Tag Archives: Delta GEMS

The 2011-2012 Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute Applications Now Available!

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The Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS (Growing & Empowering Myself Successfully) Institute, a mentoring program for African-American girls in high school, sponsored by the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is recruiting new members.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization founded in 1913 by 22 black women dedicated to uplifting their community in the areas of educational development, economic development, and many other powerful ways. The Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute, is one of Delta’s flagship programs that has been in existence for well over 40 years.

The goals for the Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute 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; and to create compassionate, caring, community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.

The Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute is designed for young women:

  •  Who are in grades 9-12
  •  Who have potential, but need guidance, support and skills to achieve success
  •  Who are interested in developing leadership skills
  •  Who are actively pursuing college and/or career options
  •  Who need encouragement and support in pursuit of higher learning.

 Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute activities include participation in community service projects, cultural events, and attending educational workshops where we present topics such as choosing the perfect college, career choices, social and professional etiquette, self-esteem building, wellness, money management and of course having lots of fun.

Should you have any questions about the Delta GEMS Institute or application process, please contact Erika Quarles, Chair at deltagems@dstiac.com or 317.328.5006.

 

2011-2012 Delta Gems Application

Delta Speaks to Teens with Kemba Smith Photos

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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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DST-Teens

Delta Speaks to Teens with Kemba Smith & Thanksgiving Community Service

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DST-Teens

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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