For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Baltimore, MD – Nearly 400 members of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. convened at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor on June 30 – July 2, 2023, for its annual National Convention. The three day event included opportunities for members from all over the country to engage in sisterhood bonding, learn more about our sorority’s history, attend educational and motivational sessions, and celebrate each other and the sorority’s accomplishments.
This year’s theme, “Power of CommUNITY” highlighted our most important value – our united strength and the impact it makes. As part of our community service efforts, we joined forces to assist House of Ruth Maryland and assembled over 1900 kits for their clients.
To kick off the weekend on Friday, our members attended a welcome reception. Erricka Bridgeford was invited as a keynote speaker but was unable to attend. In her place, Letrice Gant and Darnyle Wharton spoke about Baltimore’s Ceasefire 365. Councilmember Eric T. Costello from the Baltimore City Council, 11th district also helped welcome the membership. Members also enjoyed poetry, light finger food, and a salute showcase. On Saturday, our National President welcomed everyone with the President’s Address. Founding Mothers, First Line, and other notable members shared insightful moments of Lambda Theta Alpha’s history during the HERstory and Our Story Continues session. 
Speaker highlights included alumna Lynda Smith, who led a session on leading with empathy, and alumna Tina Onikoyi who provided a workshop on social justice in our time. The rest of the program comprised of various workshops aimed at professional development and the National Awards Ceremony highlighted outstanding chapters and members who have exceeded expectations through scholarship, service, political activism, and sisterhood. The recipients of the 2022-2023 National Awards were:
| Philanthropic Member of the Year Paola Morantes-Villalobos Gamma Mu Chapter | Philanthropic Chapter of the Year Epsilon Eta Chapter Villanova University |
| Outstanding Service Award (Chapter Level) Alpha Delta Alumnae Chapter Silver Spring, Maryland | Political Activist Member of the Year Citlalli Solis Epsilon Alpha Chapter |
| Political Activist Chapter of the Year Beta Eta Chapter Texas A&M University | Principles Award Mariah Aquino Epsilon Delta Chapter |
| Region of the Year Southeast Region | Area of the Year Illinois Area One |
| Regional Officer of the Year Anabel Genao East Central Regional Recruitment and Retention Supervisor | Area Officer of the Year Storm Bannister MDA1 Area Coordinator |
| Lourdes Cortes Scholarship for Academic Excellence Jasmin AquinoBeta Phi Chapter | Campus Leader of the Year Alexandra Gonzalez Theta Chapter |
| New Member of the Year Vanesa Garcia Gamma Upsilon Chapter | Undergraduate of the Year Zitlali Huerta Beta Delta Chapter |
| Universal Mother Award Patricia Sullins Beta Mu Chapter | Alumna Entrepreneur Award Valeria Cortez Beta Delta Chapter |
| New Professional of the Year Rebeca Leon Gamma Nu Chapter | Professional of the Year Dr. Denise Vidot Beta Sigma Chapter |
| Alumna of the Year Carolyn Vega-Melendez Beta Theta Chapter | Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor of the Year Stephen J. Black University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
| Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Luna Eta Eta Chapter The George Washington University | Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Concha Beta Omicron Chapter University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
| Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Palma Beta Delta Chapter California State University, Long Beach | Alumnae Chapter of the Year Alpha Zeta Alumnae Chapter Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
The Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation continued to play an integral part during the National Convention. Although the Foundation initially scheduled its fifth annual 1.975 Walk/Run early on Saturday, the city’s air quality made it unsafe to proceed. Nonetheless, the Foundation was still able to celebrate and share pictures of virtual participants from around the country doing the walk/run via social media. Furthermore, at Saturday afternoon’s National Awards Ceremony, the Foundation awarded 17 scholarships of $1,000 each to high school and college students of all degree levels.
On Sunday, a check was presented by the Board of Directors to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, reflecting the total amount raised of $42,284 during the 2022-2023 sorority year.. It was also announced that the sorority raised $25,502 for the LTA Foundation for the 2022-2023 sorority year.
To conclude the weekend, the Board of Directors praised the outgoing area, regional, and national leaders for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, thanked the National Advisors for their ongoing support, and welcomed the incoming 2023-2024 leadership at all levels, including the incoming officers to the Board of Directors:
| Vice President of Internal Affairs Dr. Cecilia E. Suarez Beta Sigma Chapter | Vice President of Finance Sarah A. Mazhar Beta Omega Chapter |
| Director of Risk Management Claritza Reyes Epsilon Chapter | Director of Alumnae Affairs Jennifer Alcaraz Epsilon Chapter |
| Director of Recruitment and Retention Rosa Diaz Sigma Chapter |
The Board of Directors would like to thank all who helped make this event a success, including the National Events Committee, photographer, DJ, speakers, vendors, volunteers, and staff at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. A special thanks to J.P. Morgan Wealth Management and KSquared Tech Consulting for sponsoring this year’s convention. We look forward to our 2024 National Convention in San Francisco, CA, commemorating 49 years of sisterhood!
Title Sponsor
J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS). J.P Morgan Wealth Management has developed resources for working alongside women interested in personal investments. With markets constantly changing, and news coming from all directions, sign up for “The Know” and receive a monthly wealth management newsletter.
J.P. Morgan Wealth Management presented Multi-Generational Wealth Starts Now led by Sarah Daya. Sarah is an Executive Director covering the Eastern Region for J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s Wealth Planning & Advice team, which is responsible for wealth planning, thought leadership, and strategic planning for individual clients. The breakout session taught our members how to build wealth and maintain it in the future. J.P Morgan Wealth Management also donated notebooks and pens to all convention attendees.
Registration Sponsor
KSQUARED Technology Consulting supports, develops, and maintains operations, procedures, best practice implementation guidelines, and STIG analysis. KSQUARED provides complete end-to-end warehouse support that will convert client data into optimized, visual outputs that will drive performance. KSQUARED was founded on the principles of family and service. They are a woman-owned and member company that supports the growth of their community. They actively sponsor community activities as well as provide speakers and mentors to community organizations.
As a member company KSQUARED attended the National Convention and was able to network with other members. KSQUARED presence was felt throughout the weekend and left a significant impact on our members by sponsoring our registration. KSQUARED sponsorship also supported snack bags for members joining the HerStory and Our Story Continues sessions.
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About Lambda Theta Alpha
Lambda Theta Alpha was founded at Kean University in 1975 as the first Latina sorority in the nation. Lambda Theta Alpha strives to develop strong leaders that produce and engage in political, social, and cultural activities. Based on the principles of Unity, Love and Respect, the Sorority was established for the unification of women through charitable and educational programs. Although Lambda Theta Alpha is Latin by tradition, the Sorority is inclusive to all women regardless of race, color, creed, sexual identity, gender expression, or religious beliefs.