Art as Cultural Reckoning

Runs the ROSE Mentorship Program, a national educational initiative led by regional alumnae chapters, to support academic and personal development.

Organizes internal events to strengthen member relationships, foster unity, and support organizational culture among members at chapter, national, and international levels.

Conducts community service events involving the distribution of goods to individuals in need, carried out at local, national, and international levels in partnership with organizations such as Children International, One Heartland, Special Olympics, March of Dimes, and Multiple Sclerosis organizations.

Operates the National Stroll Team, which performs in step competitions, exhibitions, and community events nationwide, earning first-place wins at events including SILK 2009, SILK 2013, Unleashed at Albany 2013, NALFO Showcase 2013, NALFO Showcase 2014, and RISC SouthEast 2019, and second place in SILK 2014.

Raises funds for Children International to support children in Honduras, as part of its broader community service and outreach efforts.

Maintains a network of 57 undergraduate chapters, 13 graduate chapters, and 17 colonies across 16 U.S. states, supporting organizational growth and member development since 1990.

Hosts an annual national convention, such as the 34th National Convention at the University of Arkansas, to support organizational mission, governance, and member engagement at national and international levels.

Offers an accident protection program that complements health insurance for undergraduate members, covering injuries resulting from accidents.

Relies on board members and officers who volunteer their time and services to support organizational governance, operations, and strategic direction.

Conducts recruitment activities to grow membership and further the organization’s mission and operational reach.

Provides hands-on classes and lecture-demonstrations in traditional West African dance and drumming from Mali, Senegal, and Guinea, featuring live drum accompaniment and instruction on the cultural significance, rhythms, and techniques of the art forms.

Operates ongoing cultural programs including the Paul Robeson Theatre, Kakilambe African Dance and Drum Performance Company, and the annual Pine Grill Jazz Reunion, which features two weekends of free live music in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. These programs promote and preserve the history, art, and culture of the African Diaspora and serve individuals aged six through senior across Buffalo.

Offers after-school and summer enrichment programming that supports homework completion and fosters confidence, cultural awareness, and competency through multidisciplinary arts education and training, specifically designed to enhance social behavior among African American youth.

Completed Phase One of a full renovation of its 4,400-square-foot facility in 2025, including demolition, rebuilding the dance chamber floor, replacing doors and windows, remodeling ADA-compliant restrooms, and upgrading electrical, plumbing, and drainage systems to ensure safety, functionality, and accessibility.

Performs as a featured act at major public events, including serving as the closing act at the Global Citizen 2-day event on May 2, 2024, and winning Best Music Group at the Annual Mermaid Parade for two consecutive years.

Operates as an all-women, Black-led ensemble performing Afro-Brazilian dance and drumming at stages, street festivals, parades, rallies, galas, and special events across the New York region to promote cultural expression and women's empowerment.

Distributes 30,000 printed festival programs throughout central New York and surrounding areas prior to the event. Hosts workshops, demonstrations, and performances on the Leslie Puryear Community Stage to support cross-cultural exchange and showcase local talent.

Relies on more than 1,300 volunteers annually to run the festival, offering structured group volunteering opportunities such as the Green Team, which requires two shifts in exchange for a weekend pass for groups of three or more starting in 2026.