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Gabby Thomas, Beverly Johnson, Laura Coates & Karine Jean-Pierre Prettily Pose For Pics After Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Honorary Membership

info@blaqly.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:06:21 +0000

After Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. added serious star power to its sisterhood, during its 2025 Leadership Seminar, the honorary members who were bestowed 20 pearls prettily posed for pics to represent the First Black sorority.

Source: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

During the seminar titled “Pathways to Soar: Unlocking Impactful Leadership,” held in Anaheim, California, the storied organization welcomed four powerhouse women as honorary members: Olympic track star Gabby Thomas, and supermodel trailblazer Beverly Johnson, CNN anchor and legal analyst Laura Coates, and former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. With more than 9,000 members gathered from around the globe, the ceremony marked a moment of inspiration, excellence, and Black girl magic.

According to a post shared on the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Instagram page on July 14, all four of the extraordinary women selected for the honorary member award were chosen for being FIRST in their excellence in leadership, groundbreaking achievements, and transformative service that uplift communities around the world.

“Welcoming these phenomenal women into our Sisterhood is a powerful testament to our legacy of distinction,” International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed told Watch the Yard. “Their voices and vision will further strengthen our mission of impactful service to all mankind.”

In an Instagram post, the ewly inducted honorary members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. expressed heartfelt gratitude and excitement following their induction.

Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared her disbelief and joy, saying, “I can’t believe it. You all won’t believe it. I am now officially a member of the beautiful sorority, AKA. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

CNN anchor and legal analyst Laura Coates echoed the sentiment, saying, “Hey everyone, I’m Laura Coates. Can you believe it? I’m officially a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.”

Olympian Gabby Thomas also celebrated the honor, stating, “I’m so thrilled to be a member of the beautiful Alpha Kappa Alpha! I’m so excited to start my new journey of Sisterhood!”

Supermodel and trailblazer Beverly Johnson shared a deeply emotional message: “I’m so honored to be a sorority sister. I cannot tell you how proud I am. I cannot tell you, my heart is so full. I can barely speak, but thank you God!”

Not only that, but Tuesday, the newest honorary memebers were featuredd in a social media post posing for pics with their heads held high and their ivies up.

“Heads held high, and Ivies up.. Because this is a Serious Matter!” the official Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Instagram captioned a post. “Our newest Honorary Members, @gabbythomas, @k_jeanpierre, @thelauracoates, and @iambeverlyjohnson are already giving Pretty Girl style in full formation! We look forward to seeing them all Soar in Sisterhood. #AKAHonoraryMembers #SoaringWithAKA #AKA1908

Let’s meet the latest honorary AKAs.

Laura Coates

Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

Laura Coates, CNN’s Chief Legal Analyst and Anchor, is the first and only Black woman to hold the title. Before joining CNN, Coates served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, focusing on voting rights enforcement, and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where she prosecuted serious felony cases including drug trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, according to her website.

In 2016, she authored the bestselling book You Have the Right: A Constitutional Guide to Policing the Police, demystifying citizens’ Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights, and advocating for greater police accountability.

Now the host of Laura Coates Live on CNN, she continues to bring clarity to pressing legal and political issues. Notably, Coates delivered extensive coverage of last year’s presidential race, hitting the ground in places like Michigan to talk with voters and hear their reactions. She has also had a pulse on the intense sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, delivering updates along every step of the case, a testament to her commitment.

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Alpha Kappa Alpha’s New Honorary Members Are Gabby Thomas, Karine Jean-Pierre, Laura Coates And Beverly Johnson – Blavity

info@blaqly.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:57:41 +0000

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has announced its 2025 class of honorary members. The organization bestowed four women with its highest distinction: Olympian Gabby Thomas, former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, CNN anchor and analyst Laura Coates and model Beverly Johnson. Alpha Kappa Alpha chose to award the title to trailblazing women in their profession.

“Welcoming these phenomenal women into our Sisterhood is a powerful testament to our legacy of distinction,” International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed said, according to Watch the Yard. “Their voices and vision will further strengthen our mission of impactful service to all mankind.”

Reed led the induction ceremony, which was held during Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 2025 Leadership Seminar in Anaheim, California.

“These trailblazers were honored for their excellence in leadership, groundbreaking achievements, and transformative service that uplift communities around the world,” the organization added in an Instagram post. “Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Honorary Membership is the highest recognition bestowed upon individuals who embody our core values: scholarship, service, and sisterhood.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc®️ (@akasorority1908)

Gabby Thomas is the first Ivy League graduate to win an Olympic track & field medal

The athlete graduated from Harvard University with a degree in neurobiology and global health. She has used her platform to advocate for diversity in STEM fields and encourage young women to pursue careers in science and public health.

Thomas also competed in both the Olympics in Tokyo and Paris. Last summer, she won gold medals in the 200-meter as well as the 4×100-meter relay races.

Karine Jean-Pierre is the first Black person to be White House Press Secretary

Not only was Jean-Pierre the first Black person to hold the position of White House Press Secretary during the Biden administration, she also became the longest-serving woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the role.

Jean-Pierre has held several communications roles during the Biden and Obama administrations. She previously worked as a political analyst for NBC and MSNBC.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watch The Yard (@watchtheyard)

Laura Coates is the first Black woman Chief Legal Analyst and Anchor at CNN

Coates became a recognizable face at CNN after joining the network in 2016, according to CAA. She also hosts her own show on SiriusXM, The Laura Coates Show, on which she interviews politicians. Coats previously worked as a federal prosecutor and a law professor.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watch The Yard (@watchtheyard)

Beverly Johnson is the first Black woman to be featured on the cover of American Vogue

Johnson was part of a milestone moment in American media when she became the first Black model to appear on the cover of US Vogue in August 1974.

“It’s definitely an American story,” Johnson told the publication as it celebrated the issue’s 50th anniversary, “in the way that you have a chance at opportunities that you would never have anywhere else in the world…and how it’s possible to stumble upon success. I was a student and I wanted to be a lawyer [when I was scouted at 18]; this never was in my scope. It’s only in America where you can totally redesign your life unintentionally.”

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Delta Sigma Theta’s New Honorary Members Include Queen Latifah, Danielle Brooks And More – Blavity

info@blaqly.com — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:06 +0000

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has announced its new class of honorary members during the organization’s 57th National Convention. The sorority bestowed eight women with the sorority’s highest distinction, including the one and only Queen Latifah.

Delta Sigma Theta named eight women who it says represent the sorority’s values of public service focused on the Black community.

“This year’s class of Honorary Members represents a powerhouse group of barrier-breaking women across politics, entertainment, business, sports, and social impact,” the sorority’s international president Elsie Cooke-Holmes said, according to Watch the Yard. “Each one a force in her field and a reflection of Delta’s enduring mission.”

Delta Sigma Theta’s new class of honorary members

In addition to Queen Latifah, Delta Sigma Theta named political strategist Donna Brazile, actress Danielle Brooks, Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, businesswoman Janice Bryant Howroyd, tech CEO Toni Townes-Whitley, sports executive Swin Cash and entrepreneur Fawn Weaver as honorary members.

“These extraordinary women represent a wide spectrum of excellence—spanning arts and entertainment, business, education, politics, sports, and advocacy. Each has made an indelible mark through her leadership, innovation, and service on both national and global stages,” the organization captioned an Instagram post.

“Honorary Membership is the highest honor bestowed by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated—reserved for women who have significantly advanced the public good while excelling in their chosen fields,” it continued. “We welcome these phenomenal trailblazers into our beloved sisterhood with immense pride, joy, and unwavering sisterly love.”

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Queen Latifah, Danielle Brooks & More Inducted Into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As Honorary Members

info@blaqly.com — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:46:22 +0000

Source: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. / Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Attention, DevaSTating Divas! It’s time to throw up your ‘mids for the 2025 Honorary Members of your prestigious sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority , Inc.!

During day two (July 9) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s 57th National Convention, eight extraordinary women were proudly welcomed into the 2025 Honorary Member class of the historically Black Sorority, representing a dynamic range of fields, including politics, entertainment, business, education, athletics and advocacy. Among this year’s honorees are Grammy-winning rapper and actress Queen Latifah, whisky connoisseur Fawn Weaver, and Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks, women who exemplify Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s commitment to excellence, service and social impact.

“This year’s class of Honorary Members represents a powerhouse group of barrier-breaking women across politics, entertainment, business, sports, and social impact,” said Delta International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes, in a press release published Wednesday. “From a trailblazing political strategist to an acclaimed actress and vocalist, a legendary Olympic athlete to a pioneering tech executive, these women embody excellence, service, and the unwavering pursuit of justice and equity. Their collective influence spans boardrooms, stages, and grassroots movements—each one a force in her field and a reflection of Delta’s enduring mission.”

Zeta Soror Introduces The Black Sororities Collection Now Available At Macy’s

The Honorary Membership is the sorority’s highest honor, reserved for women who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and made lasting contributions to their fields and society. Each inductee’s work reflects the mission and values of Delta’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: economic development, educational advancement, international awareness, physical and mental health, and political engagement.

These eight women represent the spirit of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.: Bold, visionary, and driven by purpose. Let’s meet them.

Meet the 2025 Honorary Members

Queen Latifah (Dana Owens)

Source: Lionel Hahn / Getty

A trailblazer in music, film, and television, Queen Latifah has earned Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, and NAACP Image Awards. She broke new ground as the first female rapper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and continues to champion representation across entertainment. Outside of music, Latifah has been a staunch advocate for health and housing. In March, the “U.N.I.T.Y” rapper was a key figure behind the Truth About Weight campaign, spreading awareness about the dangers of obesity and cardiovascular disease, according to USA Today.

The hip-hop legend was also a vital force behind the RISE Living project, an affordable housing community that she launched alongside a group of real estate investors in her hometown of Newark in 2024, NewsOne previously reported.

Donna Brazile

A legendary political strategist and New York Times bestselling author, Brazile broke barriers as the first Black woman to manage a U.S. presidential campaign, running the campaign for former Vice President Al Gore. She twice served as interim Chair of the Democratic National Committee and led the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute, according to her website. Currently, she continues her service on the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee.

Brazile is the author of the bestselling political memoir, Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics (2004) and Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-Ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House (2017), a New York Times bestseller. She also co-authored For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics, which earned the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Nonfiction. Her latest contribution appears in the upcoming anthology, Wake Up America: Black Women on the Future of Democracy.

The 65-year-old trailblazer has also extended her wisdom and knowledge to the classroom, serving as an adjunct professor in the Women and Gender Studies Department at Georgetown University and as an educator with the King Endowed Chair in Public Policy at Howard University. She has lectured at nearly 250 colleges and universities, teaching on informative topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion; women in leadership; and civility in American politics.

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DevaSTating Divas! Queen Latifah, Danielle Brooks, Fawn Weaver & More Named Honorary Members Of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

info@blaqly.com — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:34:37 +0000

Attention, DevaSTating Divas! It’s time to throw up your ‘mids for the 2025 Honorary Members of your prestigious sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.!

Source: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. / Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“This year’s class of Honorary Members represents a powerhouse group of barrier-breaking women across politics, entertainment, business, sports, and social impact,” said Delta International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes, in a press release published Wednesday. “From a trailblazing political strategist to an acclaimed actress and vocalist, a legendary Olympic athlete to a pioneering tech executive, these women embody excellence, service, and the unwavering pursuit of justice and equity. Their collective influence spans boardrooms, stages, and grassroots movements—each one a force in her field and a reflection of Delta’s enduring mission.”

These eight women represent the spirit of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.: Bold, visionary, and driven by purpose. Let’s meet them.

Meet the 2025 Honorary Members

Source: Lionel Hahn / Getty

Queen Latifah (Dana Owens) – A trailblazer in music, film, and television, Queen Latifah has earned Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, and NAACP Image Awards. She broke new ground as the first female rapper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and continues to champion representation across entertainment. Outside of music, Latifah has been a staunch advocate for health and housing. In March, the “U.N.I.T.Y” rapper was a key figure behind the Truth About Weight campaign, spreading awareness about the dangers of obesity and cardiovascular disease, according to USA Today.

Donna Brazile – A legendary political strategist and New York Times bestselling author, Brazile broke barriers as the first Black woman to manage a U.S. presidential campaign, running the campaign for former Vice President Al Gore. She twice served as interim Chair of the Democratic National Committee and led the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute, according to her website. Currently, she continues her service on the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee.

Danielle Brooks – The Oscar-nominated actress rose to fame with her breakout role on Orange Is the New Black, and earned critical acclaim for The Color Purple (2023).

A Juilliard graduate, Brooks is also a vocal advocate and co-founder of Black Women on Broadway. The initiative, founded in 2020, celebrates Black women in film and theater by providing mentorship and fellowship opportunities, giving them the tools to excel in the industry.
Fawn Weaver – As the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc., Weaver made history as one of the few Black women to build and lead a billion-dollar company, upon entering the spirits industry in 2017.

The business titan owns Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, which is produced out of a 323-acre distillery in Shelbyville, Tenn., where they make batches of their flavorful bourbon for customers, as noted by MadameNoire. The brand has received over 450 awards, including the 2022 Best in Class Distiller Award and the 2022 Gold Medal Award from the Denver International Spirits Competition. Uncle Nearest is sold in every state throughout the nation and in 12 countries, too.

A best-selling author and entrepreneur, Weaver is also a prominent voice for inclusive business leadership. The business maven has made a commitment to invest in female founders and BIPOC liquor brands through her venture program in order to diversify ownership within the spirits industry.

Hit the flip to see more of this year’s honorees.

Source: Larry French / Getty

Janice Bryant Howroyd – A self-made business icon, JBH is the founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, a global workforce and technology enterprise. She was the first Black woman to build a billion-dollar company and is a respected mentor, author, and advocate for women in business.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, Joyner-Kersee is a six-time Olympic medalist and a champion for youth empowerment through her foundation.

Her legacy goes far beyond the track, impacting education and community leadership.

Swin Cash – A Basketball Hall of Famer and WNBA legend, Cash is now a leading sports executive and media entrepreneur.

She founded She’s Got Time to elevate women in sports and leads philanthropic efforts through her nonprofit, Cash for Kids.

Toni Townes-Whitley – As CEO of SAIC, Townes-Whitley leads one of the nation’s top tech and engineering firms. A former Peace Corps volunteer and tech industry veteran, she champions public-sector innovation, tech ethics, and women’s leadership.

The excitement is far from over. From July 8–13, 2025, more than 20,000 members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will gather in Washington, D.C., for the 57th National Convention at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, joined by an additional 13,000 online participants. With a focus on community empowerment and sustained impact, the sorority is boldly stepping into the future, guided by purpose, unity, and unbreakable fortitude.

Congrats to this year’s honorees!

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