FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2010

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Convenes in New Orleans for
50th National Convention July 29-August 4, 2010
Events include 22 service projects, benefiting local non-profits, in honor of
Delta’s 22 Founders

WHAT: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 50th National Convention

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC)

WHEN: July 29-August 4, 2010

DETAILS: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the single largest African-American women’s public service organization in the country, will convene in New Orleans July 29-August 4, 2010. Nearly 13,000 women representing more than 900 chapters in the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the U.S. Virgin Islands are expected to attend.

The guiding theme for the organization’s biennial National Convention is “Delta Sigma Theta - A Sisterhood Called to Serve: Transforming Lives, Impacting Communities.” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will address issues related to the socioeconomic conditions impacting communities across the globe, especially the African diaspora. The 97-year-old service organization will also continue its legacy of promoting political awareness and involvement through voter education, advocacy for health care reform and equal educational opportunities. Delegates will also address physical and mental health challenges that continue to plague children and adults worldwide.

Delta Sigma Theta remains in the forefront of public service by organizing IMPACT Day. On Friday, July 30, members of the sorority will participate in 22 service projects, held in honor of Delta’s 22 Founders. The service projects will benefit local non-profit organizations throughout the city of New Orleans, and will include volunteer work with the St. Bernard Project and Café Hope, as well as stuffing a bus full of school supplies.

Delta Sigma Theta’s National President Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, a New Orleans native, will hold a news conference at Kingsley House at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 30, where she will make a $10,000 donation on behalf of the sorority. The donation will be in the form of vouchers for school uniforms and 100 children, who will attend the programs at the Kingsley House with their families, will receive the vouchers. Throughout the day, Deltas and young ladies from the sorority’s GEMS (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) mentoring program will volunteer in various capacities at the Kingsley House.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; to educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in communities. Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has more than 900 chapters worldwide and has initiated over 250,000 members. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to create its national programs.

Delta Sigma Theta’s last meeting in New Orleans was in 1998 and this year’s meeting is set to generate more than $15 million in economic impact.

WEBSITE: www.deltasigmatheta.org

MAJOR EVENTS (All events held at NOMCC, unless otherwise noted):

  • Fri, July 30: IMPACT Day VIP Destinations
    • 8:30-9 a.m.: Ribbon Cutting at Impact Village, Halls A & B1
    • 10-10:30 a.m.: Tree Dedication and Planting, Xavier University behind University Center
    • 11-11:30 a.m.: Café Hope, Madonna Manor Building-Hope Haven Campus, 1101 Barataria Blvd., Marrero
    • 1-1:45 p.m.: 50th National Convention News Conference, Kingsley House, 1600 Constance St.
    • 2-3 p.m.: Celebration in the Park, All of the IMPACT Day volunteers will be present, Heritage Park on Convention Center Blvd
    • 6 p.m.: National Convention Kick-off Mardi Gras Parade; Parade Route: The parade starts at NOMCC on Convention Center Blvd., then turns onto Canal Street. Next, the parade will turn down Tchoupitoulas Street and make its way onto Poydras Street. It will proceed past the Wyndham Riverfront on Convention Center Blvd. and end near the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center.
  • Sat, July 31: Step Show hosted by comedian and actor Bill Bellamy, Halls C & D, 8:30 p.m. ($45/ticket)*
  • Sun, Aug. 1: Public Meeting featuring a salute to Delta members in the military and keynote speaker Susan L. Taylor of ESSENCE Magazine, Halls E & F, 5:30 p.m. (No admission charge)
  • Sun, Aug. 1: Gospel Concert featuring Grammy award-winning recording artists Smokie Norful and Mary Mary, Halls C & D, 8:30 p.m. ($45/ticket)*
  • Mon, Aug. 2: Social Action Plenary; Panelists: Members of the U.S. House of Representatives; Benjamin Jealous, President and CEO, NAACP; Professor Charles Ogletree, Harvard University; Moderator: Soledad O’Brien, Anchor & Special Correspondent, CNN; Halls E & F, 9:30 a.m. (No admission charge)
  • Mon, Aug. 2: Signature Gala featuring ten-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan and Grammy-nominated singer Charlie Wilson, Halls C & D, 8:30 p.m. ($65/ticket)*

* Tickets can be purchased at the ticket sales area in the La Louisiane Ballroom of the NOMCC beginning Thursday, July 29 at 9 a.m.

EXHIBIT HALL: Halls A-H
HOURS:
Fri, July 30: 5:30-9 p.m.
Sat, July 31: Noon-9 p.m.
Sun, Aug. 1: Noon-8:30 p.m.
Mon, Aug. 2-Tues, Aug. 3: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wed, Aug. 4: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

PRESS OFFICE: Hall A, Room 207
PHONE: 504-670-4603
HOURS:
Fri, July 30-Tues, Aug. 3: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wed, Aug. 4: 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Delta Sigma Theta: Ashley Chaney, 202-498-3642, achaney@deltasigmatheta.org; Erica Donerson, 989-598-7305, erica.donerson@gmail.com
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Jennifer Day, 773-909-2514, jday@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
NOMCC: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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