The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy was established under the leadership of 21st National President Marcia L. Fudge as a signature program of the 1996-98 biennium. Over the past twenty-two years, Delta chapters have embraced Soror Fudge’s vision and answered the call to enhance the future of our African American girls. The updated program described and characterized through our Delta Academy 2018 Manual reflects current issues and trends of middle school-aged young women.

    Delta Academy is an exciting and innovative way for Delta women of vision to turn their considerable resources and energies to developing a new purpose; new skills and new leaders from the ranks of 11- to 14-year-old young women.  As one of the Sorority’s most enduring youth initiatives, the program is a response to the imperatives of the future.  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Delta Academy program is needed more than ever for the times in which we live. We know that many of today ‘s young women are trapped in environments that do not fully support their personal and academic development.

    Additionally, many girls today are ignored or left behind at the very point in their lives when they are most in need of attention, support, and encouragement. The Delta Academy seeks to remedy some of these deficiencies and offers supervised and structured experiences that will help participants grow to be productive citizens with high self-esteem and an appreciation for the demand of an increasingly Generation Z-focused society. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. continues its commitment to young women who demonstrate the potential to succeed, but who may not have the necessary support systems to meet their highest potential. Mentoring encourages our girls to disbelieve stereotypes and become leaders.

    We are committed to addressing the many sides of middle school girls’ needs. Our overarching goal is to guide girls into womanhood with educational support and professional guidance that will teach them how to create opportunities for academic success; to enhance their decision-making, communication skills, develop their abilities and talents, to compete in a global society, and become change agents in the transformations of their communities.