Happy New Year/100 Year Delta Celebration!

This New Year is starting with a bang! Seeing the float as I described in my previous post was breathtaking.  When my sorors were out of site, and as the parade continued, I kept thinking about how blessed I was to witness this joyous occasion. Although it was cold outside, my heart was warm seeing our beautiful well-crafted float coming down the street. It seemed as if we were not the only ones excited! My phone started ringing off the hook, and I received a lot of texts from sorors and my close sistergreeks (My AKA friends and Zeta Phi Beta friends) who were just as excited as we were. I will share a few:


AKA friend #1- (Text) OMG  I am sitting here watching you guys on television, I am so excited for you and your sorors. You guys are doing it big.

AKA friend #2- (Text) This is ____ my husband and I are watching the Rose Bowl Parade, and we just saw you guy's float. Simply beautiful.

AKA friend #3- Now you know I always throw shade at you regarding DST but not today girl, You guys are making history as you know it. So proud! (but you know Alllpha Kappa Alllpha is still the best sorority right, lol) Love you!

Zeta friend #1- Chile You can thank your sorors for setting the bar SO HIGH for us to follow in 2020...Being the first BGLO to March in the US biggest parade, being on the Today Show, Good Morning America and the other talk shows is a massive act to follow! Congrats my friend!

Prospect #1- I am so excited! My heart is beating so fast; I can't wait to become a Delta and wish I was one now to experience this with you, call me back when you can.

And that my dear friends are just a "taste" of voice mail msgs, texts and people inboxing me on facebook that I received that day. It was a beautiful experience. When the parade was over, it took us FOREVER to get out of there. It reminded me of when I use to go downtown Chicago for the 3rd of July Fireworks. There were people everywhere! When we got back to our truck, it took us literally almost 2 hours to get out of the parking lot! Even with that obstacle, nothing could have stolen my joy away at that moment. I was hoping I would get home in time to rest up for our Hollywood Gala that evening.

3 1/2 hours later, we finally arrived back at our hotel, and I only had an hour to get some rest before getting dressed for our gala! I was excited and could not wait to be in the same room with these fantastic guests, such as Ledisi, Faith Hill, A'ngela Winbush, some FIONE Blair Underwood. The Gala was hosted by the one and only Soror Sheryl Lee Ralph (The Actress from Moesha)

After waking up from my hour nap and getting all dolled up, I was finally ready to board the "Delta Bus" to Nokia.  A funny thing happened on the way there, As I got on the bus I look over and the soror sitting right next to me is soror "Suzzanne Douglas (Actress, How Stella Got Her Groove, Jason Lyrics, and Mother on Parenthood). She is stunning in person, and I must admit, I was a bit star-struck! My husband mentioned a day earlier that he was alone with her in the hotel and he kept going on, and on, and on about how beautiful she was.

The event was incredible, I connected with a lot of sorors, and I felt I had the BEST seats in the house. Instead, of me telling you all about the event, I will post a couple of pictures so you can see what a fantastic time I had! This was the BEST way to bring in the New Year! Enjoy!

Soror Suzanne Douglas...Isn't she GORGE??

                                                  Soror Sheryl Lee Ralph

Soror Sheryl Lee Ralph, and the FIONE Blair Underwood (PBS)

A'ngela Winbush

Wife and Hubby- Tim Reid (AphiA) and Soror Daphne Reid

                         Soror Reid and James Avery (Uncle Phi, Aunt Viv Fresh Prince of Bel Air)

The beautiful Songstress, Ledisi

Faith Evans

                             
                                           Actor and Activist Danny Glover
                            
                                   Sorors Kym Whitley and Kiki Shepard

                           
                                    Soror AJ Johnson (Baby Boy, School Daze)
                   
                           
                      National President Cynthia MA Butler McIntire Lighting the Torch!
               
                            

The Torch is Lit!

                       

                          
                                      The Wall of Fame: Where it ALL Began

We danced the night away. I had so much fun kicking it with sorors, doing the Woble and just networking with sorors. I was exhausted and sad that it was all coming to and end. I am so grateful I was able to experience this with my sorors and my darling husband. Just think this is just he beginning.....This is going to be an exciting year. I can feel it.

DST Being Featured in the Rose Bowl Parade

                                



We just made history being the FIRST Black Greek Organization ever to have our own personalize float and March in the e.Rose Bowl Parad Quite impressive huh? If you haven't heard about this, then you are living under a rock because it's been plastered all over the news EVERYWHERE! I had the liberty and the honor of watching this historic event happen, LIVE! My husband and I decided to celebrate the new years in Los Angeles, so we could witness history while celebrating together. It was a beautiful experience! There were Crimson and Cream EVERYWHERE! I was so excited because I am finally able to test out my camera skills (My loving husband bought me a Canon T3i for Christmas since I caught the photography bug) to take pictures of the event. We were there for six GLORIOUS days.   I had so much fun running into familiar sorority sisters while connecting with new ones.

Registration ran smoothly, my sorors were all smiles, and the people at the hotel treated us so nicely. After getting all settled in, I was ready to take LA by the horns and explore. Thankfully I was also able to visit my BFF from high school AS WELL AS my Mother and Daddy in-love (law) during this trip as well.

New Year’s Eve was OFF DA CHAIN! Sorors and their hubbies were everywhere. We not only took over the restaurant (where we had a New Year’s Party Celebration) but we took over the lobby as well. It was great to see SO many of my sisters doing the "Delta Wobble" Stepping in the name of Love and throwing up their pyramids proudly! As my loving husband and I danced the night away, I thought about my many blessings of how far has brought me so far in life, more than I could ever imagine. Right before it was time for the clock to strike twelve, my husband and I made our way back up to our rooms. We have always made a tradition to start the New Year’s off on our knees, and this was no exception. After praying the New Year in, I couldn't help but my excitement about being able to witness history the very next day.

A few hours later,(4 am to be exact) I found myself getting dressed in Delta Paraphernalia from head to toe as if I was a neophyte just crossing over into Delta Land. The only thing I have been shocked with in regards to Los Angeles was how COLD it was here. (Well I guess cold is relative since I am from Chicago-Il). Thankfully the night before, we ran to the nearest Target to purchase some heavy coats. Sitting outside in the stands in the cold is NO fun if you don't have jackets.

We finally made it there, and after trying to figure out the parking frenzy, we were well on our way. Finally found our seats, and BOY was there a lot of people out there. The last parade that I have seen with this many people was the Macy's parade in New York a few years ago. There were sorors, everywhere. I smiled, threw up my pyramid, and returned a lot of "oop-oop" as several of my sorors serenaded me as we made our way to our seats. It was a beautiful thing. When the parade started, I grew very anxious, and about 30 mins later, I could see them from a distance. My heart grew warm, and I brought out my Canon Camera hoping that I would be able to take excellent pictures. Here are a few images that captured my exciting day!

My Stages in Greek Life!!!!

There are MANY stages in Greek Life, and I would like to share mine! Although I go into GREAT detail in my journey to Greek Life at  http://blackgreeklife.blogspot.com/2009/07/black-greek-life-my-story.html I will break down the many stages I went through when becoming Greek.

Year One and Two Everything I owned was red/white! I was like a Wal-Mart Queen trying to find cute red/white tank tops, shirts, jackets, etc., and I would take them straight to our local Greek Embroidery store to get my line Name/Ship Name, Line Number, Crossing Date, Crossing Time, etc. Put on there. Every single elephant I came across I HAD to have (after collecting my 22 as gifts FIRST, because that was a tradition in my chapter, you could NOT purchase any elephants until you receive 22 as gifts).

Always had to wear something with my letters, Oo-ooping was a MUST on the yard in-between classes, I had to add a class to my semester load entitled - "Strolling/Strutting 101 which my sorors and I practiced every chance we got.  I never took a picture without throwing up the pyramid! Making up step show steps was a daily routine for me before bed in my dorm room mirror and walking to classes. If I wasn't busy at opera/theater rehearsals, then I was at step show practice.

My line had the pressure of keeping up with the tradition of our chapter winning the step show competition. Chapter meetings were one of the highlights of my weeks, and I was PROUD to be the president of my chapter! I also learned a lot from being a member of the NPHC local chapter. Traveling to other chapters/schools was INCREDIBLE especially if we went to colleges/universities where they did not have a chapter. We were treated like superstars!!!! Going to the mall, I always ran up to anyone who was wearing my letters to greet them, and exchange information.

I had three rooms FULL of Greek Paraphernalia, clothes, cups, napkins, hats, car decals, barbie, jewelry, you name it, I.HAD.IT! What can I say...I was going through the Neo-itist Stage!

Year Three - Five - Becoming a Lifetime member (Was a struggle at first to make that HUGE payment, but I knew it would eventually pay off (which it has).  I missed my undergrad experience/ better understand as "The Yard." I had to become a grown-up, which means no more step show/strolling practice until 3 am. No more superstardom trips to universities! I had to get used to Grad Chapter and how different it was, hard work, dedication, no more parties! Occasionally I wore my paraphernalia but, for the most part, it's packed up in my "Greek Chest." My life went from Stepshow practice, strolling practice and Planning Greek Parties, to the COMPLETE opposite! I can finally walk into a store and see an elephant, smile, and keep it moving without having a burning desire of "having to have it." Going to the Mall, if I see someone with my letters on, I may speak, I may not depending on my mood.....I don't have to run them over like I use to anymore. The only time I feel obligated is if I had on letters.....but even then before I put on any paraphernalia before stepping out of the house, I make the decision of if I want to speak or not. If not, I won't wear it.

Year Five - Ten   My house now only has a few elephants throughout; the rest of them are in storage. I became a member at large, but still volunteered and supported my local chapter. (The meeting times didn't fit my schedule). The only time I would wear any paraphernalia is if it were raining, I would grab my Delta umbrella, or if I was going to a Greek Event like a step show. Wearing my letters weren't that important to me anymore, I knew I was Greek, and that's all that mattered. Going back to my chapter reunion was terrific, and I was still trying to get used to being called an "Old head, WHAT???" Realizing how times had changed while watching my new chapter members stroll to a song. Wow- Did we gyrate like that when WE were in the chapter? Still can go to a Union Party, but can't stroll as long as I use to...It's late (3 am) ain't 'chall ready to go home? Yeah, after I said that, I realized, I am OFFICIALLY AN.OLD.HEAD.!

Ten Years and Beyond- After officially accepting being called "old head" I am proud of my new title! Re-joined an alumnae chapter, and was happy to leave my "member at large" status behind. Chapter meetings, planning, scholarship money, Diabetes walk, Cancer walk, Delta Gems, EMBODI, Jabberwock, is what my life consists of.  Wait I can't find my Paraphernalia T-Shirts, Crossing Jacket...It's packed away somewhere. Oh well, let me log online and see if I can purchase one and hopefully it will get here before next week Greek Picnic.

Going back to my chapter for reunions have a new meaning....."Naw baby, Y'all can go ahead and do the stroll w/out me. I'm too busy taking pictures/video footage." (But deep inside I'm saying to myself,  this body, can't function the way it uses to...and wait you'll bout to do the duck walk??? Naw, I am not doing that, not with THESE knees).

It's great to hear my name...Oh, wait you're Such and Such??? Wow- even though we just met, I had heard SO many stories about you when you were a member of the chapter. (Smiling and saying CHEESE, *inside chapter joke*) My husband went through the same thing...he recently went to his 40th Chapter Anniversary which happened to be during homecoming weekend. Him, his line brother, prophytes, his neos when he was dean of the line and others that pledged him were sitting around reminiscing old times all decided to go the union party! I had to mention this because once they got there, they did an old school stroll one time around the party, sat down, and several of them FELL.ASLEEP at a union party! (How do you go to a party, where the music is blasting and FALL ASLEEP???  I DIED laughing and was like give it up boys;,,you're not young'ns anymore!

Building a Greek name for myself in my graduate chapter, and feeling the love, passion, and dedication at a different level in my new home chapter. I would rather spend my Saturdays getting up early to serve my community, organization, than spend my Saturday evenings at a Greek Party strolling, at Greek Sips. Hey, what can I say, my bedtime is no longer 4 am, instead it's 9 pm!



Cia for now!

I'm Greek and I'm Proud (Undergrad OR Grad)

So you just graduated from college, and for some reason or another, you decided that the FIRST thing you want to do after graduation is finding an alumni/alumnae chapter of Greek Phi Greek to join in your local community. Okay, I get it, you couldn't pledge because the Deltas were suspended, the Alphas didn't have intake, Your campus didn't have Ques on the yard, OR you tried and tired and tried again, only to receive multiple rejections. So now you are you feel your best chance is to try and join grad chapter.

So I talked about this SOooooo many times before, but after going to homecoming a few weeks ago, I HAD To bring this up AGAIN to make myself clear! There is NOTHING wrong with joining an alumnae/alumni chapter, and you should NEVER use an alumnae/alumni chapter to enter so that you can re-capture your college years during homecoming/reunions at your college/university. If you want MY opinion, if I pledged Delta at the Alumnae level, and I go back to my college for a reunion, then the only paraphernalia that EYE (and yes I spelled it that way on purpose) would be wearing is my school's paraphernalia. Why attend a reunion all decked out in Greek Wear and I didn't participate in that particular school? Now I am not by no means saying this is law, but this is what EYE would do.

I was present at homecoming reunion, and it was painful to see how some people who became Greek AFTER they left college how they were trying to "fit in," or re-capture their Greek Life experience (which was non-existence since they didn't pledge until AFTER they graduated) with the undergraduate chapters.

Case in point, BE PROUD WHERE YOU WERE MADE!!!!! Stop trying to fit in, and recapture your youth through the undergrad chapter. You ever heard of the term "Thirsty"? That's what you look like, and trust me it's not a good look! I was shaking my head to witness how some people are trying so hard to fit in with the undergrad chapter. Now I am not saying you can't speak, sing, or connect with them, I'm not saying that at ALL! But lets "think" about the definition of reunion which means "the reuniting of persons together after a separation." So how is forcing your way to "kick it" with a chapter you were NOT a member of, especially since the majority of the members who are planning the reunion, meaning the CURRENT members are planning everything?

Most chapters have their "own" special reunion "luncheon" during homecoming, and at my school, for example, that's a time where we get to know each other better, we introduce our lineage, we have a stroll off competition between either lines, or decades, etc. Instead, I would suggest that if you attend your college reunion, that you take the time to REUNITE with the people you went to school with.

When your chapter has an anniversary, then that is the time for you to join in together, wear your chapter shirt PROUDLY and reunite with your chapter fraternity brothers/sorors!

I guess that's all for now. Be blessed!

Don't Quit Poem
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I sit here with my family, after eating dinner, playing family games, I am very thankful!
I am genuinely thankful for my family, friends, sorors, and sistergreeks.

I am also thankful for all of you that have decided to follow me on my blog these several years. Some of you started as strangers, and now my sorors, sistergreek, and fraternity members. I hope that Greek-Life is all that you expected it would be! Please remember to be humble and no matter what, remain the same person. So many people have changed when they become Greek, and as I spoke openly in my previous blogs, please do not allow three small letters to change you!

I lost a few sorors/friends this year, and I am praying for their family as they grieve during this time. For those of you that have lost loved ones, I am praying, and thinking of you as well. Although it's personally natural to grieve, I would suggest taking this time, thinking about the beautiful time you have shared!

Wishing you all a wonderful, blessed and happy Thanksgiving!! I am wrapping up a movie "The Hunger Games" and trying to digest this food so that we can prepare for BLACK FRIDAY, YEAH BOYeee!!!!!

Cia loves!

HBCU Vs. PWI (Historically Black College/Universities vs Predominately White Institutions)

So as you know from my Blog Entry entitled "My Journey to Greek Life" which talks about how I became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., I attended a PWI- Predominately White Institution. Although I was accepted in three Major HBCU's I decided that my going to a PWI was a better choice for me because of my major (Opera Vocal Performance). Since I knew I was going to be competing among the best and that Whites dominated the Opera world, I felt it was in my best interest to attend a College that would prepare me for those challenges. So is there differences in pledging an HBCU vs. a PWI? Yes. Although I did not attend an HBCU, I had tons of friends that did and pledged, and they shared their experiences with me.

So what are the differences???

HBCU- Historically Black Colleges and Universities!

PWI- Predominately White Institutions

HBCU's have caps on their lines, whereas PWIs do not. What is a cap? A Cap means your line cannot exceed a certain amount. At HBCUs, there are generally large turnouts for Rush/Informational. For example for Delta, you might have 400 people attend, and half of them might qualify/apply for membership. Instead of picking all of them, the university may have a cap of only 75 members.

PWI- (Predominately White Institutions) do not have to worry about caps because they do not have the same type of turn outs at Rush. The University that I attended, for example, the average amount of attendees are around 20-40 (for sororities) and 15-20 for fraternities. The Deltas however always had an average 0f 40-60 primarily because at the time when I was a student we were the most popular on our campus.

In the past, people have compared PWI's BGLOs to HBCU BGLOs. Some from PWI feel that there is no way anyone who pledged an HBCU had a "process" because there is NO WAY you can pledge a line of 40+ members.

Pledge lines- HBCUs typically line their members by height, and that is how you get your quote-unquote "line number" So if you are the shortest on your line, then you were the ACE, and if you were the Tallest, then you were the Tail.

Pledge Lines- PWIs typically your line number is given to you based on your knowledge and was considered "earned." For example, the person who is given the number 1 is considered the Captain and NOT the Ace, because they are quick thinkers, or very smart. The last person on the line is considered the "Anchor" and not the Tail.

There are also typically other "positions" that exists at various PWIs such as Co-Captain, the Rock, Mid-Ship, Navigator (which was my position, I was the Deuce as well as the Navigator on my line) and many others......