Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-large) hosted Blue and White Day on Friday, January 16, 2026 – recognizing Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Day and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Day in the City of Philadelphia – alongside City and State officials, organizational leadership, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, and community partners. The event recognized the longstanding contributions of both organizations, while advancing shared priorities around public health and civic engagement.
“As a proud Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated with 20 years of unwavering commitment in exemplifying the principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood, I take my role as the only Divine Nine City Councilmember very seriously,” said Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson. “Blue and White Day provided an important opportunity to recognize the service of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, while highlighting ongoing efforts focused on public health and civic engagement. I am incredibly grateful for their continued commitment to supporting communities across Philadelphia and the Commonwealth.”
During the event, attendees received information and resources on healthcare access, preventative care, voter education, and civic participation in support of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s Global Day of Service and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated’s March to the Midterms initiatives. Speakers included Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) , PA State Representative Jordan Harris (House District 186), PA State Representative Regina Young (House District 185), Philadelphia City Commissioners Omar Sabir and Lisa Deeley, PA State Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Olivia B. Miller, Eastern Regional Director of Social Action for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Christopher I. Stith, and representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the American Heart Association.
“It’s an honor to stand with Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson in celebrating Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Day and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Day in the City of Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson. “The collective impact of these organizations on our city is undeniable. That’s why in 2019 I was proud to dedicate Federal Street, between 19th and 20th Streets in South Philadelphia, ‘Arizona C. Stemons Way’ in honor of the initiating founder of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a Philadelphia resident whose leadership and legacy of service continues to shape communities across Philadelphia and beyond.”
“As a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, it was an honor to join my soror, Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson, in recognizing the legacy of service and leadership exemplified by both Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated,” said PA State Representative Jordan Harris, Majority Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “For generations, our Divine Nine organizations have been deeply rooted at the heart of organizing, mobilizing, and advocacy for African Americans and other marginalized communities. Blue and White Day highlights the continued role these organizations play in advancing public health, expanding access to resources, and strengthening civic engagement across Philadelphia.”
“I am honored to be a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated simply because our efforts, as a sisterhood is selfless and our service to others is impactful,” said PA State Representative Regina Young.
“This event hosted by our Distinguished Soror Katherine Gilmore Richardson proudly amplifies our Global Day of Service,” said Olivia Miller, PA State Director for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. “This initiative underscores the Sorority’s role as a catalyst for advancing The Power of S.H.E.—Social, Health, and Economic Justice through coordinated, community-centered activations across the globe. Today our Sorors discussed critical community needs and received resources to provide to the communities that they service in the Captivating Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reaffirming Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s enduring legacy of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.”
“The 2026 Midterm elections are not to be missed and will be incredibly consequential for the future of our democracy,” said Christopher I. Stith, Eastern Regional Director of Social Action for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. “To be an empowered, educated and engaged voter with a plan to vote is the most powerful resource that we can offer our constituency. I am proud to kick off the Eastern Region of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated’s March to the Midterms here at the Blue and White Day at City Hall and thankful to the City Commissioners for coming out and being a part of the resources shared today.”
Blue and White Day also marked the formal recognition of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Day (Resolution Number 251107) on January 16th and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated Day on January 9th (Resolution Number 251106), as designated by resolutions passed by Philadelphia City Council in December 2025.
Photos from the event are available here.