Educational Development

Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

HOUSTON METROPOLITAN ALUMNAE CHAPTER
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

HomeEducational Development

Delta’s investment in developing the minds of our future are evident through the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, a leadership and empowerment program for girls ages 11-14 years; the Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) program which fostering the dreams of girls ages 14-18 years; and the EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) youth program for males ages 11-18 years, which uses, for example, the hallmarks of STEM education, leadership, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning to impact our participant’s lives.

HMAC’s educational development mission is to mentor youth participants through monthly workshops and activities that foster a safe, developmental, fun and educational environment, where interactions are with other young teens. The Delta Academy and EMBODI programs are STEM-based and the Delta GEMS program takes an entrepreneurial leadership approach and will provide mentors who are educators, creative thinkers and business leaders who are highly experienced in their various industries. HMAC’s Signature youth education event, the annual PACE Conference, is held every December. The Conference was designed to encourage the youth in our community to PACE (Prepare, Achieve, Create and Educate) themselves for a future where they can not only challenge, but change thoughts and attitudes toward today’s social and cultural norms.

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DELTA ACADEMY

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is one of our sorority’s national initiatives to enrich and enhance education of young ladies ages 11-14. The purpose of the Academy is to prepare young women for the 21st century by:

Enriching their future through educational development and personalized attention;
Strengthening their skills in math, science, and technology, and exposing the ladies to non-traditional careers;
Providing service learning as a method to which students learn through active participation in organized service experiences that meet actual community needs; and
Lending the young ladies the tools to help cultivate and maintain interpersonal relationships with female adults.

HMAC Academy sessions include components on sisterhood, scholarship, and literacy. The Academy sessions are conducted by non-traditional career professionals and educators who share their personal area of expertise and encourage the young ladies to dream bigger dreams. Sample activities include participating in HMAC's P.A.C.E. (Prepare, Achieve, Create, Educate) Conference, our annual Black History Program and Awareness Workshops, STEM Robotics camp, an Etiquette workshop, and a closing banquet which celebrates the many accomplishments of the participants throughout the year. In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, participants have the opportunity to give back to the local community through a learning activity (e.g. HIVE, Houston Area Food Bank).

Applicants must be female students who reside in the Houston area, enrolled in school, ages 11-14, and must have a sincere interest and willingness to participate in Delta Academy activities. Participants must also embrace the Academy’s principles, and adhere to the Academy’s Code of Conduct.

Want to learn more? Join us for an informational meeting on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. REGISTER HERE.

To apply for HMAC's Delta Academy Youth Program, click Here to fill out the online Google Doc application form. The online application and registration must be submitted electronically by Sunday, October 1, 2023. Registrants will be contacted after the application deadline. Risk management forms must be submitted with the application.

All parents/guardians of participants in HMAC's Delta Academy Youth Program must sign and complete the required Risk Management forms before their youth can attend any Delta Academy events Click Here to access the forms. The forms can be submitted via email to academy@hmacdelta.org or dropped off at a location and on a date to be announced later. Click here for a copy of the Risk Management Parent Guardian Guidebook.

For specific program questions, please contact: academy@hmacdelta.org

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DELTA GEMS

G.E.M.S: Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully

Delta GEMS, a national signature program of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is community based program created to inspire young women and help them to actualize their dreams. Delta GEMS provides a positive network for teenage girls ages 14-18 to strengthen and develop their will to achieve. By encouraging a “CAN DO” attitude, Delta GEMS strives to “catch the dreams” of at-risk, adolescent girls. The purpose of Delta GEMS program is to form a road map for college and career planning which incorporates five major components: Scholarship, Sisterhood, Financial Literacy, Community Service and Physical and Mental Health. Each component provides opportunities for self-growth and enables young ladies to function intellectually, responsibly and socially in today’s society.

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 – high school and beyond.

To create compassionate, caring, and community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.

Applicants must be female students who reside in the Houston area, enrolled in high school grades 9-12 (ages 14-18) and must have a sincere interest and willingness to participate in activities provided by the Delta GEMS program.

To participate in HMAC's Delta GEMs Youth Program, click Here to fill out the online Google Doc registration/application form. The online registration must be submitted electronically by Sunday, October 1, 2023. Registrants will be contacted after the application deadline.

All parents/guardians of participants in HMAC's Delta GEMS Youth Program must sign and complete the required Risk Management forms before their youth can attend any Delta GEMS events. Click Here to access the forms. The forms can be submitted via email to deltagems@hmacdelta.org or dropped off at the location and on a date to be announced later. Click here for a copy of the Risk Management Parent Guardian Guidebook.

It is mandatory for parents/guardians and their student to attend the parent and student orientation currently scheduled for September 30, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. REGISTER HERE for the session.

For specific program questions, please contact: deltagems@hmacdelta.org

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EMBODI

EMBODI is designed to refocus on the plight of African-American males to enable them to reach their fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action. The delivery options may include a town hall meeting, workshops and/or teen leadership summits. The HMAC EMBODI program services African American males between the ages of 11 and 14 (i.e., middle school) residing in the Houston area. This year the HMAC EMBODI program will add a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) component.

The EMBODI sessions are typically held October through May of each year but have not yet been scheduled for this year. As with all of our youth programs, EMBODI participants, just as our volunteers and mentors, are asked to commit to attend approximately six monthly meetings. Participants must also embrace the EMBODI’s principles and adhere to the EMBODI's Code of Conduct.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Houston Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter’s (HMAC) Scholarship Program has been in existence since the chapter‘s inception. HMAC awards scholarships to high school students in Houston graduating from a school within our service area. In the first year, HMAC awarded a book scholarship valued at $500.00. Since the first year, through the dedicated efforts of the Chapter, the type and amount awarded to deserving students has significantly increased every year. The Chapter has awarded over $700,000 in scholarships to over 200 area high school students. Scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors who have demonstrated a significant level of academic success, social awareness, and community involvement, as they pursue a goal of higher education.

Eligibility

Applicants must live in the Houston area or attend a school in our service area. The Scholarship Committee evaluates candidates based on community service, academic achievement, a personal statement, a written essay and letters of recommendation. Community service is the essential component of the award. All applicants must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited two or four-year college/university in the summer or in the year of the award.

HMAC provides payment of all scholarship money, on behalf of the recipient, directly to the college or university where the recipient is enrolled. HMAC scholarship awards may only be used to pay tuition, room and board and fees. Students may apply for the HMAC scholarship, even if they have applied for or received scholarship awards from any other source, including other chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The scholarship will only be granted for the academic year that it is awarded.

To apply for a scholarship, you may complete an electronic application, along with the necessary documentation (essay, personal statement, letters of recommendation, photo, and official transcript).

A detailed listing of available scholarships can be found here.

The 2023 application period is closed.

For specific scholarship questions, please contact: scholarships@hmacdelta.org