Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy 2011-2012 Applications Now Available!

“Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women for the 21st Century”, the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy was created out of an urgent sense that bold action was needed to provide resources to young, African American females (ages 11-14) from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures.  Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology; their leadership through service learning; and their sisterhood, defined as the cultivation and maintenance of positive relationships. A primary goal of the program is to prepare young females for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century.

The women of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. have extended the application period for Soror referrals to the program.  Girls must be between the ages of 11 – 14 (must be in middle school for the 2011-2012 school year and 11 by August 1, 2011) to participate in the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy.  The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is one of the sorority’s national programs.

August 2011 marks the fourth year that the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will sponsor the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. 

Please mark the following dates on your calendar:

  • Soror Referral Application deadline date (must be postmarked by this date)        September 3, 2011
    • Send applications to:    

                           Delta Sigma Theta

                           ATTN: Delta Academy (Taundra Miles)

                           PO Box 1364   

                           Indianapolis, IN 46206

  • Interviews (exact date and time TBD)                                                                  Mid September 2011
  • Kickoff/Parent Meeting (Date, Time, & Place TBA)                                               October 2011

Parent/guardian will be responsible for the following:

  • A complete student application form
  • Ensuring student reads the enclosed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. history page

Please feel free to contact me at taundra.miles@sbcglobal.net with questions.  We look forward to positively impacting the life of your young student!

2011-2012 Delta Academy Application

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Delta Academy & Delta GEMS

Everyone is invited to participate in IAC’s Delta GEMS & Delta Academy Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. Come enjoy a pancake breakfast (includes beverage) to support youth our programming for girls!

Saturday, November, 13 2010
8:00 am -10:00 am
Longhorn Steakhouse
5840 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN  46278

Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door.  All proceeds benefit the Delta GEMS and Delta AcademyContact info: deltagems@dstiac.com.

Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Applications now Available for the 2010-2011 year.

Delta Academy Brochure

Delta Academy Application 2010

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010-2011 class of the 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 out of an urgent sense that bold action was needed to provide resources to young, African American females (ages 11-14) from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures. Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology; their leadership through service learning; and their sisterhood, defined as the cultivation and maintenance of positive relationships. A primary goal of the program is to prepare young females for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century.

The women of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are now recruiting young middle school African-American girls, between the ages of 11 – 14 (must be in middle school for the 2010-2011 school year and 11 by August 1, 2010), to participate in the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is one of the sorority’s national programs.

August 2010 marks the third year that the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will sponsor the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. The program thrusts for this year remain:

  • Computer Literacy
  • Sisterhood
  • Academics and Career Choices
  • Self-Esteem

Delta on the Red Carpet featuring “The Princess and the Frog” was a Resounding Success!

INDIANAPOLIS, IN December 12, 2009 – The Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted 925 parents and children at their Delta on the Red Carpet event featuring Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. downtown at United Artist Circle Centre located at 49 Maryland Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 to support Disney’s first animated film featuring an African American Princess.

Hundreds of little girls and boys lined the halls of the theatre to take photos with Princess Delta played by Soror Juanita Ingram, Esq. the current Mrs. U.S. Beauties and a live Princess Tiana played by Soror Karissa Rates. Members of IAC’s Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy accompanied the two Princesses as they walked down the Red Carpet. Attendees young and old thoroughly enjoyed the fan-fair and the film. The Red Carpet event also garnered media attention from Channel 6 News, “Afternoons with Amos” on WTLC AM 1310, and The Indianapolis Star.

The event was part of a National Initiative under the auspices of the Sorority’s National Arts & Letters Commission. Local chapters throughout the sororities’ 900+ chapters have been charged to organize an event supporting the historical release of “The Princess and the Frog”. The Red Carpet event in Indianapolis was organized by the Chapter’s Arts & Letters Committee who collected ticket stubs, along with other chapters holding similar events, and will submit them to Disney as tangible evidence that Delta Sigma Theta supports films that have positive African American representation. Delta on the Red Carpet events for “The Princess and the Frog” were hosted by various chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority throughout Indiana in Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Merrillville, Muncie, and South Bend.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s National Commission on Arts and Letters was established in 1973. The ultimate goal of the Commission is to boldly advance the Black Experience through arts and letters and to promote the contributions of African-Americans in the arts—past and present. Moreover, the Commission is charged with preserving, supporting, communicating and projecting all art forms that express the Black Experience through artistic expression, as it relates to promoting the creative works of African-American artists, particularly those of women.

Take a look at photos below (flash is required, click here to download the latest version of flash). Stay tuned for more events from IAC’s Arts & Letters Committee.

View this gallery at The Indianapolis Star: Talk of Our Town: The Princess and the Frog

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DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY DRAWS OVER 900 PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF DISNEY’S “THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG”.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN December 8, 2009 – The Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host 925 parents and children at their Delta on the Red Carpet event featuring Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. downtown at United Artist Circle Centre located at 49 Maryland Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 to support Disney’s first animated film featuring an African American Princess.

The event is a National Initiative under the auspices of the Sorority’s National Arts & Letters Commission. Local chapters throughout the sororities’ 900+ chapters have been charged to organize an event supporting the historical release of “The Princess and the Frog”. The Red Carpet event in Indianapolis was organized by the Chapter’s Arts & Letters Committee who will collect the ticket stubs, along with other chapters holding similar events, and submit them to Disney as tangible evidence that Delta Sigma Theta supports films that have positive African American representation. Delta on the Red Carpet events for “The Princess and the Frog” are being hosted by various chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority throughout Indiana in Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Merrillville, Muncie, and South Bend.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s National Commission on Arts and Letters was established in 1973. The ultimate goal of the Commission is to boldly advance the Black Experience through arts and letters and to promote the contributions of African-Americans in the arts—past and present. Moreover, the Commission is charged with preserving, supporting, communicating and projecting all art forms that express the Black Experience through artistic expression, as it relates to promoting the creative works of African-American artists, particularly those of women.

Buy tickets for “The Princess and the Frog” this Saturday, December 5th at the Madame Walker Theatre

You can secure your tickets in person for our Delta Red Carpet Event fea. Disney’s The Princess & The Frog on THIS Saturday, 12/5 at the Walker Theatre (Downtown Indy) from 12pm-2pm! Space is still available! First Come, First Served! This event is open to everyone! We have a Princess Package AND a Prince Package for girls and boys! Contact us for event details and assistance! Tell everyone you know! Don’t miss the Disney Magic and the Delta Love on the Red Carpet!

Delta Speaks to Teens with Kemba Smith Photos

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter held “Delta Speaks to Teens” as part of their mental health awareness month activities on November 21, 2009 at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet School, located at 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King.. The keynote speaker was Kemba Smith the young woman whose case garnered national attention and was granted clemency after serving 6.5 years of a 24.5 years sentence in federal prison by former President Bill Clinton in December 2000.

During that time the Sorority lobbied for Smith’s release and for changes in laws requiring mandatory minimum sentencing for first time non-violent drug offenders. Delta Sigma Theta made significant contributions to the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund which assisted with defending Kemba Smith after her family’s financial resources were exhausted. In 2005 Delta Sigma Theta gifted 1 million dollars to the Legal Defense Fund.

Smith shared her story and addressed concerns of dozens of Indianapolis youth. Her story begins when after graduating from high school in 1989 and entering college she got involved with a drug dealer who was a major figure in a crack cocaine ring, drawing her in the middle of his life with physical, mental and emotional abuse. Today, Smith is a wife, mother, advocate, soon to be author and subject of a movie, produced by Rainforest Films (Stomp the Yard, Obsessed, This Christmas) about her life. Her story has been featured on CNN, Nightline, CourtTV, The Early Morning Show and numerous national print publications. For more information on Kemba Smith, visit www.kembasmithfoundation.org.

Check out the photos below (flash is required, click here to download the latest version of flash).

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Delta Speaks to Teens with Kemba Smith & Thanksgiving Community Service

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Delta Speaks to Teens: Depression, Abuse, Self-Esteem

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will host a Mental Health Awareness Program for youth in Indianapolis featuring Speaker and Activist Kemba Smith Pradia.  The event will be held at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet School at 9:00am and guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable canned-good.

Kemba Smith was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison after being convicted as a first time non-violent drug offender.  During that time the Sorority lobbied for Smith’s release and made significant contributions to the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund which assisted with defending Kemba Smith after her family’s financial resources were exhausted.  In 2005 Delta Sigma Theta gifted 1 million dollars to the Legal Defense Fund.

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(left to right) Julianne Malveaux, Honorary Chair Delta Social Action Commission; Marcia Fudge, Chair Delta Social Action Commission; Theodore Shaw, LDF Director-Counsel and President; Louise Rice, National President Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Elaine R. Jones, LDF President and Director-Counsel Emeritus; Gladys Vaughn, Co-Chair DeltaSocial Action Commission; and Kemba Smith, President Kemba Smith Foundation. (Photo by Marvin T. Jones)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has pledged a million dollars to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) to support its voting rights work. The gift will mark the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Sorority President Louise Rice presented the gift to LDF Director-Counsel and President Theodore M. Shaw on May 17th, the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case argued by LDF founding Director-Counsel Thurgood Marshall before the U.S. Supreme Court. The gift was presented at the Delta headquarters in Washington, DC and awarded in the name of Shaw’s predecessor and Delta member Elaine R. Jones.

“This is an extension of our commitment to support social change that empowers the African American community. What better recipient than an organization with a stellar track record like LDF’s,” said Dr. Rice. “We recognize the role that LDF has played in the passage of the Voting Rights Act and their ongoing efforts to protect voting rights for disfranchised communities. LDF helps change lives and this requires resources. We also challenge other organizations to support this important work.”

“This generous gift embodies the strength, leadership and spirit of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,” said Shaw. “We are eternally grateful and will make our appreciation complete by working harder on behalf of our community.”

Kemba Smith was featured on “Unflappable Today” hosted by Carolyn Mosby-Williams. Mosby-Williams is the author of “Unflappable”, co-written by veteran journalist Lisa D. DeNeal. “Unflappable” is an autobiography of the first 40 years of Mosby-Williams life. The blogtalkradio show features topics about challenges we all face in our lives and how we can remain unflappable under the pressures, challenges and unexpected turns that life may take. This show may be of particular interest to women who find themselves juggling career, marriage, motherhood and finding the right balance.

You can listen to the show by using the flash player below or by clicking here.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving Community Service

You are also invited to join IAC as we prepare Thanksgiving baskets for families in need this holiday season. We ask that all volunteers, and the participants of the youth event bring a non-perishable food item.  The items will be donated to the food pantry of the Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center.  Thanksgiving Turkeys are also welcome!

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Join Delta on Broadway: “The Color Purple”

ACT NOW! DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 6, 2009!

The deadline for deposits has been extended! Your deposit must be received in our P.O. Box by this Friday, November 6th.  If you are a member, payments will be accepted at chapter on this Saturday, November 7, 2009. Thanks for your interest and support!

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DOWNLOAD THE DELTA ON BROADWAY: “THE COLOR PURPLE” BROCHURE AND ORDER FORM!

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On January 3, 2010 IAC’s Arts and Letters Committee is organizing a group outing to see the award winning production, “The Color Purple”, produced by Oprah Winfrey. A portion of the proceeds will benefit two of IAC’s premiere youth programs, the Delta GEMS and Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy.

In 1973 the Sorority established its National Commission on Arts & Letters. The ultimate goal of the Commission is to boldly advance the Black Experience through arts and letters and to promote the contributions of African-Americans in the arts—past and present. Moreover, the Commission is charged with preserving, supporting, communicating and projecting all art forms that express the Black Experience through artistic expression, as it relates to promoting the creative works of African-American artists, particularly those of women.

On behalf of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter’s Arts & Letters Committee, we thank you for your continued support of cultural arts and our youth programming.

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