National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development program initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances.

The primary duty of GCAC’s Economic Development Committee is to educate the members of the sorority and the local community on the ten components of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s Financial Fortitude Initiative which are:

1. Goal Setting
2. Financial Planning
3. Budgeting
4. Debt Management
5. Savings and Investments
6. Retirement Planning
7. Home Ownership
8. Insurance
9. Estate Planning
10. Entrepreneurship

Annual GCAC programs include:

• Black Business Showcase
• Black Owned Business Directory
• Investment Workshops

Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women for the 21st Century: The Delta Academy was created in 1996 out of an urgent sense that bold action was needed to save our young females (ages 11-14) from the perils of academic failure, low self-esteem, and crippled futures. Delta Academy provides an opportunity for GCAC to enrich and enhance the education our young teens receive in public schools. Specifically, we augment their scholarship in math, science, and technology, and their opportunities to provide service in the form of leadership through service learning defined as cultivating and maintaining relationships. A primary goal of the program is to prepare young girls for full participation as leaders in the 21st Century.

A natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy: Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Delta GEMS was created to catch the dreams of African-American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the framework to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for Delta GEMS are:

1. To instill the need to excel academically;
2. To provide tools that enable girls to sharpen and enhance their skills to achieve high levels of academic success;
3. To assist girls in proper goal setting and planning for their futures in high school and beyond; and
4. To create compassionate, caring, and community-minded young women by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities.

The Delta GEMS program offers a road map for college and career planning through activities that provide opportunities for self-reflection and individual growth. Delta GEMS, like Delta Academy, is implemented by chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Delta GEMS participants have the opportunity to define and “Discover their individual Brilliance.”

The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, with the support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African-American males. Both informal and empirical data suggests that the vast majority of African-American males continue to be in crisis and are not reaching their fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI addresses issues related to STEM education, culture, self-efficacy, leadership, physical and mental health, healthy lifestyle choices, character, ethics, relationships, college readiness, fiscal management, civic engagement and service learning.

The International Awareness & Involvement Committee strives to increase cultural awareness in the local communities as well as internationally and to have an impact in the international community by making the world a better place by conducting service projects to benefit those in need.

Some of GCAC’s annual projects include:

• World AIDS Day
• Haiti Relief Efforts
• International Day of Service
• International Women’s Day
• Hurricane Relief

Healthy Lifestyle: Total Woman: Mind, Body, and Spirit As an organization of predominantly African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is uniquely positioned to impact not only the well-being of its membership, but also the families and communities we serve.

The DeltaCare initiative is an internal wellness initiative under the programmatic thrust of Physical and Mental Health. It was created to promote self-care through physical wellness, emotional wellness, and awareness/advocacy. Specifically, the Red S.H.O.E. challenge is the physical health component of DeltaCare that encourages members to engage in healthy behaviors. S.H.O.E. is an acronym for Self-care, Healthy Options, and Exercise.

GCAC Signature Events Include:

• Annual Taboo Tea & Women’s Health Summit
• Go RED for Women
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Domestic Violence Awareness
• Crimson Walkers – Monthly Sisterhood Fitness Walk
• St Jude Walk to End Childhood Cancer
• March of Dimes
• Gwinnett Relay for Life (American Cancer Society)

Though non-partisan in nature and purpose, Delta understands the importance of and the need for an informed electorate. Delta’s concern for the public’s “need-to-know” and the enfranchisement of all Americans has been the philosophical basis for public service programs in this area. The mission of social action in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is to promote leadership, advocacy, and empowerment to effect social change and public policy.

GCAC has been at the forefront of local political action in the Gwinnett County community. Each year, regardless of the election type or legislative agenda, GCAC activates a robust Voter Registration and Voter Rights Education initiatives, which includes registering eligible voters at various community sites including area high schools and hosting a series of voter education forums. GCAC is vested in collective policy creation by participating in Delta Days in the Nations Capitol, Delta Days at the UN, and Delta Days at the Georgia State Capitol.