HBCU Network:
What types of programs has MRAC organized?

Dyann Wilkerson:
We've implemented so many programs; I'll share a few that are extended to the community. We participate in a national sorority program called the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy. Through the academy, MRAC works with young females (ages 11-14) to prepare them for a bright future. (http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/delta_academy.htm) MRAC was recently award 3rd place in the nation for our efforts through the Delta Academy. We also have the Teen Forum, where we organize workshops on college, investing and self-esteem for the local teenagers. We have an annual talent search where children get to display their talents, and we hold an annual Kwanzaa celebration and invite people from the community to participate.

We also hold annual political forums, as well as mental health panels to answer questions and discuss issues that are affecting minority women. We also produced a mental health directory of minority mental health providers in the metro Atlanta area.

MRAC participates in several walk-a-thons, including AIDS, Breast Cancer Awareness and March of Dimes (to which we donated $6,000 last year). We also visit nursing homes and go to battered women shelters to provide 'Pamper Days', where we give the women manicures, pedicures, massages and facials.

In addition to the Kwanzaa celebration in December, we organize a Christmas Store, where we adopt 12 families and provide toys for the children and food and clothing for all members of the family. Santa also comes out for the event, so it's a festive occasion. It's really a wonderful event and the families really enjoy it.

MRAC also holds a bi-annual cotillion, where we award scholarships to our debutantes, and we also award annual academic scholarships to high-achieving students. In 2001, we awarded $25,000 in scholarships!

Dyann Wilkerson:
Well, the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta (all members of the organization) is comprised of over 200,000 members worldwide. MRAC has 370 members and we are the 2nd largest Delta chapter in Metro Atlanta!

Dyann Wilkerson:
We hold a greeting card campaign (which is going on right now), an Annual Signature Gala and Silent Auction in February, and a bi-annual cotillion. All funds raised from individuals in the community are dispersed back into the community for scholarship programs and other community service projects, such as the Christmas store, and the mothers' day of pampering at the shelter.

Dyann Wilkerson:
I've been a Delta for 22 years - since February 1980 when I pledged the Decatur Alumnae chapter. I've always wanted to be a Delta. I grew up surrounded by strong black women and wanted to emulate them. As I got older, I learned that they were Deltas. I have a family full of Deltas and Omegas, with just a sprinkling of the other sororities and fraternities in the mix.

Dyann Wilkerson:
Where do I begin?! I've been the chair of so many committees, including: Fundraising, Publicity, Membership and Scholarship. I was also the 1st Vice President, Assistant Financial Security and Sergeant at Arms. Most recently, I chaired the Metro Atlanta President's Council.

MRAC also has some strong National leadership in our member base. We are proud to have five Deltas who are members of National committees, and several Deltas who have been elected to Regional offices. We also have the immediate past National Executive Director in our chapter!

Dyann Wilkerson:
Actually, yes we do. And let me break it down for you, because we are multi-level. Bi-annually, we meet at a National Convention. We met in Atlanta this July and Atlanta hosted the largest convention Delta Sigma Theta has ever had! National conventions are held on even years, so on the odd years, each region has a conference where members from each state in the region meet and deliberate activities for the region. Finally, each state has an annual state cluster to plan the activities for their state. At each of the sessions - state, region and national level, we attend workshops and seminars to enhance the work that Delta Sigma Theta does in the community.

Dyann Wilkerson:
The first major thing, I'd like to have is a home for MRAC. Specifically, a life-development center to provide library, tutorial services for kids, and counseling for parents in the neighborhoods. I would love to see our chapter achieve that goal!

I'd also like to see more of our activities publicized in newspapers and television. So much of what we see in the media about our children is negative. We want to get the word out that not all of the kids are doing drugs and car jacking. In fact, many of our children are doing wonderful things, and MRAC wants to be the vehicle for getting that message out.

Dyann Wilkerson:
We are always eager to have volunteers participate in our community programs. They can contact us via our chapter voicemail (770-473-5508), and either our membership chair, Cara Wilson, or I will contact them.

Dyann Wilkerson:
I encourage the continuation and life of our HBCUs and encourage our young people to attend them, because if they don't attend, the HBCUs will die. I am a graduate of Atlanta University, which is now Clark-Atlanta University. I earned my master's degree there. It was a wonderful being surrounded by Blacks in academia after graduating from a class of 200 in high school with only 4 Blacks. So, again, support our HBCUs!

Dyann Wilkerson:
It's been my pleasure!