Community Radio 91.3 KXCI Tucson is pleased to reprise our recordings from 2010 with Delta SigmaTheta Sorority,Inc. and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. to celebrate the achievements, culture, contributions and history of local African Americans. From February 1 through February 26, KXCI will be broadcasting Black History Month Features twice daily. More than 15 members of Delta Sigma Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi came down to the KXCI studios to record segments about local African American people and events and their significance to Southern Arizona.
Thanks to local Grammy Nominated Amo Chip Dabney for backing up all of the tracks with “Free Yo Sax” from “Escape From Newark.”
Here is a list of speakers and their topics:
Tr.# Speaker- Topic
1. Alethea Greene- Tucson NAACP
2. Alexis Williams- Chuck Ford
3. Alonzo Williams- Kappa Alpha Psi
4. A’Shawn Hines- Elgie Mike Batteau
5. Cheryl Simms- Alpha Kappa Alpha
6. Cheryl Simms- Cress Lander
7. Cheryl Simms- Edward Turk Thomas
8. Cheryl Simms- Juneteenth
9. Cheryl Simms- Morgan Maxwell Jr.
10. Cheryl Simms- Tucson Civil Rights
11. Christopher Coneway- Buffalo Soldier 1
12. Christopher Coneway- Buffalo Soldier 2
13. Chrisilia Bristow- African American Churches
14. Chryl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 9
15. Chyrl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 1
16. Chryl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 2
17. Chyrl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 3
18. Chryl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 4
19. Chryl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 5
20. Chyrl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 6
21. Chryl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 7
22. Chryl Hill Lander- Dunbar School 8
23. Eron Tunstall- Frederick Snowden
24. Garrick Gaines- Cleveland Indians
25. Jerecia Patterson- Eureka Club
26. Ricky D. Moreland, Jr.- Beau Brummel Club
27. Robin Elaiho- Estavnico
28. Roseanne R. Neal- Delta Sigma Theta History
29. Tina Johnson- African American Publications
30. Yvonne Height- Tucson Urban League
Background: Historical Facts of Tucson’s African American Community
Facts about Southern Arizona’s African American history were taken from a mural titled “1539 to 2004: African Americans in Southern Arizona” for a community collaboration among Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and KXCI-91.3 FM Community Radio.
The mural was commissioned by the city of Tucson for the Tucson Convention Center (TCC). City officials wanted the TCC to represent all ethnic groups that contributed to the rich history of this area. The African American community elected to develop a mural showing important dates in Tucson’s African American history. The mural project was led by native Tucsonan Anna Jolivet. The mural was designed by local artist Alex Powell.
The mural was displayed at the Tucson Convention Center until 2009 when it was removed to allow for the remodeling of the west entrance to the convention center. The mural is now at The Dunbar Pavilion at 325 W. Second St.
Members of the Tucson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, Inc., and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, in partnership with KXCI-91.3 FM Community Radio, pre-recorded facts from the mural for African American History Month. KXCI is airing two segments daily about Tucson’s African American history during February. KXCI is at 220 S. Fourth Ave., near Downtown Tucson.
Native Tucsonan Chyrl Hill Lander compiled the facts from the mural in January 2010. “I was able to add information and current facts to give a more complete portrait of the history of Tucson’s African American community,” said Lander, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Cheryl Sims, also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, coordinated the effort with KXCI. Dunbar School Photographs are courtesy of In The Steps of Esteban: Tucson’s African American Heritage.
About Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated:
Tucson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on June 24, 1967 with fourteen members. Mauvolene F. Thomas is credited with leading the effort to charter a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in Tucson, Arizona. She led the effort with assistance from members of the Beta Theta Chapter, now known as the Phoenix Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter. Soror Thomas worked diligently for two years, canvassing the community for Deltas and recruiting women in Tucson who met the requirements for alumnae membership.
Gladys Ford Ahmad | Tonie J. Warrior Brown* |
Everlyn Franks* | Joyse Holsey* |
Beverly Johnson | Anita Lipscombe* |
Daisy Lipscombe* | Shirley McPherson* |
Juanita Y. Hill Payton | Ann T. Perry* |
Martha Preston | Maxine H. Taylor |
Mauvolene F. Thomas* | Willie H. Thompson* |
*Deceased
The chapter has now grown to over fifty strong. Today, the Tucson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is one of over 900 chapters internationally who share this public service commitment with over 200,000 members.
Community Service
The chapter serves the Tucson-Sierra Vista area where our endeavors address the sorority’s Five-Point Program Thrust: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement. In keeping with the mission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Tucson Alumnae Chapter has continually worked throughout the Tucson and Southern Arizona community as part of its commitment to community service. This commitment has been demonstrated through financial support of organizations such as The Dunbar Coalition, Inc., the YWCA’s “Your Sister’s Closet” Program, Tucson Community Food Bank, the Tucson Urban League, the Tucson Branch of the NAACP, and THE United Negro College Fund and Habitat for Humanity Tucson to serve families within Southern Arizona. Through its collaboration with Casa de los Ninos, the Educational Enrichment Foundation of Tucson Unified School District, the Arizona Daily Star’s Send-A-Kid to- Camp Program, the Tucson Unified School District Clothing Bank, Habitat for Humanity Tucson, Tucson Blast Soccer Club and others, the members of Tucson Alumnae have worked to support deserving young people in the community.
Fundraising
For many years Tucson Alumnae Chapter presented a Jabberwock as its major fundraiser. Under this Program, chapter members served as mentors for high school girls between the ages of 16 and 17. In 1977 the chapter began sponsoring the Ebony Fashion Fair as its annual fundraiser. With the suspension of the Ebony Fashion fair in 1010, the chapter launched a new fundraiser, the Women of Spirit Awards, to honor Southern Arizona women for their contributions to their houses of worship and their communities. Nominations were accepted from religious institutions throughout Southern Arizona. The first Women of Spirit Awards Luncheon was held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson. Sixteen women were honored. Through its Deck the Halls Holiday Party on December 20, 2010, the Tucson Alumnae chapter collected Christmas toys to be distributed through the Tucson Urban League.
Growing Delta
In 1975, members of Tucson Alumnae sponsored the establishment of the sorority’s Mu Eta Chapter on the campus of The University of Arizona. This chapter continues to be active on The University of Arizona campus and members of Tucson Alumnae Chapter serve as advisors for the chapter.