Educational Development

Delta Academy

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy was established under the leadership of 21st National President Marcia L. Fudge as a signature program of the 1996-98 biennium. Over the past twenty-two years, Delta chapters have embraced Soror Fudge’s vision and answered the call to enhance the future of our African-American girls.

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is an exciting and innovative program designed for young ladies ages 11-14. Delta Academy provides an opportunity for young ladies to become exposed to scholarship in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The Academy is aimed to augment their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning, and their sisterhood, by cultivating interpersonal relationships amongst their peers. A primary goal of the program is to prepare young girls for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century.

Aimed at shaping well-rounded young women, the goal of the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is to enhance and spark interest in STEM and careers where minority women are scarcely represented. In the Academy, we have respect for our history, ourselves, our character, and for each other. We foster an environment of learning, character development, life skills, and community service.

The Delta Academy is designed for young women who meet the following criteria:

11 to 14 years of age.
Demonstrates great academic and personal promise; lacks support and encouragement.
Shows interest in developing leadership skills.
Shows interest in community action and social change.
Shows interest in non-traditional STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers.

Delta GEMS

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS initiative has addressed the needs of African American young ladies through innovative programming since its inception in 2004 under the leadership of Dr. Louise A. Rice, 23rd National President. GEMS is an acronym for “Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully.” The overarching goal is to guide young ladies into womanhood with educational support and professional guidance that will teach them how to create opportunities for academic success, enhance their decision making and communication skills, develop their abilities and talents, compete in a global society, and become change agents in the transformation of their communities.

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 aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN-DO attitude.

The goals for Delta GEMS are:

To instill the need to excel academically;
To provide tools that enable participants to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success;
To assist participants in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond; and
To create compassionate, caring, and community-minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.

The Delta GEMS program offers a road map for college and career planning through activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Delta GEMS participants have the opportunity to define and “discover their individual brilliance” as Jewels in Delta GEMS.

The Delta GEMS Youth Initiative is designed for:

Young women ages 14-18 who are in Grades 9 through 12.
Young women who have potential to achieve success through guidance, support, and skills development
Young women who are interested in developing leadership skills.
Young women who are actively pursuing college and/or career options.
Young women who need encouragement and support in pursuit of higher learning.
Young women identified by authorized partners of Delta chapters and/or former Delta Academy participants.

Delta GEMS of the Omaha Alumnae Chapter have recently participated in the following:

Vision boards and SMART goal setting with Soror Shawntal Mallory, Esq.
Nebraska Statewide Founders’ Day Celebration featuring National Secretary Dr. Joi L. Moore and Regional Representative Jasmine Burrell
Exclusive tour of the Nebraska Humane Society and exploration of careers in animal welfare