who we are

President

Soror Sherida Stevens was initiated at Morgan State University's Alpha Gamma Chapter, Spring 1993. Born in Jamaica, West Indies, she moved to New York City at age 7. Sherida obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature from Brandeis University

in Waltham, Massachusetts and also attended Morgan State University in

Baltimore, Maryland. In 1994, she moved to Johannesburg, South Africa with her husband, Richard. They have two adult sons, Daniel and Ryan.  In 2003, Sherida started her real estate career with REMAX, an international real estate company. In 2011, she started her own real estate practice, sheridaproperties, and is the Principal. Today, sheridaproperties is a full

service residential and commercial property company, which offers Sales,

Property Management, and Rental Services. Sherida is also a former Director

of the Property Listing Network, a multi-listing service. She attended an

Executive Education Program at Wits Business School in 2013. Sherida is an avid golfer and yoga enthusiast.

First Vice President 

A native Detroiter, Soror La Chenna Cromer was initiated at Saint Louis Alumnae Chapter, Fall 1995 and was a member of Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter and Prince Georges Alumnae Chapter. She is an experienced public health and business development professional.  She has devoted more than 25 years to educating and providing health services to the underserved, including the last 10 years in South Africa. La Chenna is the New Programme and Innovation Director for Aurum Institute, a global leader in fighting tuberculosis and HIV.  Previously, La Chenna was the Business Development Director for mothers2mothers, an Africa-based, international NGO that believes in the power of women to eliminate pediatric AIDS and create health and hope in their families and communities.  La Chenna has an MPH in Behavioral Science and Health Education from Saint Louis University School of Public Health and a Bachelor's Degree in Women's Studies from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. 

Soror Ghairunisa Galeta is a dual citizen (South Africa/United States). She

obtained her BA (Sociology/Anthropology) from Spelman College and an MPH from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Ghairunisa

was initiated in 2002 (Eta Kappa Chapter) where she served as Social Action

Committee Co-Chair from 2002-2003. She has lived in Johannesburg since 2010, working between the international development sector and the creative/cultural industries. Ghairunisa is mother to Selah and granddaughter to Betty Pauline Lewis Anderson, Charter Member of the New Haven Alumnae Chapter. In her spare time, she collects records, compiles

music and DJs as a side hustle/passion project.

Soror Evonne (Amaka) Nwankwo-Igomu was initiated at Temple University's Epsilon Delta Chapter in the Spring of 1999, where she served as 1st Vice

President, Leader of the Minerva Circle and National Delegate to the 2000 National Convention in Chicago, IL. She currently serves as the U.S. Department of State President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Country Coordinator for the US Embassy in Luanda, Angola. She has over 20 years working as a public health professional in various, community, hospital, private and government and healthcare settings in many states in the U.S. and several countries overseas including Guyana, Guinea, Haiti, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and the Caribbean Region.  She holds a Doctor of Public Health degree with a focus in global maternal health and epidemiology from HBCU Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD) and she is a double graduate of Temple University. Soror Amaka is passionate about women, children's, and family health outcomes and global health policy.

Financial Secretary 

Debra D. Townes was initiated into the Delta Epsilon Chapter at Alcorn State University in Spring 1984.  She is a Diamond Life Member and was most recently a member of the Decatur Alumnae Chapter in Georgia. Debra currently works as the Deputy Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the U.S. Embassy in Mbabane, Eswatini with a focus on the HIV/AIDS program.  She earned a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Public Health from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  She enjoys nature trails, faith-based and community service activities.  

Treasurer 

Soror Katrina Jackson-Stephens pledged 15 years ago on the campus of Florida Memorial University Spring 06' in Miami, Florida. Katrina is a member of the West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter in West Palm Beach, Florida. She received her Master's Degree in School Counselling at Barry University and continued her

career as an Educator and School Counselor in the Florida area. Currently, Katrina lives in Pretoria, South Africa with her family of 4 as a US Diplomatic serving as a Background Investigator. Katrina's passion is seeing the world and enjoying the company or her family. In Katrina's spare time she enjoys entertaining, reading, and great music. 

Nomhle Canca was initiated into the Omicron Xi Chapter at Emory University in Fall 1984, where she served as chapter president from 1985-1987.  She has an academic background in Economics and Political Science and in her early career as an investment manager, was the first person in South Africa to list a Women’s Investment Holding Company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.  Nomhle currently manages a security company where she provides bespoke services throughout Africa.  Over her professional career, Nomhle has also served as a legislative intern for Newt Gringrich as well as the Honorary Mayor of Carrollton, Georgia.  Nomhle is married and with two sons.  She is an American/South African dual-citizen and resides in South Africa. 

Charlotte Holt-Fuller was initiated into the Tau Chapter at Wayne State University in 1954.  She is a Golden Life Member and was most recently a member of the Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter in Nevada.  She is a retired teacher and social worker.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  She enjoys tending to her garden, entertaining guests, and decorating her home.  She resides in Durban, South Africa where she has lived for over 25 years.

Yvette Davis Gayle was initiated into the Omicron Upsilon Chapter at West Virginia University in Spring 1991 and was most recently a member of the Eastern Pan-Handle Alumnae Chapter.  She is currently a Partner and COO of Africa Creative Agency (ACA).  ACA is a Pan-African talent, digital marketing agency, and production company that develops, manages, and monetizes brand-talent collaborations targeted at and/or driven from African markets.  Recently named Billboard 2020 Women In Music Executive and 2020 CNBC Rising Women Africa, Yvette represents some of Africa’s biggest names including Pearl Thusi, Nasty C, and Sauti Sol to name a few.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from West Virginia University and is also the Founder of The Sitota Collection, a luxury candle and artisan soap company that is hand-poured in South Africa.  She is a native New Yorker who resides in Johannesburg with her husband and two children. 

Latanya Nasha (Sha) Givens was initiated into the Nu Upsilon Chapter on the campus of San Diego State University in Spring 1992 where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She served as the Farwest Regional Chaplain in 2004-2005 and was recently a member of the Inglewood Alumnae Chapter in Inglewood, California.  She is an accomplished author, inspirational speaker, and human rights advocate for children.  She is the Founder and CEO of a non-profit organization called I Can Fly International which exists to educate, rescue, and empower children from remote villages in Kenya who are affected by forced marriages, female genital mutilation, child labor, sexual violence, and other human rights violations. She resides in Machakos, Kenya, and frequently travels to California for family and fun. 

Tunuka M. Gray was initiated into the Glorious Gamma Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania in Spring 2012 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and African Studies.  After her undergraduate studies, she was a member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter.  Tunuka is an Associate Principal at CrossBoundary, an emerging markets investment firm where she advises investors and capital seekers in underserved markets across Africa. Prior to her role at CrossBoundary, she received an MBA from INSEAD and worked at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in the United States and across Africa.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and being active (swimming, running, hiking). Tunuka is an American/German dual-citizen and was born in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Rebecca Maserumule was initiated into the Pi Beta Chapter in 1995, where she served as Vice President from 1996-1997.  She currently works as the Chief Director of Hydrogen and Energy at the National Department of Science and Innovation where she leads a team of energy experts that develop and implement public policy that supports the penetration of renewable and sustainable energy technologies in support of South Africa’s just and inclusive energy transition.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics at the University of Rochester, Master’s in Applied Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Doctorate in Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  She enjoys collecting recipes and experimenting with baked goods using alternative ingredients (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free) and spends time mentoring young professionals and scientists in order to grow the next cohort of leaders in the energy sector.  She resides in Pretoria, South Africa with her husband and two children.  

Marcia Olivia Payne, Esq. was initiated into the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter in Spring 2003.  She is a 2000 graduate of Spelman College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a 2003 graduate of The Catholic University School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor. Marcia is the owner of Wright Law & Advocacy, where she practices various areas of law. She also owns Sweet Mossie's, a popular culinary company.  Some say she is just as brilliant in the kitchen as she is in the courtroom!  She loves to write, travel, and mentor teenage girls. Some of Marcia’s life's greatest work takes place in the Rites of Passage Program where she helps to facilitate bringing teenage girls in the U.S. to the African continent to connect to their roots and cross over into womanhood. 

Angela Pulliam-Gillespie was initiated into the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter in  November 1992.  Angela is a Diamond Life Member and has been active throughout her 28 years in the sorority.  As she moved around the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Africa she's been affiliated with various chapters - Seattle Alumnae Chapter, Bellevue Alumnae Chapter, Ventura County Alumnae Chapter, and Chester Alumnae Chapter.  She attended Morgan State University where she excelled on a track and field athletic scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Business Management.  In 2013, Angela was inducted into the Newark, NJ Athletic Hall of Fame for her outstanding track and field achievements.  Angela is the Founder & CEO of APG Global Enterprise, LLC.  Her most recent project involves African-inspired tote bags.  The APG brand supports black women entrepreneurs in Johannesburg, South Africa to help improve their quality of life.  Angela is married and has two lovely daughters.  She is a global citizen that enjoys family, travel, hiking, and a love for International cuisine. 

Cheraé  Robinson was initiated into the Alpha Gamma Chapter at Morgan State University in Spring 2003. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and also served as President of the Student Government Association during her time at Morgan. Cheraé  is the founder and CEO of Tastemakers Africa, an award-winning travel technology company connecting curious travelers to trips and experiences hosted by local insiders in African cities.  She spent a decade helping organizations like the CDC, WHO, CARE, and CIMMYT translate research and data into meaningful partnerships benefitting women, farmers, and public health responders in emerging economies around the world. Cherae is a TEDx speaker who has been named one of 10 Emerging Women Entrepreneurs in Africa by forbes.com, one of 20 to watch by leading Silicon Valley trends group Culture Shift Labs, and a Woman to Watch by the United Nations Foundation and Innov8tive Magazine. She was recently named one of "44 People Changing The Way We Travel" by Conde Naste Traveler Magazine.  A modern-Pan Africanist committed to bridging the gap between the continent and the global Black diaspora she enjoys DJing, cooking, dancing, and scuba diving.  

Kerry Scott was initiated into the Alpha Eta Chapter at Virginia State University in Spring 2000.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.  She has been a professional Make-up Artist for nearly two decades and has worked for New York Fashion Week and brands such as NARS Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, and Giorgio Armani Cosmetics.  Kerry is the Founder and Creative Designer of Global Glam Kapemonos, LLC, highlighting one-of-a-kind reversible African kimonos.  With her family, Kerry has lived in Asia and Africa and these different cultures have inspired her latest collection.  She is passionate about mentoring young girls on Christian values.  She enjoys painting, jewelry making, and swimming.  Kerry currently resides in Nairobi, Kenya with her husband and four children. 

Marissa Scott was initiated into the Beta Gamma Chapter at Dillard University in Fall 1996.  Previously, Marissa was a U.S. diplomat concurrently serving as the French Language Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State and as the Director of the Africa Regional Media Hub based in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Marissa has spent most of her career in Africa focusing on education, cultural, and media relations.  In her last assignment she served as the Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargee d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Praia, Cabo Verde.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and Spanish language and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.  She speaks Spanish, French, and Portuguese and is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts.  She currently serves on the board of directors of the Melton Foundation.  Marissa resides in Johannesburg with her husband and three sons.  

 Second Vice President 

Jasmine N. White was initiated into the Beta Alpha Chapter at Florida A&M University in Spring 2007.  She was most recently a member of the Federal City Alumnae Chapter in Washington, D.C.  Jasmine is a U.S. diplomat that has lived, traveled, and worked in over 18 African countries. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida A&M University and both a Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts in International Relations from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.  She enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, pilates, and interior design.