Detroit Delta Newsletter - 2022-2023

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Greings MY SORORS

We made it! We are still here! Detroit Deltas have weathered the storm of a global pandemic – beginning the 2021-2023 biennium with virtual programming, easing into in-person events outside and in masks and finally in person without those emergency precautions. Through it all we operated in good order, bonded by sisterhood.

As I leave office, I want to offer some very special thanks! To my past presidents, please know that you all are simply the best. Thank you for your advice, your listening ear, and your strong, positive motherly encouragement. Thank you for pushing me forward and for having my back whenever I needed you. From the bottom of my heart I thank you!

Our Chapter is blessed with unsung heroes as Fay Jackson and Schannon Love consistently volunteer to deliver the world-class artwork that gives DAC an amazing “graphic look” – coming through for this Chapter in sickness and in health, and I thank them as well.

To my Dynamic Detroit Alumnae Chapter sorors! Oh my. What can I say about such a wonderful group of women. You are my tribe – my Delta Moms, My Special Soror Sisters and My Fierce Delta Friends. It’s a joy to call this chapter home. I love you, Detroit Alumnae Chapter.

This biennium we pulled out all of the stops to Elevate Our Service with Passion, Purpose and Progress. We set new standards for what it means to serve!

Because these two years presented such unprecedented challenges, our Physical and Mental Health Committee focused on our mental health, the balm of faith and cautioned us to care for the men in our lives. Together, we made sure to educate our community by providing scholarships to those who achieved excellence but were in need. During this biennium, we collaborated with our metro Detroit sister chapters to raise and donate $16,625 to the United Negro College Fund. During May Week we donated more than $5,000 to the Second Ebenezer Church Scholarship Fund. And we did not stop there! Our Chapter awarded $29,000 in scholarships the first year and will award another $32,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors the second year of this biennium.

Sorors Shirley Chisholm and Marian Wright Edelman both famously declared that, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” And boy did we pay our rent in service this biennium.

We completed our commitment to stock a Mother’s Room at Hutzel Hospital. Sorors, you answered the call and supplied more than $21,000 worth of baby items to support mothers who do not have the finances to provide for their children. We also supported Black businesses, pouring more than $20,000 back into our community in just one day as we supported our regional initiative, MIDS Day Buy Black. We inaugurated the Black Girl Magic Business Shower and awarded a total of $2,500 to three businesses. International Awareness and Involvement raised $3,214.97 for the Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital in Thika, Kenya, as we also elevated the community’s knowledge of African culture with the West African Dance Workshop and International Cooking Class.

The Chapter purchased three new sewing machines and sewing tables for the Avalon Village in Highland Park. We have provided 300 Christmas Angel gifts to needy children and 320 veterans found out how much Detroit Deltas cared about them when we Loved Our Vets for Valentines Day. We provided dinner for the students from Howard University who came to Detroit for their Alternative Spring Break service project. We donated 206 books to our charitable partner, the March of Dimes, and we are the proud sponsors of the Free Little Library Initiative in partnership with United Way of Southeastern Michigan, working together to increase literacy in the city of Detroit. Sorors also tutored at SDM2 in our community every Wednesday.

Our social action initiatives allowed us to use our collective strength to voice our opinions about issues including a woman’s right to choose. To this end, we registered approximately 500 voters. Our innovative programming included, Reimagining Public Safety youth and police dialogue, Road to Restoration to secure a driver’s license, and expungement fairs where we helped more than 300 citizens get their records cleared.

We are the UNCF Top Fundraisers for both 2021 and 2022, for a combined $13,000. Ditto for our win as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Top Membership Drive for Greek letter organizations in both 2021 and 2022.

The success of our HBCU College Fair was evident in the massive turnout of colleges and youth as the Delta GEMS’ event hosted some 700 participants.

Other accomplishments for individual members included the celebration of two 75 year members, Frances Clemons and Alice Smith. We also started our Leadership Program, the Lillian Pierce Benbow Leadership Program which won 2nd Place for the Midwest Region Leadership of Excellence Award in its inaugural year.

Detroit Alumnae Chapter, you Elevated Your Service with Passion, Purpose and Progress and that is why Detroit Deltas have been recognized in dozens of ways!

Our Chapter received $102,500 in donations, grants and sponsorships because we are recognized as good stewards of programming dollars.

Our Chapter has two members serving on National committees, seven members serving on the Regional level, and I am proud to serve as the Michigan State Coordinator. LaNeice Jones was elected as our Midwest Member of the National Scholarship and Standards Committee.

Our Chapter was featured in the media with news coverage for our community service programming and fundraising efforts on Channels 4, 7 and 20, and we were also featured on the Detroit Public TV “Making Black Detroit Town Hall.”

We ended this biennium with a successful fundraiser, a concert with Grammy Nominated Raheem Devaughnand with our 39th Annual Art Auction which was back in-person this year.

DAC, you are a stellar Chapter indeed!

Thank you for raising the bar and for keeping me honest, prayed up and protected. My experience as your leader has been a joy for me. Leadership is not for the faint at heart, it’s for those who heard and understand the call of the people. It was truly my pleasure to serve as your 43rd DAC president.

Please enjoy this end-of-the-year newsletter that captures the highlights of 2022-2023.

Loving you on purpose,

Katrenia L. Camp

Katrenia L. Camp, President

Memories & Moments

2022 REGIONAL CONFERENCE in Minneapolis, Minnesota WHERE PURPLE REIGNS

The 2022-2023 Detroit Delta Chapter Year Kicked Off With ROUND UP 2022

Chair Tyra Butler and Co-Chair Sharon Wilson dreamt up this fun dress up event –and sorors came through with the hats! And We’re Off!

A very special celebration of two 75-year members, Sorors Frances Clemmons and Alice Smith.

L-R: Tyra L. Butler, Co-Chair, Katrenia L. Camp, President and Sharon L. Wilson, Chair

L-R: Shirletha Binion, 31st Past President, Sorors Frances Clemmons and Katrenia L. Camp, President

The elected officers were “fascinating” about the head with a beautiful array of fascinators and hats!

L-R: Soror Alice Smith, Katrenia L. Camp, President and Lois E. Bingham, 41st Past President

Detroit Delta Style!

The Founders Day 2023 COMMITTEE

FOUNDERS DAY 2023

Founders Day emcee, Soror Megan Woods, is a reporter with Detroit’s NBC affiliate, WDIV Local 4.

Sorors gathered for the Friday night conversation

Sisterhood...

working together to strengthen our bond

WHO ARE WE! DAC!!!

Our Chapter’s history informs our path forward. The Heritage & Archives Committee – headed by Chair LaCharmine Jefferson, Co-Chair Barbara A. Kellom, and member Mardi Woods - gave sorors a chance to view videos from our past in order to spread the preserved institutional knowledge to newer Chapter members. The rich interaction with seasoned sorors also highlighted this virtual series. We want more!

Membership Services Chair Second Vice President Yolanda Day keeps the sisterhood party going – providing the fuel for energetic service!

May Week

Chair Brittany Knox and Co-Chair Marcileen Pruitt deemed the series of events as May Week 2022: Elevating our Sisterhood in the Year of 22. The activities were:

Chair Brittany KnoxCo-Chair Marcileen Pruitt

The Arts!

A R T A U

C T I

More than 150 people turned out to celebrate the unique art of African American performance! the

art of African American performance

Art Auction 2023 Committee

Scholarship

First Vice President

Stephanie L. Williams headed up the Scholarship and Program Planning & Development.

Programming includes the Community Outreach Committee, ERT, Delta Gems and EMBODI, International Awareness and Involvement, Economic Development and Physical & Mental Health. And of course – Scholarship!

Our chapter awarded $29,000 in scholarships the first year and will award another $32,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors the second year of this biennium.

Scholarship

UNCF

$8015 raised - and counting as Delta "steps up" for education and retains the title of Top Greek Fundraising team!

Trophy accepted by (L-R)

UNCF Liaison Lisa Thompkins, team led by President Katrenia L. Camp and First VP Stephanie L. Williams.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE BUILDING LEADERSHIP

Chair Lynisha Oliver led the committee in conducting a Talent Survey, then successfully paired 38 sorors with coach/advisors/mentors to learn more about the leadership roles in DAC – as well as holding a Delta Resume Workshop to prepare sorors to lead.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

Sylvia J. Cox, Chair and Dr. Sherryl Hinton-Scott, Co-Chair presented both winter and summer “Safety Tips for All.” Experts presented on Pet Safety, HVAC Safety, Fire Safety and Bicycle Safety.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Chair and Co-Chairs

Nutrena Tate, Harolyn Baker and Patricia Blount

FINANCIAL WELLNESS FOR WOMEN: CHANGING THE ODDS!

The Ann Arbor, Detroit, Inkster, Macomb, Southfield and Pontiac Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.. collaborated with the Sorority's national D-free partner, Prudential, to offer a series of FREE financial wellness educational seminars through Prudential Pathways.

LILLIAN PIERCE BENBOW LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Chair LaNeice Jones and Co-Chair Larmender Davis – both past DAC presidents - provided information and leadership development training: Lessons in Leadership. Attendees received tools, resources, and reflection questions to process new learning and understanding. They held a series of leadership development workshops throughout the sorority year to prepare potential leaders for opportunities in Delta and the community.

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT RAISED $3,214.97 for the Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital in Thika, Kenya.

FUNDRAISER

Latrelle PICKENS CHAIR

Staci BROOKS CO-CHAIR

Service. . . Our Guiding Principle

We inaugurated the Black Girl Magic Business Shower and awarded a total of $2,500 TO THREE BUSINESSES

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community Outreach completed DAC's commitment to outfit a Mother’s Room at Harper Hospital, providing some $20,000 in total goods donated by sorors.

Committee Chair Courtney Hough, Co-Chair Patricia Ford

Service. . .

The Chapter purchased three new sewing machines and sewing tables, for the Avalon Village in Highland Park and presented them to project founder Mama Shu.

Detroit Deltas spreading Christmas cheer - delivering loads of gifts to be distributed by The Salvation Army.

Service. . .

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ////////////////////////////

Month

Beta Area Sister Circle visited the Linwood Fresh Market, a new Black woman-owned business in support of the Sisterhood Month Cash Flash Project. The sorors purchased nutritional snacks, tasty produce, freshly prepared salads, groceries, beverages & ice cream to purchase.

SISTER CIRCLE

Pi Sister Circle’s Sisterhood Month Cash Flash event supported Tauntus Cosmetics Beauty Bar owned by Soror Nadonya Muslim. They purchased Delta paraphernalia, jewelry, and cosmetics.

Next they supported The Locker Room Lounge, owned by Soror Angela Vincent/Lynda Carter. The fellowship was fantastic as sorors from other sister circles joined in!

Service. . . CREATIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Nearly 800 families were served!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LADIES OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.

Thank you to all of the members of the Divine Nine who participated in the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s Annual Membership Drive.

Service. . . CREATIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH

DAC’s Team is a consistent winner, donating dollars to the American Cancer Society while forging the bonds of sisterhood and focusing on health!

Our own Dynamite Delta Steppers Team raised approximately $29,000 for Relay for Life - Detroit. They took 1ST PLACE and Soror Bunni raised the most money.

Service. . . CREATIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH

AND . . . SOCIAL ACTION

The Heartbeat of our Sisterhood

Grand Chapter addressed the U.S. Supreme Court decision that affects women more profoundly than any ruling in recent history.

THE SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Holding banner as they kicked off 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March, in January, L-R are: Social Action Chair Erika Bryant; 1st VP Stephanie Williams; President Katrrenia L . Camp; and Co-Chair Jenice Mitchell Ford. Committee Co-Leads are Nora Hudson and Kimberley Reed Thompson.

AND . . . SOCIAL ACTION

The Heartbeat of our Sisterhood

AND . . . SOCIAL ACTION

The Heartbeat of our Sisterhood

When the subject is politics and the Black community, Detroit Deltas are there to contribute insight and ideas.

Congratulations to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for tackling this key topic – and kudos to DAC members who stood with the Divine 9 (L-R) Michigan Civil Rights Commission Chair Portia Roberson; Delta’s Michigan Social Action Coordinator Donyale Stephen-Atara; and Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell.

When the subject is politics and the Black community, Detroit Deltas are there.

AND . . . SOCIAL ACTION

The Heartbeat of our Sisterhood

Our public Expungement Events are an open door for those with past mistakes to close the door to what is behind them. The June 2022 event explained a process that was ultimately made easier with the enactment of an Automatic Expungement Process – so DAC convened a virtual informational panel to assist in spreading the word.

AND . . . SOCIAL ACTION

The Heartbeat of our Sisterhood

DELTA DAYS in the Nation's Capital

Detroit Deltas are always pleased to advocate for progressive policies, using our influence to both empower and uplift our community. Social Action Committee members met with U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

Detroit Delta Kamilia Landrum heads up the Detroit Branch NAACP.

Donyale Stephen Atara (R) is the Chapter's liaison to the NAACP.

AND . . . SOCIAL ACTION

The Heartbeat of our Sisterhood

INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

International Awareness and Involvement Chair

A’Llana R. Jones and Co-Chair Dionne Shell spread the culture while collecting $3,214.97 to benefit the Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital in Thika, Kenya.

This day is set aside to celebrate HIV survivors, learn about community resources, and gain insight into the advancements in medical research on HIV.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness

Month and International Awareness and Involvement once again partnered with Social Action on a virtual Human Trafficking forum with essential and insightful information.

WAYS to Serve and the MEANS to Do So!

Chairs Latrelle Pickens and Staci Brooks chaired this gala, successful fundraiser! The first time DAC has presented national talent to the city in many years!

YOUTH PROGRAMMING Is Essential Service

The EMBODI COMMITTEE and volunteers at “We’ve Got Next!”

YOUTH PROGRAMMING Is Essential Service

DELTA GEMS Chaired by Jessica Miles, Co-Chairs, Janella Robinson and Ashley Williams, presented the HBCU College Fair that attracted and served more than 700 students and the supportive adults in their lives.

mo an in

YOUTH PROGRAMMING Is Essential Service

hen omp elt magic right Museum of African American

HONORING OUR PAST . . . . . . PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE

By Alicia Nails Chapter Journalist By A Chap

Journalism MATTERS!

We are the daughters of Ida B. Wells, the truth tellers, the scribes. We write the first draft of history and “in future years” they will remember you because of the words and images we captured and communicated. We are journalists.

Grand Chapter has restructured the offices that are elected and moving forward the Chapter journalist will be an appointed position. What better time to look back on the last two decades of this office and how it has evolved over time.

From 2005-07, Marcia Jackson, an engineer and process expert served in this office, learning the working aspects of the Chapter that she would use as she went on to become the 39th president of DAC. Next came educator Nadonya Muslim who from 2007-09 used her experience as an educator to compile the Chapter newsletter. From 2009-11, Attorney Jenice Mitchell Ford brought her research and analytical skills to the mission. These multifaceted sorors stepped up to serve - and it was a job well done!

From that time forward, the Detroit Alumnae Chapter has been served by a collaborative group of professional journalists who also formed the bulk of the Chapter’s public relations committee, which I chair.

From 2011-13, then Detroit Free Press Journalism Program director and copy editor Erin Hill Perry wrote and edited the newsletter. Erin is now managing editor at the prestigious Outlier Media. Taking over for the Sorority’s Centennial celebrations, from 2013-15, was then Free Press reporter Cassandra Spratling. While retired, she is still the paper’s go-to writer for major features on the Black community. During her two terms in office, from 2015-17 and 2017-19, former Freep reporter Chastity Pratt wrote for the groundbreaking Bridge Magazine. She’s since completed a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University and is now the Wall Street Journal’s Education Bureau chief.

It was under Chastity’s leadership that the elected journalist was made chair of the newly formed Information and Communication Committee which includes the Chapter’s PR chair, technology chair and corresponding secretary. I have had the honor of being elected to serve as the journalist for both 2019-21 and 2021-23 – making me the last person to be elected to this position.

In addition, I have also served the Chapter as PR chair for the better part of the last 16 years, branding our image and promoting our work to the public. This is a demanding role supported by a small cadre of dedicated communicators who have served this Chapter well. These include journalists Leslie Allen and Felecia Henderson as well as Nicole Avery Nichols, recently named the first Black woman to lead the Detroit Free Press, as the executive editor. PR pros Tracy Boyce PhD and Lisa Wilmore, who runs her own firm, The Wilmore Agency, are both priceless!

Priceless too is the gifted and giving graphic artist Schannon Love, who delivers stellar designs through thick and thin! And then there is the rock star of the ages! Her Centennial design was so amazing that many Chapters used it – giving it visibility equal to the National logo. Detroit Deltas look good because of her design prowess. She is Fay Jackson, our artist-of-record - known far and wide as Soror Fay!

As I transition to a new role, as the appointed Chapter journalist, I’ll still be working with Chapter PR. I invite you to join us on the Public Relations Committee! We need your energy and your expertise in this digital age as we craft and disseminate messages - minute-by-minute - about the people and projects that form the Dynamic Detroit Alumnae Chapter. Be an “influencer” for DAC!!!

2023-2025 CHAPTER OFFICERS

President Stephanie L. Williams

First Vice President Yolanda D. Day

Second Vice President Brittany Knox

Recording Secretary Kimberly English Davis

Assistant Recording Secretary Sherrice Douglas

Corresponding Secretary Elizabeth Laster Miles

Assistant Corresponding Secretary Courtney Hough

Financial Secretary Dedria Willis

Assistant Financial Secretary Lisa E. Cox Treasurer Patricia Ford

Assistant Treasurer Linda Hendricks

Internal Auditor

Chair, Nominating Committee

Nominating Committee

Nicole Smith

Marcileen C. Pruitt

Kendra Byrd

Teresa L. Harris

Cyndi Penn

Latrelle Pickens

Alanna Price

Bridgette Rudolph