Inkster Alumnae Chapter: Elevating, Enhancing and Empowering

For nearly 64 years, the Inkster Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has had the esteemed honor and pleasure of serving Western Wayne County, delivering on the sorority's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health and Political Awareness and Involvement. This sorority year, the chapter's programming and community efforts were centered around the biennium theme of "Elevating Our Presence, Enhancing Our Sisterhood, Empowering Our Youth and Communities." The goal was to join together to do the work of Delta, all while influencing and impacting change within our Western Wayne County service area.

Economic Development

Our Economic Development committee has a steadfast commitment to encouraging patronization and support of small/minority-owned businesses and equipping individuals within our community with the necessary tools and resources to become financially savvy. The committee held a session entitled "The Score: Women's Credit Knowledge Virtual Workshop" that was focused on sharing information on increasing credit scores, obtaining or improving business credit and creating winning strategies for better economic mobility.

Educational Development

Our Delta G.E.M.S., Delta Academy, and Scholarship & Fundraising committees all share the common goal of pouring into and nurturing our most prized possession, our youth. Throughout the year, they host events that are meant to interact and engage with the youth in our communities, fueling them to be our next generation of leaders. Our Delta G.E.M.S. committee hosted their annual Teen Summit, with this year's theme being "The Passion Project" and featured a youth entrepreneurship expo, that gave teens within our community the ability to showcase their services and sell their products. Delta Academy collaborated with the Delta G.E.M.S. on a service project entitled Project HER. The two committees created care packages for young girls in a local group home.

Each year, we raise funds for scholarships that are given to high school seniors within our service area. This past year we gave out over $24,000 in funds and were able to celebrate this year's winners with our Scholarship Prayer Breakfast event. The scholars' families and members from our chapter and the community were able to gather to congratulate and applaud their accomplishments and wish them well on the journey ahead.

International Awareness and Involvement

The International Awareness and Involvement committee strives to promote participation in and education on global is sues, creating community-forward efforts to provide assistance, relief and resources to developing countries. This year the committee connected with Inkster-based Zaman International. Zaman's Mission is "to facilitate change and advance the lives of marginalized women and children, by enabling them to meet essential needs common to all humankind".

Physical and Mental Health

Our Physical and Mental Health committee is aimed at promoting the importance of living a healthy lifestyle: mind, body and spirit. The committee's "Hustle for Heart Health" event emphasized the significance of taking time to focus on cardiovascular health and an active lifestyle. We were able to bring Sorors and members from the community together for an evening of fun and dance as well as education and awareness on heart disease. The committee also partnered with our Delta D.E.A.R.S. committee to create a safe space on healing and grieving with their "It's Okay to Grieve" webinar, which featured award-winning inspirational speaker and grief recovery specialist Dr. Portia Lockett, who educated attendees on the various aspects of mental health and the grieving component.

Our Emergency Response Team not only keeps the chapter in the know about the latest COVID-19 protocols and weather related situations but they also organize blood drives; all means to help save lives.

Political Awareness and

Involvement

Our Social Action committee provides pertinent legislative updates to chapter members and community groups, as well as information on public policy and civil rights activities. The committee has received special recognition from local officials on their Expungement Fair which saw three times as many local residents in 2023 than 2022.

Party with a Purpose

Inkster Alumnae Chapters makes sure we get the work of Delta done but we also know how to have a good time.

The Arts and Letters committee hosted a sold out movie event where the chapter and members of the community enjoyed a trip to "Wakanda"!

The Ad Hoc committee hosted the chapter's signature event of the biennium: Glitz and Gents Sneaker Ball. Four hundred people enjoyed a night of socializing with a dj and live band. It was such an amazing night that the chapter is looking forward to the next Glitz and Gents event and we believe the community is, too!

It has been a wonderful year of serving the community under the leadership of President Vivian L. Kirkland whose biennium ended on June 30th. We look forward to continuing to serve the community during the new biennium under the leadership of President Larissa Barclay Abrams.