Historically Black Greek Letter Sororities Singing Their National Hymns (Part III - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.)

UNC Pembroke Zeta Phi Beta Hymn [The University of North Carolina at Pembroke] 

Crystal Bass, Apr 18, 2018

April 2018 Crossover

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a four part pancocojams series that showcases YouTube videos of members of a particular historically Black Greek letter sororities singing their national hymns or other  group songs. The lyrics to these songs aren't included in these posts.

Each of the posts in this pancocojams series showcase two videos of a national hymn or some other song that is sung by members of one historically Black Greek letter sorority that is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the umbrella organization that is composed of those four historically Black Greek letter sororities and five historically Black Greek letter fraternities.

These four sororities are presented in chronological order based on their founding dates with the oldest sorority given first.  

This post presents information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and showcases two YouTube videos of members of that sorority singing their national hymn or another song..

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/02/historically-black-greek-letter_25.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and showcases two YouTube videos of members of that sorority singing their national hymn or another song.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/02/historically-black-greek-letter_26.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post presents information about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and showcases two YouTube videos of members of that sorority singing their national hymn or another song.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/02/historically-black-greek-letter_54.html for Part IV of this pancocojams series. That post presents information about Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and showcases two YouTube videos of members of that sorority singing their national hymn or another song.

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and thanks to all past and present members of that sorority. Thanks to all of those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who composed these songs and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. 

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL (THE DIVINE 9)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council
"The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities, commonly called the Divine Nine, and also referred to as Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs).[1] The NPHC was formed as a permanent organization on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University, in Washington, D.C., with Matthew W. Bullock as the active Chairman and B. Beatrix Scott as Vice-Chairman. NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.[2]

[…]

History

The National Pan-Hellenic Council was established during the Jim Crow era when Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by white Americans did not want to be affiliated with Greek letter collegiate organizations founded by African Americans.[3]

 The organization's stated purpose and mission in 1930:

' Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.[4]'

 The founding members of the NPHC were Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta. The council's membership expanded as Alpha Phi Alpha (1931), Phi Beta Sigma (1931), Sigma Gamma Rho (1937), and Iota Phi Theta (1996) later joined.[5]"...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOUR SORORITIES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL
From AI Overview (results given on February 15, 2026)

Date joined NPHC

The four historically Black sororities in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine) were founded between 1908 and 1922, with key incorporations following shortly after their founding to establish legal, perpetual status. They are Alpha Kappa Alpha (1908/1913), Delta Sigma Theta (1913/1930), Zeta Phi Beta (1920/1923), and Sigma Gamma Rho (1922/1929).

Here are the details for each sorority

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA): Founded Jan. 15, 1908, at Howard University. It was incorporated on Jan. 29, 1913, to ensure perpetuity.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST): Founded Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University. It was incorporated in 1930.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (ZPhiB): Founded Jan. 16, 1920, at Howard University. It was incorporated in 1923.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (SGRho): Founded Nov. 12, 1922, at Butler University. It was incorporated in 1929

These organizations were created to foster sisterhood, scholarship, and service, specifically providing support networks for Black women during times of segregation and exclusion from mainstream organizations." 

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INFORMATION ABOUT ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeta_Phi_Beta
"Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (ΖΦΒ) is a historically African American sorority. Since its founding, Zeta Phi Beta has historically focused on addressing social causes.[2]

Zeta Phi Beta is a non-profit 501(c)(7) organization that is divided into eight intercontinental regions and 800+ Chapters located in the US, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.[3] In 1948, Zeta Phi Beta became the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (in Monrovia, Liberia). Zeta Phi Beta is the third-largest predominantly African-American sorority.[2][4]

History

In the spring of 1919, during a stroll on the campus of Howard University, Charles Robert Samuel Taylor, member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, told Arizona Cleaver his idea for a new sisterhood; a sister organization to his fraternity. Cleaver presented this idea to Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler, Viola Tyler, and Fannie Pettie, and a new sisterhood was formed.[5]

Cleaver secured permission from the Howard University administration to establish a campus sorority. On January 16, 1920, the sorority's first official meeting was held. The five students chose the name Zeta Phi Beta. Phi Beta was taken from Phi Beta Sigma to "seal and signify the relationship between the two organizations"

[...]

Symbols

Zeta Phi Beta's founding principles or pillars are Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. Its motto is "A community-conscious, action-oriented organization". Its colors are royal blue and white. Its symbol is the dove. Its flower is a white rose. Its publication is The Archon."...

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
There are a number of YouTube videos of a member or members of historically Black Greek letter sororities singing their national hymn/s or other songs that members of a particular historically Black Greek letter sorority consider to be their songs. 

In this pancocojams series I'm particularly interested in group renditions of these songs and whether the members of these sororities hold hands while they sing, or wrap their arms behind the back of people standing on either side, or link their arms with the person standing on either side (in the same manner that is commonly used for songs such like as the Civil Rights song "We Shall Over Come" and the song "Aud Lang Syne" that is sung on New Years Eve or during certain other special occasions).

Based on my direct experiences and based on from watching YouTube videos, It appears that for any one of these three gestures a group of people can sing while standing still or they can sing while rhythmically swaying from side to side. 

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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/11/videos-of-kkpsi-fratenrity-three.html for a related 2017 pancocojams post entitled "Videos Of Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities & KKPsi (Music Fraternity/Sorority) Linking Arms While Singing Their Organization's Hymns"

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Zeta Phi Beta Hymn At Scholarship Program

1concordiaselma, Mar 21, 2012

Gamma Eta Zeta Chapter sing the sorority hymn at Scholarship Program
-snip-
From https://www.facebook.com/LexiTelevision/videos/the-zeta-phi-beta-sorority-inc-hymns-lyrics-were-penned-by-soror-anita-turpeau-i/1621755828460907/
"The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hymn’s lyrics were penned by Soror Anita Turpeau in 1924, and the music was composed by Soror Audrey B. Robinson in 1953. Soror @iammariah.official with me on BG vocals. 💙🤍🕊️"

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This concludes Part III of this four part pancocojams series.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Song "When I Was A Little Girl" (videos & lyrics)

taywill78, Jan 31, 2009

Alpha Kappa Aka on founders day in 08 at UF..shout out to Andre S.
-snip-
"UF" = University of Florida

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two YouTube videos of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s song
"When I Was A Little Girl". 

This post includes my attempt to transcribe the lyrics for that song as sung in Showcase Video #1.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers of Alpha Kappa Alpha's versions of "When I Was A Little Girl" and thanks to  all those who are featured in the YouTube videos that are embedded in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube. 
-snip-
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first historically Black Greek letter sorority. That sorority was founded at Howard University in 1906.

Click the tag below for other pancocojams posts about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Also, read the lyrics for a very similar Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. song and click the tag below for other pancocojams post about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.  

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Lpaha Kappa Alpha Sorority's song "When I Was A Little Girl" brags about being a member of that historically Black Greek letter sorority and disses (insults) membership in any other historically Black Greek letter sorority. 

I don't think that my transcription of the lyrics for this song is correct. I know that the song disses being a "Delta" (a member of "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.", or being a "Sigma" (a member of "Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.", or being a "Zeta", (a member of Zeta Phi Beta" Sorority Inc.).

The only two online sources that I've come across to date for this song are given as "Showcase Video #1 from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the University of Florida in 2008 and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Alpha Chapter from FAMU 2016. 

These two videos of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's "When I Was A Little Girl" song are sung in an up tempo manner while standing in place and performing accompanying movements (not stepping or strolling) . 

I wonder if Alpha Kappa Alpha' Sorority's versions of "When I Was A Little Girl" is an adaptation of the  English language pop song "Que Sera Sera" tt sorority's versions of "When I Was A Little Gurl"? (Is the English language song "Que Sera Sera ("Whatever Will Be Will Be" that was written in 1955 and  popularized in 1956 by Doris Day.

Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_Sera,_Sera_(Whatever_Will_Be,_Will_Be) 
for information about that song

I'm interested in documenting when (year/decade) and where (which AKA chapter) versions of the song  "When I Was A Little Girl" was first sung by members of Alphra Kappa Alpha Sorority.

I'm also interested in finding out if any other historically Black Greek letter sorority or fraternity and/or any other university based sorority or fraternity sings adapted versions of this "When I Was A Little Girl" song. if so,  who, when, and where was those versions of that song first sung and what are the lyrics to those versions?

 Please share any information about this song or songs in the comment section below. Thanks in advance.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2

Sharayne, MFT, Jun 18, 2016

Alpha Kappa Alpha Beta Alpha Chapter from FAMU Singing After Spring 2016 Graduation
-snip-
This song begins at .018 in this video.

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LYRICS - WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL
(as sung by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.)*

 When I was a little girl

My momma said to me
[some of the sorors say “She said”]

I was a Delta
A Sigma you should be
I said “No no mama

That ain’t the way

AKA is the only way

A KA KA KA KA 
A KA KA KA K AKA

When I was a little girl

my momma said to me

[some of the sorors say “She said”]

I was a Delta

A Zeta you should be

I said “No no mama

That ain’t the way

AKA is the only way

 A KA KA KA KA 
A KA KA KA K AKA

When I was a little girl

my momma said to me

[some of the sorors say “She said”]

I was an Alpha

An Alpha you should be

I said “Yes Yes  mama

That is the way

AKA is the only way

 A KA KA KA KA 

A KA KA KA K AKA

 

A KA KA KA KA 

A KA KA KA K AKA

-snip-
*This is my transcription of this song as sung in the video given as Showcase Video #1 in this pancocojams post. Additions and corrections are very welcome.

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Six Videos Of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Probates

Domo Visions, Mar 8, 2018

The Xi Theta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. had a new membership presentation on March 3rd, 2018. The Unique Pearls had made their way to Zeta land. This is at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
-snip-
Two sorors each hold a decorated Zeta Phi Beta Sorority staff and one soror holds a large blue lettr "Z" with white dots.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part IV of a five part pancocojams series that presents information about and videos of the custom of sorors of historically Black Greek letter sororities carrying a decorated mace or holding a decorated staff at the beginning of their new member presentations (also known as "probates")

This post showcases multiple videos of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. probates that include designated sorors carrying a decorated mace or holding a decorated staff.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-historically-black-greek-letter.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents information about this custom.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/videos-of-probate-custom-of-designated.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases multiple videos of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. probates that include designated sorors carrying a decorated mace or holding a decorated staff.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-videos-of.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. That post showcases multiple videos of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Inc. probates that include designated sorors carrying a decorated mace or holding a decorated staff.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/sigma-gamma-rho-sorority-videos-of.html for Part V of this pancocojams series. That post showcases multiple videos of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. probates that include designated sorors carrying a decorated mace or holding a decorated staff.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the producers and publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are featured in these embedded videos as well as the producers and publishers of these videos.

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 SHOWCASE VIDEO #1

This video is embedded at the top of this post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Zeta Phi Beta Upsilon Alpha Fall 2016 Probate

Damarquis Casarez, Dec 8, 2016

Huston-Tillotson University - Six Phazez Of Systematic TurBLUence
-snip-
This probate video doesn't show any sorors with a staff or any sorors with a mace.

Unlike later Zeta Phi Beta Sorority probates, the first member of the probate line doesn't hold a shield.

Some sorors are seated with a stick in front of them.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Tuskegee University Zeta Phi Beta Theta Beta Chapter 2019

 

Renee Gray, Apr 16, 2019
-snip-
This video shows two sorors standing side by side in front of a vertical line of probates. Each soror is holding a thin lightly decorated staff or long mace.

The ace (the first person in the probate line) is carrying a Zeta Phi Beta Sorority shield.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Zeta Phi Beta I Beta Delta Chapter I Probate Spring 2022 

 

Omaria Ackerson, May 16, 2022

Spring '22 Beta Delta Chapter Probate at Xavier University of Louisiana.
-snip-
This video shows two sorors holding a decorated staff with the sorority's colors and Greek letters.

The ace (first person in the vertical line of  neos) holds a Zeta Phi Beta Sorority shield.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - UAPB Zetas Fall 2022 New Member Presentation

 

Alan Jefferson, Dec 8, 2022  UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,Inc.

Beta Beta Chapter

Fall 2022

New Member Presentation

Filmed by: Alan B.Jefferson 
-snip-
Two sorors are shown holding decorated staffs. One of the staffs has the letters "V P" which probably stands for "Vice President". 

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc Gamma Alpha Spr 24 Line

Everlasting Memories by Ira Willis

Mar 15, 2024  FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Gamma Alpha Chapter 2024 Spring Presentation
-snip-
This video shows two sorors standing in front of two vertical lines of new members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

The ace (first person in one of the vertical line of  neos) holds a Zeta Phi Beta Sorority shield.

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This concludes Part IV of this five part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams

Visitor comments are welcome.

  

 

Hyperlink List Of Pancocojams Posts That Are Specifically About Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents hyperlinks to all of the pancocojams posts as of this date that specifically showcase Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1920 at Howard University (Washington D.C.).

Links to additional specific posts about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will be added to this post when they are published on this pancocojams blog. 

This post also presents information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. from that organization's official website.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and thanks to all past and present members of that historically Black Greek letter organization. 
-snip-
Additional information, videos, and chant/songs examples of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. can be found in general pancocojams posts about historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that are members of Divine Nine. Click the tags found below for links to those pancocojams posts.  

Pancocojams posts that showcase each of the Divine Nine organizations will be published ASAP. Those links will be included in the general "African American fraternities and sororities" tag. 

Disclaimer: This tag isn't meant to imply that the Divine Nine organizations are the only Black fraternities and sororities.  

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INFORMATION ABOUT ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, iNC.
From https://zphib1920.org/our-history/
"About Zeta Phi Beta

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C.  

[...]

Since its inception, Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally.  The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts.  It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.   The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries.  Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+."...

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HYPERLINKS TO PANCOCOJAMS POSTS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.

Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B (Text & Video Examples)

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/every-beat-of-my-heart-is-crying-z-phi.html

August 11, 2012

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Hairstyles Worn By Members Of Historically Black Sororities - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/08/seven-videos-of-zeta-phi-beta-sorority.html

August 12, 2017

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc's Song "A Zeta Train Is A-Slowly Pushing" (videos & lyrics)

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/01/zeta-phi-beta-sorority-incs-song-zeta.html

January 16, 2021

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Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc's Song "A Zeta Train Is A-Slowly Pushing" (videos & lyrics)

A Zeta Train is a slowly pushing....STRICTLY BIZNESS PROBATE Feb25, 2011

Sasha  Lightbourne, Mar 2, 2011

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Beta Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Probate Spring 2014 Part. 1
Human Jukebox Media, April 25, 2014, Southern University
The "Zeta Train" Song is sung in the beginning of this video.
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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a video of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. chant "A Zeta Train Is Slowing Pushing" (performed in the beginning of this video.  

This post also presents information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. That historically Black Greek letter sorority was founded on Jan. 16, 1920 at Howard University.

The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and thanks to all those who are featured in this video. Thanks to the composer/s of the song "The Zeta Train Is Slowly Pushing" and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of this video on YouTube. 
-snip-
Happy 101 Founders' Day to all past and present members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.!
 
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INFORMATION ABOUT ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, iNC.
From https://zphib1920.org/our-history/
"About Zeta Phi Beta
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C.  The Klan was very active during this period and the Harlem Renaissance was acknowledged as the first important movement of Black artists and writers in the U.S.  This same year the Volstead Act became effective heralding the start of Prohibition and Tennessee delivered the crucial 36th ratification for the final adoption of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote.  The worst and longest economic recession to hit the U.S. would define the end of the decade-The Great Depression.

It was within this environment that five coeds envisioned a sorority which would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920s and beyond, raise consciousness of their people, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members.  These women believed that sorority elitism and socializing overshadowed the real mission for progressive organizations and failed to address fully the societal mores, ills, prejudices, and poverty affecting humanity in general and the black community in particular.

Since its inception, Zeta has continued its steady climb into the national spotlight with programs designed to demonstrate concern for the human condition both nationally and internationally.  The organization has been innovative in that it has chronicled a number of firsts.  It was the first National Pan-Hellenic Council organization to centralize its operations in a national headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first to form auxiliary groups, and first to be constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.   The sorority takes pride in its continued participation in transforming communities through volunteer services from members and its auxiliaries.  Zeta Phi Beta has chartered hundreds of chapters worldwide and has a membership of 100,000+."...

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LYRICS TO "A ZETA TRAIN IS A-SLOWLY PUSHING"

Zeta Train is a slowly pushing, gotta keep on moving
Pink and Green you don't mean a thing
Red and White get out of my sight
'Cause you haven't seen a lady until you've seen a Zeta
She'll be wearing the lovely Blue and White...keep on pushin...

It's a hard road, searching for my Beta
It's a hard road to Zeta Land
Don't wanna be no AKA, Delta just won't do
Don't wanna Ee-yip-yip for no SGRho
Just wanna wear that White and Blue.

Zeta Train is a slowly pushing, gotta keep on moving
Pink and Green you don't mean a thing
Red and White get out of my sight
'Cause you haven't seen a lady until you've seen a Zeta
She'll be wearing the lovely Blue and White...keep on pushin...

Source for this version of this song: https://www.horntip.com/mp3/2000s/2001ca_black_greek_soundz_songs_and_chants_(CDs)/2001ca_zeta_phi_beta_sorority/06_zeta_train.htm  Black Greek Soundz - Zeta Train  

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Hairstyles Worn By Members Of Historically Black Sororities - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases hair styles worn by some members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc chapters as documented in seven YouTube videos from various Zeta chapters throughout the United States (from 2010-2017).

This is the third post in a pancocojams series that documents various straight/straightened and natural hair styles that are worn by some members of a specific chapter of a historically Black sorority or hair styles that are worn by some members of multiple chapters of that particular sorority.

Click the "Black sorority hair styles" tag below for those posts.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these videos.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
In 1966 I pledged and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Gamma Zeta chapter, New Jersey). In those days, it was both expected and required that women pledging any Black sorority wear their hair straightened/or naturally straight in uniformly shoulder length hairstyles-without any hair extensions, hair weaves, wigs, or braids. Midway in my pledge process, I challenged that rule by getting my hair cut and wearing it in an afro style. Although I received a lot of pressure to straighten my hair from the women pledging me, I refused to do so and was allowed to continue my initiation.

I realize that was waaaay back in the day, but after happening upon a video of another historically Black Greek letter sorority in which a number of steppers wore their hair in natural styles, I decided to document in a small way the impact-if any-of the Black natural hair movement on each of the historically Black Greek letter sororities that are members of the "Divine Nine"*.

*"Divine Nine":
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine". The member/partner organizations have not formally adopted nor recommended the use of this term to describe their collaborative grouping."...

Sororities that are members of the Divine Nine:
(given in order of their founding dates)
Alpha Kappa Alpha

Delta Sigma Theta

Zeta Phi Beta

Sigma Gamma Rho
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/10/articles-about-black-natural-hair.html for a 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Articles About The Black Natural Hair Movements In USA, Brazil, France, Ivory Coast, & South Africa". This is part II of a four part series on current (as of October 2016) attitudes among African Americans about the word "nappy".

The first post in this series includes selected comments from this 2013 New York Times article about Black women wearing their hair natural: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/03/fashion/the-afro-as-a-natural-expression-of-self.html "The Afro as a Natural Expression of Self" by Ruth La Ferla.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
[Pancocojams Editor's Note:
After watching twelve YouTube Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. videos, I decided to showcase these seven videos from various Zeta Phi Beta chapters throughout the United States. I selected these videos because of the diversity of the hair styles as well as the different performance activities documented in these videos.

Most of these videos had at least one comment in their discussion threads. However, none of the discussion threads had any comments about hair.]

Example #1: Every beat of my heart - Pi Mu Chapter Zeta Phi Beta



jmarce1971 Published on Dec 1, 2010
Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta singing

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Example #2: Carolina Greek Explosion Stroll off - Zeta Phi Beta



MagicVideos Published on Jul 31, 2013

The Lethal Lamda Mu chapter performing at the #CGE2013 Carolina Greek Picnic in Charlotte, North Carolina July 27th.

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Example #3: CAU’s “Prolific” Psi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta - Founder's Day Yard Show [Clark Atlanta University]



emmanuel11246 Published on Jan 18, 2015
-snip-
6:10 of this video showcases a steppin performance by members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the brothers of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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Example #4: Blue and White BBQ: Zeta Phi Beta. Mama Jama UCF 2015



RAKCM Productions, Published on Apr 16, 2015

University of Central Florida

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Example #5: Zeta Phi Beta WINS 2016 Atlanta Greek Picnic stroll off (Official Video) #AGP2016



Atlanta Greek Picnic Published on Jun 13, 2016

The Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc WIN the 2016 Atlanta Greek Picnic Stroll off. Saturday June 11th, Morris Brown College.

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Example #6: Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Chapter - Howard 2016 Step Show



Kaelan Laurence Published on Oct 25, 2016

The winners of the 2016 Howard HC step show

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Example #7: ZETA PHI BETA GAMMA CHAPTER FALL 2016



Chinedu Nwokeafor Published on Nov 3, 2016 (Morgan State University)

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Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B (Text & Video Examples)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents examples of the signature Zeta Phi Beta (Z Phi B) Sorority, Inc. chant "Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer/s of this Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. chant and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. 

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those persons who are affiliated with the specific organization that is associated with that particular chant.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CHANT
"Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B" is a Zeta Phi Beta sorority chant/song. I've found several online text versions & videos of this song as it was performed by different chapters of this Black Greek lettered organization [BGLO]. While these versions weren't exactly the same, there are consistent lyrics that are found in each of example of this chant. Furthermore, each of these versions of Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B" have the same call & response structure. Judging from the videos, members of the sorority 'sing' "Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B" while performing step and/or stroll movements to the chant's moderately fast tempo beat.

"Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B" includes references to Zeta Phi Beta's [also known as the "Zetas"] sorority colors (blue and white) and other Black Greek lettered sororities' colors (pink and green - Alpha Kappa Alpha [AKA], crimson and creme [also given as red and white] - Delta Sigma Theta [DST], and blue and gold - Sigma Gamma Rho [Sgrho]. Some versions of "Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B" also include references to some of those rival sororities' signature calls, and/or include references to Zeta Phi Beta's brother group, the BGLO fraternity Phi Beta Sigma [PBS; also known as the "Sigmas"], whose colors are also blue and white.

I'm not sure when the "Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B" chant was first composed. If anyone remembers this chant from the late 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s please share that information with me and other blog readers in the comment section below.

My guess is that the Gladys Knight & The Pips' hit 1972 R&B song "With Every Beat Of My Heart" was the inspiration for this sorority chant. Although I don't read or write music, it seems to me that the words "every beat of my heart" sound the same in both the R&B song and that featured sorority chant. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUM4kNLoDqY for a video of that song.

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TEXT EXAMPLES
(These examples are presented in no particular order.)

EXAMPLE #1: THE BEAT OF MY HEART
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I looked to my left and who stands supreme
The blue and the white; not the pink & the green.
I said my sorors? Yeah?
Did you heart it? Hear what?
The sound of those AKAs
I said they're hurting my head with their
A-a-kin sound
I said "Skee-Wee"
As they shake all around
With their hands in the air
Thinking they're all that
But they don't understand
Pink and Green don't even match.
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I look up a head and who's standing bold
The blue and the white and not the blue and the gold
I said my sorors? Yeah?
Did you hear it? Hear what?
The sound of those SGRho's
Shhhh! [sound of crickets]
No matter what we do
No matter where we go
We never hear a sound
From those SGRho
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I look to my right tell me who did I see?
The blue and the white not the crimson and cream
I said my sorors. Yeah?
My sexy sorors. Yeah?
The sound of the DSTs
I said "Whoooooops"
They pledged the wrong sorority
With that mistaken sound
With that darned geometry
And to make matters worse
They used to be AKA
DST is with them
And they're there today
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I said my sorors. Yeah?
My sexy sorors. Yeah?
We sound sooo good today.
But then a Zeta lady sounds good everyday.

From http://www.horntip.com/mp3/2000s/2001ca_black_greek_soundz_songs_and_chants_(CDs)/2001ca_zeta_phi_beta_sorority/21_the_beat_of_my_heart.htm [posted with two minor typographical corrections]

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The portions of this chant - such as "I said my sorors? Yeah? Did you hear it? Hear what?" - when the leader calls to the rest of the group and the group responds reminds me of the beginning structure of foot stomping cheers, only in reverse (in foot stomping cheers the group calls a person by name and that person responds.) Click this page of my cocojams website http://cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0 for information and examples of foot stomping cheers. The cheer "Introduce Yourself" is a good example of the exchanges between the group addressing a specifically named person and that person initially responding with "Yeah" or "What".

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Example #2: EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART IZ CRYING Z-PHI-B
it's a call and response*
every beat of my heart is crying Z phi B
everybody knows we're the best sorority
no aka no dst
only z phi b for me
look over there and tell me who's supreme
it's the blue and the white and not the pink and the green
look over there and tell me who's ahead
its the blue and the white and not the white and the red
look over and tell me who's got soul
its the blue and white and not the blue and the gold
zeta zeta's got soul and power
we're gonna build ourselves a blue and white tower
finer womanhood is our cry
sisterly love sets the zetas on fire
rise rise rise sweet zeta 2x
look out, look out,look out, look out,ooooohh 4x
-zanalyst08; http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments=1&v=HWvrsSywB98 ; 2008 [This YouTube account has been deleted]
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"Call & response" here means that a soloist sings that line and the group repeats the exact same line.

Notice the substitution of the letter "z" for the letter "s". This is purposely done to pay tribute to the first letter of the group's name. I've noticed the same custom in the writing of other BGLOs, for instance, the substitution of the letter "k" for "c" by the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi.

Here's a video in which the Zetas sing the exact same words:

Every Beat of My Heart Is Crying Z Phi B! - Lambda Lambda Zeta Chapter



Uploaded by BlackUnlimitedBU on May 12, 2009

Zeta Song

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Example #3: EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART IS CRYING Z-PHI-B
Leader- Every beat of my heart is crying Z phi B
Group- Every beat of my heart is crying Z phi B
Leader- Everybody knows we're the best sorority
Group- Everybody knows we're the best sorority
Leader -Come on sisters, get on this line.
Group - Come on sisters get on this line.
Leader - Everybody knows Zeta women are fine.
Group - Everybody knows Zeta women are fine.
Leader - We got might and we got power.
Group - We got might and we got power.
Leader - We're gonna build ourselves a blue and white tower
Group - We're gonna build ourselves a blue and white tower
Leader- Finer womanhood is our cry*
Group- Finer womanhood is our cry*
Leader - Sisterly love sets the zetas on fire*
Group - Sisterly love sets the zetas on fire*
Leader - Look over there and tell me who’s supreme
Group - Look over there and tell me who’s supreme
Leader -It's the blue and the white and not the pink and the green
Group- It's the blue and the white and not the pink and the green
Leader - Look over there and tell me who's ahead
Group - Look over there and tell me who's ahead
Leader – It’s the blue and the white and not the white and the red
Group - It’s the blue and the white and not the white and the red
Leader- Look over there and tell me who's got soul
Group - Look over there and tell me who's got soul
Leader - Well it’s the blue and white and not the blue and the gold
Group - Well it’s the blue and white and not the blue and the gold
Leader - P B S and Z Phi B
Group - P B S and Z Phi B
Leader - Has to be the only true family
Group - Has to be the only true family
Leader - Every beat of my heart is crying Z phi B
Group - Every beat of my heart is crying Z phi B
Leader - Only Z Phi B for me
Group - I said only Z Phi B for me.
Leader - I said only Z Phi B for me
Group - I said only Z Phi B for me.
Leader - I said only Z Phi B for me
Group - I said only Z Phi B for me
Leader- No AKA and no DST
Group - No Aka no DST
Leader - Only Z Phi B for me
Group - I said only Z Phi B for me.
Leader – Only Z Phi B for me
Group - I said only Z Phi B for me.
Group - Rise rise rise oh Zeta
Group - Rise rise rise oh Zeta
Sorors of the blue and white [group forms circle, holds hands of persons on either side, and raises arms]
[chant ends with sorority call]
-jmarce1971 on Dec 1, 2010

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Transcription by Azizi Powell, 8/10/2012. *I'm uncertain about these two lines, and added what I thought were similar lines from Example #2. If those lines are incorrect, please share the correct lines by posting them in the comment section. Thanks!

Here's that video:
Every beat of my heart - Pi Mu Chapter Zeta Phi Beta



Uploaded by jmarce1971 on Dec 1, 2010

Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta singing

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