HIGHLIGHTS
Celebrating 104 years of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated held its Grand Boulè 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the Greater Great Lakes Region. Sorors, Zeta Amicae, members of the Zeta Male Network, and guests gathered to not only take care of the business of Zeta, but to be inspired and educated, and to leave refreshed for the work ahead.
A record number of attendees - more than 6,000 - arrived in Indy for a Boulè experience like no other in history. From dynamic workshops and panels, to opportunities to network and invest, there was something for everyone, whether a first-time attendee and those attending their 20th Boulè.
The theme for Grand Boulè 2024 was “Finer Women Amplifying The Extraordinary Power of S.H.E. through Legacy, Leadership & Impact,” and the meeting was a bold example of the sisterhood’s full implementation of the Grand’s vision.
Each facet of the theme - social, health and economic justice - was illuminated through dedicated events and programming, bringing together some of the country’s most sought-after leaders, thinkers, and organizations. Sorors and guests left with greater knowledge and with their fires stoked to resume the work of service in their local communities.
And as an example of the sisterhood’s impact, the Grand Boulè 2024, through hospitality, lodging, and commerce, generated more than $7.2 million in investment for the city’s local economy.
Beyond Boulè, The Extraordinary Power of S.H.E. continues to impact communities across the country and around the world, wherever there are Zetas working to improve the lives of those around them.
Social Justice Mobilizing Sorors for Real Change
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is no stranger to “firsts” and the Grand Boulè 2024 did not disappoint! The sisterhood was proud to host Vice President Kamala Harris on the first stop during her presidential campaign. Vice President Harris spoke of Zeta’s long legacy of service and social action, particularly political engagement, and encouraged members to continue their work advocating for communities across the nation.
Underscoring the Vice President’s speech, International Grand Basileus Dr. Stacie NC Grant spoke to a national audience on several media networks like CNN and MSNBC during the historic week, informing some and reminding others that Zeta continues to be a force for change. The visit earned Zeta an unprecedented amount of international press coverage, further raising our profile.
During the day’s town hall, attendees heard from sorors and House Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Rashida Tlaib, and from panelists Rev. Sharon Arline Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW); Rev. Freddy Haynes, III, Past President of Rainbow PUSH; and Soror Karen Boykins-Towns, Vice Chair of the NAACP.
Health Justice Addressing all Facets of Health
Zeta Phi Beta remains a community-conscious, action-oriented organization, with service woven into its DNA. At the Grand Boulè 2024, Zeta partnered with Project Period in Indianapolis to launch the Period Poverty Project, as part of ZHOPE. Through the initiative, Zeta donated 10,000 boxes of menstrual hygiene products and nearly $100,000 to Project Period to further create equitable learning opportunities for young girls.
Black Health Matters sponsored a Health Justice Town Hall and dinner for Zeta health professionals, where members learned how vital health is to our communities’ overall thriving. Members also attended workshops led by Vertex, American Diabetes Association, and AARP, aimed to help attendees incorporate lifestyle habits for better physical and mental health. By learning ways to address these health disparities, attendees left Boulè better able to care for themselves and their loved ones.
Economic Justice Making a Difference, Leaving a Lasting Impact
For the first time in history, the Grand Boulè served as the touchpoint for sorors looking to elevate their businesses and careers. Members were able to enjoy the Career Opportunity Lounge to connect with potential employers for on-site introductions and job interviews.
The United States Small Business Administrator Isabella Guzman was interviewed by Grand Basileus Grant, highlighting the partnership with the SBA and all the Divine 9 organizations. Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Prudential, and JP Morgan Chase led workshops for attendees on inclusive technology and artificial intelligence, estate planning, and creating pathways to greater Black wealth.
Zeta business owners and authors participated in the Women Who Win Economic Corridor to showcase their companies and brands. And prior to the start of Boulè, Macy’s sponsored a Business Training Day and Pitch Competition for local minority women-owned businesses operating in the health, beauty, and wellness industries, investing $5,000 in the first-place winner.
Sisterhood Fellowship and Fun on a Grand Level
No one throws a party like Zeta, and Grand Boulè 2024 was a time for celebration!
Sorors journeyed from across the country and around the world to not only handle the business of Zeta but to have fun, fellowship and create the memories that could only be made at Boulè.
For the first time we had lounges curated for our Zeta Crystal Doves, Life Members, Undergraduates and Military Attache to gather for fellowship and to strengthen our bonds of sisterhood.
The tone was set from the very beginning, at the Opening Program and Inspirational Concert, where Sorors Lexi Allen, Anita Wilson and Ann Nesby, and Brothers Richard Boone and VaShawn Mitchell took us to church!
And of course, no Boulè would be complete without sorors celebrating one another!
Sisterhood Fellowship and Fun on a Grand Level
During the solemn ceremonies honoring our Crystal Doves, legacies, and members with 25 years of service, sorors were able to recognize the amazing members in our illustrious organization as only we can.
Life Members celebrated 75 years of service as the lifeline of our organization with a Dinner Soiree with a performance by Raheem Devaughn.
And among the many highlights of the week, Zeta inducted 15 new honorary members into the sorority. In the most diverse class of honorary members yet, these phenomenal women included luminaries in the arts, trailblazers in business and philanthropy, and community activists and changemakers:
Tatyana Ali
Patrice Banks
Jaspen Boothe
Brigadier General Felicia Brokaw
Caretha Coleman
Wanda Durant
Andrea Hunley
Leela James
Maimah Karmo
Dawn Morton-Rias
Perri Shakes-Drayton
Ashley Sharpton
Dominique Sharpton
Angie Stone
Regina Young
Truly Elevating the Bond
Grand Boulè 2024 was the first international meeting held since Zeta and its constitutionally-bound fraternity partner, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, launched Elevating the Bond, and it was a Blue and White Family celebration from start to finish!
Among the highlights, Honorable Brother Chris V. Rey, J.D., International President of Phi Beta Sigma appeared in-person, ahead of schedule, at the Opening Program and Inspirational Concert, presenting the “7 Gifts from Sigmas Around the World” to International Grand Basileus Dr. Stacie NC Grant.
The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma also came to party, joining sorors for the “Fascinators & Fedoras” - Ode to Finer social and the “For the Culture” - Ode to 50 Years of Hip Hop Concert and Step Show, where Sorors Syleena Johnson, Chrisette Michelle, Wendy McIntyre, Yo-Yo and DJ Shanell B rocked the mic.
And history was made as members of Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma were inducted as part of the first cohort into the Taylor-Cleaver Legacy Club, further cementing the bond between the two organizations!
Bye Bye Indy
Our Arts & Entertainment Commission coordinated an Inspirational Concert featuring our International Zeta & Amicae Choir and our Bye Bye Parade.
Grand Boulè 2024 Wins Marketing Award
From the moment sorors and guests arrived at the Indianapolis International Airport, they were ushered into the Boulè experience, met with larger-than-life branding and graphics representing the meeting’s theme. From the airport to the host hotels and throughout the city, it was clear the Zetas had arrived!
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, in partnership with Phoenix Lifestyle Marketing Group, was awarded a Gold MX Award for Marketing Collateral from the American Marketing Association for the incredible branding package that was visible throughout Grand Boulè 2024. The campaign extended to the conference’s digital assets, including social media graphics, digital downloads, and the conference app.
Through modern and bold elements, Phoenix created a prestigious and elevated visual identity for the conference, paying homage to the Five Pearls. The result was a cohesive and consistent look that impressed not only sorors and guests but also onlookers and helped to raise the sorority’s profile in national media.
Learning Opportunities
Framework
Leadership of Self
Leadership of Others
Leadership of an Organization
Record-Breaking Offerings
27 learning opportunities
(not inclusive of sessions specifically designated for Zeta Amicae and Zeta Male Network)
Focus Areas
Chapter and Auxiliary Management
Programmatic Initiatives
Leadership Development
Personal Enhancement and Enrichment
Return On Investment Opportunities
We had 20 participants win our $100 Workshop Raffle Incentives, which totaled $2000
We offered a three-part Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Course on Organizational Development & Leadership (Psychological Safety & Shared Expectations | Collaboration Among and Between Teams | Succession Planning) that is offering three units. The estimated cost of this course is $1000 per person. We had 500+ attendees per session and 450-course completers who are in the process of filing for their CEUs with their respective employers and institutions. This return on investment for our 450 course completers totals $450,000.
