Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy
Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy was created out of an urgent sense that bold action was needed to save girls between the ages of 11 and 14 from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures. Delta Academy provides an opportunity for the Detroit Alumnae Chapter to enrich and enhance girls’ education. The chapter seeks to augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology and their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning, which is 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.
The Detroit Alumnae Chapter works with girls at local elementary and/or middle schools from September through May. Participants attend monthly sessions during which they engage in activities that promote STEM education, develop leadership, provide mentoring, and build self-esteem.
For more information, email ShabazzAcademy@detroitdeltas.org.
Delta GEMS
A natural outgrowth and expansion of the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) was created support African-American at-risk, adolescent girls between the ages of 14 and 18. Delta GEMS provides the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that help participants develop a “can do” attitude.
The goals for Delta GEMS are to:
- instill the need to excel academically;
- provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success;
- assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond; and
- create compassionate, caring, and community-minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.
Our GEMS program kicks off at the beginning of each school year. High school girls participate in monthly workshops and community service activities to develop and enhance their leadership, communication, and collaboration skills; learn life skills related to financial planning, etiquette, and digital citizenship; promote excellence in academic achievement; prepare for college and careers; and strengthen their self-image and confidence.
Applications are distributed once a year, usually during an open house that takes place in February. For more information, visit the Gems Application page or email DeltaGEMS@detroitdeltas.org.
EMBODI
EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, 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 continue to be in crisis and are not reaching their fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI addresses issues related to STEM education, culture, self-efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyle choices, character, ethics, relationships, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning.
Our program targets young men between the ages of 11 and 17. Participants attend monthly sessions that focus on a variety of topics, including communication, leadership, college planning and preparation, career readiness, financial planning, and interacting with law enforcement. For more information, email EMBODI@detroitdeltas.org.
