In honor of this monumental moment, PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT® and The Elle Empire partnered to host a fitness party at Park Tavern bringing together 108 of the most influential Alpha Kappa Alpha members under 40. Presented by Aquafina, proceeds from the event benefited The American Cancer Society and SWEAT MAKES CENTS.

Created to highlight some of the most prominent and promising women of the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization, the event also served as a powerful united front against diseases like cancer and childhood obesity that plague Black communities.

Sporting women’s adidas PureBOOSTx shoes and apparel, the women greeted one another with hugs and kisses, smiling broadly for photographs. Many had not seen each other for years while some were meeting for the first time. They gathered to connect through a fun, yet challenging kickboxing class led by fellow AKA members and Total Fitness Revolution co-owners Tosha McDade and Lauren Powers.

Following the workout at Park Tavern, guests enjoyed a networking tea party powered by Pure Leaf® IcedTea. The women fellowshipped with sorors from across the nation while learning unique ways to flavor and sweeten teas.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is the first Greek-letter sorority for African-American women and was founded at Howard University on January 15, 1908. The founding group comprised of 20 women and was led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle. The sorority consists of college-educated women who come from diverse backgrounds and is rich with distinguished alumni. Notable AKAs include the first lady of the United States Michelle Obama, the first lady of the Civil Rights Movement Coretta Scott King, the first African-American American female astronaut Mae C. Jemison, noted authors, actors, and performers. They all helped mold a legacy that has made Alpha Kappa Alpha a beacon of leadership, not just a sorority.

“With so many events going on during the Boule conference weekend in Atlanta, we wanted to create a unique experience that would unite sorors who are young movers and shakers that are committed to leaving a philanthropic impact,” said Elle Houston, founder of the Elle Empire. “Tens of thousands of AKA’s come to Boule and we look forward to making this event a destination every conference year!”

The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha believe their sisterhood shaped whom they became as women and professionals and they were elated to work together to support PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT’S mission to unite and empower girls through fitness to end childhood obesity.

“Introducing PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT’s mission to the lovely ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has been a personal goal of mine for quite some time,” says PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT (PGS) founder Aeshia DeVore Branch. “Sisterhood is empowering and PGS’s mission to end childhood obesity helps us connect and partner in service. BECAUSE when women are empowered, the entire community is empowered,” adds Branch.

Branch summed up what it truly meant to welcome her sorors to the #SweatSisterhood, “it fills me with great pride and joy to collaborate with women that I respect and who are a whole lot of fun too! To spend quality time with professional businesswomen with distinguished careers and women of substance who continue to practice the mission of service across the world was a dream come true.”

To see more photos, click here!

Press play to view the video recap below!

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To support our mission to encourage teen girls to make their health a priority and to fund free fitness events for teens, purchase apparel in our online shop (HERE), make a donation at sweatmakescents.org, or email us at hi@prettygirlssweat.com to partner with us, become a mentor, or volunteer.