Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 15, 1908 by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle at Howard University. AKA became America's first Greek-letter sorority founded by and for African American women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood composed of women who have consciously chosen this affiliation as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service.

Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind through a nucleus of more than 170,000 women in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.

The official colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are salmon pink and apple green and the official symbol is the ivy leaf.

Open Motto: “By Merit and By Culture