In the summer of 2004, Tameka Clemons had a vision to form a graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the southern metropolitan Atlanta area. Together with Coylitia O’Neal, the two further discussed the vision and began to organize meetings and spread the word to other members in the area about their goal and commitment toward establishing a graduate chapter.
The first meeting was held late summer in Morrow, Georgia. Several members, attended the meeting and discussed establishing a chapter. A second meeting was scheduled a month later, during which the group decided it would focus on serving Clayton and Henry Counties and decided on the name – the “Southern Crescent Pearls,” because the area served by the group is known as the Southern Crescent of Metro-Atlanta.
The group steadily expanded and after a visit from the Regional Director, Mrs. Irene McCollom at the beginning of 2005, the Southern Crescent Pearls officially became an interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The thirty-one active member Southern Crescent Pearls implemented and took part in various service projects in Clayton and Henry Counties. The group implemented a financial literacy program at a Clayton County elementary school and established a bi-weekly reading program at a bookstore in Riverdale, Georgia. The interest group partnered with the YMCA at their annual Corporate Challenge Cup, visited a Henry County nursing home quarterly and participated in activities with the residents, donated school supplies to Clayton and Henry county schools, and collected donations for Hurricane Katrina victims. During the last quarter of 2005, the Southern Crescent Pearls raised money for the National Diabetes Association through participation in a 5k walk and donated holiday gifts and personal care items to children and homeless shelters, as well as, implemented other community initiatives.
On December 10, 2005, the chartering ceremony was held and the Southern Crescent Pearls Interest Group became the Psi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Three months after chartering, Psi Alpha Omega increased its membership over 50% by reactivating members of the sorority in the community.
