On Samia Nkrumah's Advocacy

Samia Yaba Christina Nkrumah is an activist for social justice and equity, philanthropist, former politician, and the daughter of Kwame Nkrumah. She is also an honorary member of Zetas Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. In the last few months she has been vocal in advocating for election reforms that empower the voices of marginalized citizens, including women and those from smaller political parties. She is also advocating for LGBT+ rights in Ghana.

From the Daily Graphic

Nkrumah is currently advocating for the current president of Ghana to veto an anti-LGBT+ bill. In February of 2024, a bill was passed in Ghana that heightens the consequences for consensual same-sex conduct. The bill also criminalizes organizations advocating for LGBT rights in the country. An additional layer to the bill includes imprisonment for individuals who do not report these activities and censoring anyone who advocates via social media. Read more about the legislation on the Human Rights Watch website

In March, Samia Nkrumah spoke on the issue emphasizing the need for education and empathy, instead of fear and hate. She also alluded to the bills divisive approach and stressed the need for people in Ghana to unite around their shared heritage and protect each other. In addition to Nkrumah's perspective and advocacy, the Ministry of Finance has named the economic impact of signing the bill into law, citing the country could lose almost $4 billion from the World Bank alone.

A good overview of the issue and an interview with an artist in Ghana who may be impacted by the bill can be found on The Daily Graphic.

Relana Johnson & Michelle Manns Win RZ AI Competition

In January, Real Zetas hosted an AI Competition to celebration 104 years of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. The votes are in, counted, and the winners have been notified! Read the artist statements below.

Congratulations to Relana Johnson and Michelle Manns!

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Relana Johnson of Alsip, Illinois

As a 20+ year award-winning, celebrity, veteran graphic designer, I feel that it is important to always stay on top of the latest industry trends. Working with AI technology was no different. I am a native Chicago girl who grew up on World’s Finest Chocolate and as an out-of-the-box thinker, I thought that this would be a fun and unique way to pay homage to my city and honor my beloved Sorors and our esteemed organization. I was very pleased to see my vision come to life on screen and receive so many accolades!

I am a newly-initiated member who has been positively impacted by Zeta Women throughout my life and it has been my honor to serve our Sorority by sharing my gifts and talents. Fully embracing our principle of Finer Womanhood, I wanted to highlight and emphasize that we, the Women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated are indeed Fine, FINER, and unmistakably, undeniably, and unequivocally the FINEST sorority around! 

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Michelle Manns of Akron, Ohio

My inspiration when I was thinking of an image to create was of a beautiful woman with white doves and white roses created with an artistic twist. I wanted to draw inspiration from the things Zeta Phi Beta Sorority represents. The woman embodies the Finer Womanhood, grace, beauty of our Sorors. And the White doves and roses were incorporated to honor the essence of our beloved Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

Revisiting #IAMZETA

As we come to the end of another Finer Womanhood Month, we thought we would take a stroll down memory lane. It has been 10 years since Amber Pratcher and the RZ team created #IAmZeta, a campaign highlighting more than 150 members of our beloved sorority. In what felt like a matter of days, our team compiled several features on amazing women who were doing amazing things in the world. We highlighted undergraduates and graduate members alike. We also featured past, present, and future officers at every level of the sorority. It was a campaign that would set the tone for highlighting the best of any NPHC organization.

You may be wondering, what are those sorors up to now? We agree and we want to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of #IAMZETA by sharing updates on the sorors who were highlighted in the original campaign. If you were featured then and would like to be among those featured for the 10 year anniversary of #IAMZETA , submit your story and photo https://www.rz1920.com/rzstory.

Below you will find a sample of the finer women highlighted back in 2014.

Click an image to see more from the original campaign.