By Ursula V. Battle
Audiences left the Premiere Screening of “The Six Triple Eight,” on December 6, 2024 raving about the moving film, which tells the story of the brave women of the first and only Women’s Army Corp Unit of Color stationed overseas in World War II. The Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter (BCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST) presented two film showings at the Next Act Cinema located at 921 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, Maryland.
The Delta Red Carpet event packed out both shows. Attendees sat riveted to their seats as they watched the star-studded cast of Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, and others deliver moving performances. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the film will be shown at Next Act Cinema through December 15 and will air on Netflix on December 20.
The event included a discussion by Master Sergeant (Ret.) Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier and a Q&A session. Attendees received Six Triple Eight (6888) swag bags, pins, and other items. The Arts and Letters Committee of BCAC, in partnership with the Lambda Kappa Chapter (UMBC) and the Baltimore County Delta Foundation (BCDF), sponsored the screening. The Foundation was also instrumental in ensuring that Baltimore County would be considered a pre-release site before the Netflix December 20 airing of the Six Triple Eight movie.
“The collaboration with Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter, DST, Inc. is significant since the 6888th battalion leader Commander Charity Adams was a member of DST, Inc.,” said Heather Ross, President of BCDF.
Driven by their motto, “No mail, low morale,” the 6888th Central Postal Battalion, nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” had a daunting assignment—sorting through a two-year backlog of undelivered mail amidst deplorable conditions, unfamiliar territory, and discrimination to deliver the mail to American soldiers. Against all odds, they successfully completed their assignment, fulfilling their mission of getting a whopping 17 million pieces of mail to U.S. soldiers.
Delta Red Carpet Events supports the National Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s effort to create blockbuster opening weekend sales for selected films, art exhibits, dance, musicals, spoken word performances and emerging artists.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence, provide scholarships, support the underserved, educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities.
Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has over 300,000 initiated members and more than 1,000 chapters worldwide, including seven in Wisconsin. The Sorority creates its national and local programs using its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development; educational development; international awareness and involvement; physical and mental health; and political awareness and involvement.
For “Six Triple Eight” showtimes at Next Act Cinema, visit https://www.nextactcinema.com/movie/the-six-triple-eight
I received the honor of being invited to walk the red carpet to view the film The Six Triple Eight. Being a legacy from my mother, Vivian Elzie (Taylor) LT2 and my aunt Marian Elzie (Wilson) Pfc. made it extra special. Thank you.