About Us

Founding

The Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. was created and incorporated with the State of Michigan as a nonprofit organization, in December 2019.

501(c)3

In May 2020, the Foundation received its 501(c)3 designation from the Internal Revenue Service and held its first organizational meeting in August 2020.

Incorporators

Nettavia D. Curry
Eva L. Evans
Ruby A. Frazier
Sharon R. Hobbs
Mary Jane McGuire
Mia D. McNeil
Angela C. Moore
Sharon Rogers

Mission

The mission of the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. is to enhance, equip and empower the Greater Lansing community to cultivate positive change.

Purpose

The purpose of the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. is to improve the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing programmatic initiatives that promote self-reliance, self-empowerment and self-determination through economics, health, education, globalization and the arts.

Foundation Membership

The membership in the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. is comprised of financial members who are also members of the Delta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Goals

  • Raise funds to support broad educational programs, such as tutoring and mentoring for youth and adults

  • Provide college scholarships for graduating high school seniors. 

  • Sponsor physical, nutritional, and mental health workshops and forums for women and girls. 

  • Partner with state and local agencies to address financial literacy, fiscal responsibility, and the homeownership needs of underserved populations. 

  • Advance the cultural and performing arts. 

  • Promote environmental sustainability. 

  • Engage in global assistance programs that help the underserved in international areas populated with people of color. 

Message from our President

Greetings,

It gives me great pleasure to serve as the first President of the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Incorporated. The Pearls of Excellence Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, established in December 2019, by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Tau Omega Chapter in Lansing, Michigan. The Foundation is a separate legal entity from the Chapter.

Our mission is to enhance, equip and empower the Greater Lansing community to cultivate positive change. We will partner with local community organizations to fulfill our mission and to make a positive impact on the communities we serve. 

We encourage you to explore our website, support our community programs, attend and support our fundraisers. As a public charity, the Pearls of Excellence Foundation depends on various sources of funding to support scholarships and community programs. 

Your donation will make it possible for the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, Inc. to support individuals who desire an opportunity to further their education. Your donation will also support community-based organizations and service projects that focus on education, health, economics, globalization, and the arts. Our desire to make a difference will not be possible without the commitment and volunteer efforts of the Foundation’s donors and contributors. 

If you are interested in supporting our efforts and/or partnering with the Pearls of Excellence Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Nettavia D. Curry, President

Board Members
2026-2027

President - Nettavia D. Curry

Vice President - Brittany P. Edwards

Secretary - Paulette Carter-Scott

Treasurer - Angela C. Moore

Financial Secretary - Cathleen Dungy

Member-at-Large - Delsa C. Chapman

Member-at-Large - Meko Moore

Member-at-Large - Diana Rouse

Member-at-Large - Tanesha Ash-Shakoor

2026 Foundation Members

Margaret R. Alston
Sarah Anthony
Tanesha Ash-Shakoor
Sharon Banks
Nicole Beard
Judy Berry
Marilyn Skinner Britt
Danielle Bowden
Lillian R. Brooks
Ashiya Brown
Elnora Bryant
Kailyn Butler
Sandra A. Butler
Renee Branch Canady
Gloria Johnson Cannon
Alexis Carnegie-Dunham
Cynthia W. Carnegie
Paulette J. Carter-Scott
Cheryl Celestin
Norma Champion-Jones
Delsa D. Chapman
Tera Clemons
Courtney Cole

Alexis C. Cooper
Lauren C. Corley
Nettavia D. Curry
LaVerne D. Duncan-Mickel
Cathleen J. Dungy
Laquita Edmonds
Brittany P. Edwards
Patricia H. Fitzpatrick
Connie Y. McClendon Ford
Ruby Frazier
Falyne J. Fry
Jessie J. Storey-Fry
Cassandra R. Hailey
Brenda J. Hairston
Lauren A. Hall-Tate
Celestine A. Hart
Ruby Helton
Alda Henderson
Brenda M. Henderson
Judith Hightower
Sharon R. Hobbs
Erica J. Holt
Cathie Cobb Hudson

Constance Hudson-Partee
Charline J. Husband
Kenya Husband
Tedra Jackson
Keyonie S. James
Lillie Pearl Johnson
Roelane Johnson
Veronica W. Johnson
Barbara Roberts Mason
Lynette McClure
Mary Jane McGuire
Alicia L. McGregor
Mia D. McNeil-Leonard
Hirut Mersha-Scarlett
Angela C. Moore
Meko Moore
Lisa Cromwell Munroe
Darleen Murphy-Anderson
Esther Norton
Jeanette Patterson
Danielle Pettaway
Vanessa-Nola Pratt
Arcelia M. Richardson

Sharon D. Rogers
Diana Rouse
Gloria B. Saulsberry
Shani K. Saxon
Gladys Hill Scott
LaToya Scott
Taunya Sims
Britney M. Slater
Gloria Stephens Smith
Patricia C. Smith
Stephanie Smith
Vivian L. W. Tansil
Cynthia Thorn
Crystal Thomas
Janet Watson
Vivian G. Weatherspoon
Minnie Wheeler-Thomas
Vurlia Agee Wheeler
Erma J. Whiting
Destiny Williams
Zakiya Williams
Annie Williford
Cortney Williford