Our Vision
Our vision is to create a future where every young person has equitable access to opportunity, education, and resources, empowering them to realize their full potential, pursue their aspirations with confidence, and become impactful leaders in their communities.
Our Mission
The ALO Foundation, Incorporated, established by the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, is an independent nonprofit organization committed to advancing education and empowering communities. Founded in 1995, the Foundation promotes academic excellence and social responsibility by providing scholarships, charitable contributions, and outreach programs that foster growth, opportunity, and service. Through the generosity of donors and supporters, the Foundation continues to make a lasting impact by uplifting individuals and strengthening the communities it serves.
Meet our board of directors
Sherri Belfield, a North Carolina native, brings more than 30 years of experience as a senior communications and public relations leader across education, nonprofit, and government sectors. Her background also includes community relations and corporate giving. An active leader in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, she has served on numerous boards, committees, and task forces, including as former chair of the College News Association of the Carolinas, the Arts & Science Council Public Art Commission, and the Carolina Raptor Center Board. She also served as Chief of Diversity for the Junior League of Charlotte. A Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sherri has served in multiple leadership roles, including committee chair, Hostess, Graduate Advisor, and Vice President, and co-chaired the Mid-Atlantic Region Communications Committee. She is passionate about leveraging her expertise, insight and leadership to advance mission-driven organizations that strengthen communities, enhance quality of life, and expand opportunities for upward mobility.
More information to come.
Carrie Durley has been a member of the Alpha Lambda Omega Foundation since 2020. She has served as vice president and is the current secretary. Carrie became a member of Alpha Lambda Omega in 2015 when she moved back to Charlotte from Houston after a 50-year career in public school education. She retired from the Aldine Independent School District in 2012 as the Executive Director of Human Resources after 45 years in the district. Carrie is currently the Assistant Graduate Advisor for Sigma Psi at Davidson College. In addition to her work with AKA, she volunteers at Devonshire Elementary, JW Grier Academy, Congregations for Kids (CFK), Central Church Nursery Ministry, and mentors a social worker as a SociaLight through CFK. She enjoys traveling with family and friends – most recently to Spain and Portugal. Additionally, she enjoys photography and scrapbooking.
Kelly Dargins is a dedicated servant-leader and experienced board member currently serving as Treasurer of the ALO Foundation, Incorporated. In this role, she provides financial oversight, supports responsible stewardship of resources, and helps ensure alignment between foundation operations and mission-centered priorities. Previously, she served as Vice President and Chairman of Fundraising.
Kelly brings a strong commitment to accountability, strategic collaboration, and sustainable philanthropic engagement. Her leadership reflects a consistent focus on excellence in planning, organization, and execution of initiatives that benefit both members and the communities the foundation serves.
She is passionate about supporting the work of the ALO Foundation through thoughtful governance, financial stewardship, and initiatives that expand opportunities for scholarship, service, and long-term community investment.
With over 30 years as a financial professional, Kelly recently pivoted her career as she enters retirement. She currently serves as a Case Manager with Vet Claims Authority, assisting disabled veterans and their families in securing the maximum benefits they have earned through service.
Krista Manns is a seasoned hospitality and technology professional with more than a decade of experience driving growth for restaurants across North Carolina. As a Senior Account Manager at OpenTable, she partners with operators to develop strategic, data-driven solutions that increase visibility, optimize revenue, and enhance the guest experience. Known for her consultative approach, Krista blends market insight with operational awareness to deliver measurable results for a diverse portfolio of clients.
A proud alumna of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, she is also a dedicated community leader. Krista serves as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated, where she contributes to initiatives focused on service, leadership, and scholarship. Respected for her professionalism and relationship-building, she is committed to helping businesses and communities thrive.
Danielle K. Belton is a silver star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha being initiated into the Gamma Delta Chapter at Johnson C. Smith University in the fall of 1999. With no breaks in service, she has chaired various committees in the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha where she has been a member since 2002. She is blessed to serve as the principal of Paw Creek Elementary School in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools. Under her leadership, her school has been able to consecutively exceed the state’s growth expectations being in the top 10% in the state and received an A letter grade in mathematics for their stand out success.
With 22 years of experience teaching and leading in Title I schools, Danielle was named the district’s 2022-2023 Principal of the Year. Most importantly, Danielle is a wife to a supportive husband, Eric, and mother to a brilliant and kind son, Brent.
More Information to come.
Dr. Cheryl Waites Spellman is a seasoned executive leader and nationally recognized expert in aging, health equity, and community-based systems change, with more than 35 years of senior leadership experience. She served as Dean of the School of Social Work at Wayne State University, where she managed a $6 million operating budget and oversaw up to $3 million in externally funded grants, ensuring strong fiscal stewardship, compliance, and measurable community impact.
Dr. Waites Spellman brings deep expertise in governance, strategic planning, and philanthropic strategy, with extensive experience in donor engagement, foundation relations, and aligning programs with funding priorities. She has led and evaluated multi-year initiatives that advance equity and strengthen communities.
She is Co-Founder of Everything Retirement®, a mission-driven platform focused on financial well-being, health, and purpose across the lifespan. A Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, she is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service and community impact.
Rosalind Reid was initiated in 1977 into the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Embracing the philosophy of service to all mankind, Rosalind continued her education by attaining a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling at Appalachian State University. With children and families being her focus throughout her career, Rosalind served as a supervisor at Youth and Family Services/Child Protective Services, and ending her 30 year career as the department’s Training Manager. After retirement, Rosalind turned her desire to serve toward lifting up the community through food by volunteering at the Nourish Up Food Pantry at Mount Carmel Baptist Church. This commitment to uplifting communities reflects a meaningful connection between professional purpose and the goals of the ALO Foundation. Currently Rosalind serves as the Parliamentarian for the ALO Foundation.
Patrice Withers is a dynamic and accomplished leader with extensive experience in corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, community relations, and communications. She has held executive roles within Fortune 500 companies, managing budgets of up to $50 million. Patrice currently serves as Vice President and Director of Giving at Fifth Third Bank, where she leads philanthropy strategy, operations, employee giving, and disaster response across a 14 state footprint.
A summa cum laude graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. She also holds a Master of Arts in Professional Development from Amberton University.
Patrice serves as Board Chair of the Foundation for the Carolinas Black Philanthropy initiative and is a member of the North Carolina A&T Board of Visitors. She is also the founding president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Omega Alpha Omega Chapter in Frisco, Texas.
Camille Y. Thompson serves as President of the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, leading more than 500 multigenerational members in the oldest graduate chapter in Charlotte, N.C. Initiated in 2015, she has advanced the sorority’s mission through leadership in fundraising, scholarship, membership, standards, and bylaws, and has served as Assistant Secretary and Secretary. She is an active Graduate Advisor Committee member and a board member of the ALO Foundation, offering expertise in governance, organizational integrity, and leadership development.
A devoted member of Greater Providence Baptist Church, she serves as Choir President, Director of Communication, New Members Class leader, AV Team member, and Pastoral Search Committee Secretary.
An alumna of East Carolina University and Capella University, Miss Thompson is a Product Development Senior Lead Analyst with MDLIVE for Evernorth and owner of Camille’s Bail Bonding. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to service, excellence, and community impact.
More Information to come.
Monica Reid is a Trademark Examining Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where she focuses on matters involving intellectual property law and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining the USPTO, Monica worked in private practice, concentrating on business and intellectual property law. Monica began her career serving as a law clerk at the District of Columbia Superior Court.
Monica earned her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, and holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Finance from Winston-Salem State University.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the ALO Foundation, Monica serves as Treasurer for the Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®. In her free time, Monica enjoys volunteering in her community, attending sporting events and concerts, trying new cuisine, and reading.