From April 1–5, 2026, more than 5,600 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina gathered in Orlando for the 73rd South Atlantic Regional Conference and No Kid Hungry was honored to be part of the experience. This year marked the second regional conference since the launch of our formal partnership with the South Atlantic Region, a collaboration that began in April 2025 and continues to grow in impact and momentum.
A Partnership Rooted in Advocacy and Community Power
Our partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® brings together No Kid Hungry’s policy and advocacy expertise with the sorority’s deep community engagement and commitment to service. Together, we’re working to address childhood hunger through education, empowerment and direct action, leveraging the sorority’s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (AKA CHIPP™) Program and its “Advocate for Social Justice” Program.
As South Atlantic Regional Director The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq. shared in the initial 2025 press release, “This partnership supports our most ambitious childhood hunger program to date and provides our members with additional knowledge and expertise that will help us fight for policies that can reduce child hunger in the communities we serve, allowing us to make an even greater impact.”
That vision was on full display in Orlando.
Packing Power: 1,908 CHIPP Bags for Families in Florida
One of the most energizing moments of the conference came when AKA members and No Kid Hungry staff joined forces to pack 1,908 CHIPP bags, an intentional tribute to AKA’s 1908 founding at Howard University. These bags, filled with nutritious, shelf-stable foods, will be distributed to families in Orange and Lucie Counties, Florida. The energy in the room was electric, fueled by a shared commitment to ensuring children have the food they need to learn, play and grow.
Storytelling for Social Justice: A Workshop Rooted in Voice and Impact
We also had the privilege of hosting a workshop titled “Purpose, Power and Passion: Storytelling for Social Justice.” The session explored the key elements of effective storytelling, how stories shape advocacy and policy change, ways to harness personal narratives with care and confidence, techniques for collecting and amplifying community stories, and self-care practices for sharing vulnerable experiences.
A highlight of the workshop was a powerful panel discussion featuring three AKA leaders who played pivotal roles in their states’ Day at the Capitol events.
Myesha Good, Georgia Connection and Social Action Coordinator
Andrea McCoy, 2026 South Carolina Day at the Capitol Committee and Service Project Lead
Tammy Williams-Hinson, Florida AKA Day at the Capitol Co-Chairman
Each shared how storytelling shaped their advocacy, from youth voices at Georgia’s Virtual Day at the Capitol, to the immersive Longest Table event in Florida, to the heartfelt messages that fueled South Carolina’s Summer EBT letter-writing campaign. Their insights underscored a shared truth: stories, especially those of children and families, are catalysts for change.
Conversations That Matter
Throughout the conference, No Kid Hungry staff connected with hundreds of AKA members at our vendor hall booth. Members shared how poverty and hunger show up in their communities and how they are addressing these challenges through their chapters, schools, churches and civic organizations. Their commitment was unmistakable. Many hold influential roles and maintain direct relationships with elected officials, making their voices essential in the fight for policies that strengthen food access for children and families.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Impact Across the Region
The South Atlantic Region continues to demonstrate what’s possible when advocacy, service and community leadership come together. Our shared goal remains clear: to mobilize members to speak up when harmful policies threaten children’s access to food and to champion policies that help families thrive.
We are deeply grateful for the partnership, the passion and the unwavering commitment of every AKA member who joined us in Orlando. Together, we are building a future where every child has the nourishment they need to reach their full potential.
Click here to learn more about our partnership, to sign up for our e-newsletter, and to learn about the specific AKA Days at the Capitol, and how you can get involved in the fight to end childhood hunger.
If you are an AKA member of the South Atlantic Region, we’d like to hear from you. Please take a few moments to fill out this brief questionnaire, which seeks your input on future training topics and local stories related to child hunger and food security.
Photos by Diego Alonso
