D’Estee, Inc. was established May 9, 1989, by members of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A board of directors was formed to operate D’Estee, Inc. and the board immediately endeavored to secure a permanent local property where the chapter could conduct its many public service and other community programs for its service area. Soon after the initial incorporation, the D’Estee, Inc. Board applied and received its designation as a 501 (c)(3) tax exemption.

 

In September of 1991, under the leadership of Marian Huffman, its first president, D’Estee, Inc. purchased property at 4521-25 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The purchase of this property provided a permanent facility from which the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. could consistently provide service in the areas of education, mental health, international relations, literacy and political awareness.

 

D’Estee, Inc.’s business affairs are managed by a Board of Directors comprised of a minimum of 25 members. Board membership is open to both members of Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and community persons. Elected officers are president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, financial secretary, assistant financial secretary and recording secretary. Throughout its existence, all the subsequent presidents (Geneva Bell, Gwendolyn Peters, Marea Rivers, Deborah Douglas, Mary Moss, Carol Parham, Marla Moss Vanderbilt, Taliva Tillman, Kye Anne Wilborn, Andrea Brookins and Monica Morrow) have followed the example made by Marian Huffman and cultivated the seed planted by the D’Estee, Inc. Founders.

 

In March of 2010, D’Estee, Inc. purchased the adjacent three-story building, 4519 South Martin Luther King Drive, immediately north of the original property and embarked upon the goal of completing major renovations to both properties. This project included connecting the two properties and addressing the appropriate American Disability Act improvements required of the properties. The renovation project resulted in converting the original one-story building configuration of three separate rooms into a single larger room that has a seating capacity for 400 people. The larger meeting space transformed the capacity to conduct service programs in a beautiful and comfortable environment. The change was a great benefit to the Chicago Alumnae Chapter‘s growing chapter membership and led to improved facilities for housing the adult literacy program that is self-contained on the first floor of the 4519 building. Space on the second and third floors of 4519 serve as conference space and administrative offices.

 

D’Estee, Inc.’s mission is to maintain and sustain a public service focus, appropriately manage its fiscal affairs of D’Estee, Inc. to capably interact with multiple facets of the community at micro and macro levels. D’Estee’s most significant activities include, an educational foundation, providing scholarships for public school students, literacy programs for adults and educational seminars for youth and teens.

 

As a not for profit 501(c)3, D’Estee, Inc. works collaboratively to solicit and contribute funds to support community programs for the City of Chicago’s Bronzeville and surrounding communities.