It’s Nearly Time!
Hello Again Ladies,
On behalf of the Ladies Planning Committee, welcome to Raleigh, North Carolina for the Alpha Phi Alpha Southern Regional Convention. We are delighted that you have registered for the Yellow Rose Experience, and we look forward to a beautiful weekend of fellowship, creativity, and celebration together.
Our goal is to provide opportunities throughout the weekend for the ladies connected to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha to gather, and enjoy meaningful moments while visiting our city. From creative experiences to lively conversation and cultural celebration, we hope you will leave Raleigh with new friendships, joyful memories, and a few special keepsakes from the weekend.
Below is an updated overview of the activities planned. Please hit reply to this email and let us know that you received it and reviewed the changes.
Thursday, March 26
Registration & Check-In
*1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Updated Hours)
Raleigh Convention Center
Please stop by to check in and receive your conference materials. This will be a great opportunity to meet some local ladies and prepare for the weekend ahead.
Public Program
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Raleigh Convention Center
(Attire: Business / Greek)
Public Program Reception
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Raleigh Convention Center
(Attire: Business / Greek)
Friday, March 27
Patch Things Up – Take a Tote Decorating Experience
*4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Updated Time) – Marriott Hotel, Chancellor Room
(Attire: Casual)
Join us for a relaxed evening of creativity and fellowship as we decorate our conference tote bags together. Each lady will receive a blank canvas tote along with paint and patches to design something uniquely her own. This gathering is designed as a casual creative space where we can talk, laugh, and catch up while preparing for the weekend’s festivities.
Collegiate Step Show
(Ticket Included)
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Raleigh Convention Center
(Attire: Casual)
For those who would like to continue the fun after our Friday evening Make & Take Tote Gathering, we are excited to share a special optional opportunity to experience some of Raleigh’s vibrant performing arts scene.
You are warmly invited to attend a performance of Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, a Tony-nominated musical revue that celebrates and reflects the richness of the Black experience in America through powerful music, dance, and storytelling.
This energetic production explores themes ranging from community life and social change to Black pride and feminism, all set to a dynamic score that blends gospel, jazz, funk, soul, calypso, and soft rock. It’s the kind of show that will have your toes tapping and your spirit lifted long after the curtain falls.
Even more exciting for our Yellow Rose community, the production features one of our very own Alpha Ladies—Chanda Branch, Chair of this year’s Ladies Activities. It’s a wonderful opportunity to cheer on one of our sisters and several Alpha Phi Alpha Members in the band while enjoying a fantastic night of theatre.
Important Details
This outing is optional and self-coordinated. Ladies who would like to attend will need to:
• Purchase theatre tickets individually
• Arrange transportation to and from the theatre
Because the show has been selling out quickly, we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible if you are interested.
For transportation, we recommend using Uber or Lyft from the host hotel following the Make & Take gathering.
Collegiate Step Show
(Ticket Included)
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Conference Venue
(Attire: Casual / Greek)
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Book Brunch in Black
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
John Chavis Memorial Park
500 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Raleigh, NC 27610
(Attire: “Anything But Basic Black” – Elegant daytime attire in black featuring your personality, style, and flair)
Our signature event of the weekend will be an elegant brunch celebrating sisterhood, style, and the power of storytelling. Guests will enjoy an elevated Southern-inspired menu, live music, and a dynamic panel conversation featuring local Black women authors. The dress code is black, but the kind that would never qualify as “basic”. Sensational? Yes! Audacious? Absolutely! Fashion Forward and Fantastic? You know it!
*Book Exchange
Each lady is asked to bring one physical book to the brunch for our book swap. The book may be:
- A best seller that you’ve been curious about
- A timeless classic that changed your worldview
- A lesser known title with a big impact
- A guided journal or devotional
- A coffee table book with stunning images
This exchange is meant to be a fun way to discover new books while sharing stories with one another.
Additional Brunch Experiences
Following brunch, ladies will have time to explore the park, enjoy a brief art walk highlighting the public art onsite, and one other nostalgic surprise before returning to the hotel.
A Taste of Carolina Reception
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sheraton Hotel - Suite TBA (Location Change)
(Attire: Relaxed)
Think of this gathering as a living-room style sendoff—a warm space to laugh, share stories, and celebrate the sisterhood we’ve enjoyed throughout the Yellow Rose Experience.
We hope you will stop by the suite, have a treat, chat and play, and spend a few final moments together before the weekend comes to a close.
Miss Old Gold and Black Pageant
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
(Ticket Included)
Raleigh Convention Center
(Evening Attire)
We are tremendously excited that you are coming! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We will do whatever we can to make your visit special.
We will see you soon.
With great expectation,
Chanda Branch
Chair, Ladies Activities
K. Allen Campbell
Senior Associate Director of Conventions
The Southern Regional Convention Ladies Planning Committee
For questions, please contact:
803-917-0105
