Educational Development
Welcome to Our Educational Development Programs
The Valdosta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, believes that instructing our youth is like engraving in stone—a powerful. foundation for future success. Through our Educational Development Initiatives, we are committed to fostering academic excellence, leadership, service learning, and college and career readiness in the Valdosta-Lowndes community.Our signature youth programs – Delta Academy, Delta GEMS, and EMBODI – are designed to empower and support African American youth by nurturing their minds, building character, and encouraging community engagement. These programs provide enriching experiences for girls and boys ages 11 to 18 through mentorship, educational workshops, and service opportunities.
We invite you to learn more about each of our youth initiatives and how they are shaping the next generation of leaders.
Youth Programs
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. offers three dynamic, nationally recognized youth enrichment programs that foster personal growth, academic success, and leadership in young girls and boys. These initiatives—Delta Academy, Delta GEMS, and EMBODI—are part of our ongoing commitment to Educational Development.
The Valdosta Alumnae Chapter currently engages middle and high school girls through our Delta Academy and Delta GEMS programs. Each program provides structured mentoring, academic enrichment, and community service opportunities tailored to meet the needs of our youth.
Delta Academy
Target Audience: Girls ages 11–14
The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is designed to enrich and enhance the education of middle school girls, with a focus on those showing interest or potential in math, science, and technology. Our mission is to prepare young ladies for leadership by:
• Promoting academic excellence
• Building strong interpersonal and social skills
• Encouraging public service and community engagement
Participants meet every third Sunday of the month for interactive sessions that inspire, educate, and empower.
For more information or to get involved, please contact the program co-chairs at deltaacademy.vscdst@gmail.com
Delta GEMS
Target Audience: Girls ages 14–18 (High School)
Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) is a youth initiative created to guide African American teenage girls toward realizing their full potential. Originally launched as the Delta Teen Challenge in 1991, the program is designed to "catch the dreams" of at-risk adolescent girls and empower them to build a bright future.
Delta GEMS helps participants cultivate a “CAN DO” attitude by offering support and skill-building opportunities focused on:
1. Academic excellence and achievement
2. Personal development and leadership
3. Goal setting and future planning
4. Community service and civic engagement
The young ladies meet every third Sunday of the month to participate in activities that inspire success, build confidence, and foster sisterhood.
For more information or to get involved, please contact the program co-chairs at deltagems.vacdst@gmail.com.
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 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. EMBODI addresses issues related to STEM education, culture, self-efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyle choices, character, ethics, relationships, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning.
For more information or to get involved, please contact the Valdosta Alumnae Chapter at Valdosta_alumnae@yahoo.com.
Educational Development projects include the following:
• Annual Scholarship Awards
• Delta Renaissance, A Celebration of Art, Literature, and Culture
• Delta Book Club
• Books & Blankets at Southside Recreation Center
• Little Library in Valdosta and Cook County
• Financial Workshops with our Youth Initiatives
• Encouraging public service and community engagement