The Arts Committee of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Iota Omega Chapter unveiled their premiere publication of their activity book entitled, The Essence of the Arts.  

The booklet emphasizes the importance of the arts highlighting important people, places, and facts during the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement.  

The arts is one of the five targets of the Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service Program under the leadership of Dr. Glenda Baskins Glover, international president of the sorority.  

The Arts target is geared to specifically educate youth and community members about the rich history and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement. 

It also encourages young people to explore the arts and consider the many areas they can pursue as a career. 

Each month, a member of the Arts Committee of the chapter selects an important person, places or facts about the Harlem Renaissance or the Black Arts Movement to be featured in the Chapter Bulletin and Facebook page. 

From the monthly highlights, as the visionary, Georgette Kimball solicited the support of the A Team to design an activity booklet to share with students, schools, churches, and other community members. 

The members worked to develop the book to be distributed during February, Black History Month. 

The booklet was unveiled and presented to Waynette Kimball, chapter president and Shana Brown, vice President and program chairman by The Arts Chairman Georgette Kimball and Co-chairman Martha Paige.  

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The books have been presented and donated to several local libraries by members of the Arts Committee and city officials:

Roanoke Rapids Library – presented by Georgette Kimball and Paige 

Jackson Library – presented by Stephanie Tillery 

Garysburg Library – presented by Rita Williams 

Littleton Library – presented by Ophelia Gould-Faison and Georgette Kimball 

Weldon Library – presented by Tillery

Enfield Library – presented by Valerie Williams, Tracy Gary, and Georgette Kimball.

The books have also been donated to various elementary or middle schools in each of the school districts in the Roanoke Valley, along with area churches, family members, and other organizations.  

They were also presented to the Budding Roses and AKAGents, a mentoring program of the Kappa Iota Omega Chapter.

To culminate the activities, the Arts Committee also presented a virtual program entitled Black Voices Reminiscing.  

Members of the Arts Committee portrayed influential figures reciting poems and excerpts, singing songs, and facts relating to the Harlem Renaissance or the Black Arts Movement. Valerie Williams portrayed Carrie Hughes, mother of Langston Hughes; Georgette Kimball portrayed Maya Angelou; Paige portrayed Harriet Tubman; Tillery portrayed Leontyne Price; Cheri Creecy portrayed Aaron Douglas; and Gary portrayed Ella Fitzgerald.  

Members of the committee also presented portions of the program at the Enfield Library where it was recorded for other community members to view.