Shine the Light on S.E.S. (Scholarship, Education, Service)
Shine the Light
( S C H O L A R H I P - E D U C A T I O N - S E R V I C E )
D A T E S A R D & A R S E V E N T S R E P S H L I G H T S G H T S
Z N E F C H A I R B O U L E R E P O R T
W E L C O M E ! from the Chair...
It is with great pleasure to unveil the inaugural edition of the Zeta National Educational Foundation (ZNEF) newsbrief entitled, " Shine the Light on S.E.S. (Scholarship, Education and Service). ZNEF has been about the business of providing scholarships and beneficial program initiatives which has helped to enrich the lives of all recipients and community participants for the past 49 years. As Chairman of the ZNEF Executive Board, I felt it was important to create a vehicle to promote the great things that ZNEF has been doing. As a supporter of the Foundation, you need to know what your donations are funding and how these donations are being put to good use. This newsbrief will concentrate on highlighting not only our scholarship recipients but will include highlights of our donors and sponsors. Without you, we would not be able to get the much needed funds to assist those in seeking an education which will enrich their lives in the future.
So sit back, rest your feet and enjoy reading this newsbrief. I promise you will come back for more!!
In the name of Scholarship and Service,
Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, Chairman Zeta National Educational Foundation
ZNEF History
In 1973, at the request of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Executive Board, Soror Issie Shelton Jenkins, Esq. developed documents to establish the National Educational Foundation (NEF), 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. Founding Member Emerita
In 1975, the NEF became a Trust, as a private charity under the 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code. On October 19, 2006, the Foundation was incorporated and earned IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status on April 23, 2008, while at the same time, becoming a public charity.
ISSIE L. JENKINS, ESQ.
PATRICIAJONES
Introducing....
Soror Lynn Henley will serve as the ZNEF Executive Director. Soror Henley comes to us with an impressive resume. We are excited to have her serve in this role.
AQuick
fromtheChair
In every edition, we will ask a member of the Board five questions. Our first Board member, is the Chair.
Grand Val, as she is lovingly called, was an excellent choice for ZNEF, given her historical fundraising efforts at the helm of her beloved sorority. Hollingsworth Baker procured partnerships with Geico, Dell, Google, New Balance Athletic Wear/Jairus Group, St. John Knits International, Inc., Goldman Sachs, Micah's Voice, and the National Council of Negro Women's Good Health Wins initiative and Macy’s
1. HOW DID YOU COME TO BE IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION?
I was asked to become an affiliate member of the ZNEF Executive Board in September of 2022. I was one of five individuals that turned in an application. The Board voted to bring us on as affiliate members in September of 2022. I was appointed as Chair of the Fundraising Committee in November of 2022 and served in that capacity until August 2023. It was also in the month of August that I was nominated by Soror Issie Jenkins, Esq., Chairman Emeritus to be the next Board Chair. The Board unanimously voted me in, and that’s how I came to be in my current position.
Valerie Hollingsworth Baker 25th International Centennial President
AQuick
2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU IMPLEMENTED SINCE BEING ELECTED CHAIR?
Created the Strategic Planning Subcommittee
Established a new Partnership Simply Southern Sides (Booker’s Soul Food)
Signed a new MOU with Macy’s for 2025
Increased awareness of ZNEF through in-person and Zoom workshops around the country
Published the inaugural edition of the ZNEF Annual Report
Published the inaugural edition of the ZNEF Newsbrief
Instituted quarterly reports which are disseminated to all ZNEF donors
Finalized the MOU between ZNEF and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Instituted monthly cabinet meetings with the ZNEF regional and state reps to improve overall communications
Added five new scholarships to the ZNEF portfolio
3. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE THE SISTERHOOD TO KNOW ABOUT ZNEF?
The most important thing that I would like the sisterhood to know about the Foundation is that ZNEF is a good steward of their donations. The monies we recieve are carefully invested to ensure funding growth which enhances the dollar amount of funds that are granted each year. ZNEF now awards $5,000 scholarships per student for 90% of the advertised scholarships on its website
AQuick
4. WHERE ARE SOME OF THE PLACES YOU’VE BEEN SINCE SERVING AS CHAIR?
Alabama State Meeting - October 4, 2023
California State Meeting - January 20, 2024
Mississippi State Meeting - April 19, 2024
New York State Meeting - May 18, 2024
North Carolina Graduate Retreat - September 13-14, 2024
5.WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR ZNEF?
Annual Board Meeting (in-person) - October 4-5, 2024
Unveiling of the full ZNEF Stategic Plan - 3rd Quarter 2024
Completion of the funding for the Million Dollar Endowment - 2025 ZNEF’s 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration - Fall 2025
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION - DR. ADRIENNE BARNES znefscholarshipchair@znef.org
SOUTHERN REGION - DR. SUSAN C. THAMES sthames1920@gmail.com
GREAT LAKES REGION -DR. SUSAN D. JOHNSON sjblue1920@yahoo.com
EASTERN REGION - DR. RHONDA R. WOOTEN ER.ZNEF.REP@gmail.com
PACIFIC REGION - MARLENE T. TWEEDY marlene.tweedy@gmail.com
SOUTHEASTERN REGION - DR CHARLENE MOORE-PETERSON zetasoutheasternscholarship@gmail.com
ATLANTIC REGION - TO BE ANNOUNCED
MIDWESTERN REGION - TO BE ANNOUNCED
Jada Barnes
0 as the recipient of ZNEF’s Triumphant Founder Viola holarship. She was selected from over 500 graduating e is the daughter of LaToya Curry. Jada moved from May of 2020. Jada graduated as a 4.0 Club Honor h School in LaQuinta, CA. and is now a freshman at ion's capitol, where she is also a Bison cheerleader She ng and will continue on to medical school
p affords me the opportu pologetically black and b I'm excited for the way Ho y life," says Jada. The you no longer has to struggle how much more my mom h d to take out loans and w en such a strain on her te
Adiva McQuarter
“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.”
• Parent: Sasha Coleman
• Recently moved from Louisville, Kentucky to Southaven, MS
• Graduated with 4.0 GPA
• Archonette - 2023-24 State Archonette President; 2022-2024 Chapter President
• Cheer, Dance, Thespian
• Volunteered to teach guitar lessons to troubled kids as an incentive to improve behavior
• Attending the University of Mississippi
• Plans to become an anesthesiologist and own a dance studio in a commercial duplex centered around women's health.
Quote: "If you don't get inspired by the people in your circle, you don't have a circle. You have a cage."
S. EVELYN LEWIS MEMORIAL MEDICAL HEALTH SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP
PHYLECIA MASON - $5000
TAYLOR OLIVER - $5000
GEICO HBCU CHANGE MAKER
1ST PLACE: DENIM FISHER - $5000
2ND PLACE: SYDNEE ASSAN - $4000
3RD PLACE: NIVEKA PARKER - $3500
DEBORAH PATRIDGE WOLFE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
JADA WILLIAMS - $5000
GENERAL GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
TONNETTE PETERS - $5000
SHARON FLETCHER - $5000
SELENA YOUNG - $5000
GENERAL UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
CHLOE JACKSON - $5000
COURTNEY HOWARD - $5000
ANNA KOVE - $5000
ZORA NEAL HURSTON SCHOLARSHIP
NEUDS SAINT-CYR - $5000
STEM SCHOLARSHIP
BERYL DEYOE - $5000
NANCY B. WOOLRIDGE MCGEE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
LENA SCOTT - $5000
KARLESHA VAN HOLTON - $5000
MILDRED CARTER BRADHAM SOCIAL WORK FELLOWSHIP
JAICELYN BROWN - $5000
ARIZONA CLEAVER STEMONS SCHOLARHIP
MISIMI SANNI - $5000
ZAHARA SIMMONS- $5000
ISABEL M. HERSON SCHOLARSHIP IN EDUCATION
KATRINA VAN BUREN - $5000
HBCU SCHOLARSHIP
QUENITA MITCHELL - $5000
IVY HINER - $5000
LAUREN FORNEY - $5000
LIFE MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP
JA’MAYA KING - $5000
2022GRANDTOTAL: $221,000.00
2023GRANDTOTAL: $185,465.00
2024GRANDTOTAL:
$242,000.00
VENDINGAREA
IMPACTAWARDS
Booker's Soul Food Starters is authentic soul food (a Southern specialty), made easy by Chef Booker himself... collard greens and mac and cheese and other classic dishes just like people remember from their home kitchens or their favorite comfort menus.
Hailing from rural South Carolina, Booker's upbringing laid the foundation for his love affair with soul food and an appreciation for the importance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients-the true roots of soul food. The community he grew up in relied on a deep connection to the land and the bounty it offered.
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeta National Educational Foundation (ZNEF), a leading non-profit organization which provides funding to young individuals seeking higher education, recently received a $250,000.00 donation from Macy's for advancement of ZNEF's campaign designed to assist students in their college pursuits. The check awarding reception took place at Macy's Metro Center store in Washington, D.C.Several members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, as well as executives from Macy's and The Kasper Group were on hand to witness the presentation of the investment from ZNEF's partners
The Kasper Group created an exclusive collection inspired by the signature colors of some Divine Nine®Sororities, offering customers an evolving product assortment, in a variety of sizes and styles, to represent their organizations at events yearround. Additionally, members of each sorority are featured in the marketing of their respective signature colored apparel. The initial collection has expanded to include dresses, skirts, blazers, pants and, recently, to include menswear and accessories inspired by the signature colors of Divine Nine® Fraternities; the entire collection is available online at macys.com.
To further advance the impact, Macy's anticipates donating approximately $3M to various Divine Nine Fraternity and Sorority foundations by January 2025. To date, Macy's has contributed $1.75M, divided equally, among Zeta National Educational Foundation, Delta Research and Educational Foundation and Sigma Public Education and Research Foundation. Since 1975, the Foundation, through its partnership with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships and fellowships for higher education to both Zetas and non-Zetas. The Foundation has processed hundreds of other scholarships as part of its Chapter Designated Scholarship program, which was established in 1980. The Foundation also offers an annual $125,000.00scholarships, titled The Founders Centennial Scholarship, to a female high school senior pursuing a bachelors degree at an accredited college or university. So far, four students have received the award. "We thank Macy's for the generous investment in ZNEF as we continue to share our donations with deserving students who are seeking higher education," said Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, Chairwoman of Zeta National Education Foundation. "We are going to continue utilizing these funds to give out scholarships. I believe we have to do more for our children. I am going to lead the charge of giving back to the community. We feel good when the community benefits from our goodwill." "As we continue to build a brighter future with bold representation as part of our social purpose platform, Misson Every One, we are proud to partner with ZNEF to empower and support these future leaders with scholarships to further their educational journeys and pursuits," said Simone Harris-Laws, Macy's Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
ANNUALBOARDMEETING
OCTOBER4-5,2024
2NDEDITIONOFSHINETHELIGHTONS.E.S.
JANUARY2025 50THANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION
W W W . Z N E F . O R G
States, Regions and Chapters! Please send in your flyers, articles and highlights to be featured on the ZNEF website. Send submissions to newsbrief@znef.org by 10-31-2024
From the Editor...
Greetings! It is my absolute pleasure to work to bring you this newsbrief. The goal is to help Sorors to become more familiar with our Zeta National Educational Foundation and the work it does providing scholarships to deserving students. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please reach me at: newsbrief@znef.org
