Welcome to the virtual home of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Gamma Kappa Omega Chapter. It is my honor and

privilege to serve as the 24th President of this galvanizing, keenly aware, and outstanding chapter. Since its chartering on March 15, 1941, Gamma Kappa Omega has been a premier Greek letter service organization with 85 years of exemplary service in the Carbondale community. Following the legacy of our founders, the 2026 administration theme is “Poised with Purpose and Power, Champions in Service and Premiere in Sisterhood.”  Our members continue to progressively lead in advocacy and elevate the advancement towards equitable growth and enhanced community benefit.

 

The women of Gamma Kappa Omega devote their talents and resources to build collaboratively and excel at implementing our 2026-2030 Overall Agenda of Championing Service, Empowering Sisterhood and Transforming the World.

 

Under the leadership of International President, Charletta Wilson Jacks, we are engaging and elevating efforts to empower and improve the lives of those we serve. Through eight initiatives, with AKA Foster the Future: From Here to Hope as our Signature program, our targets are: Educational Support and Advocacy, AKA Family Matters, Health Awareness and Well-Being, Economic Growth and Success, Environmental and Sustainability Action, Arts Advocacy and Cultural Awareness, The Global Community and Undergraduate Impact Program. I encourage you to visit our international website at www.aka1908.com to learn more about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® programs and legacy of service.

 

The dynamic members of Gamma Kappa Omega have taken an aggressive approach to programming as it is at the center of our service delivery. We strive in our sisterhood to build collaborations for impactful solutions that meet the community’s most challenging needs. GKO had a powerful impact in our efforts to close the child hunger gap through our Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP™) program with over 4,500 bags distributed to students at Lewis Elementary School during the 2023-2024 school year, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois.

 

We’ve also had great impact in leadership development programming through our Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) through our partnership with the Carbondale Middle School. Through our signature Thelma Gibbs Walker Scholarship, we continue to administer annual funds of over $7,000 to support graduating high school scholars who are on their way to securing bright futures.

 

If you are a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and are interested in visiting with us, you are welcome to join us for a chapter meeting and or event. We look forward to having you, contact us at www.akagko41.com/gkocontactus for more information.

 

It is our goal to continue to soar higher and to embolden our impact as we focus on our core mission of Service to All Mankind. Your support and partnership are vital in achieving the transformation that we seek in the immediate and near future for the Carbondale community. Please take a moment to explore our website to see how we work.

 

Sincerely,

Kimberly M. Smith-Drake

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

Gamma Kappa Omega Chapter

24th President 2025-2026