South Central Region and The Arkansas Cluster Stands Proud and Tall with Heifer International

When Supreme Basileus, Soror Carolyn House Stewart, outlined her Global Leadership Through Timeless Service program initiatives, Soror Gwendolyn J. Brinkley, South Central Regional Director challenged each cluster in the region to communicate and execute the program initiatives. The Arkansas Cluster, under the leadership of Cluster Coordinator, Soror Cathy T. Clark-Johnson accepted the challenge and chose the Arkansas Cluster Retreat as the launching ground.

 Beta Pi Omega Hostess Chapter Basileus Soror Phyllis Caruth, and Cluster Retreat Chairman, Soror LaTrese Johnson-Martindale, quickly went to work designing a cluster service project that would embrace our program initiatives. Soror Michelle Smith designed a service project flyer which outlined our cluster goal: purchase a cow to donate to a needy family through Heifer International, one of AKA’s partnership organizations.  Heifer’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty, care for the earth and help people around the world achieve economic stability. Heifer International is headquartered in Little Rock, AR which was the site of our cluster retreat. Clark-Johnson believed it would generate even more interest and fun if sorors had an opportunity to name the donated cow. Thus the “name that cow” contest was born. Sorors could go on-line via survey monkey and submit a name.

On October 2, 2010, the mood in the room was electric. Mr. Charles Stewart, Heifer International Interim CEO and Ms. Tani White, Corporate Relations Account manager attended the cluster luncheon and addressed the record number 199 cluster attendees.  There was an overwhelming response from sorors in the Cluster, and even a few tears shed. A total of $2075.00 was raised which allowed the cluster to purchase not one, but four cows. The impact this donation will have on the recipients of these animals is tremendous according to Mr. Stewart. And yes, we named all four cows:

Evie     (In Hebrew means live giver) Soror Vernita T. Humphrey, Beta Pi Omega chapter

Mundi (means service in the African Shona language) Soror Keisha Richard-Patterson, Chi Eta Omega chapter

EJ         (Economic Justice) Soror Gwendolyn J. Brinkley, Alpha Kappa Omega chapter

Jewel      Soror LaTrese Johnson-Martindale, Cluster Chairman, Beta Pi Omega chapter

Also sharing in the celebration was Soror Patricia Webb, South Central International Program Committee representative. Arkansas Cluster is doing “big things” for South Central Region and Alpha Kappa Alpha!

Submitted by:

Soror Cathy T. Clark-Johnson

Arkansas Cluster Coordinator