About Us

 

Founding

The Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. was created and incorporated with the State of Michigan as a nonprofit organization, in December 2019.

Incorporators

The incorporators of the organization include:

Nettavia D. Curry

Eva L. Evans

Ruby A. Frazier

Sharon R. Hobbs

Mary Jane McGuire

Mia D. McNeil

Angela C. Moore

Sharon Rogers

501(c)3

In May 2020, the Foundation received its 501(c)3 designation from the Internal Revenue Service and held its first organizational meeting in August 2020.

Message from our President

Greetings,

It gives me great pleasure to serve as the first President of the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Incorporated. The Pearls of Excellence Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, established in December 2019, by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Tau Omega Chapter in Lansing, Michigan. The Foundation is a separate legal entity from the Chapter.

Our mission is to enhance, equip and empower the Greater Lansing community to cultivate positive change. We will partner with local community organizations to fulfill our mission and to make a positive impact on the communities we serve. 

We encourage you to explore our website, support our community programs, attend and support our fundraisers. As a public charity, the Pearls of Excellence Foundation depends on various sources of funding to support scholarships and community programs. 

Your donation will make it possible for the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. to support individuals who desire an opportunity to further their education. Your donation will also support community-based organizations and service projects that focus on education, health, economics, globalization, and the arts. Our desire to make a difference will not be possible without the commitment and volunteer efforts of the Foundation’s donors and contributors. 

If you are interested in supporting our efforts and/or partnering with the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Nettavia D. Curry, President

Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Incorporated

Board Members
2024-2025

President - Nettavia D. Curry

Vice President - Diana Rouse

Secretary - Courtney Cole

Treasurer - Angela C. Moore

Financial Secretary - Lillie Pearl Johnson

Member-at-Large - Sandra A. Butler

Member-at-Large - Paulette J. Carter-Scott

Member-at-Large - Cathleen Dungy

Member-at-Large - Brittany P. Edwards

2024 Members

Alda Henderson
Alexis C. Cooper
Alicia L. McGregor
Angela C. Moore
Annie C. Williford
Arcelia Richardson
Barbara Roberts Mason
Brenda Hairston
Brenda Henderson
Britney Slater
Brittany P. Edwards
Cameo L. King
Cathie Cobb Hudson
Cathleen Dungy
Carla Smith 
Cassandra Hailey
Celestine Ray Hart
Charline Husband
Connie Y. McClendon Ford
Constance Partee 
Courtney Cole
Crystal Thomas
Cynthia William Carnegie
Cynthia Thorn

Darleen Murphy-Anderson
Delois Whitaker Caldwell
Delsa Chapman
Diana Rouse
Edith Killins
Effat Id-Deen
Elnora Bryant
Erica J. Holt
Erma Whiting
Estelle Sharon Banks
Esther Norton
Falyne Fry
France’ Richardson
Frances Reeves
Gladys Hill Scott
Gloria Johnson Cannon 
Gloria Stephens Smith 
Hirut Mersha-Scarlett
Jeanette Patterson
Jessie J. Storey-Fry
Judith Hightower

Kenya Husband
Keyonie James 
Kristen Simmons
LaToya Scott
Lauren Corley 
Lauren Hall-Tate
LaVerne Duncan-Mickel
Lillian Rene Brooks
Lillie Pearl Johnson
Lisa Cromwell Munroe
Lynette Glover McClure 
Margaret Alston
Marilyn Skinner Britt
Marian Wilcox
Mary Jane McGuire
Meko Moore
Mia McNeil-Leonard 
Micaela Chappelle
Monica Coleman
Nettavia D. Curry
Norma Champion-Jones

Patricia C. Smith
Patricia H. Fitzpatrick
Paulette J. Carter-Scott
Renee Branch Canady
Roelane Johnson
Ruby Frazier
Sandra A. Butler
Sarah E. Anthony
Shani K. Saxon
Sharon R. Hobbs
Sharon D. Rogers
ShirDonna Lawrence 
Tanesha Ash-Shakoor
Vanessa-Nola Pratt
Veronica Johnson
Vivian L.W. Tansil
Vurlia Wheeler 
Zakiya Williams

Mission

The mission of the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. is to enhance, equip and empower the Greater Lansing community to cultivate positive change.

Purpose

The purpose of the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. is to improve the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing programmatic initiatives that promote self-reliance, self-empowerment and self-determination through economics, health, education, globalization and the arts.

Foundation Membership

The membership in the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. is comprised of financial members who are also members of the Delta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Goals

  • Raise funds to support broad educational programs, such as tutoring and mentoring for youth and adults

  • Provide college scholarships for graduating high school seniors. 

  • Sponsor physical, nutritional, and mental health workshops and forums for women and girls. 

  • Partner with state and local agencies to address financial literacy, fiscal responsibility, and the homeownership needs of underserved populations. 

  • Advance the cultural and performing arts. 

  • Promote environmental sustainability. 

  • Engage in global assistance programs that help the underserved in international areas populated with people of color.