The Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's First Annual Benefit Concert

The Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. partnered with No More Names, an inter-Ivy League police reform advocacy and awareness group, to organize a benefit concert for Campaign Zero, a campaign that finds direct policy solutions for police reform in the United States. OVO's artist Roy Wood$ performed on February 15th and helped fundraise over $3,000 for the cause. Demi Stratmon '20, Mini-Grant recipient, shares her experience organizing the benefit concert. 

Social advocacy is in a new space and age. Attracting participation, engagement and support from busy college students is not easy, especially when targeting various communities in the student population. Our sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, understood this challenge and wanted to overcome every obstacle it would present to spread our cause.

Capturing the attention of our target audience was always a main priority. We wanted to create an event that would be undeniable to pass by. This benefit concert to end police brutality taught our sorority that social advocacy can be fun and enjoyable. Even when the goal is to end something as serious as the death of unarmed Black and Brown individuals there are ways to educate peers using social media, influencers, celebrities, artists, and entertainment. These outlets expanded our sorority’s platform and reached different spaces on campus we were happy to engage with for the first time.

Creating a space that pulls all walks of life into one room is powerful. Our sorority understood live entertainment and music had the capability of reaching a diverse pool of individuals on campus outside of our own community. We used the influence of the artist Roy Wood$ to attract and educate a diverse audience about the significance of police brutality in the US.

Xi Lambda’s partnership with Roy Wood$ and No More Names showed students there are no limitations to social advocacy. Our benefit concert brought together art, music, and social media in order to raise money for the end of police brutality.

There are so many possibilities when doing work for the betterment of society. Discussion dinners and panels are not the only options. I hope our work encourages students to think outside the box when solving global issues. Social advocacy and political engagement can be both informative and entertaining. Lastly, every skill, preference, and talent can contribute to any issue someone is passionate about.

-Submitted by Demi Stratmon '20, Rockefeller Center Mini Grant Recipient 

The Rockefeller Center's Mini-Grants program funds registration fees for students attending conferences, as well as the costs of bringing guest speakers to Dartmouth. The views and opinions expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Rockefeller Center or constitute an endorsement by the Center.