Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Lambda Theta chapter has been voted the Best NPHC Chapter at Clemson in the category’s inaugural year.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is an international service organization founded at Howard University in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African-American, college-educated women. The sorority has over 390,000 initiated members across 15 nations and territories.
AKA centers its mission on academic excellence, unity among women, advocacy, campus involvement and service to all.
“Our chapter carries our Alpha Kappa Alpha’s national mission and legacy by ensuring that every single program Lambda Theta hosts is directly tied to one of our International Initiatives. Nothing we do is random,” chapter president Yanbrea’ Eldell said. “Everything we do, from service to scholarship to sisterhood, it’s rooted in purpose, not performance.”
One of the chapter’s signature initiatives is AKA Reading with Launch Time, a literacy program that promotes early childhood reading through community engagement and book donations.
“We’re not just hosting an event,” Eldell said. “We sit beside kids, read with them, talk with them and be present. It’s simple, but impactful.”
The chapter emphasizes academic excellence, having held the highest GPA for three consecutive semesters. Members support one another through study halls and peer tutoring, fostering what they describe as a culture where “no one succeeds alone.”
Professionally, the sorority provides networking, leadership development opportunities, conferences and career-focused programming to prepare members for life beyond Clemson.
Eldell said that being named the University’s Best NPHC Chapter is both an honor and a responsibility.
“It affirms the consistency, hard work and intentionality we pour into our programming and our community,” she told The Tiger. “More than anything, it motivates us to keep elevating the standard.”
Eldell said the chapter hopes its impact extends beyond awards and recognition.
“We want Alpha Kappa Alpha to leave an impact on Clemson’s culture, not just be remembered through pictures or event flyers,” she said. “We hope our time here contributes to a campus culture that feels stronger, more unified and more inspired to lead with purpose.”
The chapter currently has 37 members, following the addition of a new line last semester. Eldell described the sisterhood as thriving, citing renewed energy and shared growth among members.
“We’re all going on this journey together,” she said. “It’s a sisterhood rooted in love and shared purpose.”
www.aka1908.com/ // @clemsonakas (Instagram)
