The organization’s leader is “taking steps to protect our brand.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha’s director is reportedly seeking legal action against Insecure after the series season debut featured characters wearing clothes featuring the sorority’s logo and colors.
The fifth season premiere episode of the hit HBO series sparked backlash from members of the AKA on Twitter, who tweeted their displeasure of the fictional portrayal of their sorority.
According to Black Enterprise, AKA Sorority Inc. Executive Director Cynthia D. Howell said in a statement she is “taking steps to protect our brand.”
“We were made aware of the unauthorized use of our brand on the HBO show Insecure early yesterday morning (Monday, October 25, 2021) and are taking steps to protect our brand,” said Howell.
She added: “Please allow the corporate office to handle this matter. We all have a duty to protect our brand. You can do your part by refraining from engaging with anyone involved with the show or with anyone, including other sorors, on social media about this matter. Thank you for your continued assistance and cooperation.”
In response to the initial backlash, Amanda Seales — whose character Tiffany DuBois has been portrayed as an AKA since the first season, along with another character — posted a video defending her character.
“I don’t know why people keep asking me if I’m a soror. I am not a soror. Tiffany is a soror. Tiffany is a character on a TV show,” Seales said. “I didn’t write the character — I play the character! I’m not a soror — I’m an actress! And I’m playing a character on a TV show.”
Additionally, show creator and star actor Issa Rae joked that HBO would remove one of the upcoming episodes that possibly featured more AKA symbolism.