Happy Founders Day Zeta Phi Beta 2010: Frontlines and Tactical Support

"I'll be there" ~Jackson 5

When I became a man of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., back in 2002, I often envisioned that my relationship with frat would be such that if I ever needed a helping hand or a brother to have my back it would be there. I believed at the time that PBS would be the new BFL and with certain brothers I would probably rule Sigma and then the world. I admit there is a bit of hyperbole in this statement but the fact remains I thought my relationship with my beleaguered/beloved frat would be well, BFL.

Bu as we have learned with me "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry".

Conversely, I didn't think I would have a good relationship with my Sorors. At the point in history when I became MAB, I really was still learning how to deal with myself, let alone finer Black women. Since I am being truthful and transparent my first couple of dealing with Sorors, esp this one from ATL was, in a word, fucked.

As we have also learned from me redemption and confronting the unexpected with success is another hallmark of TLT.

I often laugh and is teased by baby mama that I am more solid with my Sorors than my Brothers; I think its weird that I can bond easier with the finer (space) women than with the men of my wondrous band. You think I'm lying? Check this fun fact: In the past ten years, a Soror has been the winner of my annual MVP award 5 times, with one Soror winning it twice. These Sorors were: my pledge mom Ms. Perse in 2002, Soror Sage in 2005, Soror Minister of the Interior in 2007 and 2009, Soror (the)Queen/Party A/ Black Butterfly (* ain't decided on a new code name yet) in 2008, and lastly you had Soror Shulimite Woman in 2009. I guess I need to explore why this is; I reckon that is a blog for another day but for now let me get back to the primary focus of this piece.

Happy Founder's Day to the Illustrious, Wonderful Finer (space) Women of
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

90 years in the game huh? Damn that's a milestone by any standard. 90 years of being forerunners in scholarship, service, sisterhood, and baling out bro's like myself who always seem to find themselves in a pickle. 90 years of getting it done, sometimes winning hella pretty and sometimes winning ugly. 90 years of reppin Black beauty and Black womanhood to the uptenth power. Indeed, my beloved Sorors you all are the greatest and I am happy to be connected to you.

I laugh when I think about the fact that my Sorors at times are more BFL than BFL and more frat than Sigma. I chuckle that my first response units are generally my Sorors and I also chuckle when I realize those who are truly down for me are the women of Z-Phi-B. As I said in previous blogs I thank you deeply, from the bottom of my heart for this. I can never repay it although I am definitely not opposed to trying; this annual blog for instance is a testament to my gratefulness

So without further adieu let me get on to the shout outs:

Soror Lillet: Where in the hell is my attorney and Soror? You are loved.

Soror Rev. Dr: I've learned you are Wonder Woman to my Batman; an insightful albeit antagonist ally. Yet there are few who can match me intellectually and teach me something spiritually. It was you who put those "Mornings" and walks with the "Star" into context, taught me about the "despair unto death" and challenged me to quit drinking (which I did for a time). I regret we could not see eye to eye on our growth as friends, but this does not negate the fact that when shit was hectic you were there and offered me the tools to build a torch to see my way through. You are loved.

Soror Sage: I credit you with some of my stronger emotional growth, and to be quite honest had I not put aside some strategies you taught me during our time together, I might not have been put in the same ridiculous spaces I found myself in during 2009. Part of me regrets we don't talk as much, but the other part remembers your words that a physical presence, while nice, doesn't come close to comparing to person's mental and spiritual essence. No matter what, I have the lessons you gave me in regards to the road less traveled, missing people, being emotionally honest and other situations dealing with the mind heart and spirit. As as long as I have that, then you are there. You are loved.

Soror Joy: Somehow, some way you always know when to hit me up, with an IM or an email. I can go a whole three months without talking to you yet your insight in just as valuable. I enjoy our growth and our similar journeys. You are truly a sister and friend. You are loved

Soror Mariam: I remember during the first days of the L.S.C. you were so kind and understanding. There were times where your kind words and silly jokes "I'm block you" just lightened my mood. I am happy you found love and marriage and it inspires me. Looking at your family at the Kwanzaa celebration made me grin on the inside and tease yall on the out. Yeah, yall really do give me hope that our generation hasn't forgotten about Black Love. You are loved.

Soror AJ: You are one of the Zeta's my mother adores, she will never forget the kind act you and your chapter did for our family that cold December day in 2006. As for me you are my sister and friend. I appreciate you more than you know, you always bring a different take and generally as a first responder you keep things to a wonderful minimum. I promise that 2010 I will be around and we will hang more. You and Ben inspire me, like Soror Mariam and her husband that one day you'll be laughing at me at my wedding and begging me to put Talae out.
You are loved Soror.

Soror Sleepy: One of the few people who knew me before Blue and White, and I suspect one of the few people who will truly know me long after Blue and White. You are an amazing friend, Soror, critic and otherwise good gal. I am happy to have known you all these years. Your place in the pantheon of my friends is secure and I want to thank you constantly checking up on me this summer. You are loved.

Soror Amber: A snarky Soror whose bite I've come to love and enjoy, somehow you are one of the few Sorors who can get me to turn it down a bit with the Facebook status messages. Yet in those snappy one liners I discern a lot and I thank you. Since 04, you've been a staple in my favorite Soror space and I don't see you going no where any time soon. You are loved, in a non piss your husband off kinda way. Obi Wan is powerful.

Soror Leslie: My pledge mom, big sister and the first Zeta to show me what this bond was about. I am glad we are slowly reconnecting but I gotta admit I need to speed this process along. I am hella slacking ya dig? We got some good history and I got so much to catch you up on. I remember the wars fought to keep our friendship alive, our respective mates hell bent on stomping us out; No matter how much they tried we only grew closer. 2010 gotta be the year we take it back old school, find a new "John's Garage" and enjoy life again. You are loved and adored.

Soror "Her": I would be emotionally dishonest if I didn't include you in this year's blog. Indeed our time together was the best of times and the worst of times. I've been through a lot, seen a lot and the shit that happened in our space was unquestionably the roughest. Even with that ugly truth, I can't deny your impact on my life since the wonderful founders day sip; I can't deny the (at one time) beautiful friendship, and while "this wasn't supposed to be like this at all", I do accept what will be will be. I thank you for all that you contributed to my presence and I in the words of Destiny's Child, am "wishing are blessed, wishing you are blessed, no stress and lots of happiness." And you know what? You are loved too. Godspeed in 2010.

Soror LRJ: Every we time we talk I laugh a bit because you are the last person I thought I would confide in in life. I giggle when I think of the immense mutual dislike; now I smile because we share an emotional bond which can not be matched. I know that you have trials right now, and honesty it can be rough. But know like I made it through, you will make it through. Anybody or anything that doesn't see your worth, fuck em. I want you to know my co-MVP that I am here at this emotional space of balance and comfort because you never gave up, grew frustrated or quit. You remained my Soror and friend and I will forever be thankful for that. You Soror are loved and adored.

Soror Jones: Twice now you have been my MVP and both times I am glad to call you such. If Soror LRJ helped me get to an emotional space, I owe my current career and spiritual space to you. God only knows that I would still be working in the salt mines had you not stepped up and gave me a hand. Our friendship has gone through a lot, has evolved and has grown. I am pleased to call you my Soror, colleague, friend and confidant. I can't wait for the day you lil ones can play with little Charles and we laugh about all of the things we been through. You like your co-MVP are so loved and adored and have my loyalty for life. Thank you for all that you do. You are loved.

Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. please on this 90th founders day enjoy it and go out and do what yall do best. Change with world.

With warm regards and love

Straight, No Chaser

TLT

1-16-2010

12:01am