Framing Sisterhood: Media Portrayals of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in the 2024 Election

 

Angelina Giallella

Strategic Communications, Elon University

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in an undergraduate senior capstone course in communications

Abstract

As Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, national news outlets turned their attention not only to her political platform but also to the historic sorority that helped shape her identity: Alpha Kappa Alpha. Media coverage of AKA surged, offering a revealing window into how Black sororities are framed during pivotal political moments. Through a framing analysis of articles from major U.S. news outlets, the study finds that AKA was positively contextualized in relation to its historical significance, political influence, and Black women’s empowerment. The findings shed light on the complex interplay of identity, politics, and novel frames for a presidential candidate. The analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how sororities, particularly Black sororities, are represented in the media and the implications of these portrayals for public perceptions of Black women’s organizations and leadership.

Keywords: media framing, sororities, Kamala Harris, Alpha Kappa Alpha, news coverage
Email: agiallella@elon.edu

I. Introduction

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris’s historic candidacy drew renewed attention to her affiliation with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (AKA), the nation’s oldest historically Black sorority. As the first female Vice President and the highest-ranking Black and South Asian woman in U.S. political history, Harris’s connection to AKA placed the organization under a national spotlight. While Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm ran in 1972 as the first Black woman to seek a major party’s presidential nomination, Harris became the first to appear on the general election ballot. This historical precedent provides important context for understanding how Black women’s political ambition and leadership have long been part of the American political landscape—even when unrecognized by dominant narratives.

Founded in 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha has become a national organization known for its commitment to service, scholarship, and Black women’s empowerment. Prominent members include Harris, Toni Morrison, and Coretta Scott King, figures who have helped elevate the sorority’s cultural significance and public image. While white sororities have often received mainstream media attention—typically in cultural or entertainment contexts—Black sororities are less frequently featured, especially within political discourse.

Kamala Harris’s intersectional identity as a Black and South Asian woman sparked both celebration and backlash in the American political landscape. While many viewed her candidacy as a breakthrough moment for representation, others responded with skepticism, scrutiny, and racialized misogyny. The media’s portrayal of her sorority affiliation is part of this larger dynamic, where race, gender, and elite affiliations intersect in ways that are often misunderstood or flattened in public discourse. These layered identities challenged traditional expectations of political leadership and invited both symbolic inclusion and coded resistance. Understanding how the media framed Harris’s identity, and by extension Alpha Kappa Alpha, helps expose the complex terrain Black women must navigate when stepping into positions of power.

Black women have long played a pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes, often acting as the Democratic Party’s most reliable voting bloc. From grassroots organizing to record-breaking turnout, Black women have consistently exercised their political agency to advance civil rights and equity. Their mobilization in the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns, and more recently in the 2017 Alabama Senate race and 2020 presidential election, illustrates their strategic influence and deep civic engagement. However, the leadership of Black women is frequently overlooked in mainstream narratives. This paper centers on their agency by examining how the media framed an organization—AKA—that reflects the values, leadership, and civic power of Black women voters.

This rare moment of national attention extends beyond Harris or her sorority. It signals a shift in how Americans understand sororities through the lenses of race, gender, and civic engagement. The reputation of sororities, often limited by stereotypes, was redefined through Harris’s public embrace of her sisterhood. The media’s framing of AKA may not only influence public opinion about Harris but also reflect and potentially reshape cultural narratives about Black women’s organizations and leadership.

This study analyzes how media contextualized AKA’s historical and political significance during the 2024 campaign. Specifically, it asks whether the media emphasized the sorority’s civic engagement and leadership legacy or relied on reductive portrayals. The power of media to shape public opinion and cultural understanding makes this analysis essential, especially in a politically polarized era. This project centers on how the media framed Harris’s affiliation with AKA—whether positively, negatively, or neutrally—and how these frames reflect broader trends in the portrayal of Black women in politics.

The 2024 election cycle was marked by historic candidacies, high political engagement, and increased attention to marginalized communities, including Black women and historically Black Greek-letter organizations. In this context, media coverage of AKA provides a window into how narratives of race, gender, and excellence are constructed and consumed. This research contributes to ongoing scholarly discussions on media representation, Black women’s leadership, and the framing of identity in American politics.

II. Literature Review

The representation of Black women in American journalism, a critical area of study for understanding the portrayal of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) during the 2024 election, has been historically overlooked. Meyers (2004) illuminates the distinct ways in which Black women are represented, separate from Black men, and the significant role socioeconomic class plays in these portrayals. Meyers’ research highlights how media often employs “paternalistic racism,” a subtle yet pervasive form of bias that reinforces power imbalances by portraying Black women in ways that uphold existing social hierarchies and stereotypes, such as limiting their roles or emphasizing appearance over achievements. Understanding this is crucial because it helps explain how media narratives can shape public perceptions of organizations like AKA, potentially obscuring their contributions to social justice and community empowerment while perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Black women’s leadership.

Intersectionality, as articulated by Crenshaw (1989), provides a crucial theoretical framework for this study. This lens allows for a nuanced understanding of how race, gender, and class intersect to shape the sorority’s representation. By considering these intersecting identities, the analysis can move beyond a singular focus on race or gender to capture the complexity of AKA’s portrayal. This approach recognizes the simultaneous and compounding effects of these social categories on both the sorority’s image and the interpretations of that image. Entman’s framing theory (1993) – which states that media focuses on specific aspects of issues and in turn affects how the public interprets those issues – provides insight into how news outlets construct narratives and influence public perception and also is an important consideration when examining how the media covers AKA.

The analysis of media representation, especially concerning Black women and their organizations, demands a robust understanding of Black feminist thought. Guy-Sheftall (1995) provides a crucial foundation for this examination. This collection of essays and writings highlights the diverse perspectives and experiences of Black women, emphasizing the intersectionality of race, gender, and class. Guy-Sheftall’s anthology underscores the importance of centering Black women’s voices and experiences in any analysis of their representation. This is particularly relevant when examining how news outlets contextualize AKA’s historical significance and influence during the 2024 election.

Understanding the nuanced experiences of African American women within sororities, particularly in the context of Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (HBGLOs) like Alpha Kappa Alpha, is also relevant. Mitchell Jr., Gipson, Marie and Steele’s pilot study (2020) provides valuable insights into the educational outcomes and potential benefits of HBGLO membership for Black women. While their research focuses on academic impacts, it lays a foundation for examining the broader social and cultural significance of these organizations, especially as they intersect with political visibility, as seen with Vice President Kamala Harris. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding how these organizations foster community, leadership, and a sense of belonging, which are vital aspects of their identity. The researchers found that a deeper exploration of the organizational values and community impact served as a counterpoint to potentially reductive media narratives.

Parks (2011) highlights the importance of Black sororities as social capital and their role in community development. Parks argues that these sororities function as vital sources of social capital, providing members with resources and networks that facilitate their active involvement in and contribution to the development of their communities. These organizations provide valuable networks and resources that foster community empowerment.

Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham’s (1992) “African-American Women’s History and the Metalanguage of Race” offers an additional critical framework for analyzing how language and representation shape the understanding of Black women’s organizations within the media. Higginbotham’s concept of the “metalanguage of race” emphasizes how the very terms and categories used to discuss race—and by extension, gender—are not neutral but rather carry historical and social weight. Higginbotham’s work underscores the need to analyze the specific language and framing employed by media to understand how they construct narratives about Black women’s organizations. Moreover, Higginbotham’s work provides a crucial lens for understanding how historical narratives and stereotypes influence contemporary representations.

Hughey and Hernandez (2013) explore media portrayals of Black Greek-Letter Organizations (BGLOs) in U.S. newspapers from 1980 to 2009. They argue that while there is a perception of negative coverage focusing on hazing and stepping, there is a lack of empirical research on the topic. The authors connect their research to broader academic discussions on racial representation in media, specifically “priming” and “framing,” and how these concepts shape the understanding of marginalized groups. They also address the debate around whether media presents a fragmented view or a unified narrative of racial groups.

The 2020 election of Kamala Harris as U.S. Vice President brought the term “Divine Nine” into the spotlight, referring to the nine Black Greek-letter organizations (five fraternities and four sororities) that supported her candidacy. Previous research has focused on the history and significance of these organizations, Black Greek sororities’ influence on career advancement, and Black fraternity and sorority members’ perspectives on how membership influenced their leadership and career development. Additional studies have considered Black women’s political and career ambitions and their membership in the Divine Nine, as well as the perspectives of Black female politicians (e.g., Black, 2021; Brown et. al, 2022; Dowe, 2020: Sapiro, 2022; Wilson, 2021).

Scholars have also examined visual representations related to race and gender. For example, Zurbriggen & Vallerga (2022) explored gender stereotypes in political cartoons, finding that cartoons about Harris and Elizabeth Warren more often focused on race-related gender stereotypes compared to their counterparts.

Overall, there are relatively few studies about media framing of sororities. The existing body of research has predominantly focused on fraternities, often within the context of hazing or risk behaviors, leaving a noticeable gap in the scholarly understanding of sororities’ media portrayal. This absence is particularly significant given the distinct historical and social roles that sororities, especially Black sororities, have played in American society. This study will be looking into how one of those Black sororities, AKA, has been covered in the media.

III. Methods

This study examined The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal as well as national cable news websites and National Public Radio. The search dates began on July 5, 2024 (one month before Harris was named the Democratic candidate) and extended until election day on November 5, 2024. This timeframe allowed for an analysis of initial and sustained media coverage. The search was limited to U.S. news sources, specifically online and print newspapers.

Twenty articles were collected for analysis. Articles were selected based on their explicit mention of both Kamala Harris and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

This study employed qualitative framing analysis to categorize articles based on their portrayal of Harris’s AKA affiliation. Articles were coded into three broad sentiment categories: positive, negative, and neutral. Further thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring narratives, such as historical significance, political implications, or potential controversies surrounding her sorority affiliation. Common language, framing devices, and contextual elements were examined to determine overarching trends in media representation.

IV. Results

The sample included six articles each from The New York Times and National Public Radio, four from The Washington Post, two from The Wall Street Journal, and one each from CNN and Fox News.

A framing analysis of the coverage reveals four key themes: (1) the historical significance of AKA as the first Black Greek-letter sorority and its role in Black women’s leadership; (2) the organization’s strong appeal to voters, particularly Black women; (3) the way AKA’s legacy carries a challenge to voters, urging civic engagement and collective political action; and (4) AKA as a powerful symbol of Black excellence and achievement.

Historic significance

The findings indicate that news outlets frequently framed AKA within its historical context, emphasizing its origins at Howard University and its role as the first Black Greek-letter sorority. This aligns with the sorority’s own emphasis on its legacy of service, scholarship, and Black women’s empowerment. The media’s attention to AKA’s historical roots may serve to educate the public about the sorority’s long-standing contributions to American society and its importance within the African American community. This historical framing provides a crucial backdrop for understanding AKA’s contemporary influence and counters potential misrepresentations or stereotypes. This framing situates AKA within a lineage of Black excellence and empowerment, providing context for its present-day activities and influence.

Almost half (9 of the 20) of the articles framed AKA within its historical context, emphasizing its founding at Howard University and its role as the first Black Greek-letter sorority. For instance, the Washington Post discussed how Kamala Harris’s connection to AKA was related to “Black women’s political empowerment,” (July 10, 2024) directly linking the sorority’s legacy to contemporary political influence and noting the significance of Harris and Biden’s connection to the sorority.

This framing is positive because it emphasizes Harris’s deep-rooted connection to a historic organization that has long championed social justice and community uplift. The coverage provided background on the sorority’s origins, its founders, and its continued relevance in addressing social issues such as education, economic development, and civil rights. The New York Times also contributed to this historical framing, with articles detailing the sorority’s legacy and its impact on its members, particularly within the context of historically Black institutions like Howard University. Across all articles, coverage of Alpha Kappa Alpha was positive, helping to explain to readers and potential voters how this aspect of Harris’s biography reflects her long-standing commitment to service and leadership. Sororities are rarely spotlighted in political media coverage, making this attention notable; it positioned Alpha Kappa Alpha not just as a personal affiliation, but as a meaningful symbol of cultural identity and civic engagement. These outlets provided a foundation for understanding AKA’s significance beyond its connection to a single political candidate.

Appealing to voters

Another prominent frame focused on the political implications of Vice President Harris’s affiliation with AKA. This included discussions of how her sorority membership might influence her campaign strategies, her connection with Black voters (particularly Black women), and the role of AKA and the “Divine Nine” in mobilizing support within the Black community. NPR, for example, examined “divine nine black Greek organizations Harris historic voter turnout,” (August 13, 2024) highlighting the political power and influence of these organizations as key players in shaping election outcomes and driving civic engagement. Articles employing this frame often analyzed the potential electoral benefits and challenges associated with Harris’s AKA affiliation, considering its impact on voter demographics and political alliances.

News outlets explored how her sorority membership might influence her campaign strategies, her connection with Black voters, and the role of AKA and the “Divine Nine” in mobilizing support. This focus on the political dimensions of AKA reflects the heightened visibility of Black Greek-letter organizations in the 2024 election cycle. It also underscores the complex interplay of identity, politics, and media representation, particularly in the context of a groundbreaking candidacy. This emphasis on the political role of AKA raises important questions about the media’s understanding and portrayal of Black sororities. While it acknowledges their political influence, it may also contribute to a narrow view of their purpose, potentially overshadowing their community service and social initiatives.

CNN also acknowledged the political significance of Harris’s AKA membership, particularly in the context of her historic candidacy, noting how it resonated with certain segments of the electorate. “When you become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, you become a member for life,” Danette Anthony Reed, international president and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. told CNN (July 25, 2024) highlighting the lifelong commitment and deep-rooted sisterhood that continues to shape and support members like Harris throughout their personal and professional journeys. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal explored the role of the Divine Nine in fostering “Black excellence” and their commitment to community service, presenting a largely positive and affirming portrayal that highlights the intersection of political engagement and cultural identity.

Overall, the sentiment in the news coverage was predominantly positive. Most articles focused on factual reporting of AKA’s history, activities, and political significance. While some articles acknowledged potential stereotypes or criticisms of Greek-letter organizations, the coverage generally presented AKA in a favorable light, emphasizing its positive contributions to Black communities and American society. This positive framing, however, was often intertwined with discussions of race, gender, and political dynamics, reflecting the complex realities of the 2024 election and the ongoing significance of AKA as a cultural and political force.

A challenge to voters

The legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha does more than symbolize tradition or achievement—it actively challenges voters to participate in the democratic process through civic engagement and collective political action. As The New York Times reported, Harris’s affiliation with AKA and the broader Divine Nine “has galvanized a network of politically engaged Black voters who see their participation as both a duty and a continuation of the struggle for racial justice” (Oct. 1, 2024). This engagement goes beyond symbolism: AKA mobilized members nationwide through voter registration drives, fundraising efforts, and public education campaigns aimed at increasing turnout, especially among Black communities. The Washington Post similarly noted that Harris’s campaign has “reenergized sorority networks to get out the vote,” reinforcing the idea that AKA’s mission of service is inherently political when applied to the fight for equity and representation (July 24, 2024). In this sense, AKA does not simply celebrate civic participation—it demands it, positioning its members and supporters as agents of change in a political moment that calls for both solidarity and action.

AKA as a symbol of excellence

The recurring narrative of AKA as a symbol of Black excellence, achievement, and leadership further shapes the media’s overall portrayal. It highlights the sorority’s role in fostering a culture of success and empowerment among its members and its contributions to the advancement of Black women in various fields. The emphasis on Black excellence serves to counter historical and contemporary narratives that marginalize or stereotype Black communities and individuals. These narrative positions AKA as a source of pride and inspiration, celebrating the accomplishments of its members and challenging negative stereotypes. However, it’s important to consider the potential implications of this framing. While celebrating Black excellence is crucial, it can also create pressure and expectations, potentially overlooking the diverse experiences and challenges faced by Black women.

As such, the sentiments for stories that focused on AKA were largely positive, or at worst, neutral in tone. This may reflect a growing recognition of the importance of Black sororities as vital institutions within the African American community and their significant contributions to American society. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the framing of AKA was often intertwined with discussions of race, gender, and political dynamics, indicating that the sorority’s representation remains subject to the complexities and biases of the broader media landscape. The media’s portrayal of AKA is not occurring in a vacuum; it is shaped by broader societal discourses and power structures.

Several recurring narratives emerged across the news coverage. AKA was frequently presented as a symbol of Black excellence, achievement, and leadership. The Wall Street Journal, in its coverage, emphasized “Kamala Harris, the divine nine, and their commitment to Black excellence,” (August 22, 2024) showcasing the sorority as a source of pride and a testament to the accomplishments of Black women. This narrative celebrated the achievements of AKA members and highlighted the sorority’s role in fostering a culture of success and empowerment.

The collective influence of the “Divine Nine” Black Greek-letter organizations, including AKA, was emphasized in several articles, particularly in discussions of their role in voter mobilization and political activism. This narrative highlighted the historical and ongoing contributions of AKA and other Black Greek-letter organizations to social progress and community empowerment, as seen in NPR’s coverage of voter turnout and the Washington Post’s analysis of their influence on Black voters. These outlets recognized the significant role these organizations play in shaping political discourse and mobilizing communities.

The intersection of race, gender, and politics was a recurring theme in the coverage. News outlets explored how these intersecting identities shaped Vice President Harris’s experiences and how they influenced the public’s perception of AKA. The New York Times, for instance, published opinion pieces that delved into the complexities of race and gender in the context of Black sororities and fraternities, examining how these organizations navigate issues of identity and representation within the political landscape.

Some news outlets, including Fox News, focused on the political activities of AKA members, such as the launch of political action committees (PACs), highlighting the sorority’s growing involvement in electoral politics and its efforts to influence policy decisions. This perspective added another layer to the portrayal of AKA, showcasing its members as active participants in the political process.

V. Discussion

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how Black sororities are represented in the media, an area that has been historically understudied. By analyzing the framing of AKA during a pivotal election, this research sheds light on the interplay of identity, politics, and media representation and its implications for public perceptions of Black women’s organizations and leadership.

One of the central findings is the media’s consistent emphasis on AKA’s historical significance and contributions to the African American community. This aligns with Parks’ (2011) argument about Black sororities functioning as vital sources of social capital and their role in community development. The media’s focus on AKA’s legacy of service, scholarship, and empowerment reinforces the idea that these organizations provide valuable resources and networks that foster community empowerment. This framing choice has significant implications for how AKA is understood. By consistently highlighting AKA’s history, the media presents the sorority as an enduring institution with a rich legacy, thereby legitimizing its presence and influence. This historical emphasis shapes public perception of AKA as more than just a social organization; it positions AKA as a cultural and social force deeply embedded in the history of Black America.

The study also revealed the media’s focus on the political implications of Vice President Harris’s affiliation with AKA. This is where Entman’s (1993) framing theory becomes particularly salient. News outlets actively constructed narratives that connected AKA to Harris’s political identity, her appeal to specific voter demographics, and the broader role of Black Greek-letter organizations in political mobilization. For example, by framing AKA as a key factor in Harris’s connection to Black voters, the media emphasizes certain aspects of the sorority (its political influence, its role in voter turnout) while potentially downplaying others (its community service initiatives, its internal dynamics). These framing choices have significant implications, influencing how the public understands the relationship between AKA, Harris, and the political landscape. It suggests that AKA’s value is, in part, derived from its political utility, which can both elevate and constrain the sorority’s image.

Furthermore, the recurring narrative of AKA as a symbol of Black excellence connects to Higginbotham’s (1992) work on the “metalanguage of race.” The language used to describe AKA and its members reflects underlying ideologies and societal values. The emphasis on “Black excellence” can be seen as both a celebration of achievement and a counter-narrative to historical and ongoing marginalization. Framing AKA in this way positions the sorority as a source of pride and empowerment, challenging negative stereotypes and shaping public discourse about Black achievement. This narrative carries complex implications. While it celebrates Black achievement, it can also create pressure and expectations. The media’s role in amplifying this narrative contributes to the ongoing negotiation of Black identity and representation in the public sphere.

The predominantly positive sentiment in the news coverage suggests that AKA is increasingly recognized as a significant and influential organization. However, it is essential to critically examine how media frames these portrayals and what underlying messages are being conveyed about Black women’s organizations and their role in American society. The choices made by journalists and editors about what to emphasize, what to omit, and what language to use all contribute to the overall framing of AKA and influence how the public understands the sorority’s significance. This study highlights the need for continued critical analysis of media representations of Black sororities to understand their complex role in American culture and politics.

VI. Conclusion

The findings offer valuable insights into the media’s portrayal of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) within the context of the 2024 election. By examining how news outlets framed Vice President Kamala Harris’s affiliation with AKA, this research illuminates the complex interplay of identity, politics, and media representation. The analysis of dominant frames and recurring narratives reveals the media’s role in constructing a multifaceted image of AKA, drawing upon both historical significance and contemporary political relevance.

This research contributes to a broader understanding of the media’s role in shaping cultural narratives about Black women’s organizations and their impact on American society. However, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations of this study. The analysis is based on a specific timeframe within the 2024 election cycle and a select number of news outlets. A broader scope and a more diverse range of media sources (e.g., television news, social media) could provide a more nuanced understanding of AKA’s media portrayal. Additionally, the qualitative nature of this study, while providing rich insights, could be complemented by quantitative research to measure the frequency and impact of different framing techniques.

To build upon this research, future studies could explore the long-term effects of media framing on public perceptions of Black sororities and examine how these portrayals influence sorority members’ sense of identity and empowerment. Comparative studies analyzing the framing of different Greek-letter organizations would also be valuable, as there is scant existing research about the representation of any sororities. Furthermore, research could investigate the role of social media in both reinforcing and challenging traditional media narratives about other Black organizations.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Dr. Jane O’Boyle, whose thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and expertise were invaluable throughout the development of this project. I am also deeply grateful to all those who supported me.

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