and wanted to—do more for Alpha Kappa Alpha, which operates under the mission of, “To be of service to all mankind.”
This summer, after campaigning for months and giving a speech at Alpha Kappa Alpha's 67th bi-annual meeting in Atlanta, Gray was elected to serve on the directorate as the international second vice-president.
Now a senior, she serves on a Board of Directors composed of 18 women working for 993 chapters and more than 283,000 members around the world. Gray will advocate for undergraduate members, ensuring they have the resources they need to implement the sorority’s international platform, “Launching New Dimensions of Service,” and to be successful in their sisterhood, scholarship and service. Additionally, she will serve on AKA’s International Program and Finance Committees as well as the Educational Advancement Foundation Program Committee.
“Once I got to experience this sisterhood beyond Cleveland and I started serving at a regional level, I had the opportunity to see what we do around the world—this is not just in Cleveland,” she said.
In her new role, Gray says sees the true depth of service the sorority provides on the international level, which is the aspect she loves most.
“Wherever the community needs us, that is where we’ll go,” Gray said.
The Omega chapter, Cleveland’s city-wide chapter of AKA, provides service at least twice a month. Members aim to address needs within the community and around the world, whether it’s volunteering at the local Ronald McDonald House or sewing dresses for young girls in Africa.
Gray’s favorite service projects involve working with youth to help them prepare for college by making vision boards to plan for their future, study for college entrance exams and more. Through all of her involvements, Gray strives to make a difference in her community.
“I wanted to be what other people were to me, to somebody else. My parents and my family, they always built me up to know you always bring someone with you along the way,” she said. “I knew that if I were to stay in Cleveland, one thing I wanted to do was reach back into my neighborhood.”
While Gray plans to sit for the LSAT and CPA exams in the spring, she hasn’t completely decided on her future career path. One element is certain: She wants to keep helping the community.
At some point, she’d like to establish a consulting firm to give urban youth the educational and pre-professional resources they need to succeed.
“As I grow, the more I realize nothing really is about me,” she said. “Yeah, I’m at CWRU to get this degree, but at the end of the day, God placed me here it’s so I can start a career to help others.”
Get to know more about Gray with this week’s five questions.
5 questions with… international sorority leader, senior Keniece Gray
Photo by Victor Powell.
The decision to pursue membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority Inc. was a natural one for Keniece Gray.
Many of her family members and mentors who were involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is the first the first Greek-letter sorority established by African-American women (in 1908).
Today, the sorority remains committed to initiatives on which it was founded: cultivating high scholastic and ethical standards, promoting unity and friendship amongst college women, leadership development, and implementing programs internationally to make a positive global impact.
But it was the organization’s emphasis on bettering the Greater Cleveland community through service that most moved Gray, a native Clevelander and an avid volunteer.
“I really care about uplifting the community and leadership development. Alpha Kappa Alpha is my platform to serve,” said Gray, who is in an undergraduate in the accelerated/integrated masters of accountancy program at the Weatherhead School of Management. “If I can use that platform to make the city even better, or do even greater things, I want to do that.”
Having served as standards chairman, vice president and president of the CWRU chapter and coordinator of the undergraduate Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania cluster, Gray realized she could—and wanted to—do more for Alpha Kappa Alpha, which operates under the mission of, “To be of service to all mankind.”
This summer, after campaigning for months and giving a speech at Alpha Kappa Alpha's 67th bi-annual meeting in Atlanta, Gray was elected to serve on the directorate as the international second vice-president.
Now a senior, she serves on a Board of Directors composed of 18 women working for 993 chapters and more than 283,000 members around the world. Gray will advocate for undergraduate members, ensuring they have the resources they need to implement the sorority’s international platform, “Launching New Dimensions of Service,” and to be successful in their sisterhood, scholarship and service. Additionally, she will serve on AKA’s International Program and Finance Committees as well as the Educational Advancement Foundation Program Committee.
“Once I got to experience this sisterhood beyond Cleveland and I started serving at a regional level, I had the opportunity to see what we do around the world—this is not just in Cleveland,” she said.
In her new role, Gray says sees the true depth of service the sorority provides on the international level, which is the aspect she loves most.
“Wherever the community needs us, that is where we’ll go,” Gray said.
The Omega chapter, Cleveland’s city-wide chapter of AKA, provides service at least twice a month. Members aim to address needs within the community and around the world, whether it’s volunteering at the local Ronald McDonald House or sewing dresses for young girls in Africa.
Gray’s favorite service projects involve working with youth to help them prepare for college by making vision boards to plan for their future, study for college entrance exams and more. Through all of her involvements, Gray strives to make a difference in her community.
“I wanted to be what other people were to me, to somebody else. My parents and my family, they always built me up to know you always bring someone with you along the way,” she said. “I knew that if I were to stay in Cleveland, one thing I wanted to do was reach back into my neighborhood.”
While Gray plans to sit for the LSAT and CPA exams in the spring, she hasn’t completely decided on her future career path. One element is certain: She wants to keep helping the community.
At some point, she’d like to establish a consulting firm to give urban youth the educational and pre-professional resources they need to succeed.
“As I grow, the more I realize nothing really is about me,” she said. “Yeah, I’m at CWRU to get this degree, but at the end of the day, God placed me here it’s so I can start a career to help others.”
Get to know more about Gray with this week’s five questions.