Hattitude with Attitude: Zeta’s Breakfast Fundraiser

BY EMMA COOPER CAVIN, Contributor

ST. PETERSBURG – New hats, old hats, casual hats and dressy hats were all on display last Saturday morning.  St. Petersburg’s chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, along with their guests, enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and reveled in the holiday spirit while wearing and modeling a variety of unusual and delightful hats to mix and match their holiday outfits.

What was the occasion? Why the Zeta’s annual holiday breakfast, of course!  This breakfast, held at the Dolphin Hotel on St. Pete Beach, was not just another fundraiser, it was also a wonderful way to begin celebrating the holidays!

After the event chairperson, Paulette Jones, welcomed the guests, the chapter president, Lisa Wilson, introduced the chapter members, adult and youth auxiliaries, special guests, and members of other fraternities and sororities. Patricia Stewart gave words of inspiration and the blessing before the group was served a tasty breakfast.

Smooth jazz was provided by Henry Ashwood and his magic saxophone before and during the breakfast.  Groove Entertainment provided the music for the fashion show.  Santa Claus (DeAndre Guinn) and his helpers (members of the Zeta Youth Auxiliary) were on hand to pass out the numerous door prizes.

The fashion show models displayed an array of colorful hats and shoes that caused every suit and dress to stand out. Models included individuals from the teen years through the senior years.

The clothing categories included professional and church attire, casual and sportswear, and after five and formal apparel. Every outfit had a matching or contrasting hat to complete that special look.

Male models included teenager Jonathan Miller, Bruce Davis, Alvie Edwards and Janomi McCullough. Laquil Mitchell was the teen female model, while the other female models included Margell Davis and Yvonne King. The commentator for the fashion show was chapter member, Dr. Alicia Isaac.

A number of community organizations receive support from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority throughout the year as a part of the Z-HOPE project (Zetas Helping Other People Excel).  On Saturday, the Blue Hat presentation was made to the Community Action Stops Abuse Organization (CASA), which helps families that may have experienced abuse.

As a community-conscious, action-oriented organization, the local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated continues to uphold its record of community service.   Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the national organization was founded on January 16, 1920, on the campus of Howard University.  The Zeta Gamma Zeta Chapter was chartered in St. Petersburg on April 15, 1955.