Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically Black sorority, is founded at Howard University.
At a Glance
- Date
- 15 January 1908
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Ethel Hedgeman Lyle
- Category
- Organizations & Institutions
- Source
- Alpha Kappa Alpha founding records · Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
What It Meant Then
It created the first Greek-letter organization established by and for Black college women.
What It Means Now
AKA remains a leading Divine Nine sorority engaged in scholarship and service.
Also on 15 January
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Founded.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-founded/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Founded. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-founded/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Founded.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-founded/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.