Baton Rouge council recognizes local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha and other Greek‑letter organizations and community leaders

The Metropolitan Council of East Baton Rouge Parish used the Jan. 14 meeting to honor local chapters of several historically Black Greek‑letter organizations and other community leaders.

Representatives from Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta were invited to the lectern to accept recognitions. Jacqueline Watts, social action co‑chair of the Baton Rouge Sigma Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, accepted her chapter’s recognition on behalf of chapter leadership and said, “I accept this award in good faith that we will keep the social work going.”

Erica Williams, second vice president of the Baton Rouge Delta Alumni chapter, noted the chapter’s history as the first Delta chapter chartered in Louisiana in 1931 and summarized upcoming Founders Day events and service programs, including a youth conference and a 22‑day service initiative.

Lauren Grundyberg, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s New Gamma Omega Chapter, described decades of local scholarship and mentoring programs and invited residents to service events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma representatives also accepted recognition and spoke about mentoring and scholarship efforts; Mu Zeta chapter president Karen Burton Lights described Zeta Phi Beta’s Z‑HOPE program.

The council also recognized Renita Williams Thomas, founder of In Loving Arms Pediatric Health Care, for being named in the Baton Rouge Business Report’s 2026 awards; Thomas described founding the practice in 2012 to care for medically fragile children and thanked the council for the honor.

Council members thanked organization leaders for their community service and invited representatives to pose for group photos; the recognitions concluded before the meeting proceeded to routine business.