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 325,000 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 & 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.”

As the sorority has grown, it has kept in balance two very important themes: individual importance and organizational strength. As the world becomes more complex, there is a need for associations which reach across racial, geographical, political, physical, and social barriers.

To effectively and efficiently govern the more than 900 chapters, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is divided into ten regions, according to geographical location and density of population. Chapters were originally organized into regions in 1924 and charged regional directors as the lead officer. Prior to 1953, the states that now make up the Mid-Atlantic Region (NC and VA) were part of the South Atlantic Region.

Due to regional realignment, the Mid-Atlantic Region was born at the 1953 Boule. Dr. Rose Butler Browne, the first Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, led the region with determination and commitment to serving all mankind. Focusing on the national theme of Our Health, Our Strength, the first Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference was held in Newport News, VA with Lambda Omega serving as the host chapter. Since 1953, there have been nineteen regional directors and 130 chapters chartered (82 graduate chapters and 48 undergraduate chapters).

Dr. Norma S. White, 25th international president, coined the term Marvelous Mid-Atlantic Region.