What to Wear to an AKA Leadership Conference
The Leadership Conference is the working year's other anchor — less pageantry than the Boulé, more training, strategy and executive presence. The brief is sharper: look like the leader the room already takes you for. Here's how to dress it, in the colors, without reaching for a stiff suit.
Madison Shirt Dress
Held in the years between Boulés, Alpha Kappa Alpha's Leadership Conference exists to build the next set of leaders — chapter officers, committee chairs, program directors. The days are dense with training and strategy, and the dress code reads more executive than festive. That doesn't mean a closet of suits. It means a few sharp pieces that carry authority and let you focus.
You're dressing with a house that the women AKA honors already choose: honorary members Tamron Hall (in a pink-and-green Sai Sankoh shirt dress) and Yolanda Adams have both worn the label, which was named Best Resortwear by D Magazine in 2024. Leadership is the place to wear that quiet confidence.
Green and neutral by day, pink for the dinner
For a leadership room, let the pink-and-green read as polish, not pageantry. Green works beautifully as an executive color — a green wide-leg trouser, a green shirt dress — paired with ivory, camel or black. Keep the print quieter for training days and save the boldest pink for the awards dinner. One strong accessory does more than a head-to-toe statement here; the goal is to look considered, like someone the committee trusts.
What leadership programming asks for
Opening and general sessions. Sharp and simple — wide-leg trousers with a clean blouse, or a tailored dress, classic pumps.
Training and strategy workshops. Long, hands-on hours. A fluid shirt dress or a set keeps you comfortable and put-together while you work.
Networking lunch. Where mentorships start — approachable and polished, with one good earring and a confident shoe.
Awards dinner. The one dress-up night. A pink goddess kaftan or a clean evening dress reads formal without the fuss.
Pieces that carry authority and travel
Executive presence isn't a louder outfit — it's a considered one, worn with ease. Sai Sankoh's pieces do that: clean lines, original prints on fine silk, and color that photographs as confidence. They also travel for a working conference — the fabrics resist creasing, the goddess cut needs no fitting room, and one piece restyles from a strategy session to the awards dinner with a change of shoe. Less to pack, more presence in the room.
Build your Leadership wardrobe
- Wide-leg trousers with blouses — the executive base.
- Shirt dresses including the pink-and-green Madison — training days and lunch.
- Goddess kaftans and dresses — the awards dinner.
- Silk scarves · best sellers · new arrivals.
Keep reading: the AKA Boulé guide, the AKA Regional Conference, and a Black sorority conference.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to an AKA Leadership Conference?+
How is it different from the Boulé or a Regional?+
Do I have to wear a suit?+
How do I wear the colors in a leadership room?+
What shoes work for training days?+
Where can I shop these looks?+
The AKA collection
- Shop the AKA Boulé collection and the Madison print.
- Executive base: wide-leg trousers, shirt dresses, best sellers.
