Members

La Toya Hankins is the author of SBF Seeking and K-Rho: The Sweet Taste of Sisterhood. She has published multiple short stories with JMS Books, including …

Thomas F. DeFrantz of Durham is a dance educator who directs SLIPPAGE: Performance | Culture | Technology, a research group that explores emerging technology in live performance. He …

Nadia Fisher is a Washington, DC, based illustrator.  She was a charter member of the Beta Chapter and was the first National Treasurer of Gamma Xi …

Bruce Hawkins (1952-2016) was an award-winning actor, model, dancer, puppeteer, visual artist, writer, and professional make-up artist. Brother Bruce first began his professional acting career at …

Ernest Perry is a graphic designer and owner of ESPGraphx.  Brother Ernest is the designer of the fraternity coat of arms as well as the fraternity …

Buddah Desmond is a poet who writes about the human condition in a way that is edgy, raw, and, at times, unconventional. His inspiration is culled …

A graduate of Montclair State University with a B.A., M.A., and administrative and supervisory certification, Sister Nette Forné Thomas was employed by the Newark Board of …

Brother Kevin Coombe, Gamma Xi Phi’s first honorary member, is a soul music historian and a DJ [DJ Nitekrawler].

Melanie S. Hatter is the author of Malawi’s Sisters (Four Way Books 2019), winner of the inaugural Kimbilio National Fiction Prize, selected by Edwidge Danticat. She …

AD.d, a photographer and director, became an honorary member of Gamma Xi Phi at the 2013 National Convention in Newark, NJ.

Rashid Darden is an award-winning novelist of the urban LGBT experience, a seasoned leader of black fraternal movements, and a professional educator in alternative schools.  He …

Marc L. Abbott is the author of the YA novel The Hooky Party and the children’s book Etienne and the Stardust Express. His short story’s “Welcome …

Brooklyn native Steven Van Patten is the author of the critically acclaimed Brookwater’s Curse trilogy, about an 1860s Georgia plantation slave who becomes law enforcement within …

Storme Gray is the Executive Director of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. A passionate change agent, servant leader, and advocate for justice, her professional career includes nearly 15 years of …

Born in Newark, raised in Irvington, Ess Vee sheds a new light to hip hop. With his ability to bring his thoughts to life in the …

Allen Uzikee Nelson was born in 1938, into the family of John and Sarita Nelson in Tupelo, Mississippi. Uzikee, as he is now more affectionately known, …

Brother Malcolm Minor is a Founder of Gamma Xi Phi.  He was 2nd National President, first President of Alpha Chapter, and charter member of Gamma Chapter …

Danita Cooke is a seasoned arts volunteer.  She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC.  She has served as …

Brother Shawn Spencer, a photographer, is a charter member of Beta Chapter in Washington, DC.  He has served as Beta’s Program Director and as a member …

Sharnell Bryan is a writer, illustrator, trained journalist, and craftswoman. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Ball State University, where she became a member …

Christopher Roderick Brient (1979-2020) was a dancer and stepper, and was the second honorary member of Gamma Xi Phi, initiated in 2013.  He died in 2020, …