Five-Point Programmatic Thrusts

Economic Development

Financial Fortitude topics include college and career preparation, financial planning for various stages of life, investment and savings, estate planning, consumer fraud prevention, and starting, managing and growing your business. The current focus is on supporting female and Black owned businesses across all areas of the economy.  

Educational Development

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy includes character development, mentoring and personal skills development activities for girls 11-14 years of age. The program emphasizes scholarship in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while also engaging in topics such as leadership, intra psychic development and interpersonal skills. Email deltaacademy@dstwilmingtonde.org for more information. 

Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) Institute mentors African American girls, ages 14 to 18, and provides the framework for them to actualize their goals through the performance of activities that develop a “can do” attitude. The goal of this program is to provide tools that enable participants to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success and to become involved in community service opportunities. Email gems@dstwilmingtonde.org for more information. 

EMBODI (Empowering Males to build Opportunities for Developing Independence) focuses on addressing issues facing African American males 11-18. Issues related to self efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health and college readiness are addressed through presentations, dialogue groups and structured activities. Email embodi@dstwilmingtonde.org for more information. Our relationship with the Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated in executing this program provides young men with tangible male role models who facilitate most of the activities. 

Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) provides both young men and women in grades 9-12 an opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship, business plans and goals, marketing, financial literacy, professionalism, leadership and business ethics. The program provides students with the foundation needed to establish their own businesses. Email yep@dstwilmingtonde.org for more information.

The Jabberwock Scholarship Program has awarded over $1M in scholarships to deserving New Castle County young ladies in grades 11 and 12 since 2000. Email: jabberwock@dstwilmingtonde.org for more information.  

Application

Not sure which program is right for your child or need general information? Please contact our youth program coordinators for more information at youth@dstwilmingtonde.org.

International Awareness and Involvement

For World AIDS Day, DST co-sponsors events that provide HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. On December 1st of each year, we add our voices to the worldwide conversation about this disease that disproportionally affects our community. We also support broader international projects such as

• Thika Memorial Hospital in Kenya
• Adailade Tambo School for the Physically Challenged in Johannesburg
• Delta Sigma Theta. Inc. Elementary School in Haiti and
• The Delta House in Swaziland

Physical and Mental Health

Journey to Wellness, a signature physical and mental health “call to action”, was developed to promote African-American families living holistic and healthy lives. The three-pronged approach includes 1) physical activity and healthy eating, 2) managing chronic diseases and 3) mental health. Our health programs advocate the importance and benefits of lifestyle changes that affect longevity, morbidity and mortality and seek to address health disparities in the access and delivery of public health services. 

Political Awareness and Involvement

Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital, Delta Days at the United Nations and Delta Day in the State Capital provide vehicles for members to actively engage with elected representatives on a wide variety of issues ranging from educational funding to economic concerns to social justice. Our members are also encouraged to attend local school board, city and county meetings. The Get Out The Vote initiative in partnership with the New Castle County chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sponsors voter registration drives and non-partisan voter education forums in the local community.