DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED
A Service Sorority Founded in 1913
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
November 17, 2021 Kelli D. James, (202) 277-3546 media@deltasigmatheta.org
DELTA SIGMA THETA TO HOLD 55TH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN ATLANTA
WASHINGTON – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, one of the largest historically Black sororities, will host its 55th National Convention in Atlanta on November 19 – November 22, 2021. During this time Delta Sigma Theta will discuss its internal policies and procedures which govern the $50 million enterprise and strengthen its advocacy efforts to address current issues impacting minority communities worldwide. The 55th National Convention marks the Sorority’s return to Atlanta for the first time since 2002 and its first hybrid convention in the Sorority’s 108-year history.
Convening under the guiding theme of “Joy in Our Sisterhood…Power in Our Voice…Service in Our Heart,” more than 7,000 registered members will travel to Atlanta for the four day meeting, with another 13,000 registered members participating virtually. The Sorority’s last national convention was abruptly ended in 2019 as Tropical Storm Barry swept over New Orleans.
Biennial meetings are paramount to the success of the Sorority which boasts notable Atlanta members including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President of Morehouse School of Medicine. During the 55th National Convention delegates will participate in a variety of plenary sessions and leadership development workshops on topics ranging from financial literacy to branding and advocacy.
“National Conventions are much more than a stereotypical sorority meeting,” said National President & CEO Beverly E. Smith. “The women who are participating in this convention are from every corner of the world with various backgrounds and are taking what they learn back to the communities where they live, work, and serve. So, what we do here is the lynchpin of hope and inspiration that binds us all. Atlanta has been my home for over 30 years and it brings me great joy to conclude my administration in a city unlike any other.”
As a sisterhood with deep roots in political activism, a portion of the 55th National Convention will be centered on spreading awareness about the importance of redistricting and combating voter rights and suppression laws.
“Despite suppression of all kinds, civic engagement has remained a core tenet of the Delta mission. Our top Social Action priorities include combating voter suppression efforts by leveraging the collective power in our voices fighting for voting rights, registering voters, and creating voter education programs,” said Smith.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta Sigma Theta has employed an external vendor to manage all safety protocols and has limited capacity and participation to vaccinated registered members and special guests.
Beverly E. Smith, National President & CEO
Cheryl A. Hickmon, National First Vice President
Diamond Compton, National Second Vice President
Elsie Cooke-Holmes, National Secretary
Pamela R. Hill, National Treasurer
Dorcas E. Washington, Acting Executive Director
The following events are open to the press:
GEORGIA DAY OF ACTION
Delta Sigma Theta will call on local elected leaders ahead of the crucial hearing on redistricting this week. In March 2021, Delta joined forces with other civil rights groups to file a lawsuit against Georgia’s Senate Bill 202. The bill, now known as Georgia’s Election Integrity Act, makes it much harder for voters of color, new citizens and voters with accessibility issues to vote. The law also created penalties against groups that typically assist others with voting and provide comfort items at voting polls as citizens often wait hours to cast ballots.
WHO: National President & CEO Beverly E. Smith Richard Rose, President – Atlanta NAACP
Nancy Flake Johnson, President – Atlanta Urban League Helen Butler, Executive Director – The People’s Agenda
WHEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
12:00 pm ET
WHERE: Omni Atlanta Hotel Downtown 100 CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30303
OPEN PRESS FOR REMARKS AT THE TOP (Media Gather Time: 11:30 a.m.)
IMPACT DAY
Dubbed Impact Day, this historic, “first of its kind” pre-Thanksgiving event will see Hosea Helps and Delta volunteers receive in-kind donations and distribute food boxes, supplies (clothing, personal items and toys) simultaneously. Impact Day will see Delta members engage in community service with Hosea Helps, the Andrew & Walter Young and Arthur Blank Family YMCAs and Open Hand Atlanta.
Hosea Helps and more than 300 Delta volunteers will transform the Georgia World Congress Center’s Blue Parking Lot. Beginning at 11:00 AM, volunteers will welcome thousands of metro Atlanta residents as they pick up complimentary Thanksgiving boxes and other supplies. The Delta Impact Day “pivot” will also see the event make some special format changes. For first time in history, Hosea Helps will receive in-kind donations and distribute food boxes and supplies simultaneously.
WHO: National President & CEO Beverly E. Smith Elizabeth Omilami, President – Hosea Helps
Afemo Omilami, Chief Operating Officer – Hosea Helps
WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021, 9:00 am ET
WHERE: Georgia World Congress Center – Blue Parking Lot 271 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
OPEN PRESS FOR REMARKS AT THE TOP (Media Gather Time: 8:30 a.m.)
LIVESTREAM VIA YOUTUBE
PUBLIC MEETING
The Public Meeting serves as an opportunity for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated to address the community where the convention is occurring. The theme of this year’s meeting will be “Celebrating a Legacy of Joy, Power and Service,” under which we will recount the work and impact of the Sorority while celebrating the accomplishments of notable national leaders. The Public Meeting also marks the beginning of Delta Sigma Theta’s first hybrid national convention.
WHO: National President & CEO Beverly E. Smith Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
The National Pan-Hellenic Council – Council of Presidents
WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021, 3:00 pm ET
WHERE: Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW Atlanta, GA 30313
OPEN PRESS FOR REMARKS AT THE TOP (Media Gather Time: 2:30 p.m.)
LIVESTREAM VIA YOUTUBE
ABOUT DELTA SIGMA THETA:
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities worldwide. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women studying at Howard University who wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence while assisting those in need. Since its founding, more than 350,000 women have joined the organization, making it one of the largest predominately Black sororities in the country. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, the Arabian Gulf, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and the Virgin Islands. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to guide national programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships. To learn more about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, visit www.deltasigmatheta.org.
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