African American High School Recognition Ceremony
Registration

Robert Golden, a former NFL football player renowned for his leadership on the Pittsburgh Steelers, brings a compelling journey of transformation to the forefront. Serving as a team captain for the Steelers for three consecutive years, Robert made an impactful decision in his seventh year in the NFL: requesting to be released from his Kansas City Chiefs NFL contract.

Venturing into a new chapter of his life, Robert founded the Golden Charter Academy, the nation's first TK-8th Environmental Stewardship Zoo School. Seeing himself as an environmental hero, he is dedicated to making the planet greener and healthier through this groundbreaking educational institution. Under his leadership, the Academy has spearheaded the development of a remarkable $23 million facility, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and sustainability.

Robert's academic journey led him to graduate from the University of Arizona with a degree in Human Understanding and Social Behavior. Armed with a passion for positive change, he travels the world as an inspirational speaker, sharing his experiences and motivating audiences to embrace excellence.

Beyond his athletic and educational endeavors, Robert has proven his entrepreneurial acumen by developing multi-million dollar businesses twice. Now, he aims to leverage his expertise to make a lasting impact on the planet's health and inspire individuals, especially students, to embody the spirit of being GOLDEN—striving for excellence in every endeavor. With a vision that transcends boundaries, Robert Golden is dedicated to shaping a future where both people and the planet thrive.

We are a private, non-profit organization founded in 1913, whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: 

• Economic Development
• Educational Development
• International Awareness and Involvement
• Physical and Mental Health
• Political Awareness and Involvement

Chapter

The San Joaquin Valley Alumnae Chapter was chartered on June 19, 1980 as the 661st Graduate Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Twelve women came together by linking hands with the community, civil rights groups, churches, educational institutions, social and business organizations - reuniting themselves in the true sisterhood of DST. Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are college-educated women committed to excellence in higher education.

San Joaquin Valley Alumnae Chapter

Executive Board

• President – Stephanie Johnson-Gay
• Vice President – Winnie L. Fletcher
• Recording Secretary – Ronda Turney
• Corresponding Secretary –  Felicia Quarles-Treadwell
• Financial Secretary – Ramia Bell
• Treasurer – Carla Milton

Purpose:

• Research has shown that 68 percent of African-American students graduate from high school. Those rates are about 10 to 15 percent less than the graduation rate of white students.  There has been significant gains in graduation rates for African-American students, but they still have the farthest to go.
• The purpose of this recognition is to acknowledge graduating seniors who have reached this noteworthy milestone, and who might not otherwise be recognized individually.
• Our goal is to intentionally focus on the positive outcomes of African-American students. This event recognizes and draws attention to needs of our minority college bound youth to continue their education.

Who Should Participate:

Although the focus is on African-American students, any graduating senior can participate. Each participant will receive a certificate of recognition and a Kente Cloth. Students with an overall GPA of 3.5 and above will receive a honor cord (must mail in a transcript showing proof of a 3.5 GPA to:  
SJVA Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc P.O. Box 11214 Fresno, CA 93772

IMPORTANT: ONLY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS CAN APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline: Friday, April 12, 2025

1. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (San Joaquin Valley Alumnae) Scholarship Application

Please note that applying for the San Joaquin Valley Alumnae Scholarship will put students in the running for several other scholarships that will be awarded by the scholarship committee.

We provide the platform for community partners to give scholarships in their name to support higher education and success outcomes for our central valley youth. For a full list of all of our amazing sponsors, please see the “Our Sponsors” tab.

Fill Scholarship Application online or download the application here 

2. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 2025 Scholarship Application Epsilon Delta Sigma Fresno Chapter

This is the "2025 Phi Beta Sigma Epsilon Delta Sigma Chapter, Fresno California" Scholarship Application.  Scholarships will be awarded to African American students who attend Clovis High School, Edison High School, Washington Union High School, Reedley High School, Hanford Joint Union High School. Submission deadline is 4/1/25.

Fill Scholarship Application online (Click Here)

We provide the platform for community leaders and organizations to give scholarships in their name to support higher education and success outcomes of our central valley youth.

As a result of this work, over the past 5 years we have been approached by several community partners wanting to provide scholarships for students pursing higher education. To date we have awarded over $187, 000 in scholarships to students thanks to the overwhelming support from our community partners.

We would like to give your business/organization the opportunity to support your central valley graduating high school seniors by providing a scholarship for a deserving student. It is not a requirement to be a part of a business or organization to give a scholarship or make a donation. Any donation large or small is appreciated.

Examples of donation can include sponsoring a student participant in the amount of $16, books fees and tuition cost, $250-$2000 or greater.

To make your contribution more visible we are pleased to recognize your company/business in the African-American High School Recognition Program.

Our Sponsors

• ABC 30    
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 
• BAPAC    
• Bulldog Scholarship  
• CalViva Health  
• Central Unified School District  
• Central Valley Black Nurses Association
• Central Valley Community Foundation
• Central Valley Education Foundation HBCU Scholarship
• Central Valley New Market Tax Credit
• City Councilmember Luis Chavez
• Clovis Unified School District  
• Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU)
• Dr. Jeffrey Curtis Future Educators Scholarship
• Drs. Robert and Edythe Stewart Scholarship
• Economic Opportunities Commission
• Emari's Village  
• George L Greene #118 Masonic Lodge
• Greater Heights  
• Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
• Fresno State African American Alumni Club
• Hendrix Higher Education Scholarship
• Huberto Herbie Ponce Jr. Memorial Scholarship
• Humphrey Family Scholarship  
• James Hunt Memorial Servant Leadership Scholarship
• King Rabetsimba Family Scholarship
• Kremen School of Education and Human Development
• Livewell Scholarship  
• Mildred Benson  
• Miller Family  
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Chi Nu Chapter
• Patrick D. Dantzler Commitment to Health Care Excellence Scholarship
• Phi Beta Sigma  
• President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval Office
• Earnestine Geneva Breazell Memorial Scholarship
• Steven & Stephanie Gay  
• Susan Curtis Kindness Scholarship
• Team Treadwell Goals & Values Guide Scholarship
• The Luke-Monroe Memorial Educational Scholarship
• The Robert W Sims Memorial Scholarship
• Tommy L. Barfield Dare to Dream
• Trustee Board Member Keshia Thomas
• Wells Scholarship  
• Willy James Whisenhunt R.Phd
  

You can also reach Sonja Wilson and Lisa Mitchell at  sjvaaarp@gmail.com or on Facebook at SJVAC Deltas-Fresno.

Address:
San Joaquin Valley Alumnae Chapter
P.O. Box 11214
Fresno, CA 93772