The sorority’s signature program is ASCEND^SM.

 In keeping with an intense focus on promoting lifelong learning, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will provide substantial support to students through AKA One Million Backpacks^SM.  Through this initiative, the next four years will see members donating and distributing 1,000,000 backpacks and related school supplies to students worldwide.

ASCEND^SM focuses on Achievement, Self-Awareness, Communication, Engagement, Networking, and Development Skills. Participants will include high school male and female students with emphasis on academic, life, career and character-building skills. The ultimate goal will be to motivate, engage and assist these students in reaching their maximum potential. The sorority will place additional emphasis on SMART careers (Science, Math, And Related Technologies).

Support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will be another priority, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority launches a national Think HBCU^SM  campaign to highlight HBCUs and the contribution of their graduates to the sorority and society.

Alpha Kappa Alpha will continue its strong health awareness focus through programs in three areas that disproportionately affect African Americans: Alzheimer’s disease; stroke; and mental health and wellness.

The Alzheimer’s disease and Caregiver Support^SM program will expand Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s community outreach and assistance by generating awareness and support for Alzheimer’s programming and research.

In addition, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will launch a major stroke prevention awareness campaign with special emphasis on hypertension management, diet and exercise.

And finally, mental health and wellness efforts will be highlighted as sorority members work to bring attention to mental illness among diverse populations with historically low utilization of mental health services.

The sorority will focus on childhood hunger awareness initiatives and address the increasing number of households that do not have financial resources to adequately clothe their family.

Through the Family Seasonal Wraps^SM program, Alpha Kappa Alpha will spearhead a major effort to collect and donate hats, gloves, socks, scarves, coats, sweaters, and other items to families in need during the colder seasons.

Lastly under this target, fiscal responsibility programs remain a key priority as Alpha Kappa Alpha members continue to offer financial management and home ownership programs to the communities that its chapters serve.

Alpha Kappa Alpha will display its commitment to providing healthy and safe environments.

The AKA 1908 Playground Project^SM will be launched to ensure children have safe and inviting places to play. Members will restore and renew 1,908 existing community and school playgrounds with its Restore, Refresh and Renew Project^SM.

Through its Acts Green Program^SM members will promote environment sustainability by encouraging recycling, litter prevention and waste management through daily green efforts in local communities.

Sorority members will implement the UNA/USA Global Classrooms Project to prepare today’s youth for an increasingly global and complex society. Alpha Kappa Alpha members will work with high school students (ASCEND program) in partnership with the UNA-USA (United Nations Association) staff to expand understanding of the United Nations, its mission and focus. And the sorority will re-engage with a long-standing partner – Africare – to launch youth-oriented programming on the continent of Africa. Another highlight of the Launching New Dimensions of Service program will be Community Service Days, when members will implement initiatives annually, on the same day, worldwide, to demonstrate Alpha Kappa Alpha’s collective impact.