Stony Brook University celebrated Zeta Week, a series of events hosted by the sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. from Oct. 14-20.
The Zetas offered varying activities, from high-intensity zumba classes, to a self-identity program, collaborated with the LGBTA. Programs aside however, the history of Zeta Phi Beta’s Greek rise proves that these ladies in royal blue and pure white have more to offer than just a few moves.
Zeta Phi Beta was founded in 1920 at Howard University, and is one of nine Greek organizations that make up the Divine Nine. The Divine Nine, or D9 as some call it, refers to the first nine black fraternities and sororities founded in the United States. The first D9 organization was founded in 1906, Alpha Kappa Alpha fraternity at Cornell University. Zeta Phi Beta places seventh, chronologically, on the list of D9 organizations.
All of the Divine Nine organizations are a part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. While the term, “Divine Nine” is typically used as a title to describe the unprecedented formation of the black organizations during their time, the National Pan-Hellenic Council is the collaborative council that unifies all nine groups. The NPHC was formed in 1930.
“The Zeta’s, as well as all of the members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, have always been an integral part of our fraternity and sorority community at Stony Brook University,” says Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, Kimberly Stokely, “NPHC organizations were the initial fraternities and sororities that were established at the Stony Brook University campus.”
The Zetas’ programs continued for seven days, with different issues covered. The first program, title “I.L.Y!”, discussed the affect of social media on college students overall. Tuesday’s program “Can I Have Some More, Sir?”, was a collaborative event, with the help of FSA and the Campus Dietician, Kristina Tiernan.
“Rock the Vote” on Oct. 16 event encouraged students to vote and become active respondents to political campaigns. Thursday’s program focused on the different issues faced by people of color within the LGBTA community.
The events held for the weekend, however, were much less educational and focused more on fun activities, such as zumba on Friday, a Halloween extravaganza on Saturday, and finally a Walk for Beauty on Sunday.
The Zeta Chapter at Stony Brook, Theta Kappa, holds their chapter meetings on Mondays.
