Collaboration with organizations and

businesses brings success to EMBODI Program

Members of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., held their annual Round-up Luncheon Dec. 12 at 12:00 p.m. at the Season’s Restaurant in Cheraw.

Their Guest speaker for the luncheon was Brandon Blair a 2005 graduate of Cheraw High School and Chief Operations Officer of Business Empire Consulting Agency in Raleigh, N.C. Business Empire Consulting Agency is a digital marketing agency led by two nationally recognized entrepreneurs that specialize in digital marketing, collaborative web development and internet presence management. Brandon Blair is the son of Woodrow and Dannie Blair and oversees all operations, engineering, sales and marketing for the company.

Blair spoke to members of

EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) on “What it takes to be Successful.” He shared his experiences growing up and being a member of Summitt III which is presently named EMBODI, and the steps taken to get to where he is today. “Success comes when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe,” Blair said. “You have to evaluate your goals and be committed.” Blair also emphasized the importance of getting a good education. He told a crowd of young males ages 8-18 that education comes first and using available resources are valuable tools to becoming successful.

Other guest included Bryan Young CEO of Business Empire Consulting Agency, Matthew Laster, Chief Technology Officer and Maurice Ellerbe a Senior Communications Major at Morris College. These young businessmen have volunteered to work in collaboration with the EMBODI Mentoring Group. The sorority also works in collaboration with the following organizations; Men of Grace Temple Fellowship Church, Theta Phi Lambda Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Lambda Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

The Round-up Luncheon is an annual event sponsored by members of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Its purpose is to bring together EMBODI Participants, former Summitt III participants, and Collaborative Groups in an effort to address issues through dialogue and sharing of life experiences to help pave a road for others to follow.

EMBODI: Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence is a nation-wide mentoring program of Delta Sigma Theta Chapters. It was created to improve the plight of African American Males. The goals of EMBODI is to expand the horizons of young African American Males by cultivating a personal vision for their lives, providing tools to attain a higher quality of life, awareness of various college and career options to make rewarding life choices and decisions, and creating community-minded males by actively involving them in service learning and community service opportunities. Members are treated as a commodity to be treasured, encouraged, and celebrated.

The program focuses on the sororityís five-point thrust, which includes: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

Meetings are held on the fourth Saturday of each month. Program participation requires regular monitoring of grades, discipline records and individual conferences of participants.

This year’s program events will include: Community Service, College life and fellowship, attending worship service, fishing, college tours, Six Flags, Round-up luncheon, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Leadership Forum, and Fellowship cook-out. Committee Members are: Dannie Blair Program Chair; Lynn Cassidy, Nelvin Ellerbe, Nikki Graham, Vivian Patrick, and Lashawn Palmer First Vice-President.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority would like to thank the parents and the following organizations for their support in making this program the high measure of success that it has become; Men of Grace Temple Fellowship Church, Theta Phi Lambda Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Lambda Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and Business Empire Consulting Agency.