Blu’ Pearl
Fall 2015
A Sigma Mu Zeta Publication
Rebecca A. Johnson Sigma Mu Zeta Basileus
Media Conscious Zetas!
“Balancing our Images Saving our Communities”
Southeastern Zetas are Finer Zeta gear up for the 81st SE Regional conference
Countdown to 2020! ’ ?
Who s in your sisterhood circle
FROM OUR BASILEUS
Welcome Back to
Sigma Mu Zeta’s Blu’ Pearl
I
from Rebecca A. Johnson Sigma Mu Zeta Basileus
t is my great pleasure to welcome each of you back to the 2015-2016 sorority year. Officially the year probably started during the summer as many of you never really took a break, but that is one of the things that makes Sigma Mu Zeta such an exceptional chapter. I don’t know how a group of women can work so hard and make it so much fun… but you all do so consistently. We have a lot of exciting things planned for this year and we have already started down the path toward “Chapter of the Year”. Sigma Mu Zeta is a chapter filled with dynamic, fearless and amazingly creative women and I have no doubt that working together we will achieve this goal. There are ways that we all can help and each one of us will be needed. Please keep up with the activity calendars, social media pages and website to stay informed of the events and activities planned by individual committees. I expect this will be a growth year for the chapter, thanks to the efforts of the membership committee. Let’s embrace our new and/or reclaimed sorors and make sure we get them plugged into activities as quickly as possible. Active sorors are “Engaged” sorors and fully “Engaged” sorors can create massive change in the communities we serve. Together we will continue “Building on the Principles of Zeta While Blazing New Paths”. Serving in Sisterly Love, Rebecca A. Johnson Basileus
Blu ’ Pearl
Fall 2015
2
M
International Grand Basileus, Mary Breaux Wright, moderates a results-driven discussion during the “Balancing Our Media Images, Saving Our Communities” forum.
any times we become so immune to seeing various images in the media, particularly those of African American woman. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. has addressed these images through our national campaign called “Get Engaged”.
On September 16, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. held a powerful informational session entitled “Balancing our Images Saving our Communities”. Issues that were discussed pertained to harmful images that both women, youth and minorities see on a regular basis. President Mary Beaux Wright led the discussion. Others that were present were representation form the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities. It was organized by Zeta’s National Social Action Director Kendra Hatcher King. Soror King is also the leader of Zeta’s Social Action Initiative. It is the goal of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to increase the critical awareness of minority and gender representation in the media. As Finer Woman, we will enhance the view of minorities and woman through media by being consciously aware of how we are represented. Small steps include critically engaging our culture on the stereotypes that are presented to us on a daily basis through media. For more information visit www.zphib1920.org
Blu ’ Pearl
Fall 2015
3
NATIONAL
Media Conscious Zetas!
SOUTHEASTERN REGION
Southeastern Zetas are Finer!
F
lorida, here we come!!! This year’s Southeastern Regional conference will be held in the sunny state of Florida. Regional Director Dr. Yvonne J. Barnes and the Sorors of the Virgin Island will be hosting the 81st Southeastern Region Conference. This auspicious conference will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.
Gaylord Palms Resort Kissimmee, Florida.
The Southeastern region is the largest region in Zeta and only region with 3000 plus members. It is also home of the largest state in Zeta (Florida). This region is also the birthplace of Founder Fannie Pettie Watts and the home of author Zora Neal Hurston. Among our national initiatives it is the birthplace for Stork’s Nest, and Z-Hope. Florida is ready for us and we are ready to improve our leadership skills as Finer Woman November 19-20, 2015. To register please visit our Southeastern Regional site for more information. www.zphibseregion.org
Blu ’ Pearl
Fall 2015
4
W
e are gearing up for our joint state conference in February/March of 2016. This is an innovative and special event because we will be combining with our brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as the Blue and White Family. We are the only official and constitutionally bound family in the divine nine and we plan to enhance and maximize on this relationship. The state conference will be held in historic Augusta, Georgia. We will have more details as we get closer to the date, but please prepare yourself to participate fully in this historic event. For future updates please visit www.zphiga.org
S
Sigma Mu Zeta
on the move!
igma Mu Zeta is on the move. We did not rest during this summer with our collaboration with Commissioner Larry Johnson and CHOICE, Inc., visit to the Hope Center, and many more social gatherings and planning meetings to make this Zeta Year a phenomenal one. We will return to our favorite nursing home Traditions during our monthly visits and have a strong presence at the Heart of South Dekalb for Health awareness. Our branding initiatives and new The rain didn’t scare Sigma Mu Zeta away from volunteering at the 3rd Annual Heart of Dekalb Festival website will be stronger than ever and our many collaborative initiatives will enhance our relationships with other black Greeks in the Divine Nine. We are on the move with healthy eating initiatives, shoe drives, walks, Z-Hope events to match the most populated chapter. We are fierce and significantly changing the face of Stone Mountain, Ga. Journey with us as we surprise our Secret Sorors all the way to June, increase our advocacy for premature babies, and challenge our representation in the media with upcoming workshops on training in social media presence, equality in media presence, and advocacy training. We are committed to increasing our presence as a chapter and sharpening our presence in the community. We will grow, but only through the help of each Soror as we challenge each other to stay active and financial so that we can have a stronger impact on a global scale. Blu ’ Pearl
Fall 2015
5
GEORGIA & LOCAL
Blazing New Trails
THE JOURNEY TO CENTENNIAL
I
t was the year 1920. Arizona Cleaver, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, and Fannie Pettie embarked on a journey that would change the course of black history. In four years and three months, we will celebrate our founders and the historical event of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. turning 100 years old. It is 2015 and as Finer Woman we have challenged ourselves to contribute to this magnanimous celebration through centennial kickoffs and monetary contribution that can change the course of history. Monetarily we should commit to staying active financial sorors so that we can experience all the benefits that Zeta has to offer from now until our Centennial Celebration and thereafter.
Donor $4000, The Circle of Pearls $5000, and The Founder’s Society $10000. Group Donors include: Crystal Donor $1000, Sapphire $2500, Silver Donor $5000, and Platinum Donor $7500. Each individual and group donor has benefits. Sorors can visit www.zphib2020.com for more information.
Each year leading up to 2020 will be a special year. 2015 is Finer Womanhood: The Essence of Finer Woman, 2016 Scholarship: Women of Intellect and Wisdom, 2017 Service: World Class Service, 2018 Sisterhood: Strengthening the Bond of Sisters, 2019 Blue and White Family: The Unbreakable Bond, and There are also other ways to make your Centennial 2020 Centennial Celebration. experience more engaging and memorable. Sorors can pledge for the next four years a financial We are proud of our history and how far we have contribution that can change the course of Zeta. come, but we want to Be Finer in 2020 and in order to accomplish that we need to recommit to the Sorors can become Visionary Sorors on many levels. principles of Zeta. We can do this financially, but Charter level $250, Lead Donor $500, Heritage also in our attitudes as we approach this turn in time. Donor $1000, Estate Donor $2000, Legend Sorors, it is our time!
Blu ’ Pearl
Fall 2015
6
A DANCE IN ZETA TIME
S
halay Johnson is an emerging star in Zeta as well as a skilled dancer in her own right. Her addition to Sigma Mu Zeta has brought a sense of sunshine and brightness that makes you want to dance! Read for more about our young leader.
Full name: Shalay Monique Johnson Birthdate: November 3, 1989 Parents: Marion Johnson and Rebecca Johnson Line Name: Snickerz Grad Chapter: Rho Tau Zeta in Patterson, New Jersey Year of Intake: Spr 12 Why did you want to become a Zeta? I watched my mother for years embody every characteristic that defines a Zeta Woman. Watching her be caring, strong for her family and truly embrace the bond of sisterhood. The more research and events I got to attend with my mom just really ignited the flame in my heart that Zeta is where I want to be.
Describe your Zeta membership as legacy? I wanted to be like my mom. We are and will always be close and I loved the idea of being bonded with her not only by blood but in beliefs through this sister organization. Career or life goals? With my new company Infinite Dance theater, I want to help re-create jobs for technically trained dancers here in Atlanta. Atlanta produces amazing artists with no where for them to go and get the paid experience of an artist after high school or college. I am tired of losing great talent to LA or NYC. It is time that a company is created here that travels the world and is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the artist talent. Along with that, Infinite Dance Company will be for students ages 10-17 to get competition and some traveling performance experience as well as to either enhance their love for dance or help them embrace a new future if this is not the career for them. We will be there to support their decisions every step of the way.
What is your professional career? Professionally trained dancer and cirque aerialist, Who are your role models in Zeta? and Artistic Director of Infinite Dance Theater My mom and my Line sister Jessica Hinds  Blu ’ Pearl
Fall 2015
7
SOROR SPOTLIGHT
Shalay Johnson
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Sigma Mu Zeta P.O. Box 136 Stone Mountain, GA 30086
SMZ Upcoming Birthdays & Local Blu’ Events! Jocasta Frazier 10/12 Aisha Merritt-Swope 10/26 Shalay Johnson 11/3 Serafina Williams 11/13 Maureen Walker 11/21 Daviada Wright-Harris 12/2 Carol Wiggins-Jenkins 12/8 Deborah Dunn 12/28 Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk Centennial Olympic Park Oct 24, 7:30am SMZ’s Wigs & Wine Down Partnering with the American Cancer Society, Inc. to help women who are experiencing hair loss due to illness & treatment. Bring in new younger style wigs. $5 Drink Specials Calabar Bar & Grill Oct 28, 6-9pm Rebecca Johnson Basileus of Sigma Mu Zeta
81st SE Regional Conference Gaylord Palms Resort Kissimmee, Florida Nov 19-20 Omicron Kappa Zeta Chapter Annual Krispy Kreme Fundraiser Ola Hill Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser Month of November omicronkappazeta@yahoo.com
Katoria Jones Epistoleus/Graphic Designer
Omicron Kappa Zeta Chapter Holiday Emporium Come out & support small local businesses while helping us raise funds for our scholarship! Dec 5, 12-3pm omicronkappazeta@yahoo.com 2015 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Centennial Olympic Park Dec 12, 8am
Marketa Killingbeck Anti-Epistoleus
Katrina Moore Writer & PR Committee Member
sigmamuzeta.org info@sigmamuzeta.org Facebook: SigmaMuZetaChapter Instagram: @sigmamuzeta