Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 27th Annual Heart & Soul Scholarship Fundraiser: An Elegantly Virtual Affair
Above: Bobbie Briggs the president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Madison Alumnae Chapter
Below: Ronnicia Johnson-Walker, chair of the 2022 Heart & Soul Committee
By Jonathan Gramling
Like any organization, the Madison Alumnae Chapter (MAAC) of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has been seeking to create some sense of normalcy during the very abnormal times of the COVID-19 pandemic. When infection rates went down this fall, the chapter took advantage in order to do a community event.
“We were able to do some new events like Tricks & Treats with the Deltas in Warner Park,” said Bobbi Briggs, the MAC chapter’s president. “That was a new experience where we had kids and families come out and enjoy the beautiful day. It was a gorgeous day. We had some Black businesses and resources for both parents and children there. We had food carts and music going. It was just a really good time.”
The Deltas were also able to fit in a national convention, of sorts.
“We had a hybrid national convention this past year,” Briggs said. “We did it in November instead of the summer. That was to give National more time for preparation and to make sure that the system was all set up. I believe it was held right before or right after Thanksgiving. It wasn’t like our week-long conference that we usually do. It was more over a weekend. And again it was hybrid. Some of our sorority sisters were there in person in Atlanta, Georgia. I was hybrid as well as a lot of other sorors here in Madison. We attended virtually. The business still got done. They actually did a really excellent job with it being hybrid.”
One of the most important things has been keeping the MAC connected with all of its sponsors and supporters during the past couple of years to show the chapter is still carrying out its business and also to continue to give that sister-to-sister support.
“We’ve also been trying to stay afloat ourselves, making sure we’re okay by checking in on each other for self-care purposes as well,” Briggs said.
One sense of normalcy, in a way, has been to see the chair of the Physical and Mental Health Committee, Carola Peterson Gaines, engaged in many community health activities.
“She does an excellent job with doing what she does in the community and her normalizing also doing what she does as a part of that committee, Briggs emphasized. “We’ve done plenty of partnerships with programming so far about educating about COVID-19 as well as talking about the health disparities in Madison and everything. There was actually a conference that happened not so long ago that she was a part of and some of our fellow sorors were able to join and be a part of as well. She is definitely doing her thing as a part of that committee.”
And one important event that the MAC did this past year was put on a virtual version of their Heart & Soul Scholarship Fundraiser back in 2021. Ronnicia Johnson Walker and her committee put on a fast-paced, fun virtual event that had a lot of change-of-pace transitions that kept the Zoom attendees engaged.
“We had people within our community, families and sorority present,” Johnson-Walker said. “I recall that there were sorors from California and New York. We had a soror who was in Ghana and was able to attend. It ended up being not just a Dane County or Wisconsin or Midwest banquet. It was almost an international thing. And then we were able to bring in an award-winning artist, Eric Benét, last year. We brought him into the comfort of everyone’s home. We were able to give away our Community Impact Awards. We were able to highlight the amazing work that people are doing in Dane County and Madison. It was just really special to have past award recipients of our scholarships speak and tell how their scholarships had an impact on their academic journey. I think we had touches that we hadn’t been able to have in the past as well as have more of a personal touch and feel, which is ironic considering we were all in our own bubbles at that time.”
Probably the most rewarding thing was the MAC was able to make things work financially.
“I just felt the stars aligned with us being able to have a great turnout,” Johnson-Walker said. “We were in a unique position because we could possibly raise even more money for scholarships because we didn’t have the overhead that we traditionally have with the in-person Heart & Soul. We didn’t have to pay for food or that much entertainment. We didn’t have to pay for the takeaway for our guests. We didn’t have to pay for an in-person program. We didn’t have to pay for a venue. And that eventually adds up.”
And with those proceeds, the MAC was able to keep its commitment to graduating seniors of color graduating from area schools.
“We were able to raise over $20,000,” Johnson-Walker said. “It was our highest grossing year. And after paying the overhead that we did have with gift boxes, awards, and small production things, we were able to give away six scholarships last year that totaled $15,000. We were extremely proud of that because that was the highest amount of scholarships we have given. It was almost double the year prior when we were in-person.”
And one of the main parts of Heart & Soul is the awarding of the Community Impact Awards. While the virtual venue didn’t allow the recipients to hear the applause of the crowd, it did allow them to see the comments of those in attendance as they were being recognized. This year should be no different.
“We have three Community Impact Award winners,” Johnson-Walker revealed. “We will have the Southside Raiders Football & Cheerleading Club. This will be their 50th year within Dane County working with their cheerleading and football youth program. We are recognizing Rosa Thompson from Black Girl Magic Educational Services, Inc. for the conference that she had going that began with around 30 young ladies in Dane County to a conference with 300-400 girls. The conference seems to grow every year. She is doing fabulous work in Dane County. And then we also have Clyde Gaines and Peboga Productions, LLC. Clyde has been with UW-Madison Financial Aid. He is the director of Peboga, which brings entertainment to Dane County and brings the community together, opening up those moments for the community, Village and family to celebrate each other and be together.”
This year’s event features a live musical performance by Deborah Cox, reflections from past scholarship recipients and so much more with production values that will keep the attendees engaged. It’s all happening on Saturday, February 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
“The cost of the event is $15 general admission, $40 for the VIP boxes,” Johnson-Walker said. “Last year, we sold 100 VIP boxes. That was outside of the boxes that were given to our top sponsors and award recipients. This year, the number we capped at was 75. Terri Strong puts those together for us. She does a really great job of trying to find Black female-owned businesses to support and put those items in the boxes, especially local Black female-owned businesses. To date, we have sold close to 40 of the 75 boxes.”
Heart & Soul has evolved into one of the MAC’s signature event and in Briggs mind, pandemic or no pandemic, the show — and Heart & Soul — must go on.
“It meant a lot that we were able to continue to have such a staple event in not only the Madison Alumnae Chapter’s history, but I think I can say in Madison’s history as well,” Briggs said. “So many look forward to it. And I am very excited to be able to continue to do this. Yes we are doing it virtually for health reasons and safety. But it really opens up that door for more folks to have the opportunity to be a part of it and perhaps generate more funds for scholarships doing it hybrid. We couldn’t let go and just settle for not having it. “
The community couldn’t let it go either.
To buy tickets, visit Mac27thheartandsoul.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit Madisonalumnaedst.org.
