Youth Development
The strategic pillar of Youth Development focuses on partnering with community organizations as well as executing and sponsoring programs and initiatives that educate and support individuals and families in area youth development.
DEED sponsors youth programs executed by the Kansas City (MO) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Cotillion – The annual program enhances the academic, social, cultural, and civic awareness of selected female and male high school seniors from the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The Cotillion program has awarded more than $2M in college scholarships since its inception in 1986.
EMBODI – The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program is designed to address the plight of African American males, providing educational, social, and emotional support through dialogue and recommendations for change and action.
Delta Academy – The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy is a program that caters to young women who are currently in the 6th – 8th grade. The program offers mentoring, educational activities, and service-learning opportunities to the participants with a major emphasis on S.T.E.M curriculum.
Delta GEMS – Delta G.E.M.S. (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) was created to “catch the dreams of African American adolescent girls in 9th – 12th grades”, provides the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude with major focus on scholarship/college prep and career planning, financial awareness, sisterhood, service and self-esteem.
In 2024, DEED will launch Brown Girl J.O.Y. a new initiative designed to support the mental and physical well-being of girls in the middle to high school age ranges.
Community Partner
Entitled Learning
DEED supports its community partner Entitled Learning who hosts its annual Entitled Learning Summer Career Academy program at the Delta Athenaeum. – The annual program is a dynamic 7-week intensive summer experience designed to empower your scholar in learning and thriving in a future career. The scholar is immersed in the fundamentals of real estate, journalism, or cultural arts—guided by experienced professionals. This program goes beyond education; it is about hands-on learning, career exploration, and collaborative projects that will leave a lasting impact on their academic and personal journey.