KEZ Chronicles Winter 2022

Jennifer Jackson

KEZ Soror Spotlight

When I accepted the job to reimagine our newsletter, I knew I wanted to give a fresh perspective on how we present ourselves in print form. As the premiere Bronx chapter, Kappa Epsilon Zeta is filled with accomplished and dynamic women, and I am ecstatic to be afforded the opportunity to showcase our talents and compassion for the Bronx community. KEZ is constantly evolving, so naturally, I wanted KEZ Chronicles to reflect our evolution. Please enjoy our revamped KEZ Chronicles!

MétaS.Morrison

IamMétaMorrison, PresidentofZetaPhiBetaSorority,IncorporatedKappaEpsilonZetaChapter!We areexcitedtohavebeguntheprocessofreengagingourselvesinourbelovedBronxcommunity,in an extremely tangible way Kappa Epsilon Zeta has never been happier to see each and every smilingface;ourpre-pandemichandshakeshavegivenwaytothewarmesthugs.

The Covid-19 crisis negatively impacted our community disproportionally relative to other areas of NewYorkStateandthecountryatlarge.Thereisalotofimportantworktodo,andweareonfireto getitdone!

We intend to stand shoulder to shoulder with our community partnerstomakeameaningfulimpacteachandeveryday.Please reachouttousifyouseeanopportunityforcollaboration.Wewant tomakesureweareseeingeveryneedandtakinganinnovative approachtosolvingit;so,ifyouareinneeddonothesitatetoask. KEZwillcontinuetoCare,Love&Serve,sowhenyouseeusin the community doing what we do best, know that we are rightbackinourhappiestofplaces

Onbehalfofmychapter,IwouldliketowishyouHappyHolidays andaBlessedNewYear!

2 0 2 2

Pictured: Méta S. Morrison, Lynn Wills, Diana Corneilson, Veronica Farrar, Patience Ibezim, Nicole Bell-Simon, Janay Phillips-Wilson, and Veronica Straws-Malone

S. Morrison President

From: Mount Vernon, NY

Undergraduate Institution: Stony Brook University

Chapter of Initiation: Iota Theta Zeta

Fun Fact: Bicycling has become my new favorite fitness activity.

From: Bronx, NY

Undergraduate

Institution: Columbia University

Chapter of Initiation:

Epsilon

Fun Fact: My GreatGrandfather, a Bishop in the AME Zion Church was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Diana Corneilson 2nd Vice-President

From: Bronx, NY

Undergraduate

Institution: CUNY John Jay

Chapter of Initiation: Kappa Epsilon Zeta

Fun Fact: I love to collect journals and calendars

From: Bronx, NY

Undergraduate

Institution: Syracuse University

Chapter of Initiation: Kappa Epsilon Zeta

Fun Fact: I love Jazz music and sappy romance movies

Veronica Farrar 3rd Vice-President

Méta

Lynn Wills 1st Vice-President

EPSILON ZETA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2022-2024

Patience Ibezim Secretary

From: Rochester, NY

Undergraduate Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology Chapter of Initiation: Chi Lambda Fun Fact: I love Broadway plays and musicals. My favorites are Annie and The Lion King.

Janay A. Phillips-Wilson Correspondence Secretary

From: Bronx, NY

Undergraduate Institution: CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College

Chapter of Initiation: Epsilon Fun Fact: I played the cymbals in college.

Nicole Bell-Simon Treasurer

From: Long Island, NY

Undergraduate Institution: University of Pennsylvania Chapter of Initiation: Mu Iota Fun Fact: I love cardio kickboxing.

Veronica Straws-Malone Parliamentarian

From: Bronx, NY

Undergraduate Institution: Long Island University, C W Post Campus Chapter of Initiation: Zeta Kappa Fun Fact: I met Aaliyah Haughton at MACY’s on 34th Street after a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show.

KEZ M KES

Strides

Kappa Epsilon Zeta participates in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

It was a dreary Sunday morning.

However, this would not stop the members of Kappa Epsilon Zeta and our Youth Auxiliaries, who gathered at Bay Plaza Shopping Center in Baychester to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Center Walk. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was created to raise awareness, raise funds to assist with breast cancer research, and to honor breast cancer survivors, as well as those who have succumbed to the disease Before the walk, attendees enjoyed fellowship, music, and dancing

TheImportanceofsupportingthemovement

Participating in the walk was particularly important to Kappa Epsilon Zeta's 2nd Vice-President and Community Service Chair, Diana Corneilson "I think it is important for KEZ to participate in the Breast Cancer Walk because it educates and brings awareness to our communities I strongly believe it is imperative to raise money for research. We want to be part of history when a cure is finally found."

Kappa Epsilon Zeta began their fundraising efforts with fervor and enthusiasm Led by Team Leader Jennifer Jackson, KEZ was determined to raise as many funds for research as possible Members of KEZ, along with friends and supporters, were able to raise over $9100 dollars to the cause, making Kappa Epsilon Zeta Chapter the #1 Zeta fundraising chapter in the nation. Chapter President Méta S. Morrison was our top fundraiser, raising $2118.00, making her the 3rd highest individual fundraiser on a Zeta team in the nation

Please visit www cancer org to learn more about the American Cancer Society and how to make "strides" against cancer.

Sigmas

NT: I know you've enjoyed long standing relationships with members of the blue and white family. What was that like? How did it feel to finally be initiated as a member and become part of our sisterhood?

JJ: So, it's interesting, When I was in college and I look back to people that I respected, people that were really nice to me, there were a lot of Zetas and Sigmas that always showed me love at SUNY Albany I had an EOP Counselor named Joy. She was great to me, and a few months after I arrived, she became a Zeta

That was my first experience It's like, okay, wow Joy's a Zeta However, when I was in college, I never attended anybody's rush I never went to any of the meetings I wasn't interested in becoming anything

NT: Not everyone wants to join in college

JJ: Right Then my best friend Rufina became a Zeta I've known Rufina since I was 13 years old She didn't even tell me she was going through the process I do appreciate that she was still a good friend to me It meant a lot because I was going through a rough period at the time

There were always Zetas and

who showed me love.

I look back and realize the Sigmas and Zetas were just always really kind to me I remember just seeing them serve and just how they conducted themselves on campus so that always left me with a good impression of the blue and white family

NT: Right.

JJ: Over the years, I've always supported It was kind of like I was involved, yet not involved I had friends that would ask me for donations They would sell me tickets when they were raising funds for scholarship

I was not a Zeta Sometimes I would show up to Zeta events and support, and I was always happy to see blue and white that I remember from college However, I was far removed from it I remember attending KEZ'S 30th anniversary gala I was there with my little girl My daughter was young at that time Cynthia [Devone] sold me the tickets, so I decided to support

Later on in life, like in my early forties, it was more important for me to give back I got more into service, just being more intentional. Intentional on what kind of energy I had around me, what kind of people I wanted to spend time with

I'm sitting on the couch one day and it just hits me Why don't I wanna be a Zeta? My life is aligned with the principles, so why don't I wanna be one?

NT: Wow Very Interesting

JJ: I remember at the time when it just like hit me, it hit me in the middle of the night I called one of my friends and I said to her, "I wanna be a Zeta " And I remember her saying, well, "it's about time!"

I became a Zeta in 2017 and I was so happy However, a few years afterwards, I realized I wanted to be part of a larger chapter I live in the Bronx, and other than convenience, I wanted to serve the community I lived in So now I've been a member of KEZ for three years

NT: And we ' re so happy to have you You've been fantastic

JJ: Thank you

NT: So, let's switch gears a bit. Tell me a little bit about your business, Safe Space Therapy Services, which seems to really be taking off, and congratulations on that. You've received quite a few wonderful opportunities. So how does it feel to be in business for yourself?

JJ: It's been a wonderful feeling This year in particular has really been the year I've seen myself grow tremendously as a businesswoman and I'm grateful. I didn't plan to be in private practice I have been in the field for many years and for 11 years I was in management I was supervising people I was coordinating services for other people Even so, I always hustled, always had a part-time hustle doing fee for service work

Supervising people became too draining, so I made a plan for myself to be out of there and go into private practice fulltime

I was sitting on the couch one day and it just hits me. Why don't I wanna be a Zeta?

That's exactly what I did I paid off all my credit card debt I got my own office I wasn't renting from anybody anymore I signed the lease; I had my own office space. It's been an incredible journey. I've been doing this full-time for eight years I've learned so much, such as how to treat people, but no one teaches you how to be a businesswoman, and now I have that knowledge

NT: You're exactly right

JJ: There's some periods of time where you ' re ultra-busy, you have too much work, and then there's times where you ' re like, oh my God, did I make the wrong decision? Maybe I need to go get a job However, I learned it was during those times when you reinvest in your business I think my second or third year I understood it After that, I didn't freak out anymore during the quiet times I just learned how to hustle, and I knew how to make sense of it

Having my own business afforded me the opportunity to pour more into my daughter

NT: Right

JJ: That was a big plus for me However, the business was set up to be profitable, but it wasn't growing During the pandemic, things got crazy because now the insurances were covering telehealth

So now I see this huge influx of business that I never had before Everybody prior to the pandemic came to the office I didn't do telehealth Now most of my business' is telehealth The pandemic forced me to pivot; it forced me to hire staff to help me out It forced me to have to start looking at my branding and how I showed my business differently

NT: You recently received a huge opportunity with Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women. Tell me more about that.

JJ: Yes! This past year has just been like really interesting where I found out about Goldman Sachs because Zeta advertised it Zeta advertised this opportunity due to their partnership with Goldman Sachs I said to myself, I'm going to apply to this because I need to operate differently I need to change my business strategy

NT: I can definitely relate

JJ: They accepted me in the first cohort It was an amazing experience because it gave me business skills that I didn't have before It challenged me to look at things differently Like people would say, oh, you ' re a therapist All you do is talk to people No, there's a lot that goes into running a private practice It taught me how to create systems to be more efficient as a businesswoman, to be more fiscally responsible with my money, but also with my time

It was an invaluable experience They gave me free business coaching We had homework assignments, we had mentoring groups It was a really great experience And from that I met a lot of wonderful women that continue to pour into me, that keep on telling me about different opportunities and different resources

NT: It sounds like an incredible journey you're on that isn't done yet. You're on an upward trajectory, which is just amazing. With all that in mind, how are you able to balance your business? How are you able to balance that with Zeta responsibilities? You are our ZHOPE Coordinator.

JJ: Well, that is one thing that appealed to me I was a Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) Coordinator in my former chapter too What I like about ZHOPE is you play a large role in community service, but some of your responsibilities you can do at times that are convenient for you Let's say you have other roles where you have to be here, there, and everywhere at certain times. A lot of the Z-HOPE stuff, the reporting, I can do it at one o 'clock in the morning when my husband and my daughter are sleeping and I'm still up

I think the balance comes in knowing that you can't do it all and kind of look at what you are passionate about and focus on that In other words, get in where you fit in

NT: I say that all the time

JJ: I've always been passionate about the service, so that's what my focus is There are other things that, you know, I could be doing as a Zeta, but I don't have the passion to do them, and I don't have the bandwidth to do it It's about knowing your limits, right?

NT: Of course.

JJ: I'm also comfortable in kind of drawing the line Zeta could have you into something seven days a week I'm very intentional I have to be sure that whatever "Zeta work" I'm doing doesn't impact family time, right? Therefore, I'm not going to sign up for things that would compromise my time I can't compromise the time that is important to me I'll give you an example, my worship time Going to church with my family is very important to me and I don't wish to sacrifice that for anything

NT: Absolutely. What advice would you have for Sorors who feel like their lives are so busy, but they may have a passion they would like to pursue?

How do you suggest they find that balance between Zeta, their careers and whatever extra passion they may want to pursue?

JJ: I think that they should take a hard look at their schedule and be realistic There are certain things that people spend their time on that are not productive Just looking at how they spend their time and prioritize spending time on things that they're passionate about If it means giving up something else, you have to be okay with giving that up If I'm passionate about community service, I need to prioritize that

NT: I see

JJ: But say there's another committee that wants me on the team, I have to be okay with possibly excusing myself and recognizing that I can't do it all-I need to have realistic expectations of myself I would say a person should look at the use of their time Are they being as productive as they could be with their time? If you ' re passionate about something, you should be able to make time for that and be fine with drawing a limit

NT: I completely agree Thank you so much for your time

JJ: Thank you for speaking with me

2022 YOUTH INDUCTION

K A P P A E P S I L O N Z E T A C E L E B R A T E S I N D U C T I N G N E W P E A R L E T T E S , A M I C E T T E S , A N D A R C H O N E T T E S

From Girls to Pearls.

On November 19, 2022, Kappa Epsilon Zeta held a youth induction ceremony for new members of our Pearlette, Amicette, and Archonette auxiliary groups.

These wonderful young ladies were showered with love and gifts as their proud families, several who happen to be members of Kappa Epsilon Zeta, looked on.

The program began with a processional of Pearlettes, Amicettes, and Archonettes as they entered the room filled with family, friends, Frat and Sorors. The Welcome was given by Chapter President Morrison. Kappa Epsilon Zeta's 3rd Vice-President Veronica Farrar gave the Charge and continued to facilitate the service Speakers included current youth advisors Michelle Peck, Nicole Robertson Scruggs, and Cynthia Devone. Youth Committee Members Veronica Straws-Malone, and Sabrina Joynes also gave a few words

The Ceremony beautifully ended with each group forming a loving circle around each other with KEZ members circled protectively around all three At this time Sorors recited our closing prayer and sang our National Hymn

All three groups recited their club prayer, scripture, and codes.

KEZ member Sonia Dorsey was ecstatic to witness her daughter Autumn become a member of the Pearlette Club "I'm filled with joy and excitement," she beamed. "It was wonderful to pin and witness my baby girl become a Pearlette. I'm happy her journey to Zeta begins with KEZ!"

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is the first Black Greek Lettered sorority to form youth auxiliary groups, the Archonette Club, for high school aged girls from 14-18, the Amicette Club for girls aged 9-13, and the Pearlette Club for girls aged 4-8

"When you embrace a child, give them your time, and impart knowledge, you give the world the greatest gift there is... Love"

KappaEpsilonZetaPresidentMétaS.Morrisonw/ 3rdVice-PresidentVeronicaFarrarr

V O T E ! Finer Women

The Nov 8th midterm elections came then went with a cliffhanger Absentee ballots were still being counted and a few seats still did not have a majority vote. As of the Dec. 6th runoff election for the Georgia senate, we now have our final, declared winners for all open seats from the local to the national levels. This was all made possible due to everyone's commitment to show up and show out at the polls, and we thank you and celebrate you for performing your civic duty Kappa Epsilon Zeta Chapter heeded Zeta's call to hold various social civic events to get out the vote. Past activities included get out the vote campaign efforts through phone/text banks, in-person voter registration drives, postcard mailings, webinars on voter information, and "meet the candidates" forums with our community partners

While some may have felt disappointed, others breathed a sigh of relief depending on which candidate(s) won. However, we must remember that our duty does not end with casting our ballots. In this country, we not only suffer from very low civic engagement in the elections process, we also struggle with citizens remaining engaged during the tenure of those elected, specifically when the winner may not be "who" we wanted.

This is why Kappa Epsilon Zeta Chapter wants to stress to our constituents that it is highly important no one becomes discouraged or lax based on how pleased (or not) we are with the election results. Being a responsible citizen of a democracy, a representative democratic nation, requires us to remain actively engaged as well-informed voters. Although there were pleasant surprises such as experiencing one of the highest rates of voter turnout from young adults, total participation still remains less than half of this country's population. In less than two years, we repeat this process for the Presidential election. We cannot afford to react. The time to act is now. Let's continue the work of getting our loved ones and friends registered to vote. Get them talking in casual conversations about some of the issues. Plant those seeds and nurse it with easily verified information. Various nonpartisan organizations are working to highlight issues such as reproductive rights, voter suppression, and dark money/major campaign finance. Be that beacon of light that spreads knowledge and supports a citizen in their efforts to be a knowledgeable and engaged voter.

“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” Thomas Jefferson

Social Action Coordinator Nicole McIntyre discusses the importance of civic engagement and voting in all elections