PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

CHAPTER PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

Since its founding in 1913 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has clearly distinguished itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans. Over the years, a wide range of programs addressing education, health, international development, and strengthening of the African American family have evolved. In realizing its mission, Delta Sigma Theta provides an extensive array of public service initiatives through its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FINANCIAL FORTITUDE

Economic stability is a key element in creating and maintaining strong communities. To address the need for economic development, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. put forth Financial Fortitude, a process specifically designed to promote understanding of all aspects of the financial system, including budgeting, home ownership, personal wealth management, entrepreneurship, & the steps to financial freedom.

LASB’s Economic Development Committee provides information and facilitates discussion regarding relevant local, state, and national financial topics with its chapter members and the community through workshops and other events.

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

As an organization of college-educated women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. plays an active role in the educational movement, seeking to inspire, motivate, and support the aspirations and achievement of youth and young adults.

THE CARTER-WEAVER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Each year, the Los Angeles South Bay Alumnae Chapter awards scholarships to graduating high school students through the Carter-Weaver Scholarship Program. Scholarship funds are generated through the Chapter’s annual fundraising initiatives and longstanding commitment to educational access. To date, the Chapter has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships, supporting students as they pursue higher education and long-term academic success.

DR. BETTY SHABAZZ DELTA ACADEMY

The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy was created out of an urgent need to save our young females ages 11-14 from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem and crippled futures. This program provides an opportunity for local Delta chapters to enrich and enhance the education that our young teens receive in schools across the nation. Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology, their opportunities to provide service through leadership and sisterhood, and the development and maintenance of healthy relationships.

LASB recruits young females each year to participate in workshops, field trips, and other activities involving such topics as etiquette, technology, cultural awareness, self-awareness, and personal finance.

DR. JEANNE L. NOBLE DELTA GEMS

(Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully)

The Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS was created as an expansion of the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy to encompass at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. The Delta GEMS framework is composed of five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, Show Me the Money, Service, and Infinitely Complete), forming a road map for college and career planning.

The goals for Delta GEMS are:

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

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT (IAI)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has an enduring legacy of dedication to international issues and their resolution, especially those related to women, children, and health and wellness. This focus has resulted in the establishment of multiple chapters outside of the United States and active participation in initiatives that address the needs of the global community. In fact, the sorority has identified seven noteworthy projects in Africa and Haiti that merit its support and commitment. LASB’s IAI projects typically make mention of these projects or will be directed toward them, reinforcing Delta’s role in advancing its global mission. In addition to other key efforts, our chapter prioritizes robust engagement with the Day of the Girl, World AIDS Day, and the advancement of Delta Sigma Theta’s Sustainability Plan.

Day Of the Girl

October 11th marks the annual observance of the Day of the Girl Child. Each year, Delta chapters around the world are called upon to implement impactful programming that uplifts, empowers, and motivates girls to pursue greatness, regardless of the obstacles they may encounter. As college-educated women, we are committed to ensuring that future generations of young ladies recognize their limitless potential as they strive toward their dreams and ambitions. All activities are intentionally aligned with Delta’s core projects, and frequently, these programs showcase the talents of chapter members or foster collaboration with other chapter committees, further amplifying their reach and effectiveness.

World AIDS Day

For Delta Sigma Theta chapters, World AIDS Day represents a powerful opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to reaffirm their commitment to health equity and social justice. The Los Angeles South Bay Alumnae chapter embraces this responsibility with intention and purpose. Through open dialogue, culturally relevant education, and impactful outreach, the chapter works to strengthen community resilience, advance equitable access to care, and inspire collective action to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly within Black and Brown communities. In recognition of these outstanding efforts, the chapter received a regional award in 2025 for its exemplary World AIDS Day programming, highlighting its leadership and dedication to this critical cause.

IAI Sustainability Fund

All chapters—whether local or international, alumnae or collegiate—are encouraged to contribute at least $200 every two years, or $100 annually, to the IAI Sustainability Fund. These contributions empower chapters to unite in supporting Delta Sigma Theta’s seven designated projects spanning Africa and Haiti, which focus on vital areas such as education, teacher training, and healthcare. Chapters frequently organize fundraising activities with the Sustainability Fund as the beneficiary. Notably, our chapter hosted a highly successful restaurant fundraiser during the 2024-25 sorority year, directly benefiting this important cause.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

As an organization of predominately African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is uniquely positioned to impact not only the well-being of its members, but also the well-being of families and communities at large. To facilitate this effort, a Health Task Force was launched to educate and facilitate lifestyle change for the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of sorority members and the communities we serve. The Health Task Force objectives are to:

• Raise awareness about the importance and benefits of lifestyle changes that affect longevity, morbidity, and mortality;
• Identify organizational alliances for the sorority that will work to address pertinent health issues; and
• Develop and implement health-focused programs within the sorority and the communities we serve.

Accepting the charge of the Health Task Force, LASB actively implements programs with an emphasis on physical and mental health.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

LASB is a Food Sub-distributor through the efforts of the USDA food distribution program. Each month, this program assists low income families by providing nutritional meals and health information at no cost. During its eighteen years of operation, the project has served an average of 100 families per month.

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

The Women Helping Women Committee works very closely with His Sheltering Arms, a substance abuse treatment center that focuses on women and mothers. LASB has a long history of participation with this organization and its participants. Each year, the chapter hosts various programs at the center, including but not limited to, a poetry writing workshop, a Black History program, and serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Over the years, LASB has also donated toys, books, personal goods, and monetary gifts to the women and children at His Sheltering Arms.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR THE FAMILY:

Preserving Mind, Body & Spirit

The LASB Health Resources Committee disseminates pertinent mental and physical health information to the chapter members, leads group exercise during chapter meetings, promotes local fundraisers with a focus on combating disease that affects the African American and female populations, and hosts an annual community health fair with other Delta Sigma Theta chapters.

POLITICAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

In March of 1913, nearly six weeks after its founding, several Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Founders participated in the historic Women’s’ Suffrage March under the Delta Sigma Theta banner, the sorority’s first public act. This act set the tone for the sorority’s future endeavors and today, political awareness and involvement is a major fabric of the organization. A National Social Action Commission was formed to promote the legislative initiatives of the sorority, its membership, and the communities we serve. The Social Action Commission also serves to empower chapters to remain actively involved in local, state, and national political issues.

VOTER EDUCATION & REGISTRATION

The Los Angeles South Bay Alumnae Chapter maintains a strong and consistent commitment to civic engagement and voter empowerment. In collaboration with fellow Delta Sigma Theta chapters across Los Angeles County, the Chapter regularly participates in voter registration and education initiatives designed to inform community members of their rights and responsibilities.

Through the work of its Social Action Committee, the Chapter has long championed efforts to increase voter participation—most notably through initiatives such as the “I Promise to Vote” campaign launched during the 2008 presidential election. Today, these efforts continue year-round, reflecting the Chapter’s belief that civic engagement extends beyond exercising the right to vote to actively registering, educating, and supporting voters within the communities we serve.

PUBLIC POLICY & LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

During each election cycle, LASB hosts town hall and informational meetings to hear from representatives of local, state, and national candidates, as well as, disseminate materials on ballot initiatives that affect the residents of California.

DELTA DAYS AT THE NATION’S CAPITAL

In 1989, the National Social Action Commission instituted Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital, an annual legislative conference to increase members’ involvement in the national public policy-making process. The annual conference includes legislative briefings, issue forums, and advocacy skills development. Featured speakers include key policy makers, members of the United States Congress, Congressional staff members, and national issues experts.

DELTA DAYS IN SACRAMENTO

Delta Days in Sacramento is an annual legislative conference for the sorority’s members in the State of California. Each year we travel to the state capital to meet with our state assembly and senate representatives to address pressing public policy concerns facing the South Bay and Los Angeles communities. Like Delta Days at the Nation’s Capital, the conference includes legislative briefings, issue forums, and advocacy skills development.

ARTS AND LETTERS COMMITTEE

The National Arts and Letters Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was established in 1973 to promote Black culture and artistic expression. The Commission advances this mission by supporting artists, developing cultural programs, and increasing awareness of African American contributions across the visual, literary, and performing arts. Through signature initiatives such as Delta Authors on Tour, Red Carpet events, and educational workshops, the Commission uplifts positive Black imagery and amplifies creative voices in media and the arts.

Locally, the Los Angeles South Bay Alumnae Chapter’s Arts and Letters Committee carries this mission forward by actively engaging members in performing arts, visual arts, literary events, and other cultural experiences throughout the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area. Continuing this legacy of cultural leadership, the Chapter is proud to host Delta Authors on Tour in Los Angeles this Spring 2026, celebrating the literary excellence of Delta authors while fostering meaningful dialogue, artistic appreciation, and community connection.