On Monday Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. lost Soror Amber Curtis-Pratcher the founder of RealZetas.com.
If you are a Sigma or a Zeta you are well aware of Amber’s work. RealZetas.com is a platform that was created as a place to bond, conduct Zeta business and champion the accomplishments of members of Zeta Phi Beta in the digital age. As a result of Ambers visionary work, Zetas are now connected in a way that they never were before and she has fostered the digital presence of black greekdom online.
As WatchTheYard.com, we strive to create a space to for Black Greekdom to thrive online and we respect the work that Soror Curtis-Pratcher did to make this happen. Our staff never met Amber in person but we have seen the great response on social media to her death and the outpouring of feelings by members of Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma who are voicing their stories about how much of an impact she had on them. Amber was a leader, a connector and a visionary and represented the definition of “A Finer Woman.”
Her work highlighting the women of Zeta Phi Beta was recognized for being actively visible and present by Roland Martin, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine among others and she is noted as the brains behind the #IAMZETA digital movement that is well known within the Divine 9 community.
One commenter on a Facebook post written in honor of Amber stated saying that she, “revolutionized, galvanized, and memorialized the undeniable presence and positive impact of Zeta on all Social Media platforms in my eyes!”
Other commenters chimed in stating:
“I never met Soror Pratcher but she was so influential to me at the beginning of my journey in Zeta. Realzetas.com was a wealth of information and a great way to connect, and over the years whenever I asked questions of her she was patient and willing to help.”
Amber was also a member of the ProgressiveGreek staff where she worked as an assistant editor for the magazine. Kevin L. Davis, the President of Progressive Greek and member of Phi Beta Sigma opened up about Amber stating that she, “was the epitome of Finer Womanhood, and represented Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., on every platform with purpose and excellence.”
Our hearts and prayers at WatchTheYard.com go out to the Pratcher family, her husband, her son, and the sisters of Zeta in this time of need and mourning. We will keep our readers updated on Amber’s final arrangements as they are released.
Click on the arrows below to move to the next page and read the moving dedication that the staff of RealZetas.com wrote in honor of Amber on their website.
Please share your memories of Amber in the comment section below. Did you know her? How did she impact your life? What did she represent as a Zeta to you?
[Written by Shauntai, Regina, and Sienna of RealZetas.com]
On July 20, 2015, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated lost a jewel. She lost a Finer woman by the name of Soror Amber Curtis-Pratcher. Amber embodied everything Zeta represents. Her scholastic achievements, her passion for the community, her unwavering commitment for strengthening the sisterhood, and her distinct way of remaining a Finer Woman, were truly unparalleled.
Amber’s zeal for Zeta’s brand, her creative eye, and her passion for the sisterhood, are what drove her to create www.realzetas.com. She envisioned this site serving as a place for members to network and bond, while working on the business of Zeta. Many long lasting friendships were created as a result of this initiative. At the dawning of the social media era, Amber launched RZ social media platforms and have expanded the Real Zetas brand through various ways. On any given day, a fan will find a positive story highlighting the successes and accomplishments from Zetas all around the globe, as well as vintage photos recognizing members from our yester years.
Amber was a visionary in her own right. She marched to the beat of her own drum. She created the Dovely Magazine and worked tirelessly behind the scenes highlighting accomplishments of NPHC members throughProgressive Greek. She believed in not only celebrating the successes of Zeta, but across the Divine Nine also.
Through Amber’s strategic leadership, she approved the proposed launch of the #IAMZETA campaign from a member of her Real Zetas Staff. As a team, the Real Zetas Staff ran a successful social media campaign which celebrated the unique and diverse membership around the world. Due to the overwhelming and positive feedback from the social media campaign, Real Zetas proceeded to create a hardcopy keepsake for members to enjoy for years to come. The #IAMZETA campaign had inspired others – in the sorority, the Divine 9, and nonprofits around the globe – to run similar themed social media campaigns for their fans or members.
Amber willingly utilized Real Zetas social media platforms to raise awareness on social media injustices around the world. Real Zetas took an active role in speaking out against police brutality, racism, and encouraged their fans to get actively engaged in local, state, and national politics to help bring reform. Through her leadership, Real Zetas photos, posts, or tweets was recognized for being actively visible and present by Roland Martin, Essence Magazine, and Ebony Magazine to name a few. On July 19, 2015 the Real Zetas Staff had an impromptu meeting to discuss the Real Zetas social media strategy for the untimely and wrongful death of#SANDRABLAND. Amber refused to allow Real Zetas to go silent on this matter.
Amber was a leader. A social media activist. A mother. A devoted wife. A sister. A friend. A Finer Woman. She served at various levels of leadership in the sorority. She has left a longstanding legacy that will never be forgotten. She truly is Zeta.
The Real Zetas Staff expresses our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Curtis and Pratcher families, her husband, son, and sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. As soon as her funeral arrangements are released, we will share it on this page. Please stay tuned for more details on ways you can help us celebrate the life and legacy of Triumphant Soror Amber Curtis Pratcher. Prayers to all as we endear this significant blow within the sisterhood. #REALZETASREMEMBERS #RZ4LIFE
Yours in Zeta,
Real Zetas Staff
(Shauntai, Regina, and Sienna)
