Delta GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) is a natural outgrowth and expansion for the continuation of the highly successful Dr. Betty Shabaaz Delta Academy. Delta Gems was created to catch the dreams of African American at-risk, adolescent girls aged 14-18. Delta GEMS provides the frame work to actualize those dreams through the performance of specific tasks that develop a CAN DO attitude. The goals for Delta GEMS are:

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

The Delta GEMS framework is composed of five major components (Scholarship, Sisterhood, Show Me the Money, Service, and Infinitely Complete), forming a road map for college and career planning.

The Delta GEMS Program is currently being offered to adolescent girls in the Arlington and Grand Prairie Independent School Districts. For additional information, contact Beverly Wanza at deltaGEMS@dstarlingtonalumnae.org.