Zeta Phi Beta Black History FIRST Facts

Founder Viola Tyler was often quoted to say “[In the ideal collegiate situation] there is a Zeta in a girl regardless of race, creed, or color, who has high standards and principles, a good scholarly average and an active interest in all things that she undertakes to accomplish.”

Since its inception, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has chronicled a number of firsts. Zeta Phi Beta was the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (1948); to form adult and youth auxiliary groups; to centralize its operations in a national headquarters; and to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Zeta dared to establish its very first chapters not in the relatively urban cities of Chicago, New York and Detroit, but in the deeply divided cities in the Deep South including Talladega, AL, Lorman, MS and Charlotte, NC. Zeta’s first two chapters after Howard University were established at historically black universities – Morris Brown College and Morgan State College–which were followed by a San Antonio-based citywide chapter.

In 1923, Theta chapter was established at Wiley College, making it the first chapter of any black sorority to organize a collegiate chapter in Texas.

Zeta again sought to challenge established norms in the 1940’s when work began to develop a chapter in Africa. Many African students attended American universities in the 1930s and 1940s, and several of these students became members of Zeta Phi Beta. One of these women, Dr. Rachel Townsend, commented how she would love to have a chapter in her country of Liberia, Africa. At the encouragement of other Sorority members, Dr. Townsend returned to Liberia to find other Zetas who had attended Howard University and were interested in forming a chapter. An application was submitted, and the charter was granted in December 1948 for the establishment of a Zeta graduate chapter in Monrovia, Liberia, Africa.

                            

"A Valentine's Soiree" - Sigma Mu Zeta Style

 

Sigma Mu Zeta brought the house down with their 2nd Annual "A Valentine's Soiree"; it was a party with a purpose. There were games with prizes like "Name that Love Song", singles time to mix and mingle while playing " Unlock My Heart", their version of the Newlywed Game called "Soulmate" and a couples karaoke in "Show Me Some Love".  There was food and lots of dancing and celebrating. 

All proceeds benefited the Sigma Mu Zeta Scholarship Fund.

Sigma Mu Zeta's 2nd Annual Founder's Day " Breaking Bread" Celebration

Sigma Mu Zeta held its 2nd Annual " Breaking Bread" for Founder's Day at TGIF's Stonecrest.  The chapter celebrated together with family, friends and members of all Greek organizations to honor the founding day of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. All proceeds from the event went to the Sigma Mu Zeta Scholarship Fund..

Omega Mu Chapter: Founders’ Day Weekend

The Omega Mu Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. would like to welcome everyone to the era of the Zeta RennaissanZe.  The theme will be running throughout the semester and will highlight the growth of the chapter in the organization in every aspect of life.  

We introduced this theme to the campus on Founders’ Day Weekend through a series of events catered to the student body.  The chapter started off the weekend by hosting a yard show and were gracious in having the newly resurrected Alpha Pi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. perform during the show as well.  The next day, we had the wonderful opportunity to do service at a local church and assist with their local literacy program; we opened our home to everyone and had a cookout before Mercer’s Men Basketball team took on Samford at home.  Sunday morning, the chapter gathered at the local ministry on campus in worship.  

Founders’ Day weekend was an extended weekend that also included Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Omega Mu took the opportunity to gather with both Epsilon Tau Zeta and Gamma Pi Sigma to participate in a street clean-up as well as the annual MLK march held in downtown Macon.  The chapter continued this emphasis on growth into the week with a panel consisting of local officials entitled “When the Law Bends: Find Unity in the Community” held in conjunction with Mercer’s Men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.  The panel served to be very informative in how police brutality works and what is done in the Macon community surrounding the campus to prevent future incidents.  Then, to end off a great month, the Omega Mu Chapter raised $400 for the March of Dimes with our popular event Zeta’s Got Soul Food!

Kappa Iota Zeta: International Mission to Serving Others Chapter

There are times when we take the simplest things for granted such as food and water. Soror Ashley Herriott wanted to make a difference to those who are less fortunate so she embarked on her first mission trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Swaziland with Beyond the Game (BTG). Beyond the Game is a non-profit organization that focuses on Africa. Unlike most organizations working in and around Swaziland, BTG takes a different approach of not only feeding the children, but also providing youth education parallels with athletics and encouraging entrepreneurship with a focus on philanthropy to live a well-balanced life. Soror Herriott solicited monetary donations that paid for chickens and goats to be donated to each homestead, providing residents with a greater chance of survival. With the support from sorors, Soror Herriott was able to meet the goal on having enough chickens and goats to assist the entire community. While reflecting upon her trip, Soror Herriott realized that there are a lot of people living in the poorest of conditions and that we must consider ourselves blessed to have the necessities. She is excited to do another mission trip soon.

For more information, visit: http://beyondthegame.org/gift-of-survival/

Phi Omicron Zeta Chapter launches “Get Engaged – Be the Change”

Phi Omicron Zeta Chapter launched the “Get Engaged – Be the Change” law enforcement initiative during the Founder’s Day program celebration on January 17, 2015. About fifty people, from Sorors to the community, were in attendance.  The highlight of the program was a Social Action Forum lead by Sheriff Eric Levett from Rockdale County.  The Sheriff was asked a series of questions related to community support of law enforcement and working to resolve racial profiling.  Sheriff Levett was very impressed with the chapter and its commitment to serving the community.  Phi Omicron Zeta chapter was asked by the Sheriff to support community events sponsored by his Department, which may lead to an exciting new partnership for the chapter. This is also the first event in which the chapter had participation on a program from Sorors, Amicae and Amicettes.

The program agenda covered the history of the sorority and chapter, signature programs of the sorority and chapter, the reading of the Amicae song by the president of the Amicae Auxiliary, a tribute to our founders and a Liturgical dance by the Amicettes and the Social Action Forum, which all was followed by a reception.  The program was a huge success and opened the door for the chapter to become even more engaged with the community in which it serves.

TAU OMICRON ZETA ENDS 2014 WITH SERVICE TO OTHERS

Tau Omicron Zeta “Holiday of Giving Project,” was a can food drive.  The chapter partnered with First Mount Mariah Church of Augusta to make a large donation to the Golden Harvest Food Bank.  The food bank which is also located in Augusta provides food and groceries to 30 counties.  They have distributed over 200 million pounds of food, feeding about 11 million people.  The chapter decided to make this an annual event.

FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION

        

Epsilon Eta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Phi Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. celebrated their joint Founders’ Day.  The observance was held at Columbus State University on January 17^th.  The joint celebration included the collegiate chapters of Zeta (Kappa Epsilon) and Sigma (Theta Zeta).  The guest speaker for the occasion was Reverend Pat Burns.  Reverend Burns challenged each organization to examine the purpose for our annual observance.  She asked both organizations during her speech, “Why do we gather every third Saturday in January?”  Reverend Burns challenged Zeta’-s to be positive role models for young ladies and to instill principles of finer womanhood and self-respect in them.  She stated that young ladies should not “drop it like its’ hot or shake what their momma gave them,” but with Zeta’s as role models, they will know what a lady, mother and wife should be.  Sigma’s were challenged to stand up and show young men what a hard working father, and husband looks like.  Reverend Burns delivered a positive, thought-provoking speech reminding us how important it is to encourage and support one another and that we still have much work to do in our community.

 

The program included the lighting of candles in honor of our Founders and the memory of the Zeta’s 19th International Grand Basileus, the late Dr. Eunice S. Thomas.

The Sigma’s presented their annual Man of the Year Award.  Mr. Michael Carlisle was presented this award for his service and leadership during the past year.  He is also the newly elected President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The Zeta’s introduced newly inducted members of the sorority, they are :

Stephanie Bivens, Latoshia Pritchett, Sharon Pierce, Crystal Crawford and Salintha Washington.

The Return of Pi Nu Zeta!

The Pi Nu Zeta Chapter of Milledgeville, Georgia, was rechartered on November 6, 2014.  The Chartering Ceremony was held at the Zeta Southeastern Region Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.  The Pi Nu Zeta Chapter was rechartered by Soror Usher James, Soror Marcia Primus, Soror Katherlene Milner, Soror Stacey Hurt-Milner, Soror Wakendra C. Stenson, and Soror Valeria Williams.