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Education: A cornerstone of the Delta’s mission

Bridgit Brown
Education: A cornerstone of the Delta’s mission
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members (from l to r) Christyanna Egun, Kathy Townsend, Tanisha M. Sullivan, Thomasina Nesmit-Cole and Janelle Bradshaw unveiled the 2011-2012 educational development programs for the school year.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members (from l to r) Christyanna Egun, Kathy Townsend, Tanisha M. Sullivan, Thomasina Nesmit-Cole and Janelle Bradshaw unveiled the 2011-2012 educational development programs for the school year.


The Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (BAC) held an orientation last week for their Educational Development Programs at the Timilty Middle School.

About 200 people, mostly parents and their children who will be participating in the program, filled the school’s auditorium and got the basics about the programs being offered this school year.

BAC has more than 100 active members and has been a consistent source of academic and social excellence in Greater Boston since 1945. Their mission is “Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service.”

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is a program for girls between the ages of 11 and 14. It focuses on math and science skills, but it also helps the girls deal with day-to-day challenges by strengthening their critical thinking skills through math and science-related activities and social development workshops.

The Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) takes the learning skills that girls acquired through the Delta program up a notch by focusing on academic and personal achievement skills such as setting goals and meeting them, maintaining a healthy level of self-esteem and involvement in community service projects.

This is a signature program of the Boston Alumnae Chapter and this year it will take place at the Dorchester YMCA through a generous donation from Kathy Townsend, executive director of the Dorchester YMCA.    

The Jabberwock Leadership Development Institute is open to young women in the 11th and 12th grades. It functions like a rite of passage program, encouraging social etiquette, grace and academic excellence through many different types of workshops. The culminating event for this program is a cotillion and talent showcase.

And last, but not the least, EMBODI, (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) is for young men in their high school years. This program partners with the Boston Area Health Education Center and the Dorchester YMCA to offer leadership skills to participants as well as training in the health-services field and fellowship opportunities.

“Educational development is one of the cornerstones of Delta Sigma Theta,” said BAC President Tanisha M. Sullivan. “We believe that by challenging our young people through enrichment programs that instill a positive self-image and support their dreams, our next generation will be equipped with skills and confidence they need to be productive global leaders.”