DADE DELTAS FOUNDATION, INC., (DDF)
Dade Deltas Foundation, Inc., (DDF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established on July 2, 2012 by members of and in partnership with Dade County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to receive and distribute funds for charitable and educational purposes. The Foundation supports programs that promote social welfare; health and wellness; academic excellence; cultural enrichment in the community; and provide support to organizations whose initiatives are consistent with DDF. While DDF maintains a robust partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., they are two independent and separately operated non-profit organizations.
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC. – GRAND CHAPTER
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a national, private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. A sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately African American college educated women, founded in 1913 by 22 students at Howard University. The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Thrust of: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.
DADE COUNTY ALUMNAE CHAPTER
Dade County Alumnae Chapter was chartered by eighteen visionary members in 1981 with a commitment to make significant achievements in the Miami-Dade community. To date, a 260 plus membership continues to make important differences in the community at-large. Initiatives of DCAC focus on a five point thrust and includes a diverse range of projects such as: enrichment and enhancement of self-esteem building for youth, scholarships to further education, Haiti relief, Thanksgiving drives, voter awareness and registration, financial workshops and many other accomplishments that have proven viable to the progress of the Miami-Dade community.
PERNELLA C. BURKE SCHOLARSHIP 2024
Pernella C. Burke graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (BTW), Miami, Florida in 1957 with honors. She was awarded a four-year scholarship in music to matriculate at Bethune Cookman College (BCC), now Bethune Cookman University. In 1961, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Social Work, and later a Master’s of Science Degree from Nova University in Business Administration. She was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Delta Alpha Chapter in the spring of 1960 on the campus of Bethune-Cookman College. Upon graduation from college, she became an active member of the Miami Alumnae Chapter, and in 1981, a Charter Member of Dade County Alumnae Chapter, and later served as the first president of the Dade Deltas Foundation Inc. PERNELLA C. BURKE SCHOLARSHIP 2024 is a testament of her life’s commitment serving church, community, sorority, and the Dade Deltas Foundation, Inc.
ALEXIS G. HARRIS SCHOLARSHIP 2024
Mrs. Alexis G. Harris attended the University of Florida and is a graduate of Florida International University. In 1981, Ms. Harris started her career at State Farm Insurance Company as a claims adjuster, with promotions to Policy Service Representative, Office Manager, and currently the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of two Alexis G. Harris State Farm Insurance Companies.
Mrs. Harris has received numerous appointments and awards such as; the State Farm Florida Regional Vice-President Club, State Farm Ambassadors for Life Club (formerly the Millionaires’ Club), National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU), Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), President & CEO of AHIA Corp/The Vision: Empowerment through Financial Independence, “In the Company of Women” by Metro Parks /Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, and a Lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Mrs. Harris belief in economic empowerment, personal and spiritual development, has been the catalyst for all that she has done by giving back through various community organizations, partnerships, and religious affiliations. Her desire to shift the trajectory and mindset of the community has led her to share generational wealth strategies on many platforms. By doing so, she began training and developing leaders and youth with the same passion to grow mentally, spiritually, and financially. The quote that she utters continuously is, “People don’t want to know how much you know, until they know how much you care.” She further exemplies her personal and professional endeavors with the creation of the ALEXIS G. HARRIS ENTERPRISING TEEN SCHOLARSHIP.