Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gathered together in the City of Brotherly Love to jointly celebrate their founding during the first month of 2012. The theme of the weekend-long event, “Strengthening the Bond Between Brotherhood and Sisterhood,” was a celebratory inspiration for the organization to begin the new year.

"I am so proud to be a member of this illustrious organization,” said Shante C. Dash, basileus, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Beta Delta Zeta chapter. “Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. share a bond like no other Greek lettered organization in that we are the only to be constitutionally bound sisters and brothers. It only seemed befitting that the first Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Joint Founders' Day Celebration take place in Philadelphia, our city of brotherly love and sisterly affection! It was great to celebrate a weekend observance by providing community outreach, celebrating with a brunch and to pay our respect to our honorable founder Arizona C. Stemons, a long time resident of this city,"

The celebration began with an event, which represented their founding principle of community service. The organizations joined together on the first evening in partnership with Chosen 300 Ministries and unselfishly served nutritious meals to local Philadelphia residents. This took place in the city’s Spring Garden neighborhood.

The next day featured a brunch at the Embassy Suites Hotel in South Philadelphia. “The program highlighted the talent within the organizations and thanked all members for their time and commitment that they give to ensure that the organizations remain at the forefront in combating the social ills which plague our community,” said Derek Bowmer, state director of Phi Beta Sigma. Special recognition was given to Geraldine Kinney for 63 years of service to Zeta Phi Beta. and Terrance Sistrunk for his dedication and commitment to Phi Beta Sigma. The highlight of the brunch was a special ceremony where the organizations recommitted themselves to their special bond of being the only constitutionally bound brother and sister organization.

The weekend culminated in Philadelphia with a memorial service at the gravesite of Arizona Cleaver Stemons, one of the founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and a former resident of the Philadelphia area. Congratulations to Derek Bowmer, Pennsylvania state director of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Siéta Achampong, Pennsylvania state director of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on this momentous occasion.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University on Jan. 9, 1914, by A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse and Charles I. Brown. The men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, under the leadership of its state director Derek Bowmer, have graduate and undergraduate chapters that service the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia communities.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University on Jan. 16, 1920, by Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts and Pearl A. Neal as the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., under the leadership of their state director Siéta Achampong, have graduate and undergraduate chapters, which serve communities in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Norristown, and Delaware, Chester and Montgomerycounties.

Congratulations and best wishes to members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. I extend special thanks to Dana M. Moore first vice president, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Philadelphia Graduate Chapter for her assistance.