The Polished Pearls Foundation

The Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Foundation logo featuring a green shield with white Greek letters and a circular design with white elements, and the words "The Alpha Kappa Alpha Foundation" in green and white text below.

Established in 2016, The Polished Pearls Foundation is the IRS-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit fundraising entity for
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Theta Tau Omega Chapter.

Your Support Drives Community Impact

Your generous contributions go directly toward scholarships, youth, and community programming in Greater Bridgeport and surrounding Fairfield County.

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Welcome to The Polished Pearls Foundation

Since its establishment in 2016, the Polished Pearls Foundation has remained committed to facilitating programs for success through meaningful initiatives that align with the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® - Theta Tau Omega Chapter and address the unique needs of our local community. Through service, scholarship, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we continue to expand our impact across Fairfield County, with a special focus on the Greater Bridgeport area.

As President of the Foundation, I am honored to lead this next chapter of service under our administration theme: SHINE — Serving with Heart, Inspiring Networks, Nurturing Excellence. SHINE reflects our commitment to illuminate pathways for community transformation while building upon the strong legacy established by those who came before us.

This administration is rooted in purposeful leadership and collaborative impact. We believe true service begins with compassion, grows through authentic relationships, and thrives when excellence becomes our standard. Through innovative fundraising initiatives, community-centered programming, and meaningful engagement, we are committed to strengthening opportunities for children, families, and communities throughout our region.

Together, we will continue to shine brightly through programs that uplift, partnerships that inspire, and service that creates lasting impact. The future of the Polished Pearls Foundation is filled with promise, and I am excited for all we will accomplish together.

Thank you for supporting our mission and joining us as we SHINE throughout Fairfield County and beyond.

Most Sincerely,

Yvonne Temple
President, Polished Pearls Foundation

Our Mission

Our mission is to facilitate programs for success through meaningful initiatives that align with the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and address the unique needs of our local community.

We focus our efforts in Fairfield County, emphasizing the Greater Bridgeport Area. 

Our Objectives

  • Secure resources for community development

  • Foster educational enrichment and awareness

  • Promote Historically Black Colleges and Universities

  • Encourage academic excellence

  • Provide scholarship opportunities

  • Advance nutrition and wellness

  • Improve financial literacy

  • Support performing and visual arts

Seven women holding green gift bags in front of donations, including snacks and supplies, in a room with black and gray walls.
A group of five women smiling and posing together in a lively indoor event, some wearing red shirts with a 'Queen Goes Red' logo, with colorful lighting and arcade machines in the background.
People planting flowers and working on a community garden in a park under a clear blue sky.
Three people standing on porch steps holding a large check, celebrating a scholarship award. The woman on the left wears glasses and a blue dress, the woman in the middle has glasses and dreadlocks, and the man on the right wears a teal shirt. They a
Group of women in pink and green clothing standing and sitting in front of a pink breast cancer awareness mobile donation truck, all smiling.
Two women are sitting on a couch, measuring the foot of a child. The women appear focused and are working together to measure the child's foot.
People wearing masks shopping for hygiene products at a table with toiletries and health supplies.
Young woman standing outdoors in front of a house, holding a large ceremonial check, wearing a floral dress, pink cardigan, and white high heels, posing with a smile.
A large group of children and adults standing in front of a wooden wall decorated with international flags. There is a "WELCOME" sign above the entrance in the background.
Four women standing behind a table with cardboard boxes, holding packaged food items and a watermelon. The background shows the back of a food truck or delivery vehicle.
A group of women gathered around boxes of donated clothes and supplies inside a building, smiling and making peace signs.
Two women standing outdoors in front of a large sign that says 'VOTER REGISTRATION' with a shield-shaped emblem that reads 'VOTE' and features a check mark. The women are holding papers and smiling.
Five women standing together at an indoor event, smiling at the camera, with a sign in the background that reads 'PINK GOES RED'.
Four women in a room filled with large cardboard boxes and plastic bags, some seated and some standing, appearing to organize or pack items.
Group of women standing in front of a large American flag and a city emblem, with a sign that reads 'Be The Voice'.
Group of nine diverse individuals standing indoors in front of a wall with a logo, posing for a photo, some making hand signs, with one person giving a thumbs up, and an exit sign visible on the wall.
People planting flowers and working together in a community garden or park.
Person bending over on a white plastic sheet with large green and silver trash cans, among small bottles and containers, outdoors in a park during a community event or fair.
Two women painting the playground equipment at a park, one crouching and the other standing, with children playing in the background.
Woman with glasses and denim jacket packing snacks at a table in a room with kitchen cabinets in the background. Other people are partially visible.
Seven women standing in a room holding green drawstring bags. There are boxes filled with same bags in front of them. The background is a black wall and a large black door.
Four women posing with shopping carts filled with snack boxes in a grocery store aisle.
A group of women in a room organizing food and snack items into green gift bags for a charitable event or donation.
Two women packing food items into green reusable bags. One woman is kneeling and the other is bending over, both wearing pink tops and surrounded by boxes of assorted food products.
Group of eight women standing indoors, holding green drawstring bags, with more bags on the floor and in large blue containers, against a black wall.
Man and woman standing next to a cart filled with green bags in a school hallway.

Thank You to Our Cherished Sponsors

Foundation Officers

  • Yvonne Temple

    President

  • Taja Sylvester

    Vice President 

  • Shanika Rucker

    Treasurer

  • Nicole Forbes-Shaw

    Secretary

  • Eboni Sowell

    Financial Secretary

  • Brittney Clarke

    Compliance Officer

  • Bria Brown

    Director

  • Jamie Cook

    Director

  • Raina Hall

    Director

  • Mary Ferguson Hunter

    Director

  • LaShanté James

    Director

  • Karissa McLaurin

    Director

  • Jacee Rhodes

    Director

  • Alana Russell

    Director