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/ ...

Today is World Health Day! Let’s celebrate the gift of good health but also be reminded that health disparities impacting the African American community are staggering. DREF`s Sister Scholars Advisory Council has conducted critical research on ways to achieve health equity specifically: Accessing healthcare services, and improving mental health outcomes. The report entitled "From Disparity to Equity: A Roadmap for Closing Black Healthcare Gaps" is available. Please visit https://deltafoundation.net/disparitytoequity/ to access the report and additional resources. Let`s work to improve health outcomes. Share your favorite healthy recipes, self-care rituals, or wellness tips with friends and family. Together, let’s inspire each other on this journey to a happier, healthier life! #DST1913, #DREF, #AfricanAmericanHealth, #MentalHealthMatters, #HealthDisparities, #CommunityWellness ,#WorldHealthDay, #AfricanAmericanWomensHealth ...

April is Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), an annual, month-long celebration created in 2001 by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to honor the extraordinary heritage, history, and culture of jazz. Celebrated throughout the U.S. and abroad, JAM features concerts, education, and spotlighting legends in jazz. This year a few jazz legends are being recognized by DREF for their 1926-2026 centennial namely John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Heath, Melba Liston, Randy Weston, and more. Look them up! The music lives on. Attend a concert or jazz festival this Spring and Summer. Msny are free! Who are some of your favorite jazz legends? Share their name(s) in the comments. #DST1913, #DREF, #JazzAppreciationMonth, #JazzLegends, #JazzCulture, #JazzCentennial, #JohnColtrane #MilesDavis, #MelbaListon, #RandyWeston, #JazzHistory. ...