AKA’s Host Annual Evening of Emerald Elegance

Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler, the first African-American President of the State University of New York College at New Paltz, was one of two recipients of the Trailblazer Award at Saturday’s 55th Annual An Evening of Elegance, honoring service to the Mid- Hudson Valley Region by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter who partnered with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated for the event that celebrating four, transformative community members.
Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler, the first African-American President of the State University of New York College at New Paltz, was one of two recipients of the Trailblazer Award at Saturday’s 55th Annual An Evening of Elegance, honoring service to the Mid- Hudson Valley Region by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter who partnered with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated for the event that celebrating four, transformative community members.

By Jennifer L. Warren

TOWN OF WAPPINGERS FALLS – It all started when 16 members said, “We want a chapter right here in the Hudson Valley,”

That dynamic stance resulted in an unprecedented amount of service to the Mid-Hudson Valley Region by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter, in partnership with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated. Whether it’s been by providing educational programs as well as hundreds of dollars of scholarships to brighten the futures of our youth, lending a hand at Project Hope through their food pantry volunteering or relentlessly advocating for social justice, the local Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter, which is “not done” with their philanthropy by any means, has left an indelible, uplifting mark on the region. That selfless dedication and work was celebrated Saturday night, among an ensemble of symbolic emerald and pink hued flair, at the Villa Borghese during the 55th Annual Evening of Elegance.

Yvonne Flowers, the first African-American and Woman Mayor of Poughkeepsie, was one of four people honored at Saturday’s 55th Annual An Evening of Elegance.
Yvonne Flowers, the first African-American and Woman Mayor of Poughkeepsie, was one of four people honored at Saturday’s 55th Annual An Evening of Elegance.

Also saluted were four transformative community members, embodying the Alpha Kappa Alpha mission, who were recognized for their unwavering service as well as creative pioneer ingenuity, all aimed at selflessly bettering and inspiring the countless lives they touch on a daily basis. Two individuals were saluted for their efforts as “Servant Leaders,” Walter Joseph and Joy Elaine Daley.

Joseph, Executive Director for the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie since 2000, hails from a deep foster care background, dating back to 1975, where he ran an intake cottage and “sorta fell in love with those children.”

“I love to work with these kids; it’s extraordinary how so many have lives filled with trauma but their resilience is amazing; I still stay in touch with some from 30 years ago,” reflected Joseph about his long career, one that includes a 22 year stint at Astor. ”It’s really great to get this recognition, but I have an absolutely amazing staff, and they are the ones who do the work; I just always try to keep children at the front of whatever we do.”

Walter Joseph, Executive Director of the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie since 2000, was one of four honorees at Saturday's 55th Annual Evening of Emerald Elegance, presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter in Partnership with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated.
Walter Joseph, Executive Director of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie since 2000, was one of four honorees at Saturday’s 55th Annual Evening of Emerald Elegance, presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter in Partnership with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated.

Daley too was presented with the Servant Leader Award. The North Atlantic Regional Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Daley was visibly touched by her selection from the organization she could not be more blessed to be a part of.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by my peers; our chapter has a long tradition of honoring ordinary people doing extraordinary work,” said Daley, who was celebrating a dual occasion: her birthday, and wanted to show her profound appreciation for Alpha Kappa Alpha on her special day. “The work this chapter does is tremendous, and to commend them for what they do, I am presenting them with $1000 for their program budget to say thank you for all they are doing.”

Trailblazer Awards were also presented: one to Yvonne Flowers; the other bestowed to Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler. These recipients were selected for their visionary skill sets, focused on uplifting and delivering priceless hope and belief to those who surround them.

“I really respect and love the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; this is a true sisterhood that does so much good,” said Flowers, the first African-American and Woman Mayor of Poughkeepsie. “They come from the Black community, uplift the community, something we really, truly need right now.” She added, “We need to do more to uplift and empower each other, now more than ever.”

Joy Elaine Daly, the 30th North Atlantic Regional Director, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., was one of four honorees at Saturday's 55th Annual An Evening of Elegance, presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter in Partnership with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated, celebrating over five decades of service to the Mid-Hudson Valley Region.
Joy Elaine Daly, the 30th North Atlantic Regional Director, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., was one of four honorees at Saturday’s 55th Annual An Evening of Elegance, presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Iota Alpha Omega Chapter in Partnership with the Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation, Incorporated, celebrating over five decades of service to the Mid-Hudson Valley Region.

Dr. Wheeler, the First African-American President, The State University of New York College at New Paltz, mentioned his incredible personal plight, one laden with very few believing in his academic potential, something he undoubtedly proved naysayers wrong, revealing his indisputable work ethic and perseverance.

“This is a phenomenal honor, but none of this work is done as an individual; it always takes a team, and the AKA’s have such an incredible one,” emphasized Dr. Wheeler. “I am just so very, very honored, and realize with honor comes responsibility, and I hope to live up to it.
In addition to receiving personally engraved plaques and certificates, each honoree was also recognized with Proclamations from Senator, Rob Rolison as well as Dutchess County Executive, Sue Serino.

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