Letter From The Founder

To the person reading this,

Official Para Connect® means more to me than I could ever fully put into words, but I’ll try.

Becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was something I dreamed about long before college. I come from a large family where Greek life is woven into so many of our stories. I am my mother’s legacy, and growing up, I saw firsthand what this meant beyond the surface. So when I was initiated in Fall 2017 at the Kappa Kappa Chapter at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, it felt like something I had been waiting for my entire life had finally come full circle.

Now, as a member of the Alpha Lambda Omega graduate chapter in Charlotte, that experience has continued to grow with me. It has shaped how I move, how I communicate, and how I show up for others. It gave me more than I expected. Growth, emotional intelligence, lifelong connections, and a deeper understanding of what it means to truly be a part of something bigger than yourself.

That perspective is carried into everything created through Official Para Connect®.

Every design starts with me. Late nights that turn into early mornings. Sitting with an idea until it feels right. Researching, refining, and sometimes starting over until every detail aligns the way it should. Because when something is released, it is not just representing the brand. It is representing me, and it is representing the organizations that mean so much to all of us.

And that responsibility is not taken lightly.

There have been moments where the weight of that felt very real. I remember releasing a piece and feeling unsure, wondering if it would connect the way I hoped it would. After finally posting it and getting a little rest, I woke up to something I did not expect. The piece had completely sold out. There were comments, messages, and emails asking for more. That was one of the first moments where it truly clicked that this was bigger than me.

But what matters most has always been the people.

If you have ever met me at a conference, then you already know. I remember faces. I remember names. I remember conversations. When you come back, it never feels like starting over. It feels like picking up where we left off. That means everything to me.

There are so many incredible brands in this space, and I support them too. So when you choose to spend your money here, when you walk past a room full of vendors and stop at my table, I do not take that lightly. I feel honored. I feel grateful. Because I know you had options, and you chose Official Para Connect®.

This brand has grown to serve women across the country and even those on military bases around the world. It has allowed me to give back to the Charlotte community in ways that are important to me. But no matter how much it grows, I never want it to lose that personal connection.

Because at the end of the day, this is not just about clothing.

It is about how you feel when you put it on. I want you to feel relieved. Like you finally found something that works for you. Something that fits your life, your style, and your standards without compromise. Something that makes you say, “this is exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Creating for Black women, especially within this space, is something I take pride in. We care about how we present ourselves. We care about quality. We care about details. And I carry that with me in every piece that is created.

My hope is that years from now, Official Para Connect® continues to be a name that women trust. That when new members are looking for where to shop, this brand is mentioned with confidence. That the quality remains, the care remains, and the intention never fades.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for supporting. And thank you for allowing this to grow into something that continues to mean so much.

With gratitude, always,

Moriah Banks
Founder, Official Para Connect®