“A Royal Holiday Affair” was the theme for this year’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Debutante Presentation and Ball on Dec. 16 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Seventeen young women participated in this year’s ball sponsored by the AKA’s Upsilon Omega Chapter in collaboration with Zenobia’s Promise Foundation.

Throughout the year, several activities preceded the ball, including college preparation, a souvenir journal workshop, financial literary workshop, social graces dinner and a mother-daughter brunch.

The AKA Upsilon Omega Debutante project raises funds for the organization’s shoe bank and scholarship program.

This year’s debutantes are:

Adelina Naa-Daakua Aryeh

Junior, Saint Gertrude High School

Career goal: Dentist

Parents: Mrs. Sylvia Korkor Aryeh and Mr. Chris Aryeh

Escort: Isaac Samuel Amoako Jr.

Demi Symone Greene

Senior: The Collegiate School

Career goal: Anesthesiologist

Parents: Mrs. Dawn Howlett Greene and Mr. JeRoyd Wiley Greene III, Esq.

Escort: Brent Keith Thompson, II

Parker Gabrielle Hamlin

Junior, Glen Allen High School

Career goal: Music artist and actress

Parents: Mrs. Toni Danielle Hamlin and Mr. Ancell Shaw Hamlin

Escort: Eric Michael Brown, II

Davion La’Chelle Shamari Washington

Junior, Richmond Community High School

Career goal: Criminologist

Parents: Mrs. LaTisha Renee’ Washington and Mr. David Lamont Washington

Escort: Moses Kigwe

Moriah Danielle Williams

Junior, Henrico High School

Career goal: Psychologist

Parents: Dr. Joi Young Williams and Mr. Jakuta King Williams

Escort: Hunter Everett Ford

Kayla Darlene Hill

Senior, Saint Gertrude High School

Career goal: Cinematography and photography

Parents: Ms. KiAundra C. Hurt

Escort: Cortland S. Cummings

Kaci Leigh Johnson

Junior, Maggie L Walker Governor’s School

Career goal: Engineer

Parents: Mrs. Crystal Johnson and Mr. Thomas L. Johnson Jr., Esq.

Escort: Donovan Anthony Johnson

Rayn Ellen Owens

Senior, Matoaca High School

Career goal: Biomedical Engineer

Parents: Mrs. Sheila Owens and Mr. Benjamin Jerome Owens

Escort: Darold Omarion Taylor

Elise Jean Parker

Senior, St. Catherine’s School

Career goal: Dentist

Parents: Mrs. Michele Tarmara Parker and Mr. Harold Dubois Parker III

Escort: Benjamin Pierre Street

Ramiya Louise Payne

Junior, Richmond Community High School

Career goal: Business owner/entrepreneur

Parents: Mrs. Tramaine Carroll-Payne and Mr. Romeo Miguel Payne

Escort: Darius Alexander Thomas

Julia Marguerite Pointer

Senior, Richmond Christian High School

Career goal: Biomedical Engineer

Parents: Mrs. Celestine Pointer and Mr. Jeffrey Lynn Pointer Sr.

Escort: Russell Atkin Bascomb III

Brooke Reynolds

Senior, Prince George High School

Career goal: Lawyer

Parents: Mrs. Sasha Reynolds and Mr. Reginald Reynolds

Escort: John Winfield Griffin III

Heaven Iyanna Smith

Junior, Richmond Community High School

Career goal: Real estate firm partner

Parents: Ms. Chenise Antionette Simmons and Mr. James Reginald Smith Jr.

Escort: Deon Langston Wright Jr

Makayla Samaura Stewart

Senior, Douglas Freeman High School

Career goal: Psychiatrist

Parents: Dr. Shandra Stewart and Mr. Quinton Stewart

Escort: Christopher Dante Carlisle

Kennedy Lynn Tucker

Junior, Cosby High School

Career goal: Forensic psychologist

Parents: Mrs. Tracy Crawley Tucker and Mr. Garry Donnell Tucker

Escort: Brandon Allen Anderson

Ava Marie Riddick

Junior, St. Gertrude High School

Career goal: Sports trainer for an NFL Team

Parents: Mrs. Kathy Annette Davis Riddick and Mr. Thomas Earl Riddick

Escort: Kai Rodney Perry

Alexi Shirell Waddy

Junior, Patrick Henry High School

Career goal: Lawyer or news reporter

Parents: Ms. Tara Shirell Pope and Mr. Robert Jermaine Waddy

Escort: Tyreek Thomas Bradshaw

Members of the 2023 Debutante Committee include: Kimya Conway Fitz, chairman, Debutante Committee; Kwanza S. Downs, president, Upsilon Omega Chapter; Lisa F. Townes, vice president, Upsilon Omega Chapter; Andrea D. Coleman, chairman, Zenobia’s Promise Foundation; and Josefa Bethea-Wall, vice-chairman, Zenobia’s Promise Foundation.

This year’s mistress of ceremonies was Patricia C. Janes.