Educational Development
Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC) offers public service programs
centered on the Sorority’s educational programmatic thrust through
annual scholarships, Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself
Successfully), EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for
Developing Independence) and the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. The
goals are to encourage and stimulate academic and social development;
foster self-esteem; develop a sense of self-worth; and provide
mentoring.
WDCAC Youth Programs now accepting applications for 2024-2025.
Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy
WDCAC is committed to helping young girls (ages 11 to 14) to embrace their strength and worthiness and prepare for full participation as leaders in the 21st century through the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. The signature Sorority program was created in 1996 with the overarching goal to guide girls into womanhood with educational support and professional guidance that will teach them how to:
- Create opportunities for academic success
- Enhance their decision-making, communication skills and develop their abilities and talents
- Compete in a global society
- Become change agents in transformations of their communities
Objectives of Delta Academy workshops include to increase self-esteem, and knowledge about leadership, foster professional development, and financial literacy, in addition to youth advocacy and civic responsibility.
To support Delta Academy or to learn more, contact DeltaAcademy@wdcacdst.org.
Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS: Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully
WDCAC is committed to investing in our teenage girls through Delta GEMS, a self-esteem building program targeting African American girls aged 14-18. A natural outgrowth and expansion of the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, this signature Sorority program was created in 2004 to inspire, encourage and nurture young sisters living in resource-challenged communities.
The goals of the WDCAC 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.
As such, the themes of GEMS workshops and activities include career and college planning, financial management, social impacts of social media, cyber-bullying, health and wellness, arts and culture, and community service. The overarching goal is for the participants to leave GEMS with enhanced critical thinking, decision making and goal-setting skills that will attribute to them excelling in academics and navigating in the world as adults.
The Delta GEMS program succeeds with the committed help of volunteers and partners in our communities who are willing to help attract girls to the program and/or assist with in-kind donations, grants and other meaningful services.
To support Delta GEMS or to learn more, contact gems@wdcacdst.org.
EMBODI: Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence
As a counterpart to Delta GEMS, WDCAC provides support to young African American males through a national program known as EMBODI. The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program 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 young 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.
Through its EMBODI program and in collaboration with community partners and volunteers, WDCAC provides male youth with ongoing mentoring and tutoring support as well as guidance on topics that include basic life skills, the college admissions process, financial literacy, civic engagement, service learning and empowerment.
To support EMBODI or to learn more, contact embodi@wdcacdst.org.
