Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Spelman College stands as a revered institution, celebrated for its unwavering commitment to empowering and nurturing the next generation of strong, educated Black women. Recently, this esteemed campus welcomed a new, and well-known addition to its already vibrant sorority community. In her sophomore year, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, the daughter of Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie, made headlines after she pledged to the historic Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority!
The Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, is the first intercollegiate historically Black sorority in the United States, with a storied legacy that includes influential alumnae such as Alice Walker and Rev Dr. Bernice King, both of whom are proud products of the Spelman chapter of the AKAs. Zahara’s initiation into this sisterhood was shared in a post on Instagram by Essence.
In the video, the college sophomore passionately declared, “My name is Zahara Marley,” before momentarily pausing to shake her hair. She then shouted “Jolie!” opting to discard the second part of her hyphenated surname. She finished her introduction by sharing that she’s the lines’ number seven before returning to her place.
This exciting moment for Zahara has left many of her fans feeling bittersweet at how much she’s grown and how far she’s come since enrolling at Spelman College. Many people have shared their reactions to Zahara’s AKA induction on social media, expressing their happiness in her finding her tribe and applauding Angelina Jolie for the job she did raising her. Some even welcomed Zahara to the Divine 9 family.
When Zahara enrolled at Spelman College in the fall of 2022, Angelina Jolie shared support for her daughter on Instagram. The spotlight on Zahara’s journey at Spelman amplifies the broader conversation about the vital role HBCUs play in providing a supportive and empowering environment for Black students. Zahara is from a beautifully blended family, with her mother and siblings having different backgrounds and cultures. However, Angelina Jolie’s public acknowledgment of the value of HBCUs, coupled with her evident pride and robust support for Zahara’s endeavors at Spelman College, serve as a commendable example for mothers navigating the complexities of raising children from different racial backgrounds. It emphasizes the importance of encouraging and supporting each child in exploring their unique identities and pursuing their individual interests.
As Zahara embarks on this new and exciting chapter at Spelman, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to her, for not only joining Alpha Kappa Alpha but also for embodying the spirit of grace and familial love.