Summit attracts young people for workshop
Photo submitted
Special to the Outlook
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. of the Big Bend area recently held its annual Youth Empowerment Summit. The event was held Jan. 6, at Tallahassee Community College.
The summit is a signature program of the chapter that has won national honors for its work with young people.
This year’s event attracted a large turnout of young people for workshops and other activities. The theme was “Resilient Leadership: Preparing the Mind and the Heart to Lead.”
The first of two panel discussions was titled “Defining Leadership: What is a Leader, and How do Leaders Evolve.” It was moderated by Krysten Hood and Tonnette Graham. Shamir Franklin and Sheila Labissiere moderated the second session that was titled, “The Knowledge to Lead – Career Development.”
Each panel included professionals and community leaders who shared their knowledge and experiences with the young people.
After the opening session, the participants attended a series of breakout workshops.
Meanwhile, the chapter held a day of service on Jan. 16 in Greenville, Fl. It was part of the sorority’s Founders Day Celebration.
The theme for the afternoon was the acronym R.E.S.P.C.T. The chapter invited girls in grades 5-12 for an afternoon of information and fun.
Among the many topics covered (each based on letters in the word respect) were learning to become responsible, ethics, learning financial stability, recognizing partner violence, education choices, cultural value and the safe use of technology.
The afternoon started with a motivational message by Dr. Shamarial Roberson a member of the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter and co-sponsor of the event.
An epidemiologist and former Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Health, Dr. Roberson grew up in Greenville.
Later, the girls were divided into groups by grade levels. Each group attended a series of workshops that addressed aspects of the theme.
The Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter proudly boasts, “Suited to Serve”, and this year’s beginning reinforces that motto. The Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter is a member of the Southern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Terraca Jones is the chapter’s president.
