The FORTitude Double Edition July - December 2022

Contact Information and Submission Requirements

We are excited to present another double edition of The FORTitude, which chronicles the achievements of the Fort Bragg Area Alumnae Chapter from July through December, 2022. Chapter members and committee chairs are welcome to provide content and/or commentary (i.e., picture collages, upcoming events, personal accomplishments, birthdays, Deltaversaries, etc.). Verbiage should be no longer that 300 words. We reserve the right to edit your submission, if necessary. To avoid stretched/distorted images, please submit pictures in the original size. We will make the necessary adjustments. To follow is the schedule for submission of content:

Quarters:

Due Dates:

Q1: July-September September 15th

Q2: October – December December 15th

Q3: January – March March 15th

Q4: April – June June 15th

The next issue will cover the months of January through March, 2023. If you would like to submit content, please contact us at dst.rmt@gmail.com . The submission deadline for the next issue (Quarter 3) is March 15, 2023.

Sandra Collins, Editor The FORTitude

1st and 2nd Quarters

July – December, 2022

In This Issue

President’s Perspective P.01

COVER STORY: And the Winner is…

Fort Bragg Captures Top Honor at Regional Conference! P.02

Gettin’ S.A.S.sy with It: Chapter Sets its sights on Increasing Service Area Impact! P.03

Committee Spotlight: Gold Top Pages P.04-P.07

Survivor Sorors P.08

Soror Spotlight/ Birthdays/ Up Coming Events P.09

Say Cheese!: Our Sisterhood in Pictures –P.10

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae

FBAAC CHARTER member is named South-Atlantic Region’s “Delta Dear of the Year” at the SAR 30th Conference in Richmond, VA.

Deirdre Capers smile for the camera as they bask in Delta Love at the Sorors in Sundresses Brunch, sponsored by the Membership Services committee.

Chapter member Angela Hurley attends the 2022 Le Dinner En Rouge in TRUE Diva style!

The President’s Perspective

THE DELTA IN THE MIRROR:

-Attend National Conventions?

-Attend Regional Conference?

-Sign up for and work on committees?

Or are you comfortable sitting on the sidelines?

Sometimes you must step out of your comfort zone and get into the G.A.M.E

Grow in Delta’s KNOWLEDGE and VISION

Achieve the vision through ACTION.

Motivate others to get INVOLVED.

Extend SISTERLY COURTESIES

When I look at you, I see myself. If my eyes are unable to see you as my sister, it is blurred, and if that be so, then it is I who need you - either because I do not understand who you are, my sister, or because I need you to help me understand who I am.

- Lillian Pierce Benbow, 15th National President

Tywanna D. Frazier Chapter President

“ARE YOU WILLING TO PUT SKIN IN THE G.A.M.E.?”

Fort Bragg Area Alumnae Captures Top Honor at the 30th South Atlantic Regional Conference

To say that chapter members were ecstatic, would be an understatement. Fort Bragg had barely finished showering congratulations on chapter member Glenell Smoot, who was named Delta Dear of the Year for the Region, when chapter president Tywanna Frazier and vice president, Tara Lee- Brown were running to the podium as it was announced that Fort Bragg Area Alumnae was named SouthAtlantic Region’s 2022 Alumnae Chapter of the Year ! The chapter started the evening with high hopes as competitive packages for several categories were submitted; none of which produced the desired outcome. With expectations wanning, the chapter’s name rang out over the sound system, and Sorors erupted into cheers and screams! This is Fort Bragg’s second Chapter of the Year recognition in 4 years!

Congratulations to ALL chapter members, for the extraordinary effort through innovative committee programming and support!

As we began the 2022-2023 Sorority Year, one of Leadership's initiatives was the establishment of Service Area Support Teams, (S.A.S Teams). Introduced at the chapter’s leadership retreat, S.A.S Teams intent is to of establish "boots on the ground" in our Service Areas cities; open up lines of communication with the city administration and form partnerships with organizations in the city to help address the city's needs. Leadership’s focus is for FBAAC to have "skin in the game" in our Service Areas. The FIRST step for the S.A.S. Teams was to start “Fact Finding Missions” in their target areas and to look for ways that FBAAC could support existing community programming. City Council connection possibilities include sitting in on monthly meetings. Partnership opportunities with local organizations in the area is also a consideration.

Leadership scheduled Zoom meetings during September with the three S.A.S. Teams to provide further guidance. Sorors living in the 3 service areas will automatically be assigned to their perspective teams. Sorors living in Fayetteville are encouraged to join the S.A.S. team closest to them or the S.A.S. team of their choice.

Meet our Service Area Support Team Leaders

Jakima Hill Spring Lake (Cumberland/Harnett County)

Angela Wallace Hope Mills (Cumberland County)

Vanessa Edmundson Raeford (Hoke County)

Our committees have done it again! For the first half of the sororal year, the chapter has implemented 13 initiatives, programs, actions of service, chapter-member engagements and/or fund-raising events! We raised over $9,000.00 for chapter scholarships and programs! On behalf of Leadership, the FORTitude is pleased to SPOTLIGHT the efforts of the following committees, for innovative and creative programing: ARTS AND LETTERS: Sakeeta Lewis, MILITARY SERVICES AND SUPPORT: Bridgette Giacomucci, Chair, MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: Melissa Robinson-Ellis, 2nd Vice President and Chair; PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH: Nikkia Lee, Chair; ADHOC SILVER ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE: Sandra Collins, Chair; and FUNDRAISING: Coralisa Palmer Matthews, Chair.

Check out the following COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT Gold Top Pages for a recap of everything we continued to do in 2022.

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH – Fort Bragg, N.C.

FBAAC collaborated with the Force Support Squadron at Pope Army Airfield to volunteer for their Back to School Bash on August 12th. Sorors assisted with distribution of school supplies to students in military housing on the airfield, establishing a “footprint” in that area of the military installation.

LEADERSHIP RETREAT – Fort Bragg, N.C.

The FBAAC Executive Board held its annual Leadership Retreat on fort Bragg, N.C., on August 6th - 8th. Chapter leadership focused on review of impact in our service areas, by introducing Service Area Support Teams (S.A.S.) to assess current needs. Shout outs to our Executive Committee and Finance Team for keeping FBAAC’s operational and fiscal houses in order!

SORORS IN SUNDRESSES BRUNCH - Membership Services

The Membership Services committee continues to bring positive and engaging and memorable events to build on our chapter’s R.O.C.K.

(Rekindling Our Chapter Kindship)! The Sorors in Sundresses

Brunch was no exception. The event (held on August 27th, at the Treyburn Clubhouse), also served as a reclamation opportunity, which welcome several new Sorors to our chapter’s membership.

“Rep Your Decade” was the highlight of the afternoon, where Sorors who were initiated in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s competed for the best dance moves.

The dancing! The dresses! The Divas...Oh my!

RED-CARPET EVENT FEATURING “THE WOMAN KING – Arts and Letters

Arts and Letters first event to start off the Red- Carpet season, was a SOLD-OUT private showing held on September 18, 2022 at the Millstone 14 in Hope Mills, NC, featuring “The Woman King”. Arts and Letters partnered with a local business to provide an opportunity for our guests to purchase a discounted dessert for the ride home.

YARD SALE WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE –Military Services and Support

Our Military Services and Support committee hosted its 4th Annual Yard Sale held on September 24th, in the parking lot of Tru Fit Gym, in Hope Mills, N.C. The event hosted approximately 20 vendors, who provided shoppers with a variety of items to purchase, including clothing, furniture, jewelry, home décor, small appliances, and novelty pieces. The event raised over $ 1,000.00 for use during our holiday celebration for selected military families.

SELF DEFENSE CLASS TO MARK DOMESTIC VIOLENSE AWARENESS MONTH – Mental and Physical Health Committee

October was a big month for mental and physical health causes that disproportionately affect women. The Mental and Physical Health Committee helped the chapter mark the occasion by hosting a Self Defense Class. The Family Martial Arts Academy provided instruction to equip attendees with tools to stave off would be attackers. October was also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The committee marked the occasion with an informational PSA and a tribute to chapter members (on social media), who have survived this devasting disease.

YOUTH INITIATIVES GET OFF TO A GREAT START – Educational Development

The Youth Initiatives Programs kicked off their program year at Westover Middle School, in October. Guests, parents, and youth were given an overview of each of the Youth Initiative programs, along with Risk Management requirements and calendar of events. Groups were assigned to breakout rooms where they were able to get acquainted with youth leaders from Delta Academy, Delta G.E.M.S. and E.M.B.O.D.I. and fellow participants.

GETTING OUT THE VOTE – Social Actions

Social Actions Committee used social media platforms to educate the public about voting in the State of North Carolina and encouraging citizens to get out and vote.

Commemorating World AIDS Day – Physical and Mental Health social media was also used educate the public about prevention as a tool to combat this devastating disease.

Le DINNER EN ROUGE – Membership Services

Membership Services always aims to please with a variety of programing and events to promote Joy in our Sisterhood. Le Dinner En Rouge, an elegant popup picnic event, was staged on the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College. This fundraising event was in support of newly established Cheryl A. Hickmon Scholarship, at the Delta Research and Educational Foundation. Sorors received location information along with instructions for setup and what to bring, via email. The event raised over $1,000.00.

CHAPTER SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – ADHOC Committee

FBAAC celebrated over 25 years of service to the Fort Bragg, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, and Raeford communities on November 12th, 2022. It was the first time that chapter members were able to gather in-person since the pandemic to commemorate the milestone, which was reached in 2021! The ADHOC committee partnered with PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, as well as ARTS AND LETTERS to provide chapter members and guests with a weekend of wellness/community service, cultural and social events, which included a 5K W alk/Run (open to the community), that raised over $800.00 and a Red-Carpet event featuring the movie Wakanda Forever, at Millstone 14 in Hope Mills, NC. The SOLD-OUT Arts and Letters event was so popular, that a second theater was requested for a total seating capacity of approximately 400 guests! Charter members, Fort Bragg “Made” line sisters, Past Presidents and Chapter Members were able to reconnect and share memories at a Friday night, pre-celebration meet and greet. Four of the five Fort Bragg lines were represented during the weekend. Sorors were presented with a commemorative coin (a military tradition) to mark the occasion. The chapter also established the “FBAAC Legacy Scholarship at the Delta Research and Educational Foundation, raising $2,500 in honor of this momentous occasion.

FORT BRAGG CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING/ WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA– Military Services and Support

FBAAC continued its yearly support of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Fort Bragg Military Installation. Each year chapter Sorors man Santa’s Tent to spread Christmas cheer and help families take pictures with Santa! Chapter members facilitated the flow of families coming through the tent; took pictures; assisted with strollers and encouraged the “Little Ones” to bravely sit with Santa and Mrs. Klaus! Each year over 200 people are served. FBAAC continued its annual support of Wreaths Across America donating well over 150 wreaths.

July

Educator Small Business Owner

Birthdays

Tracey Morrison - 3rd

Karen Jeffers 13th

Paula Johnson - 13th

Latonya Thompson - 14th

Carol Jones - 15th

Destiny Little 16th

Sasha Moore - 16th

Gretchen Walker - 17th

Lanette Kelly - 18th

Belinda Bryant - 19th

Thomasena Irving - 21st

Diane Brown - 22nd

Crystal Turner - 23rd

Donna Lee - 24th

Ciera Lloyd - 28th

Doreen Block - 29th

October

Kalotta Richards -6th

Tara Lee-Brown - 8th

Crystal Matthews - 12th

Brenda White - 14th

Crystal Godbolt 15th

Camelia Gunn – 16th

Vivian Melvin-Salas – 19th

Janie James - 20th

Deidra Blue – 23rd

SaKeeta Lewis - 23rd

Glenell Smoot - 26th

Sharon Ballard - 27th

August

Aldina Lyons - 4th

Kayla Lee - 5th

Tina Jones-Faison - 10th

Jasmine Underwood - 13th

Angelena Mitchell - 15th

Patricia White - 27th

September

Tywanna Frazier - 2nd

Asia McNeill – 3rd

Tyesha Walker - 3rd

Sherell Stuart - 7th

Bridget Light - 11th

Mectio Johnson-Mulla - 18th

Nicole Benson – 21st

Roxie Dewitt-Dawson - 21st

Krystal Sessoms - 22nd

Erica Shaw - 23rd

Kristen Ryce - 25th

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

November

Tecia Cogdell – 14th

Alice Faye Baker-Powell - 15th

Selina Walker - 16th

Tovahn Scott - 21st

Jacqueline Washington-Brown - 25th

D'Shawn Russell - 28th

LaTonya Adams – 28th

December

Nikkia Lee – 1st

Azure Utley - 1st

Dawn McGee - 5th

LaWanda Underwood - 9th

Ke'Sha Ridges - 11th

Tramaine Orellana – 17th

Georgianna Thomas – 19th

Destiny Baker – 22nd

LaShawna Hill - 23rd

Telisa Watkins – 25th

Deveril Wint - 25th

Cassandra Walston McLaurin 29th

MARCH

30th SA Regional Conference

Leadership Retreat

First Chapter Meeting of the Year

Arts and Letters – “Woman King

Roadside Cleanup

SOCIAL ACTIONS: Fort Bragg and Fayetteville Alumnae Presidents and respective Social Actions committees support our National Chaplain Soror Vashti McKenzie as she stomps for various 2022 candidate in the State of North Carolina. FBAAC’s Social Actions committee continued voter registration and education opportunities in-person and on social media.

Youth Initiatives

Military Support Services - 4th Annual Yard

Sorors In Sundresses

Le Dinner En Rouge

FBAAC’s Silver Anniversary Celebration

Supporting the Cheryl A. Hickmon Scholarship