State Director’s Letter

This is an amazing honor that I do not take for granted. I know that my love for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., passion for service, and humble beginnings in various committees have all culminated in this instance. This is a very proud milestone that I am excited to share with you. I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge those who guided me throughout my Zeta journey. I appreciate every Soror who believed in my abilities to lead as state director of the Commonwealth of Virginia, corrected me along the way, and held me accountable. I would also like to acknowledge our International Grand Basileus Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant and members of the Board of Directors, Regional Director Birchette, past regional directors, Immediate Past State Director Dr. May, and all who came before me. Your contributions are not forgotten. I appreciate your sacrifice and diligence to uphold the legacy of Zeta Phi Beta and I promise to continue serving with the same grace, attentiveness, and integrity.

I would like to specifically acknowledge my chapter President Natavia Jean-Jacque, the life members, and the entire Nu Xi Zeta chapter of Alexandria Virginia for your endorsement and gracious support. Thank you.

For my Sorors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, may I share with you a vision. There are sorors (current, reclaimed, and new) as Captains and Generals realizing their leadership capacity. I see opportunities for financial expansion and the formation of meaningful alliances. I see my sorors building new local and statewide partnerships (2) I see increased service delivery executed with zeal, vigor, and with return on investment (3) I see the birth of something new and exceptional in the commonwealth.

I see the energy of zeta phi beta renewed, permeating streets, local agencies, and conference halls. I see a finer army of royal blue and white. During this quest for advancement, I see the sorors of Virginia (my sorors) not only on the front lines but excited to be there. Sorors, I have the desire to make this vision reach fruition. I want to increase the vis(zeal)ibility and recognition of our purposeful and meaningful service.

To do so, every zeta is challenged to demonstrate unity in sisterhood. I want us to be more united and to have an understanding that there is strength in collectivism. Every zeta throughout the state of Virginia should feel included and understand her role in the execution of this vision. As our most honorable founders demonstrated long ago, nothing in Zeta qualifies as a solo mission. Therefore, my heart desires that no Soror feel isolated, disenfranchised, forgotten, or left behind. If any soror feels this way it is our collective responsibility to remind them of our unified vision and bring them back into the fold. As sisters, we all have a role to play in this mission and I intend to see it through.

Earlier, I mentioned zeal and sisterhood. These are key ingredients necessary to bring this vision to life. How is zeal embodied in the lives of our sorors? What will elevate Virginia’s vis (zeal)bility? What will deter our sorors from retreating in the face of adversity? Mahatma Gandhi once said: a policy is a temporary creed liable to be changed, but while it holds good it has got to be pursued with apostolic zeal. The answer lies in this very quote. We must work together as sisters. I employ you to rise early, join this mission, and meet me on the front lines.

Remember to serve Virginia with our principles and zeal in mind and I will do the same. As your soror on the front lines, I vow to protect Zeta, nurture her, fortify her, and carry her on my back into the next term just as I would any of you. I will not abandon her for finer or for worse as I committed long ago to love Zeta just as I would for any of you. So. I vow to maintain Zeta's virtue, and integrity and ensure the longevity of our esteemed organization for years to come. I ask you to stand with me and take part in this by honoring your commitments to Zeta Phi Beta too we can do this together.

I am humbled by your confidence in me and excited to have the opportunity to pour back into an organization that has invested and poured so much into me. Confucius once said, "When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for ourselves." let’s demonstrate this in mind, body, and spirit, carrying our torches into 2023 and beyond as we embrace the extraordinary.

It is my absolute pleasure to serve as your 15th state director for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Number 15 signing in for duty!

Sisterly,

La’Ketha D. Prioleau