Mound Bayou, Miss. — April 24, 2023— Annie Y. Griffin, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Chi Mu Omega Chapter of Mound Bayou, announced today that the Enhance Our Environment Initiative Committee will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 29 with a series of events. A tree planting ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Milburn Crowe Memorial park with a proclamation by Mayor Leighton Aldridge and music by Dr. Alphonso Sanders. Three trees will be planted in memory of the “Ivies Beyond the Wall” chapter members (deceased) and two friends of humanity. Students from I. T. Montgomery Elementary School will be recognized for their poems and essays on the benefit of trees to our community. A pink ribbon will be tied around a pecan tree, one of the oldest trees in the town, which was planted by Mary Amelia Hilliard Jordan. Her 89-year-old daughter recently visited the Mound Bayou Museum and told the story of how her mother found one pecan and planted it in a bucket and replanted it where it still stands today.
Griffin stated, “We’re so excited to plant these trees in the Milburn Crowe Memorial park to enhance our environment.” “As they grow, these trees will be cleaning the air, providing habitat and cooling the city,” she stated. “We are equally grateful to the established partnerships with the city and other organizations,” said Chaka Picha. “It is truly gratifying to see the efforts and excitement that is being generated by this effort,” she further stated. The Milburn Crowe Memorial park is across the street from the Mound Bayou City Hall at 106 Green Street, Mound Bayou, Miss.
Chi Mu Omega Chapter is collaborating with other organizations, as the Historic Preservation Commission, the Beautification Commission, Supervisor Olanda Morton and citizens, to create awareness on the importance of trees to our environment and the benefits of keeping the city clean. To that end, Mayor Aldridge and the Board of Aldermen have declared Saturday as “Clean Up Day” in the city. The partnering organizations and other citizens will be cleaning up various streets in the town. According to Mayor Aldridge, all citizens are encouraged to clean up around their own homes, as well. Information will be given on Earth Day in Bolivar County and Cleveland.
Morris stated, “Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. They clean our air, filter our water, and even slow storm surge and flooding in our cities.” “Trees also provide shade and cool our cities by up to 10 degrees, which can help prevent heat-related deaths,” she said. “That’s why Chi Mu Omega Chapter is so excited to be a part of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission to plant 3,100 more trees every year,” said Morris.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is comprised of more than 355,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries, including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President and CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.”
Chi Mu Omega Chapter was chartered on December 6, 2003, at the Lampton Street Church of Christ in Mound Bayou, Miss., with 16 charter members who were referred to as the Pearls of Wisdom Interest Group. Since that time, the chapter has engaged in the sorority’s mission by cultivating and encouraging high scholastic and ethical standards, by promoting unity and friendship among college women, by studying and helping to alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, by maintaining a progressive interest in college life, and by providing “Service to All Mankind.”
Annie Y. Griffin is the chapter’s president and Chaka Picha is the vice-president. DeVoyce C. Morris is the chairman of the Enhance Our Environment Initiative and Ardeltru P. Dixon and Geraldine C. Grammer are co-chairmen. There are 90 active members in Chi Mu Omega Chapter. For additional information, Griffin can be contacted at 662-812-7184 or Morris at 662-719-0090.
Founder: Artistically yours, Art-cetera, Art-cetera Summer Arts Enrichment Program, St. Gabriel Mission School, Mound Bayou, Mississippi
