One of the things nearest and dearest to my heart is the sisterhood I have with the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Established in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA) was the pioneering Greek letter organization created by and for African American women with college educations.

We have a saying, “The sisterhood comes with the service.” Before we’re a sisterhood, we’re an international service organization. We founded our organization during a time when Greek letter organizations blatantly excluded people of color from becoming members.

Our mission is to be of “Service to all Mankind.” We achieve this by serving every community that we are in during college. Afterward, we continue serving our communities once we join Graduate Chapters. We have chapters in 50 U.S. states and 11 countries. 

Alongside five other ladies, I had the honor of being invited to join AKA in the spring of 1992 at the University of Evansville (IN). When I joined, I knew that I was making a decision that would influence my entire life.

I had no idea that it would turn out to be the second greatest choice I’ve ever made, with the first one being tying the knot with the love of my life.

Six sorority girls holding up their pinkies and wearing white coats with letters AKA from their sorority on them in black and pink.
Pictured: The six of us right after we joined!

Today, the six of us are closer than ever. Even though we live in different cities all across the country, we still talk every week. I think the highlight of 2023 was getting to see two of my sisters, Tonya and Dionne, whom I hadn’t seen in years! 

Currently, I’m a member of a group that is working towards chartering the first-ever chapter in Southern Indiana. The work is plentiful, but the blessings are even more so.

We wear our AKA colors, Salmon Pink and Apple Green, around town with pride. When I found a hole in my first (and favorite) AKA t-shirt, I decided I wanted to memorialize it by having personalized jewelry made with it!

My husband and I found Dune Jewelry, specifically their Dy’amond Breedlove collection, and knew instantly it was the right choice. 

Dy’amond, the creator of the collection, is a descendant of American businesswoman and philanthropist Madam CJ Walker. Needless to say, that was just the icing on the cake for me in choosing the collection.

The earrings from this collection reminded me of classic 90’s bamboo earrings. For one of our anniversaries, my husband bought me a pair.  

Circular pink and silver hoop earrings from Dune Jewelry lying in box.

My collection from Dune has grown since then. What started as one pair of earrings turned into three or four more pairs of earrings, two necklaces, and a ring!

What I love about these personalized jewelry designs is that they allow me to bring a piece of my sorority into every outfit I wear. By wearing them, I can dress up any piece of clothing, even if it’s simply a t-shirt or hoodie and jeans. Every time I wear one of my pieces in my meetings, I get so many compliments! I even got matching earrings for my sorority sisters.

– Dezetta Goodwin