Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc

The Delta Academy was created out of an urgent sense that bold action was needed to save our young females ages 11-14 from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures. Delta Academy provides an opportunity for Montgomery (AL) Alumnae Chapter to enrich and enhance the education that our young teens receive in public schools across the nation. Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology, their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning, and their sisterhood, defined as the cultivation of service learning, and their sisterhood, defined as the cultivation and maintenance of relationships. 

A primary goal of the program is to prepare young girls for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century. Delta Academy has taken many forms. In some chapters, the Academies are after-school or Saturday programs; others are weekly or biweekly throughout the school year; and still other programs occur monthly. At a minimum, chapters plan and implement varied activities based upon the needs of the early adolescents in their areas. The activities implemented most often include computer training, self-esteem and etiquette workshops, field trips for science experiences and for college exposure, and special outings to cultural events, dining, museums, plays, and concerts.

A natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful “Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy: Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow”, Delta Gems was created to “catch the dreams” of African American at-risk, adolescent girls ages 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a “CAN DO” attitude.

The Delta GEMS framework is composed of five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, Show Me the Money, Service, and Infinitely Complete), forming a road map for college and career planning. Topics within the five major components are designed to provide interactive lessons and activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta.
 

The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with the support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African-American males. Both informal and empirical data suggests that the vast majority of African-American males continues to be in crisis and is not reaching its fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue, and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI will include a program format and information template. The delivery options may include a town hall meeting, workshops, and/or teen leadership summits.