A group of historically Black sororities and fraternities — better known as the Divine Nine — celebrated new members of Zeta Phi Beta Nov. 23 at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
The event reunited the organizations. This is the first in person live member unveiling since 2018 and the global pandemic.
Attendees included Shameka Roberts, a Zeta and Texas A&M University-San Antonio alumna who graduated in spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in criminal justice. Roberts has been an active Zeta for two years. Joining the Zeta Phi Beta has given her a sisterhood and a support system.
“Sisterhood is deeply valued creating a network of mutual care and encouragement,” Roberts said.
UTSA’s Student Union Denman Ballroom was packed with every seat filled leaving attendees standing up against the wall. The representation from the African American community was evident.
Roberts, who is a paralegal for the Bexar County Courthouse, said the event celebrates Black excellence, reflecting the sorority’s values and legacy.
The Zeta Phi Beta Double Up chapter was chartered at UTSA April 29, 2015.
A total of three new members were unveiled. During the unveiling each new member is expected to recite the historical knowledge of the sorority—doing so with pride and enthusiasm.
“The women did amazing, they have worked so hard,” said Larhonda Lane, psychology major and Vice President of the Zeta Phi Beta chapter at UTSA.
Roberts said previous presentations during COVID-19 were conducted virtually or through pictures and videos. The last live member unveiling at UTSA took place in 2018.
“The live performances represent a revitalization of Zeta Phi Beta’s presence and outreach at UTSA,” Roberts said.
Attendees at the live unveiling included UTSA students, members of the Divine Nine organizations and representation from Texas State University and A&M-San Antonio.
Roberts said A&M-San Antonio does not have a Zeta Phi Beta chapter. In order to establish a chapter at A&M-San Antonio, it requires five members during the same induction. Those five women would become the first-ever A&M-SA charter members and go down in Zeta history at the University.
“Once five members are established it will become a new name and chapter exclusively at Texas A&M-SA,” said Roberts.
Zeta Phi Beta was founded in 1920 by five women at Howard University in Washington, D.C:
Zeta Phi Beta has over 875 chapters located in the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Caribbean. The Delta chapter is the fourth chapter to be charted in the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
The Delta chapter is a city-wide chapter that allows anyone to join if their school doesn’t have a Zeta chapter. Delta chapter was chartered in San Antonio Aug 30 1956.
Roberts said there is no Zeta Phi Beta chapter chartered at Texas A&M-SA we are working on that.
“The Delta chapter will still exist but will no longer be at Texas A&M-SA as they have a new chapter established,” said Roberts.
“It shows solidarity and sisterhood when members and alumni from other surrounding Universities come out and support our events,” Roberts said.
The sorority was built on four pillars including scholarship, service, sisterhood and finer womanhood.
“Members are encouraged to pursue higher education with many achieving advanced degrees,” Roberts said.
The Divine Nine is recognized as nine historically Black Greek letter organizations under the Pan-Hellenic Council: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (1906), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (1908), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (1911), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (1911), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (1913), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (1914), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (1920), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (1922): and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (1963).
The nine organizations were founded due to the exclusion of Black individuals from White fraternities and sororities. Alpha Phi Alpha spearheaded this historical movement by founding the first Black Greek organization in 1906 at Cornell University.
Roberts said they play a crucial role in preserving Black history while educating members about the specific history and mission of their respective organization.
“Despite their origins in Black Greek Life, membership is inclusive, welcoming individuals of all race colors and creeds,” Roberts said.
For more information, email Deltachapterzetas@gmail.com.
