By Jior Cameron

The Seattle Medium The Seattle Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held its first annual Trajectory to Excellence Luncheon last Saturday. The luncheon served as a forum to raise scholarship funds for local students pursuing higher education, as well as a recognition ceremony to honor community leaders in the fields of science, technology, service, and arts/letters. This years recipients were: Craig Dawson, President of Retail Lockbox Inc.; Emile Pitre, Assistant Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs (OMA), University of Washington; Phyllis McDonald Byrdwell, Minister of Music, Mount Zion Baptist Church; Sam Bruce Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen; Trish Millines, Co-Founder, Technology Access Foundation; and Dr. Zakiya Stewart, International and National Advocate of African and African American Children. The luncheon featured entertainment provided by the world renowned, award-winning Garfield Jazz Combo Band, under the direction of Mr. Clarence Acox, as well as silent and live auctions that offered everything from Greek organization memorabilia to international vacation packages. Additionally, the luncheon featured Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2003-04, and Delta Sigma Theta member as its keynote speaker. Dunlap’s address featured words of encouragement and words of betterment that kept with the Delta Sigma Theta mission of public service through its Five Point Thrust of Physical and Mental Health, Educational Development, Economic Development, International Awareness and Involvement, and Political Awareness and Involvement. Dunlap addressed many issues plaguing the Black community as a whole. She discussed health concerns such as prostate cancer in men, and depression in women, our finances as a people, Black media portrayal, and the “crabs in a barrel syndrome,” among other things. After spelling out the negatives, Dunlap encouraged everyone in the audience to dispel them by standing up and pledging to do better, not only for the current generation, but for the future generations as well. “We all have to work together. We must work overtime to make sure young people will have what we have now. Let’s support each other and forgive each other so we will not continue the crabs in the barrel syndrome,” Dunlap remarked. By showcasing leaders who displayed excellence in varied fields, and encouraging youth to do the same, the Trajectory to Excellence Luncheon was exemplary of the Delta Sigma Theta biennial theme, “One mission, one sisterhood: empowering communities through committed service.”