AKA Day at the Capitol - 2025

Greetings Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,

I look forward to seeing you for our annual Day of Advocacy on Wednesday, February 26 for our 2025 AKA Day at the Capitol! Our State legislators are looking forward to seeing us once again "Bring the Pink and Green to Annapolis!" Over the last three years we have shown up strong with over 300 members in our Pink and Green - Let's do it again!

We will begin our day in the Ways and Means Committee Room #131 (Lowe House Office Building, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401). I wish to extend a special sisterly THANK YOU - once again - to our Soror - Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee for her gracious hospitality and for hosting us. We look forward to seeing her and all members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who represent us in the House of Delegates.

Please review the KNOW BEFORE YOU GO guidance below. It contains information to prepare you for the day. I must stress that you wear or bring comfortable shoes and dress warmly!

If we are able to find a venue for our AKA Evening at the Capitol , I will share the information in a separate registration link.

Continental breakfast will be served upon your arrival. Lunch will once again be on your own and chapters are welcome to make reservations at the local restaurants where they can dine together.

HUGE thanks to the AKA Day at the Capitol Planning Committee for their steadfast commitment to making our day of advocacy a success! It is truly a team effort.

As always, your sisterly understanding is appreciated! Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Can't wait to see you on Wednesday, February 26, 2025!

Sisterly,

Ingrid S. Watson

North Atlantic Region - MD State Coordinator

2025 AKA DAY AT THE CAPITOL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Know Before You Go!

Sorors: Please review ALL information listed below as we want you to be as prepared as possible.

1. Business Attire is Required. Wear your chapter blazer or other pink and green attire. Please wear or bring comfortable shoes.

2. Be Prepared! The Legislative Agenda will be shared with you before you meet with the Legislators, so please have your talking points and questions ready BEFORE your meeting. Bring your favorite pen, notepad and any snacks or water to keep you comfortable.

3. Have this “Know As You Go” information accessible! Copies of this information will not be provided on site. Please print and bring with you or have accessible to view on your phone.

4. Schedule of Events. The schedule of events is below.

5. Find out who Represents YOU! Click on the link below and then click on “Lookup” to put in your address.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

6. Be Ready to Sign-up to Meet with Your District Representatives! There will be sign-up sheets available on Wednesday morning.

7. Parking. The parking information is provided below. Arrive early as we will begin PROMPTLY at 9:00 a.m.

8. Lunch will be On Your Own! A list of restaurants within a one-mile radius of the State House is provided below. A continental breakfast will be provided upon your arrival.

9. Enjoy Yourself! When you show up as your best self, your positive attitude and energy will ripple through the group!

2025 AKA DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Schedule of Events

OPENING SESSION - Begins at 9:00 a.m. – Ways and Means Committee Room (Room 131)- Lowe House Office Building, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Point of Contact: Soror Ingrid S. Watson (301) 204-4911

MEETING TIMES WITH LEGISLATORS WILL BEGIN ONCE MORNING LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER. TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

● Welcome

● Invocation

● Greetings from Legislators

● Logistics/Overview for the Day activities

● Overview of Legislative Agenda

● Sign-Up for Gallery seating and Meetings with Legislators

● Schedule of Legislative Visits and Hearings

● Adjourn meeting - Some members walk to State House for Session viewing from galleries. Others may remain in room.

● 30 Sorors will sit in House gallery/Reserved Section

● 30 Sorors will sit in Senate gallery/Reserved Section

● 10:00 a.m. – Resolutions presented on House and Senate Floor

● 10:45 a.m. - Return to House Building/W&M Committee Room to prepare for Legislative visits

● 11:30 a.m. – Meetings with Delegates and Senators (House and Senate Buildings)

● 12:30 p.m. - Lunch - On Your Own

● 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. - Hearings - Click on the link below for hearings to attend (check the link closer to February 26).

● Picture with Governor Moore/Lt. Governor Miller – Time will be provided during morning meeting.

***We were unable to secure a room for the entire day and we must clear out of the Ways and Means Committee Room no later than 11:30 a.m. There will be special seating for senior Sorors (Diamond, Golden, Pearl). For Sorors not attending hearings, please enjoy downtown Annapolis. Uber and Lyft are available.

PARKING IN ANNAPOLIS

The City of Annapolis welcomes visitors downtown for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly legislative session. Please visit for all of the city’s mobility options. For convenient downtown parking during the session, consider the following tips.

Please click to view all available parking lots. I have listed some of them below for your convenience. You can also RESERVE parking ahead of time - See number 2 below.

1. Park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: The best parking option during the legislative session is Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Avenue). The stadium lot is serviced by the route ($2 fare each way), with a regular schedule from 6:30 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday. During the legislative period, an additional bus is added during the peak periods, from 7 am to 10:30 am, and 3:30 pm to 5:15 pm. Also, during the legislative session, extended shuttle service is provided on Mondays only until 10 pm.

2. Park at Any West Street Garage: Visitors can park at , or along the West Street corridor and take the free Magenta Shuttle downtown. Parking can be reserved online ahead of time at Knighton Garage and Gott’s Court Garage by visiting , navigating to the garage of your choice, and selecting “Buy Daily Parking.”

3. Ride the free Magenta Shuttle: Park at any one of the garages in the West Street corridor and take the Free Magenta Shuttle into downtown (). The Free Shuttle will conveniently get you to and from your legislative session destination. Here’s an . To track the Shuttle in real-time, download and install the TransLoc app available on the Store or .

ANNAPOLIS RESTAURANTS

(Within 1-Mile radius of State House)

Asian

Joss Cafe’ and Sushi Bar – 195 Main Street

Nano Asian Dining – 189 Main Street

Teriyaki House – 105 Main Street

American Cuisine/Bar

Acme Bar and Grill (Sports Bar) – 163 Main Street

Boatyard Bar & Grill – 400 Fourth Street

Dry 85 – 193 B Main Street

Fox’s Den (Pizza)– 179 B Main Street

Harry Browne’s Restaurant – 66 State Circle

Iron Rooster – 12 Market Space

McGarvey’s – 8 Market Space

Preserve – 164 Main Street

Red, Red Wine – 189 B Main Street

Barbecue

Mission Barbecue – 142 Dock Street

Coffee/Beverages

RASA Juice Shop – 90 Maryland Ave

Starbucks – 122 Main Street

Deli

Chick & Ruth’s Delly – 165 Main Street

Jimmy John’s Sandwiches – 139 Main Street

Potato Valley Cafe’ – 47 State Circle

Dessert

Annapolis Ice Cream Company – 196 Main Street

Kilwins Chocolate and Ice Cream – 128 Main Street

The Red Bean (Ice Cream) – 220 Main Street

French

Cafe’ Normandie – 185 Main Street

Italian

Acqua AI 2 – 236 Main Street

Mangia Italian Grill & Sports Bar – 81 Main Street

Osteria 177 – 177 Main Street

Seafood

Buddy’s Crab and Ribs – 100 Main Street

Chart House – 300 Second Street

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls – 188 Main Street

The Choptank – 110 Compromise Street

Steak

O’B’s Prime Steakhouse – 111 Main Street

Mexican Grill/Tacos

Chipotle - 36 Market Space

Vida Taco Bar – 200 Main Street

Host or Publisher Ingrid Harrison