Alpha Chi Programs
American Education Week
During the early years, Alpha Chi sorors worked within schools, placing educational displays and speaking at assembly programs. During the 1950’s, the chapter sponsored an Annual Cooking School at the Charlotte Street Recreation Center in cooperation with Price’s, Inc., a local appliance business.
Beginning in November 1986, Alpha Chi implemented the “Apple for the Teacher” Award’s Luncheon. This fantastic event originated with sorors of Alpha Zeta Chapter in St. Louis, Missouri. Each year, sorors of Alpha Chi Chapter honored more than twenty-five unsung teachers for their dedication to education. People of the Tidewater area have dubbed this event as one of the most prestigious community projects held in Norfolk, Virginia. Support is terrific, because many people share the belief that teachers don’t get the appropriate respect and recognition for the tireless work they do. As of 2013, Alpha Chi Chapter has honored over 650 educators.
Black History Month Observance
During the mid-to-late 1940’s Alpha Chi sponsored Negro History Quiz Contests at local recreation centers. Community interest and involvement were phenomenal. In the later years, Alpha Chi has brought in many community leaders to share their expertise and journey walks that they have taken in our communities, for example, Brenda Andrews, Publisher, and Owner of The New Journal and Guide, Rev. Brenda Brown, Director and Founder of the First Freedom School in the South Hampton Roads area, Dr. Bennie Marshall, Professor and Director of the Nursing Department of Norfolk State University, Mr. Nathan Richardson, author and poet, Mrs. Dianna Chappell-Lewis, member of Norfolk Sister Cities Association’s Board of Directors and the Chair of its Tema, Ghana Committee and many others. Alpha Chi has taken pride in participating in an array of programs during the month of February as they spotlighted the rich heritage of African Americans through poetry, old-fashioned Negro hymns, clothing, drama, and African American songs and dances.
Business Month Observance
Business Month is held in the month of April. The purpose of this program is to focus on business opportunities and to spotlight individuals in the business profession. Alpha Chi has held sessions on banking services, finances and investment, wills and estate planning, entrepreneurs in various fields and in 2012 held its first “Women in Business Expo”.
Two additional activities that are included in the Business Month Observance are the “Woman of the Year” and “Soror of the Year.”
Founder’s Day
is always an exciting time in Alpha Chi. The sorors celebrate two different times; first they celebrate with a closed dinner meeting on June 1st, that starts promptly at 6 0’clock; then the surrounding chapters come together on a rotating basis and share a Founder’s Day luncheon or dinner at an appointed time. Alpha Chi (Norfolk), Gamma Zeta (Newport News), Gamma Delta (Richmond), and Epsilon Eta (Gloucester) travel to the host chapter’s city. Genuine “friendship and love” truly bind these sorors together in sisterly love. A mini, but exciting, program is a part of the Founder’s Day ceremony. For many years, “Alpha Chi House” hosted the local celebrations. Lambd Emanuel Smith gave their home this name because soror Fran Smith enjoyed hosting chapter functions.