Comcast NBCUniversal Will Premiere The Documentary ‘Twenty Pearls;’ The History And Impact Of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Comcast NBCUniversal will be showing an exclusive premiere of “Twenty Pearls,” a documentary on the illustrious history of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Since 1908, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha have reigned supreme, and the world wants to know how it all began. In a documentary narrated the Phylicia Rashād, viewers will learn about the beginnings of the first Black sorority. 

“Through narration, interviews and rarely seen archival materials, the audience will see the sorority’s impact on World War II, NASA, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) culminating in the historic election of America’s first Black and South Asian woman Vice President,” read a press release obtained by Baller Alert.

Twenty Pearls features interviews with members of the sorority, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Miss Universe Ireland 2019 Fionnghuala O’Reilly, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Fierst, great-granddaughter of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, International President and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Dr. Glenda Glover and many more. 

“This is an extraordinary time to look back at our past to serve our future,” added filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper. “A future where Black women are centered. Helming this documentary love letter to Alpha Kappa Alpha founders, the generations of women that followed in their footsteps and to all Black women everywhere is an honor. This is an important history for all of us to know and understand.”

“We’re thrilled to work with award-winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to bring this exclusive premiere to the Black Experience on Xfinity channel, furthering our company-wide mission of investing in and showcasing authentic Black stories and culture,” said Keesha Boyd, Executive Director, Multicultural Video & Entertainment, Xfinity Consumer Services. “We launched this channel to help facilitate the discovery of stories like Twenty Pearls while providing a platform for emerging Black content creators.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha International President and CEO Dr. Glenda Glover said in a statement that being able to tell our own story is crucial to the future of the organization and its history.

“Telling our own story is essential to preserving our history and uplifting the culture,” said Glover. “Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s remarkable 113-year journey which began on the campus of Howard University is punctuated by stories of history makers, ceiling breakers, public servants, and ordinary women who have changed the course of American history. Through this beautifully written and narrated odyssey, this film highlights in undeniable ways the vision, courage, tenacity, determination, and power of Black women while putting to bed the age-old questions about the relevance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities.”