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On February 6, 1993, at the Delta Psi Omega Founders’ Day celebration, the theme was “Celebrating African Identity Through the Arts.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Margaret Burroughs, co-founder of the DuSable Museum in Chicago, ILL. Dr. Burroughs challenged the group to start a Black Cultural Center. “An Idea without Action” remains a Dream; therefore, the Sorority took the lead on this challenge and then extended the invitation to the greater community. As a result, many Sorors are Founding Members of the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County; and they were recognized (along with other founding members) publicly at the Museum’s 2019 Anniversary Celebration Event. Once the State approved the paperwork, AACHM became a museum in 1996. Even though they didn’t have a building, they decided to become a “Museum without Walls.” During that time, they held programs, exhibits, community forums, and they collaborated with several other organizations to create and offer different types of programs. The Museum moved into its first brick and mortar location at 1528 Pontiac Trail in 2020; they held their first program for their Legacy Donors on March 7, 2020. Soon after that, COVID shut everything down. The African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County reopened at 1528 Pontiac Trail on Sunday, October 24, 2021. |
Temporary Home of the AACHM
Delta Psi Omega Chapter supports the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County in word and deed and recognizes its members who serve on the Board of Directors: Joyce Hunter (Founding Member, President/CEO, and Board Member), Beverly Tyler (Founding Member and Board Member), Patricia King (Founding Member, Treasurer and Board Member), Patricia Berry (Board Member and Membership Chair), Rossi Ray-Taylor (Board Member and Site Development Chair), and Nakisha Chaney (Vice-Chair of the Board and Bylaws Chair). |
PEARLS AND IVY FOUNDATION
The Pearls and Ivy Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2009, by members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Delta Psi Omega Chapter. Delta Psi Omega began awarding scholarship in 1960 and continues to award scholarships through its foundation to graduating seniors. To date, the Pearls and Ivy Foundation, has awarded over 200 scholarships to young women and men of Washtenaw County. In 2016, a scholarship for a student attending a Historical Black College or University was implemented. Learn more about the foundation here.
COMMUNITY
Delta Psi Omega supports numerous other organizations including members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Washtenaw County and area community centers, whose projects support African American children and youth.