Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Launches Special Double Magazine Cover Featuring Honorary Members

Today, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. launched a special double cover of its Ivy Leaf magazine, and four iconic faces are featured on the front! To celebrate the sorority’s 2025 national “Boule” conference in Orlando, the digital double cover features honorary members Yolanda Adams, Ruth E. Carter, Suzanne de Passe and Lynn Whitfield, all dressed in green. Their story is aptly named “Alpha Kappa Alpha ICONS — Film Music & Television: The Honorary Members Edition.

Each awardee has, in her own way, embodied the work and contributions that align with the sisterhood’s standards of achievement and service. As honorary members, they see the sorority’s highest honor. In the statement released today, the sorority linked their AKA honors to accolades they have earned throughout their careers. “The Oscar (also known as Oscar), Grammy Award, and Emmy Award are the highest honors bestowed in film, music, and television.”

AKA celebrates how the achievements of the four winners contribute to achieving one of the five goals of the national program. In an effort to expose students to the visual and performing arts, Target 4 is “The arts! The sorority has worked to showcase artistic talents such as artists, writers and others. Particular attention was given to celebrating the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement. The other four targets focus on HBCUs, women’s health care and wellbeing, financial literacy, and increased global impact. In addition to accomplishing Goal 4, it is important to note that Ruth E. Carter is an alumnus of Hampton University, also indirectly supporting Goal 1. — “HBCU for Life: A Call to Action.”

Learn more about the winners featured in Alpha Kappa Alpha ICONS — Film, Music and Television: Honorary Members Edition covers below:

Gospel Singer Yolanda Adams / Grammy Award Winner for

Mountain high… valley low, the experience, be blessed, victory

Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter / Academy Award Winner and Emmy Nominee for

Black Panther, Malcolm X, Amistad and Roots

Producer and screenwriter Suzanne de Passe / Emmy Award winner and Oscar nominee for

Motown Looks Back at the Apollo, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and lady sings the blues

Actress Lynn Whitfield / Emmy Award Winner for

Josephine Baker’s Story