Delta Academy/Delta GEMS

Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy

Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women for the 21st Century: The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy was created in 1996as a National program 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 local chapters 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.  Additionally, we augment their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning 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 Macon Alumnae Chapter’s Delta Academy meets one Saturday per month. The Chapter plans and implements various activities based on the needs of adolescents in the Middle Georgia community. The activities implemented most often include computer training, self-esteem and etiquette workshops, science-related field trips,and field trips for college exposure.In the past, we have also exposed participants to special outings to cultural events, fancy dinners, museum visits, plays, and concerts.

Delta GEMS: Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully

A natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy: Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Delta GEMSwas 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 girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success
  • To assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond
  • 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 a National program that is implemented by local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Delta GEMS participants have the opportunity to define and “Discover their individualBrilliance.”

Penny-A-Day

The Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital is located in Thika, Kenya and is supported by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Delta Academy/Delta GEMS participants and members of Macon Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. donate loose change to support our Penny-A-Day donation.