1929 – First Black Sorority Steps onto Broadway

On May 17, 1929, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the first African American sorority, performed a groundbreaking musical revue titled The Kappa Alpha Kaleidoscope on Broadway. This marked one of the first times a Black collegiate sorority produced and starred in a Broadway-caliber show, blending art, scholarship, and social activism. The event showcased the artistic talents and intellectual excellence of Black women at a time when both were systematically marginalized. AKA’s performance was not only a cultural achievement but also a form of resistance against the limited representations of Black womanhood in mainstream media. It drew diverse audiences and helped break down stereotypes by presenting Black women as multidimensional and accomplished. Celebrated on May 17, this moment remains a milestone in Black performing arts and a testament to the sorority\’s mission of service and cultural elevation.