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.
November 21, 2009 was a very busy Day for the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Deltas were stretched from Martin Luther King Jr. Street to North Michigan Road. The Chapter held four events that day including the “Delta Speaks to Teens” session with Kemba Smith, the Red Carpet Event featuring the movie “Precious”, and it’s subsequent Delta Dialogue program in partnership with Light of the World Christian Church. In the midst of that Sorors remained dedicated to servicing the senior citizens at the Springfield Health Care Center and assisting in the food pantry at the Gene B. Glick Neighborhood Center. IAC will celebrate it’s 85 year anniversary in January 2010 as the Chapter has contributed to the Indianapolis and Central Indiana community since 1925.
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.
(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!
