March - Member Spotlight(s) - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Ⓡ - Eta Chi Omega
Danielle Cole is a native of Monroe, Louisiana and currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Ⓡ, Epsilon Beta Chapter in the Fall of 2001. She is an alumnus of University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana State University. She holds Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (ULL), a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education (ULL), and she is an education specialist in clinical mental health counseling (LSU).
She currently serves on the Eta Chi Omega’s Graduate Advisor Committee. In the past she served as assistant financial secretary, financial secretary, tea girl co-chair, graduate advisor and Target 3 Chairman.
Daniele is employed as a school counselor and mental health therapist. One can describe Danielle as a person who is trustworthy, kind spirited, an advocate for mankind that has the gift to listen, and one who is gentle but firm; those traits are shown vibrantly in her career.
In 2016, Danielle was acknowledged as Lafayette Parish School Counselor of the Year. She is also the former Louisiana School Counselor Association Elementary Vice President. Currently she is serving as Louisiana School Counselor Association Awards & Recognition Co-Chair.
Danielle is most passionate about Target 4, The Arts, because she thinks it is very important to expose children to the arts because they are not all capable of seeing and knowing how the arts can beneficial.
Lastly, Danielle is the proud dog mom of a yorkie named Dolce'. She enjoys reading, exercise-dancing, barre classes, running and calligraphy.
Karen King is a native of Rayne, Louisiana and currently resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. She is an alumnus of Louisiana State University. Upon completing undergraduate school in 1991, Karen continued her education at LSU Law Center where she received her Juris Doctorate in 1994.
She was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Ⓡ, Eta Kappa Chapter in 1988. Karen is a stellar member of the sorority which she has faithfully served for 33 years. Her outstanding dedication to the sorority was highlighted during her undergraduate years. She was the recipient of the Eta Kappa Neophyte of the Year Award (1989) and the Purnell-Grays Undergraduate Regional Award - 3rd Place. In addition, she served as Eta Kappa Chapter’s president in 1989. Karen continued to exhibit leadership as a graduate member of the sorority. She served as Eta Chi Omega Chapter’s president in 2002 and 2015-2016. Her sorority sisters' admiration for her hard work and dedication was shown when they selected her as Eta Chi Omega's Soror of the Year in 2002. However, Karen’s willing to serve goes beyond the Acadian region. She has served on the Launching New Dimensions of Service International Archives Committee (2016-2018) and South Central Regional Archives Committee (2016-2020). Karen was elected in 2010 to her current position as South Central Regional Historian. She is also Eta Chi Omega’s Leadership Development Chairman.
Karen is an oh so pretty Assistant United States Attorney employed with the U.S. Department of Justice. Her career commendations include: Environment & Natural Resources Division (DOJ) & U.S. Department of Agriculture; Outstanding Civil Case (2019), Health Care Fraud; President, Lafayette Bar Association (2020-2021); President, Federal Bar Association (2019)
Karen is most passionate about Target 3, Building Your Economic Legacy, because she believes as people, we need to focus on passing on economic resources to our children, such as stocks, real estate, etc.
Lastly, Karen’s favorite quote by L.R. Knos is "Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So, go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.”
She is married to Adrian King; They have been united in marriage for 28 years. Adrian and Karen’s pride and joy are their two beautiful children, Peyton & John, and their adorable pets, Onyx & Lola.
When she is not being an oh so pretty U.S. Assistant Attorney or servicing the community, she occupies her time with reading, mentoring and leadership development.