Service
Never tiring in our efforts, Zeta is a community-conscious, action-oriented organization dedicated to transforming the lives of others.
Introduced in 2002, the Sorority’s international service program, Z-HOPE, an acronym for ‘Zetas, Helping Other People Excel,’ encompasses an impressive array of programming areas and activities for chapters. Most of Beta Zeta Zeta Chapter’s service initiatives and activities fall under the Z-HOPE umbrella. The chapter has dedicated many of its service hours over the years to projects and activities that serve mothers and children, or programs that focus on women’s health, domestic violence or civic activities.
Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-a-School
These are 2 initiatives formed in partnerships with community service agencies and schools. Annually, local urban schools are identified and chapter members work with the principals to select projects and activities throughout the year to support the students and staff. Families in need are identified during the holidays and gifts are provided for all family members.
Autism Acceptance Month (April)
This is a new chapter service initiative. During this month, the chapter participates in activities that provide education, training, and other forms of support to youth and adults with autism. Chapter members participate in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk that supports inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns
Conducted every October In association with the American Cancer Society. Members participate in annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks and conduct Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness campaign activities. Greater Cincinnati Zeta Chapters have lost two members to this insidious type of breast cancer that occurs more frequently in younger African American women.
We Honor 2 Zetas:
Kimberly Ann Williams, who became a member of the Sorority in 201, was the first African American female to be promoted to Police Captain and assigned a District Commander. During most of her captaincy however, she was plagued by breast cancer and treatments.
Dr. Erica J. Holloman, a successful educator, was diagnosed at the age of 31. A successful educator, she passed in 2011 after continuing to live her life to the fullest extent possible and being an inspiration to others while she battled the disease. The Erica J. Holloman Foundation continues the work she started in 2009.
Domestic Violence
Has been a chapter service initiative since 2004 when the chapter joined forces with YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter to provide new towels and washcloths for women who fled their homes due to abuse. In 2020, Domestic Violence was named a national program initiative by the Sorority to raise awareness on the issue and galvanize efforts for the protection of women and children. Beta Zeta Zeta Chapter held its first Walking In Her Shoes Domestic Violence 5K Run and Walk in 2024.
Eldercare
has been a national initiative since 2014 which focuses on elder abuse, senior financial awareness, supporting caregivers, and volunteering at senior care facilities. Since 2016, the chapter has maintained partnerships to support local senior care facilities.
The Stork's Nest
A partnership between Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the March of Dimes was established in 1990. It is a prenatal education and incentive program to ensure that our communities are educated, empowered, and informed about positive health behaviors such as healthy eating, exercise, and mental health for healthy prenatal care and positive birth outcomes. In 2018, birth equity was added to assure that conditions for optimal births were provided for all people, with a willingness to address racial and social inequities.
Through this initiative, the chapter has developed partnerships local groups and providers such as Closing the Health Gap, AMEN, Molina Healthcare, Rosemary’s Babies, Queens Village, Cradle Cincinnati, Gateway WIC program and HealthSource of Ohio, to continue its activities to serve mothers and babies.