The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
A good time was had by all at Delta Sigma Theta’s Annual Paint the Town Red Scholarship Fundraiser held on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at the Renaissance Hotel. The sorority’s theme was “Wakanda Forever”! Members and guests alike were donned in African inspired attire.
Each year the sorority awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors. “Paint the Town Red” is the Tulsa Alumnae Chapter’s signature event to raise those funds. It allows the sorority an opportunity to party with a purpose and provides an opportunity to thank the community for its constant and unwavering support of our efforts”, explained Cayla Broughton, this year’s Paint the Town Red co-chair.
Last year, the sorority awarded scholarships to David Illum, a Memorial High School graduate now attending Stanford University; Marisol Delma Rogers High School graduate now attending the University of Tulsa; and Korie Hilliard, a Booker T. Washington High School graduate, now attending Langston University. Because of the support shown to us by our community, we can continue our practice of awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors, said Jayme Broome, President of the Tulsa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship applications for this year’s graduating seniors will be available February 2019.
President Broome, continued by saying, “We are overwhelmed by the support our community demonstrated this year. We especially wish to thank our elected officials who attended the event, District 73 Representative Regina Goodwin, District 1 City Councilor Vanessa Hall Harper, and recently re-elected District Court Judge Sharon Holmes. We were elated to be able to celebrate with Judge Holmes after her land-slide win over her opponent Blake Shipley just days before the event.
The festivities included a “roll call” where organizations of the Tulsa area National Pan-Hellenic Council (the Divine 9) greeted and delighted the audience by entering the venue with its respective signature stroll. Members of the Devine 9 include not only Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., but also Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. The guests expressed their admiration of the best dressed by selecting Mr. and Miss Wakanda, MJ Johnson and Morgan Williams.
Marcus James II & Company added its musical vibe to the social and dinner hour accompanied by the strong and edgy vocals of its female lead artist Tami Hamilton. As the night continued, the smooth jams of the live band were replaced with the thumping rhythm of DJ Ed of Enhanced Sound. As the crowd flooded the dance floor, the guests were able to contribute to the scholarship fundraiser by purchasing raffle tickets which yielded the winner an airline flight for two to New Orleans, for a Jazz and Dining Experience. Other gifts and prizes were donated by the following donors: Beads Please LLC (a custom made African beaded bracelet); BiteWay Nutrition (2 weeks off meal prep); Frios Gourmet Pops ($30 gift certificate); LifeSquare (2 hours of personal assistant services); Stock Your Bar (25+ bottles of TAC’s favorite wines and liquors), Caring Hearts Professional Counseling Services, LLC (3 free counseling sessions) and Tulsa MidTown Embroidery ($50 gift certificate). Co-chair Tucker commented, “needless to say, the winners were very happy, and those who did not win donated their funds for a great cause!”
Chapter President Jayme Broome and the event’s Co-Chairs Cayla Broughton and Courtney Tucker, on behalf of the Tulsa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. thank the greater Tulsa community for its support of Paint the Town Red: Wakanda Forever. Because of the community’s support we will be able to continue awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Again, thank you so much for your support. We hope to see you again next year.
