PEARLS OF DELTA KNOWLEDGESavannah Alumnae Chapter January 2017

Hidden Figures is based on the true story of African American female mathematicians whose calculations helped astronaut John Glenn orbit the earth. In addition, our own Soror, Miriam Daniel Mann, was the first black “human computer” hired by NASA and is mentioned in the movie.   Please join us at our #DSTRedCarpet Friday, January 6 at 7pm at Regal Cinema to watch this important film andcelebrate the legacy.

DST Red Carpet Event

#DSTRedCarpet

A Message from the President

The calendar once again has reset. January 1, 2017 marked the beginning of a new year. Each new year brings about hope for thingsnot yet seen. We are hopeful for good health, peace of mind, continued love of family and friends, and adequate financial resources to meet our obligations. This time of year is also very special for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. This is the month of the founding of our organization. January 13, 2017 will mark 104 years of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service. We pay homage to our remarkable twenty- t w o Founders who were determined to make a difference in their community, and ultimately make adifference in the world.  These young African American women decided that although individually, their resources were limited,together their resources would be magnanimous and together they could make positive change. One hundred four years ago their service to the

community was relevant. The adoption of

the Voting Rights Act for Women was at the forefront of the issues facing the nation. Although it wascertain the right to vote would only apply to Caucasian women , our Founders knew that the show of support from African American women wasimportant. They were dedicated to a noble cause greater than themselves. As we embark upon celebrating 104 years of Sisterhood andrededicating ourselves to the fundamental principles of our sorority; I ask each of you to ask yourself a few questions. “Are you dedicated to serving our community through the programs and projects of Savannah Alumnae Chapter?”. “Do you answer the call when asked toserve?”. “Do you exhibit the nine cardinal virtues in your daily living so that you are a wholesome example for others to follow?”. “Are youactively working to reclaim those sisters who are not financial to help them reconnect with us?”. If you can not answer yes to all

these questions, I ask you to rededicate yourself with purpose. Sorors, there is much work to be done in this community. It takes theentire support of our chapter to make the impact needed to make our community better. Together we can do more! I wish each of you andyour families a Blessed and Prosperous New Year. I wish each of you my sisters a Happy 104th Founders Day.

With Love & Devotion to Delta,

Soror Laura N. Wiggins, President Quarterly Business

Spotlight

This quarter's  Business Spotlight   is: Putt Guttz  located at 714 MLK, Jr. Blvd. and owned by Michael and Shere Campbell. They serve  homemade  breakfast, lunch and wonderful desserts. Let's show them Delta's tremendous spending power!

Banking Black is not an option, it is THEE option. Recently, black-owned banks have gotten a huge boost from a movement

called #bankblack, with thousands of new accounts opened and assets that have grown by as much as $6 million, according to some reports. The push to patronize black-owned banks gained traction in the summer of 2016, when the rapper Killer Mike (who has a long history of promoting black-owned banks and businesses) called for black people to move their money out of major financial institutions as an act of protest against police brutality and ongoing racism.Many of us don’t have accounts at black banks because we just hadn’t thought about it. But here’s our chance to make a difference. Below are some tips to help you move from deciding to open an account to actually opening the account.

1. You can find a bank near you.

As of March 31, 2016, the number of Black-owned banks, credit unions or savings and loan associations totaled 23, according to the Federal Reserve. Carver State Bank is located at: 701 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive and 7110 Skidaway Road.

2. Black banks still serve a purpose.

We would be remiss if we forgot that Black folk were targeted for subprime mortgages during the 2008 housing crisis because of racist predatory practices by many of the banks that we (me included) patronize.  One of the reasons that Black-owned banks were created in the first place was to provide quality financial products and services to African-Americans, a demographic that was largely ignored, exploited, and/or marginalized by white banking institutions because of this country’s legacy of institutional racism. Our current racial climate proves that Black banks not only have a place in the financial lives of Black people, but also in our political lives. Galvanizing and pooling our resources while simultaneously funding Black businesses is an essential strategy for creating economic equality in this country for African-Americans.

3. You don’t have to move all of your money.

The beauty of the #BankBlack and #MoveYourMoney movements is that you don’t have to clean out your accounts to support this effort. Killer Mike suggested that you move $100 to a Black bank. If you have to start with a smaller amount, do so and then automate weekly, biweekly, or monthly withdrawals to build the account without any extra hassle.

4. Don’t #BankBlack alone. Spread awareness of their existence.

One of the ways to ensure that Black banks continue to benefit from our business is to make a commitment to talking about them regularly. Consider sharing articles about Black wealth or organizing visits to Black banks to make sure that this movement outlives its hashtag’s popularity.

This is an exciting time for our collective financial future. With just a few dollars, we have the power to disrupt and reconstruct the ways in which we, and by extension, our money are handled. 

Sorors – we hope that this article has encouraged you to do your part and #BankBlack by opening a savings account with our very own, Carver State Bank!

The majority of this article was written by Kara I. Stevens http://www.ebony.com/career-finance/banking-black-financial-advice#axzz4Tv0zRlf8

Why You Should Move Past ‘Deciding’ if #BankBlack is for You

Financial FortitudeTip of the Month: Get Ready to File Your 2016 Taxes

The 2017 tax season is rapidly approaching, and you'll be getting the information you need to file your 2016 tax return with the IRS and State of Georgia. Now is a good time to think about getting organized. Good organization may not cut your taxes but there are other rewards to being organized. For most people the biggest hassle at tax time is getting all of the documentation together. Listed below are a few tips from Turbo Tax on how to organize your records for tax season.

• Print out a tax checklist to help you gather all the tax documents you’ll need to complete your tax return. If you don’t have a checklist ask your tax preparer for one.

• Keep all the information that comes in the mail in January, such as W-2s, 1099s and mortgage interest statements. Be careful not to throw out any tax- related documents, even if they don’t look very important.

• Collect receipts and information that you have piled up during the year.

• Group similar documents together, putting them in different file folders.

• Make sure you know the price you paid for any stocks or funds you have sold. If you don’t, call your broker before you take your documents to your tax preparer.

• Know the details on income and expenses from rental properties.

Having this type of information at your fingertips will save you time and the hassle of looking for the documentation to file your tax return.

Membership HappeningsWinter Wonderland

Delta Gems volunteer wrapping gifts at Greenbriar Children’s Center

The young men in our EMBODI program learned the principles of Kwanzaa and how to celebrate the holiday with their respective families.

Soror Edna Branch Jackson’s Official Portrait Unveiled at Savannah City Hall The Savannah City Council paid tribute to Immediate Past Mayor Edna Branch Jackson at the beginning of its regular Council Meeting in December. The ceremony culminated with the placing of her official portrait in City Hall among other former Mayors of Savannah.

We salute Mayor Edna Branch Jackson on her historic tenure as the first African American female Mayor of the City of Savannah. Thank you Soror Edna Branch Jackson for your years of service. The unveiling of your portrait in City Hall is a well deserved honor.

Accolades

Soror Dionne Hoskins-Brown receives two recognitions In December, Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown was appointed to the Gullah/

Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission representing the State Historic Preservation Office of Georgia.

The purpose of the Commission is to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in the development and implementation of a management plan for those lands and waters specified as the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. —————————————-

The One Hundred Miles organization recently recognized Soror Dionne Hoskins-Brown for working to protect the 100 miles of Georgia’s coastline.

One Hundred Miles was founded to ensure the preservation of coastal Georgia’s 100 mile coast. It is

an interconnected group of advocates determine to protect the natural wonders and communities that call one of the most world-renowned ecosystems home.

CALL TO CONVENTION

D E L TA S I G M A T H E TA S O R O R I T Y, I N C .

53RD NATIONALCONVENTION

a u g u s t 3 – 9 , 2 0 1 7 ▲ l a s v e g a s , n v

CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEES (Registration Opens April 5, 2017)

DELEGATE CATEGORIES Alumnae $575 Collegiate $530 (Registration closes May 17, 2017) NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION

* The process of sorors registering other sorors as guests will be restricted and monitored during and following the registration period.

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