Twelve Debutantes will be presented to society at the 69th Annual Debutante Ball, Fri., Nov. 25, the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.  After hosting the first virtual Debutante ball in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year will mark the first in-person ball since 2019.

This year, the ball is presented to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Beta Omega Chapter and the Ivy Community Service and Education Foundation, Inc. (ICSEF)

The theme for this year’s Debutante Ball, “An Evening of Enchanted Elegance,” will be displayed as each Debutante performs choreographed waltzes with her presenter and escort. The evening will culminate with the crowning of the 2022 Miss Debutante by Emily Ervin, Miss Debutante 2020. 

Commentators for the evening will be Morning Radio Host Sean Tyler of Magic 107.3 and transformational leader and community change agent, Stephenie Smith.

The 12 Debutantes have participated in various cultural, educational, and community activities ,  including:  a career and etiquette presentation, a Mother-Daughter Tea, and a talent presentation.

Linda May, is general chairman of the 2022 Debutante Ball. Carla Gunner is general co-chairman.  Elonia Norwood is president of Beta Omega Chapter and Dr. Everlyn L. Williams is president of the ICSEF.

The Debutante Ball in Kansas City is a cherished annual tradition.  The first Debutante Ball was held in 1951 at the American Legion Hall at Linwood and The Paseo in Kansas City, MO. Since that first ball, over 1,900 outstanding young women in the Greater Kansas City area have been awarded over $1.4 million in scholarships and book awards.  Two local Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters, Beta Omega of Kansas City, Missouri and Mu Omega of Kansas City, Kansas, alternate hosting responsibilities from year to year.  All Debutantes, at the time of their presentation, are either high school seniors or first-semester freshmen in college.

Introducing the 2022 Debutantes

Alayna Cleaver
Alexis Kemp
Anylah Jones
Briana Tolbert
Destiny Johnson
Genesis Campbell
Jillian Collier
Kaiya Key
Kori Franklin
Lai’Ayla Flowers
Princess Dixon
RaMaya Taylor
  • Genesis Campbell, a student at Raymore Peculiar High School, daughter of Mr. Dominic Campbell and Kenya Campbell. She will be escorted by Zacarias Woodard, son of Christina McKinnis.
  • Alayna Cleaver, a student at Lee’s Summit North High School, daughter of Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III and. Sharon Cleaver. She will be escorted by Joshua Maxey Hayes, son of Damon and Angela Hayes.
  • Jillian Collier, a student at Piper High School daughter of Rev. Jarvis Collier and Dr. Jennifer Collier. She will be escorted by Lance Bassett, son of Rev Dr. Jarvis Collier and Dr. Jennifer Collier.
  • Princess Dixon, a student at Sumner Academy, daughter of Leon Dixon and LaTasha Tuggle. She will be escorted by Andre Randle Jr., son of Andre and Monica Randle.
  • Lai’Ayla Flowers, a student at Raytown High School, daughter of Bryant Flowers and. LaTasha Flowers. She will be escorted by Markus Winston Smith, son of Derrick and Brandi Smith.
  • Kori Franklin, a student at Notre De Sion High School, daughter of Ronnell Franklin and Micole Franklin. She will be escorted by Connor David Beard, son of David and Nikki Beard
  • Destiny Johnson, a student at F.L. Schlagle High School, daughter of the late Enorch Johnson, Jr. and Camille Johnson. She will be escorted by Tripp Starr, son of Antionette Starr and Walza Ray Starr II.
  • Anylah Jones, a student at Shawnee Mission North High School, daughter of Larry Porter and Latasha Jones. She will be escorted by Darrius Comeaux son of Brittany Comeaux.
  • Alexis Kemp, a student at University Academy, daughter of Jermaine Kemp, Sr. and. Lashonette Kemp. She will be escorted by Qaim Mustafa Hunt, son of Victor and Barbara Hunt.
  • Kaiya Key, a student at Bishop Miege High School, daughter of Vincent Key and April Hall Key. She will be escorted by Noah Alexander Barber, son of Mr. &  Mrs. Shawn Barber.
  • RaMaya Taylor, a student at Raytown High School, daughter of Richard Taylor and Tonya Taylor. She will be escorted by Xavyer Powell, son of Antwan and Meshia Powell.
  • Briana Tolbert, a student at University Academy, daughter of Brian Tolbert and Ebony Tolbert. She will be escorted by Aidan Smith, son of Lyne’t Gray.
  • The Stags: Four young men have the honor of assisting the Debutantes during the presentation.  They are Ethan Ryan Gartica, son of Terance (Paula) Gartica and KaLinda (Dante) Barlow; Che’ Clemons Jr., son of Che’ Clemons & Tosha Houston-Wilson; Devin Kerr, son of Marlon Kerr and Tracie Tucker; and Miles Cook, son of James and Erika Cook.