Our Programs

As a national initiative, Financial Fortitude was designed to help sorority members and local communities attain personal wealth and financial security. Financial Fortitude was established as a result of increasing unemployment, Social Security debts, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty.

Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances. Workshops are focused on topics such as debt management and reduction, retirement, financing for college, investing, insurance, estate and home ownership, savings, and entrepreneurship.

The Black Business Expo promotes and supports Black entrepreneurship and wealth by providing a platform for local Black-owned businesses to gain exposure to new clientele and network with one another. This event primarily aims to:

1. Create spaces for local Black businesses, entrepreneurs, authors and other talents to showcase their products and services in the Downtown Burlington area, 
2. Connect community members to an abundance of Black-owned businesses and services and foster deep relationships, and
3. Cultivate opportunities for Black businesses and entrepreneurs in Alamance County to expand their market base and ultimately thrive.

Delta GEMS is a program developed by the National Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as a transition for African-American young ladies. A natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy: Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Delta GEMS was created to catch the dreams of African-American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provide the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for the Delta GEMS Institute are:

1. To instill the need to excel academically;
2. To  provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success;
3. To assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond;
4. To create compassionate, caring, community minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.

The Delta GEMS program offers a road map for college and career planning conducts activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy (Delta Academy) is a national initiative that serves girls ages 11-14 from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures. Delta Academy provides an opportunity for Burlington Alumnae members to enhance the educational and enrichment activities to girls from the Alamance County School district.  Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology, their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning defined as the cultivation and maintenance of relationships. A primary goal of the Delta Academy is to prepare young girls for full participation as leader in the 21st Century.

Delta Academy has taken many forms in some chapters, the Academies are after-school or Saturday programs; others are weekly or biweekly throughout the school year; and still other programs occur monthly. At a minimum, chapters plan and implement varied activities based upon the needs of the early adolescents in their area. The activities implemented most often include computer training, self-esteem and etiquette workshops, field trips for science experiences and for college exposure, and special outings to cultural events, fancy dinners, museum, plays and concerts.

June Marie Thompson Blood & Bone Marrow Drive and Community Health Fair is a local initiative for Physical and Mental Health of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. June Marie was an outstanding member of the Alamance-Burlington community who was a bone marrow donor and blood transfusion recipient and a member of both Jack & Jill and Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. The yearly healthy living and educational outreach activity is sponsored in her honor memorializing and recognizing June Marie’s commitment to community service.  With the support of the community, this event has grown to become Alamance County’s largest African - American blood drive.  Additionally, the Health Fair assists members of the community to be aware of their health risks, important routine health screenings, mental health and promoting healthier lifestyle choices for self-improvement every day.  

Red Goes Pink is a local initiative for Breast cancer awareness in effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment. Red Goes Pink takes the initiative by getting closely involved within the community through educational events ,community outreach and participation in local Health Fairs. We have made an annual commitment to participate and volunteer with one of Cone Healths community hospitals Alamance Regional in the Annual “Pink Party” which is a breast cancer awareness event that provides health education , zumba , line dancing and more. Although October is breast cancer awareness month Burlington Alumnae committee members for Red Goes Pink work year round closely to continue to promote the cause and the importance of education . Our committee members vow to assist in any way possible , one of our biggest participation and outreach opportunities is the Chapter Health Fair in which committee members offer education and screenings for those in the community.

Political Awareness and Involvement emphasizes the importance of being involved and educated on social and political issues that affect our community. These issues include but not limited to voter registrations, voter education, criminal justice system, and international concerns. Some of our activities include annual participation in Delta Day at the Capitol, voter registration drives, providing unbiased information on local, state and national elections and initiatives; and supporting communication to local, state and federal elected officials in support or opposition to proposed legislation. 

Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated has been in “Social Action” since the inception in January 1913. The twenty two founders were concerned with social welfare, academic excellence and cultural enrichment. In March 1913, our Founders marched in the Women’s Suffrage March under Delta Sigma Theta banner, which constitutes as the first public act of the sorority. Today, low voter turnout statistics highlight the need to continue to identify ways to include opportunities for all citizens to exercise their voting power.  Each of the Delta’s programmatic initiatives has an advocacy component that is implemented under the auspices of social action when it is appropriate or necessary to do so.

Under the auspices of the National Social Action Commission, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. continues to institute programs that advocate:

• Sponsoring Voter Registration and voter education programs
• Combating Voter Suppression
• Affordable Health care and access to quality health care
• Racial profiling
• The full restoration of voting rights for individuals who have paid their debt to society (ex-offenders).
• Support for HBCU
• Political Awareness and Involvement
• Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment
• Gender Equality