In today’s episode of, “you can tell they didn’t have diversity in the room”, Macy’s managed to piss off over 1.5 million members of various Black Greek Letter Organizations, most notably members of the Divine 9 / National Pan-Hellenic Council, as well as pretty much anyone who knows a member.

Zeta Phi Beta is in the midst of celebrating their centennial and as a part of that celebrating, they were in the historic, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Zeta’s are known for their scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. They are not now, nor have they ever been a “diverse dance group” as Macy’s tweeted. Stepping by fraternities and sororities dates back to their inception in the early 1900s and draws inspiration from centuries before that. While it is rhythmic and dance-like, it is not dancing…and every Black person knows that! ⠀

Another reason it was so important for Macy’s to get this right, Zeta Phi Beta was the first Black Greek Letter Organization to be in the parade. They are many firsts including first to own and operate from an International headquarters, first to charter a chapter in Africa, first with an adult and youth auxiliary, and so many others…please notice, that list DID NOT include dance group.⠀

I am not in a sorority and dare not speak for them BUT I, and pretty much any other Black person you ask, could have told Macy’s social media team not to call Zeta Phi Beta a diverse dance group. I know the work and dedication it takes to be a member of an organization that is part of the Divine 9 and I know stepping is not the main part or even what they are most known for. ⠀

Companies, organizations, and any individual who wants to be educated, PLEASE for the sake of your bottom line, run all of your external communication through a diverse audience!!! PLEASE ask people how they want to be referenced instead of assuming you know. And PLEASE don’t make every Black person mad by sending out a tweet that could have been avoided by a simple Google search!⠀

#Diversity #Inclusion #Success #Speaker