The local economy will get a sisterly jolt as tens of thousands of  Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members descend on the nation's capital.

In fact, the pink and green ladies have arrived in droves, and they are expected to drop a different kind of green all around town.

The women are expected to come from across the country and around the world and filed into the Convention Center. Organizers said they had close to 30,000 women pre-registered and they are expecting tens of thousands more to show up during the week of events.

"We are going to electrify this city. It's going to be amazing," said AKA member Errika Jefferson.

All of the women are sisters and they belong to the oldest black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. The sorority, which was founded at Howard University came to D.C. Friday to celebrate its centennial. "This is our 100th anniversary. The sorority's 100th anniversary," said AKA member Mable Cheek.

And with so many women in town, for as long as a week,  businesses around the Convention Center are seeing green. "We're going to leave $100 million," said AKA member Josephine Moss Nelson.

The sorority convention is expected to pump $100 million into the local economy.

"I went to the bank specifically for this conference, and I'm bringing back gifts for everybody in my family," said AKA member Marsha Carter.

The convention officially kicks off Sunday, but at Restaurant Acadiana tables already are already filling up with ladies sporting their AKA colors.

The manager says he's putting on extra staff just for the week. "We expect to be at full capacity throughout the weekend and for the beginning of the next week," said Acadiana General Manager Boo Kim.

And while businesses might be smiling over all the prospective customers, the sisters are happy to reconnect with old friends and in the process make some new ones. "I don't have any blood sisters, but now I have sisters from all over the world," said Nelson. 

» link: Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial web site