April 18, 2024 - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (AKA-UEO) in partnership with Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. looks forward to celebrating 36 Debutantes with our 16th Precious Pearls Cotillion Ball. The debutantes are high school juniors and seniors representing 25 schools across Maryland and the District of Columbia.

In the Precious Pearls Cotillion Program, the debutantes demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, exceptional character, involvement in extracurricular activities and community service including creating food packs to support those facing food insecurity. The program consists of activities, trips, and workshops designed to enhance the academic, social, cultural, and civic awareness of participants and promote self-confidence, poise, and esteem.

On May 5th, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter and Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. will host the Precious Pearls Tea. The afternoon of high tea and tribute will be a special time to celebrate the very important people in the lives of our Debutantes. The debutantes will be donned in their Sunday's best with fascinators, hats and gloves as they make special presentations for their loved ones.

The ball marks the culmination of the 6-month Precious Pearls Cotillion Program for the debutantes. This year’s Cotillion is the largest in the program's history. The 2024 Precious Pearls Cotillion Ball will be held on Sunday, June 2nd at 4 o’clock in the evening at Martin’s West in Baltimore, MD. To help us celebrate the debutantes, the event will include a keynote speaker, debutante presentation, dancing, and more. Tickets are available for adults for $100 each and children 12 and under for $50.

Community members can learn more about AKA-UEO and LOV Charities’ Precious Pearls Cotillion and purchase tickets by visiting https://www.akaueo.org/cotillion

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (UEO) along with Ladies of Vision (LOV) Charities, Inc. served Baltimore County Students and their families with our Prom Dress Giveaway hosted at New Town High School in Owings Mills, MD. Young ladies getting ready for their high school proms and middle school dances were able to pick out dresses, shoes, accessories, and makeup at no-cost for their special day. UEO and LOV Charities served over 60 families by providing more than 600 free items for the students. Along with the fun shopping experience, we offered hair and makeup consults, information about local Black, minority, and women owned businesses including a limo service that was present, and door prizes. Four young ladies were able to win free hair and makeup services for their upcoming prom. Overall, it truly was an inspiring day of action and service!

Catonsville, MD - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (AKA-UEO) in partnership with Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. will host the 2024 Prom Dress Giveaway on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at New Town High School in Owings Mills, Maryland. This marks the return of the event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baltimore County High Students who are looking forward to their junior and senior proms can stop by to pick out prom dresses, shoes, and accessories for their big day at no cost. The students will also be able to learn more about local and Black-Owned businesses they can utilize for prom services as well as make-up demonstrations, door raffles, and prizes.

The Prom Dress Giveaway is made possible by community support. Upsilon Epsilon Omega has collected new and gently used items for the Giveaway since September 2023. Students will be able to choose from over 300 items in varying styles and sizes. Items will be available on a first come, first sized basis.

In addition, during the Prom Dress Giveaway, Upsilon Epsilon Omega will be collecting personal care and feminine hygiene products to donate to a local Women's shelter in honor of Women’s History Month. The 2024 Prom Dress Giveaway will take place on Saturday, March 16 at 10am-12pm at New Town High School located at 4931 New Town Blvd, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

Community members can learn more about AKA-UEO and LOV Charities’ Prom Dress Giveaway or how to donate for it at https://www.akaueo.org/prom

Just in time for the Holidays, Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter partnered with Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. for our annual Pink Out! Holiday Expo! on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The festive event that supported Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Build Our Economic Wealth initiative was held at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Woodlawn, Maryland. Community members were able to shop with Black-owned and Women-owned businesses as they prepared for the upcoming holidays. The event had 17 vendors selling a variety of items including jewelry, teas, body butters, desserts, and more! The event brought out a crowd of 79 attendees. In addition, Upsilon Epsilon Omega collected 126 non-perishable food items to help stock the food pantry at Christ the King Episcopal Church. It was a wonderful way for UEO and LOV Charities to support local entrepreneurs, while enhancing our impact through donations to our community partner.

October 4, 2023, Catonsville, MD - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (AKA-UEO) will host its annual Fall Day of Service on Saturday, October 21, 2023 with a series of events throughout Baltimore County. Upsilon Epsilon Omega along with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Tau Theta Chapter at Stevenson University, and Ladies of Vision Charities will host a Free Community Shred Day. This annual partnership with The Home Depot in Randallstown and Priority 1 Shredding offers free shredding to the public. Community members interested in having papers shredded are asked to place items to shred in boxes or paper bags only and to please remain in their vehicles as volunteers take their items to be shredded. In addition, bulk shredding is not available during this event. During Shred Day, there will be free STEAM activities available for children to participate in. AKA-UEO’s Free Community Shred Day will take place on Saturday, October 21 at 12-2pm at The Home Depot Parking Lot located at 8729 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133.

Also, during that time, AKA-UEO in partnership with Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. will be collecting donations for the 2024 Prom Dress Giveaway. Both organizations will be collecting prom dresses, shoes, and accessories for a community event to be held in the Spring of 2024 where Baltimore County High School Students will be able to select items for their special day at no cost.

In addition, community members can join AKA-UEO, Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Nu Sigma Alumni Chapter for a Breast Cancer Awareness Community Walk hosted on Saturday, October 21 at 9am at AMC Movie Theater (starting at the Bus Stop) located at 10100 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills, MD 21117. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, attendees are asked to wear pink.

Community members can learn more about UEO’s Fall Day of Service at https://www.akaueo.org/falldayofservice2023

June 2023 - Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter held its 12th Precious Pearls Cotillion Ball on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre in Owings Mills, Maryland. The ball was a delightful way to end our 6-month program for high school juniors and seniors. The program consisted of activities that enhanced the academic, social, cultural, and civic awareness of the young ladies while promoting self-confidence and poise.

Our 2023 Precious Pearl debutantes were students throughout Baltimore County and other local communities. UEO was honored to celebrate Ameerah Austin, Carrington Hairston, Deyonna Williams, Diallo Von Hendricks, Jarah Lyles, Jyanne Guide, Kymberly Pugh, Lakeira Anderson, Maluan Davis, Maya Williams, Mykenzie Cooper, Nialah Mingo, Peyton Tharrington, Sarah Harris, Simone Hammond, and Sydney Faulcon. The Royal Court included Miss Precious Pearl, Maya Williams; Miss Tea Rose, Sarah Harris and Miss Ivy, Carrington Hairston. This year, UEO was able to award over $18,000 in awards!

April 12, 2023, Catonsville, MD - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter (AKA-UEO) will host its annual Spring Day of Service on Saturday, April 22, 2023 with a series of events throughout Baltimore County. Upsilon Epsilon Omega is continuing its partnership with The Home Depot in Randallstown and Priority 1 Shredding to offer free shredding to community members. Those interested in having papers shredded are asked to place items to shred in boxes or paper bags only and to please remain in their vehicles as volunteers take their items to be shredded. In addition, bulk shredding is not available during this event. AKA-UEO’s Free Community Shred Day will take place on Saturday, April 22 at 12-2pm at The Home Depot Parking Lot located at 8729 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133.

Also, during that time, AKA-UEO in partnership with Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. will be collecting donations to support Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (AKA CHIPP) Program. The program addresses childhood hunger by providing "Power Packs'' for children in the Baltimore County community to eat over the weekend and holidays. Upsilon Epsilon Omega is collecting items including canned meats, individual packaged fruit snacks, boxed individual oatmeal packets, and more for students at Winfield Elementary. For a full list of requested items, those that wish to donate can visit www.akaueo.org/CHIPP .

In addition, community members can join AKA-UEO and Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. for a Spring Community Walk hosted on Saturday, April 22 at 9am at Northwest Regional Park (starting at the Pavilion) located at 4515 Deer Park Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. In support of Earth Day, attendees are asked to wear green.

Upsilon Epsilon Omega members will also be hard at work serving the community with private events on that day. Members will continue its Adopt-a-Highway efforts with cleaning up the section on Liberty Road in Randallstown, MD (between McDonald’s and Bank of America) starting at 10:30am. Tree planting and gardening events will take place at Winfield Elementary (10am) and Pikesville Middle School (12pm) along with UEO’s mentoring program, Youth Leadership Institute (YLI). AKA-UEO will also partner with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Tau Theta Chapter (Stevenson University) and the Precious Pearls Cotillion Debutantes for a community gardening service event at Morning Star Baptist Church North Parking Lot located at 1600 Whitehead Ct., Gwynn Oak, MD 21207 from 10am to 2pm.

Community members can learn more about UEO’s Day of Service at https://www.akaueo.org/springdayofservice2023

April 15, 2023 - Upsilon Epsilon Omega’s Youth Leadership Institute (AKA YLI) took flight this spring! Upsilon Epsilon Omega (UEO) is thrilled to be working with 21 scholars in the Baltimore County area. Each month, UEO has hosted programs geared towards the students’ interests.

On February 25th, UEO learned more about the students and their personalities and interests through various methods including videos, interactive skits and t-shirt making. The following month, on March 25, UEO explored career interests with a STEAM activity where students worked together to create a weight bearing structure out of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. Also that day, we hosted an Entrepreneurship workshop where the students created business plans for their own start-ups and a career panel where professionals shared their career journeys and scholars were able to engage in conversations about their potential career paths. Upsilon Epsilon Omega is fired up for our journey with our Youth Leadership Institute scholars!

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, Upsilon Epsilon Omega (UEO) encouraged our community to get their financial house in order with our event, “Surviving in Challenging Economic Times”. Hosted at Morning Star Baptist Church’s Renaissance Christian Counseling Center, community members were able to participate in workshops and gain knowledge from professionals that could help them build their economic wealth.

Mr. Ron Battle, the Business Development Manager at MECU Credit Union joined UEO to discuss the importance of credit and ways we can build it. He also shared information on financial pitfalls we should avoid and advice on how to build generational wealth. Also, Community members were given time to interact with representatives from MECU to learn more about the tools and resources that the credit union offers to help them reach their goals. In addition, attendees were able to gain knowledge from our second presenter Attorney Elsa W. Smith from the Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC. to talk about the future. While it’s not always comfortable to discuss wills, it is essential. Smith provides steps to getting started as well as information on trusts, legacy and estate planning.

Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon of learning for community members. One participant, Aviance, shared her feedback with us on Facebook: “Great event! Very informative!! I learned so much! Thank you for providing such impactful information to the community!” Upsilon Epsilon Omega is proud to offer impactful programming to help the Baltimore County community soar to greater heights!

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, Upsilon Epsilon Omega (UEO) started the summer off right with a Day of Service! UEO kicked off the day with the United Steppers for Supreme Service (U.S.S.S.) Community Walk held at Red Run Trail in Owings Mills, MD. UEO and community members were able to explore the outdoors and get their steps in as they walked 3.05 miles. Following that, UEO members headed over to Randallstown, MD for our Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up. By collecting trash along a UEO-maintained portion of Liberty Road, we helped make our community a cleaner, safer and prettier place.

Also as part of the Summer Service Day, Upsilon Epsilon Omega held our Free Community Shred Day in partnership with The Home Depot in Randallstown, MD. During the two-hour event, UEO was able to serve 178 cars of community members with a total of 9,340 pounds shredded! UEO was thrilled to utilize the services of Priority 1 Shredding, a local Black-Owned business. During the Shred Day, UEO also collected shoes for Soles4Souls. 560 pairs of shoes were donated that afternoon. To end the day, the Baltimore community was in for a treat! The award-winning UEO Step & Stroll team set the stage on fire with a performance at Baltimore’s AFRAM held at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, MD. The event is one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast! By making an impact throughout the Baltimore area, Upsilon Epsilon Omega’s Summer Service Day was certainly one for the books.

Catonsville, MD - On March 26, 2022, High School Students were in for a treat with “#CAP Virtual Essay Writing Workshop” hosted by Upsilon Epsilon Omega in partnership with Ladies of Vision Charities, Inc. Our students were able to participate in an informative presentation by Judah Nichole Lyles, Owner of JNL Writing Services. The workshop focused on tips that can assist high school students with essays for college admissions and scholarship opportunities.

During the engaging workshop, Lyles offered the students advice on the “do’s” and “don’ts” of college essay writing, suggestions on selecting essay topics and the steps it takes to write a strong essay. The students also were able to interact with each other with an activity focusing on creating outlines. Besides sharing knowledge, Upsilon Epsilon Omega offered the attendees prizes including gift cards. The Baltimore County students left the workshop fired up about their writing skills!

February 15, 2022

Catonsville, MD - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter will host its second annual arts festival called “Tribute to the Arts: The Encore! “ on Saturday, February 26 from 2pm to 4pm.

This free virtual event is designed to have a feel of an in-person festival without attendees having to leave the comfort of their home. Highlighting Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Target 4: The Arts! service platform, this event will pay homage to the players of the Harlem Renaissance and the movement itself and will feature various performance artists from Baltimore and other cities. Different types of art will be showcased including spoken word, instrumental music and vocal performances, theatre, visual art, author readings, dance performances and cooking demonstrations.

One of the event’s leads, Christina Cruse, says "As a lover and participant of the Arts, I'm excited to host this program again. You can expect to enjoy performers who have mastered their craft in several Arts-related areas with performances inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and its key players. Every minute is accounted for, so it's definitely something you won't want to miss." This year’s performers include Aaron Hill, Anthony Cooper Jenkins, Clarence Ward III, Curtis McNeil, Jo’Rell Whitfield, Kenneth Alston, Jr., Rachel Byers, Katrina Denise, Sasha Cunnigham, and more.

In November, Upsilon Epsilon Omega (UEO) was fired up to recognize National Caregivers Month with events and resources! On November 15, UEO kicked off Impact Day with “Caregiving for Our Loved Ones, Part 1”. Community members learned and engaged with Ann Marie Riehl, Mary Pivawer, and Sherry Kolbe from the Baltimore County Department of Aging. They presented tips and tools during the discussion hosted by UEO’s Lynn McCamie. On November 22, UEO hosted Part 2 on special needs trusts for disabled individuals with Cheryl Jones, Esquire. Both virtual events reached over 400 people on Facebook and YouTube.

Also that month, UEO released an “In the Know with UEO” podcast episode where Theresa Robinson offered insight on being a Caregiver. Community members were also encouraged to download UEO’s “Best Books for Caregivers” and “Caregivers Resources Guide” which are jam-packed with information to assist those taking care of loved-ones.