 At New York University she studied commerce and journalism, earning a bachelor's degree in 1928, and a master's degree in 1931, with a thesis titled "The Evolution of Negro Journalism in the United States".She was active with the black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) in college, and edited its national publication, "The Ivy Leaf".She remained active with AKA, as a regional director, and as chair of the 1934 "boulé" committee, when she organized a live national radio broadcast of the sorority's biannual celebration, including performers Etta Moten and Anne Brown.