ZETAPHIBETASORORITY
NATIONALEDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION VALERIEHOLLINGSWORTHBAKER
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
GREETINGSFROMTHE CHAIROFTHEBOARD
Greetings, Sorors, Amicae, Partners, sponsors and supporters!
As Chair of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority National Educational Foundation, I am honored to reflect on the incredible strides we made in 2024. This past year was one of growth, impact, and unwavering commitment. Thanks to you, we raised vital funds and awarded life-changing scholarships that are shaping brighter futures.
As we look ahead to 2025 our milestone 50th anniversary we do so with excitement and a renewed dedication to expanding our impact. I strongly encourage everyone to carefully review this report. It has been thoughtfully designed to inform you of our progress and financial stewardship Your contributions fuel our success, and together, we are building a lasting legacy.
Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to ZNEF!
Valerie Hollingsworth Baker Zeta Phi Beta Sorority National Educational Foundation Board Chairwoman
IN LOVING MEMORY
Cynthia Bell
ZNEF News Brief Publication Editor-in-Chief (Shine the Light on S.E.S. - Scholarship, Education and Service)
We will miss your expertise, your wonderful personality, and your words of encouragement! Gone, but never forgotten
Sunrise July 7, 1969
Sunset Feb. 20, 2025
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Valerie Hollingsworth Baker Chairman
Jonathan Mason Vice Chairman
Nichole Gladney Secretary
Stephanie May Financial Secretary
Dr. Keisha Whaley Treasurer
Diana Jordan-Baldwin Parliamentarian
Issie L. Jenkins, Esq. Founding Member Emerita
EX-OFFICIO ALTERIUS ORDINIS
Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc President & CEO
Kayla Clark
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 2nd Vice President
Alexis S. Smith
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. International Graduate Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ron Carter
Marketing/Public Relations Chair
Dr. Zakia Robbins-McNeal
ZNEF 360 Chair
Deborah Harmon-Pugh Governance Committee Member
Pat Jones Logistics Chair
Dr. Rachel Thomas Internal Audit Committee Member
Tia Rideout
ZNEF 360 Committee Member
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Dr. Lynntesha Roberts Henley Executive Director
Shantia Fitzgerald Chief of Staff
Dr. Shirley Chevalier Consultant
HISTORY
The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority National Educational Foundation, Inc, was created to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The principle activities and purpose of the Trust were to award scholarship grants to worthy students for the pursuit of higher education; to conduct community education programs that aid in the educational and vocational improvement of individual and community living standards; to engage in activities that aid in the educational development of all women; and to engage in activities that aid in the educational development related to the purposes of the Foundation Past programs include the Human Genome Project.
One of the Foundation’s primary objectives is financial support to needy students for higher education through its scholarships. In
1973, at the request of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Executive Board, Soror Issie Shelton Jenkins, Esq, developed documents to establish the National Educational Foundation as the scholarship arm for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., its principal donor. Under the direction of Dr. Janice Kissner, International President, and Soror Ione Gibson, Chairman of the Zeta National Executive Board, the Trust Agreement was approved and executed by the Executive Board of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on August 23, 1975. In 1975, ZNEF became a Trust as a private charity under the 501©(3) Internal Revenue Code
On October 19, 2006, the Foundation became incorporated and earned IRS 501©(3) tax-exempt status on April 23, 2008, while at the same time becoming a public charity.
The Zeta Phi Beta National Educational Foundation actively seeks funds from public and private foundations, companies/corporations, state and local government agencies and various 501C7 organizations for:
Scholarships
Research
Community Education
Other Foundation purposes
JANUARY
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS BY STATE
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY
JANUARY - DECEMBER 2024,
FINANCIAL POSITION
FINANCIAL POSITION,
DISTRIBUTION OF CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
2020: Cayla Withers $100,000 2021: Janae Smith-Williams $100,000 2022: Skyler Evans $125,000 2023: Jada Barnes $125,000
2024: Adiva Mcquarter $125,000
2024 ZNEF
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Phylecia Mason Evelyn Lewis Medical Health
Taylor Oliver Evelyn Lewis Medical Health
Denim Fisher Geico HBCU ChangeMaker
Sydnee Assan Geico HBCU ChangeMaker $4,000
Niveka Parker Geico HBCU ChangeMaker
Jada Williams Deborah Partridge Wolfe
Ja'Maya King Life Members'
Tonnette Peters General Graduate
Sharon Fletcher General Graduate
Selena Young General Graduate
Chloe Jackson General Undergraduate
Courtney Howard General Undergraduate
Anna Kove General Undergraduate
Neud's Saint-Cyr
Deyoe
Lena Scott
ZNEF
Woolridge McGee
Karlesha Van Holten Nancy Woolridge McGee
JaiCelyn Brown
Sanni Arizona Cleaver Stemons
Zahara Simmons Arizona Cleaver Stemons
Katrina Van Buren
McQuarter
Scholarships Awarded
FOUNDER FANNIE PETTIE WATTS CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
ADIVA MCQUARTER
$125,000
"If you don't get inspired by the people in your circle, you don't have a circle. You have a cage. "
Rather than allow my father’s untimely death to be an excuse, I used my pain to fuel my energy to complete my goals. I realize life is much too short and tomorrow is not promised I am determined to reach my goals I want my testimony to be inspiring to others and to be seen for the strength and beauty within me. Like my mom, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, I want to extend my help to promote the empowerment of women, especially in the African American community. We cannot allow stigmas and labels from society to determine our dreams and accomplishments
