AKA Walks for Wellness, Scholarships, & Community

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

MONTGOMERY – Pink and green were on the move at Thomas Bull Memorial Park on Saturday, September 12th, as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Gamma Eta Omega Chapter joined family, friends, and community supporters for the 3rd Annual Orange Peel to Pavement Fun Run/Walk 5K. The V.I.P. Pearls of Orange County turned the morning into more than simply a walk through the park. The annual event combined fitness, fellowship, and fun with a larger purpose: supporting mental health awareness, scholarships, and community service initiatives benefiting residents throughout Orange County.

Even the event’s name carries a connection to the community it serves. Orange Peel to Pavement draws its “orange” identity from Orange County and represents the chapter putting its commitment to the community into action. For organizers, choosing a run/walk was also intentional. The activity gives participants an opportunity to focus on their own physical and emotional health while simultaneously helping others.

“We wanted something that stands out because nobody really does anything that’s kind of for your mental health and physical well-being of the general person,” Event Chairperson Tasmanika Rich explained.

That focus made the morning accessible to more than experienced runners. Some came prepared to tackle the 5K, while others came simply to walk, move, and enjoy being part of a community event. Co-Chair Sharon Spencer said that inclusive atmosphere is one of the things that makes Orange Peel to Pavement special.

“This is an event that all ages can participate in,” Spencer said. “It’s a family event. You can bring your toddlers in strollers, bring in abuelas and everyone, so everyone has a good sense of community feeling.”

The chapter also wanted people who could not physically be at the park to have an opportunity to participate. Participants had the option of running or walking the 5K in person, while those who could not make it to Thomas Bull Memorial Park could participate virtually. The virtual component allowed supporters from near and far to take part in the fundraiser and its mission.

“In addition to running and walking here, we also have a virtual piece,” Spencer continued. “So, if you weren’t able to actually show up in person, you could still register and kind of keep tabs on your friends and family. So, we tried to really get everyone to participate.”

Now in its third year, the event has developed a base of returning volunteers and supporters while continuing to attract newcomers. Alpha Gamma Eta Omega Chapter President Rasheena Wilson said seeing both groups come together is rewarding.

“We have our people who volunteer and join us every year. We have newcomers. They see the great work that we do in the community, and they come to support,” Wilson said. “So, it feels amazing to be out here and to just celebrate and walk for a great cause.”

Proceeds from the walk help the organization continue programs that reach residents at different stages of life.

“We walk to support our programs for the community,” Rich said. “We do senior citizen events and we do food pantries also for the kids in school… It’s just all about the community, and we’re just here to support.”

Another cause is helping young people pursue higher education. The chapter provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors, making each registration and each step taken during the event part of a broader investment in Orange County youth. Vice President Dion Walker-Duncan said that opportunity is something the organization is proud to continue.

“We’re proud to be here,” Walker-Duncan said. “To have another opportunity to provide scholarships for youth in Orange County—it feels great.”

Before runners and walkers headed onto the course, they first had to get warmed up. Tai Francis, founder of the Fertile Crescent Cultural Center in New Windsor, brought Caribbean energy to the park with Soca Sweat, leading participants through movements and stretches accompanied by Caribbean-inspired music.

“I joined the Orange Peel to Pavement today… in order to warm everybody up using Soca Sweat, which is a Caribbean technique of warm-up and exercise that we do to Caribbean-based music,” Francis said. “The intention was to warm them up so that they’re prepared for their run.”

Francis founded Fertile Crescent to provide a cultural gathering space in the Hudson Valley for people seeking activities and experiences connected to African diaspora and urban culture. The center’s programming includes Double Dutch, R&B yoga, drum circles, African dance classes, and a book club. Francis said she wanted to create a place locally where residents could enjoy cultural experiences they might otherwise travel to New York City to find.

Music continued after the warm-up as the HomeCave Records Crew supplied the soundtrack for the day. The crew has DJed all three Orange Peel to Pavement events, but this year included a family milestone. Veteran DJ Shawn has begun passing the DJ baton to the next generation, and his son, Shawn Navi, who is now in college, took over the DJ responsibilities for this year’s walk.

“They’ve been watching me DJ for a long time,” Shawn said of his children, stating that his daughter Vanessa began learning the craft at a young age, and his son has also spent years watching, learning, and practicing. “This is the first time they’ve fully taken the shift.”

For Shawn, the relationship with the AKA chapter goes beyond providing music. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he described a longstanding bond of mutual support between members of the two Greek-letter organizations.

“It’s just a relationship, not just through our fraternal and sorority organizations, but just as community,” he said.

The morning also included special recognition for Alpha Gamma Eta Omega Chapter’s work. New York State Senator Rob Rolison attended the event and presented the chapter with the New York State Senate 2026 Empire Award, an honor recognizing outstanding contributions and dedication to the growth, prosperity, and betterment of communities in New York State. Receiving the award during an event devoted to service provided a fitting backdrop for a chapter whose members were gathered not simply to exercise, but to raise resources that can be put back into the community.

After the run and walk, participants continued the fellowship with food and recognition, bringing the morning’s activities full circle. For the women of Alpha Gamma Eta Omega Chapter, Orange Peel to Pavement demonstrates what can happen when wellness and service travel the same path. From toddlers riding in strollers to seniors, runners, walkers, volunteers, and virtual participants, the event provided multiple ways for the community to become involved. Three years after the first Orange Peel to Pavement, the chapter continues moving forward—one scholarship, one community program, and one step at a time.

Journalist Ms. Jones