Chester Pearls Foundation

About Us
The Chester Pearls Foundation (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization established by the women of the Tau Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is an international service organization founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization founded by African American college-educated women.

Mission and Leadership
Under the leadership of President Dr. Jacqueline Irving, the mission of the Chester Pearls Foundation is to promote the educational advancement of youth and to alleviate community problems. CPF focuses on empowering young people through education, mentorship, and community engagement.

Programs and Goals

• Scholarships: Provide financial support for college and trade school through scholarships, book awards, and participation awards. CPF has awarded more than $100,000 to youth in Chester and surrounding communities.
• Mentorship: Connect youth with supportive role models who offer guidance, encouragement, and long-term mentoring relationships.
• Academic and Enrichment Programming: Deliver workshops and activities that build college readiness, self-esteem, leadership, and life skills. Topics include college preparedness, peer pressure, conflict resolution, mental health, social media literacy, table manners, and etiquette.
• Youth Development: Offer formal dance instruction and performance opportunities (the “Beaus” and “Belles”) to support personal development and civic engagement.
• Community Service: Engage youth in service projects addressing local needs and building civic responsibility.

Community Impact
CPF funds and supports projects that address food insecurity, youth leadership development, mental health awareness, senior citizen support and education, economic empowerment, environmental protection, social justice advocacy, and overall community uplift.

Signature Event
Since 2001, CPF has hosted its annual Scholarship Ball, a culminating event that showcases talented high school students—affectionately called “Beaus” and “Belles”—and highlights the Foundation’s investment in youth development and civic engagement.