This Motivational Monday, DREF recognizes April as Autism Awareness Month. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence is now higher or equal in Black children compared to white children in the U.S., with the gap closing or reversing due to improved diagnosis rates. CDC data (2020-2025) shows that Black and Hispanic children are now diagnosed with autism at higher frequencies than white children. Among 8-year-olds, the prevalence was reported at 3.7% for Black children and 2.8% for white children. Other estimates show ~1 in 27 Black children identified, compared to ~1 in 36 white children. While overall prevalence is higher, Black children are still more likely to experience delays in diagnosis, often receiving a diagnosis at a later age than white children. Black children are more likely to have their symptoms overlooked, or they may be diagnosed with behavioral issues rather than autism compared to white peers, particularly if they do not have a concurrent
DREF recommends increased awareness and understanding the importance of screening in African American communities which is helping to close the diagnosis gap. Historically, lower rates in Black populations were linked to limited access to specialists, socioeconomic factors, and implicit bias, which are gradually being addressed. This helpful message from expert Qamar Said helps us to appreciate ways to embrace members of the ASD community. #DST1913, #DREF, #AutismAwareness ,#AutismAcceptance, #Neurodiversity, #InclusiveEducation, #BlackAutismAwareness, #ScreeningMatters, #DiversityInDiagnosis ...

Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) congratulates the Spring 2026 initiates of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. We encourage you to visit www.deltafoundation.net to learn more about the work of Delta’s non-profit arm, your 501 c 3 public charity. Follow us on our social media platforms IG, FB, and LinkedIn.
Contact us at info@deltafoundation.net to learn more about how you can help "Create Possibilities and Improve Lives." #DST1913, #DREF, #WelcomeDeltas, #DREF1967, #CreatePossibilities,#ImproveLives, #SororityLife ...

Continuing recognition of National Poetry Month we recognize the legendary - Nikki Giovanni (1943 –2024) "Ego Tripping"
I was born in the Congo
I walked to the fertile crescent and built
the sphinx
I designed a pyramid so tough that a star
that only glows every one hundred years falls
into the center giving divine perfect light
I am bad
I sat on the throne
drinking nectar with Allah
I got hot and sent an ice age to Europe
to cool my thirst
My oldest daughter is Nefertiti
the tears from my birth pains
created the nile
I am a beautiful woman
I gazed on the forest and burned
out the sahara desert
with a packet of goat’s meat
and a change of clothes
I crossed it in two hours
I am a gazelle so swift
so swift you can’t catch me
For a birthday present when he was three
I gave my son hannibal an elephant
He gave me rome for mother’s day
My strength flows ever on
My son noah built new/ark and
I stood proudly at the helm
as we sailed on a soft summer day
I turned myself into myself and was
jesus
men intone my loving name
All praises All praises
I am the one who would save
I sowed diamonds in my back yard
My bowels deliver uranium
the filings from my fingernails are
semi-precious jewels
On a trip north
I caught a cold and blew
My nose giving oil to the arab world
I am so hip even my errors are correct
I sailed west to reach east and had to round off
the earth as I went
The hair from my head thinned and gold was laid
across three continents
I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal
I cannot be comprehended
except by my permission
I mean . . . I . . . can fly
like a bird in the sky . . .
Copyright © 1968 by Nikki Giovanni. #DST1913,#DREF,#BlackWomen, #NationalPoetryMonth #NikkiGiovanni #BlackPoets #AfricanAmericanLiterature #SpokenWord #EgoTripping ...

Meet the 2026 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Summer Intern, Azana Danielle Bruce!
Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF), under the auspices of its Center for Research on African American Women (The Center), established the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Social Justice Institute. The STJ Internship is a collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) offering an annual summer internship for young African American women to work in the U.S. Congress.
The intensive nine-week summer internship program offers the opportunity for college students from across the nation to learn about the legislative process, leadership and careers in policymaking. Interns work in CBC member offices, attend professional development events, and participate in leadership development projects. The program prepares young people to become informed decision-makers and influential leaders who shape our world.
The 2026 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Congressional Intern is Azana Danielle Bruce, Tennessee State University. Ms. Bruce is the Social Action Chair for Alpha Chi Chapter, DST and President of the TSU Pan-Hellenic Council. She is also the student representative on the University’s Board of Trustees. Azana is a double major in Political Science and Urban Studies with a double minor in profit non-management and leadership.
DREF welcomes the opportunity to support her experience and share updates on her progress. Congratulations Azana!
For more information about the STJ Summer Internship visit: https://deltafoundation.net/stj-summer-internship-program/ ...