Gamma Xi Phi

The Fraternity for Artists and Creators

Month: July 2023

  • Shayna Hayes, Newest honorary Member

    Shayna Hayes, Newest honorary Member

    Gamma Xi Phi, the fraternity for artists and creators, initiated an honorary member during the 2023 National Convention in New Orleans, La.

    Shayna Hayes is Head of Content, Entertainment & Initiatives at the National Football League (NFL). She pilots the editorial and creative vision around all content for the NFL’s social justice and social impact initiatives, as well as entertainment content for tentpole events such as the Draft and Super Bowl. She was previously a Senior Producer at BNC and a Producer at ESPN. Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Producer for KLAS in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a Producer at WTVM in Columbus, Georgia. In recognition for her outstanding work, Shayna has received two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a duPont-Columbia Award.

    She is an alumna of American University in Washington, D.C., where she was President of the American University Gospel Choir and was active in campus media and residence life. Her hometown is Mobile, Alabama.

    Shayna believes, “effective communication is the pathway to identifying actionable solutions that can be used to create a more accepting society.” She has spent nearly 20 years as an expert at coaching, training, and supporting creators through their processes, living out Gamma Xi Phi’s principle of Elevation through creative connections.

    Shayna is excited to join Gamma Xi Phi at its first in-person convention initiation of an honorary member since the first National Convention in 2013. Her service interests include connecting artists and creators to the fraternity and in supporting west coast expansion.

    “We are deeply honored that Shayna Hayes has accepted our invitation to honorary membership and is joining us here in New Orleans,” said National President La Toya Hankins during the ceremony.

    * * *
    Gamma Xi Phi is an anti-racist, non-hazing, all-gender professional fraternity for artists and creators established in 2010 by undergraduate students attending Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. Organized on the principles of Philanthropy, Sodality, and Elevation, Gamma Xi Phi seeks to create a world in which artists are valued as thoughtful and justice-oriented leaders in their communities and in their careers. 

  • National Convention Elects New President

    National Convention Elects New President

    Gamma Xi Phi, the nation’s leading multi-disciplinary fraternity for artists, elected author La Toya Hankins as National President during the 2023 National Convention in New Orleans, La. The fraternity also partnered with the Xavier University Art Department on a service project for local artists.

    National President 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 “Married to the Struggle,” “Heat Wave-Southport,” and “Challah and Calloo.” Her work has been featured in anthologies “Black From the Future,” and “Lez Talk: A Collection of Black Lesbian Short Stories,” published by BLF Press.

    “I am inspired and appreciative of the support of the members of Gamma Xi Phi in selecting me as National President,” she said. “I look forward to continuing our mission to honor the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social Justice and service.”

    Sister Hankins has been involved in Gamma Xi Phi as a charter member of Theta Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi in the Raleigh/Durham area, where she has served as Program Director. Before her election to National President, she served as Gamma Xi Phi’s National Secretary.

    Outgoing president Rashid Darden served as the third National President from 2015-2017 and the fifth National President from 2019-2023. Brother Darden will now hold the position of Member Emeritus, serving as Program Director of Phi Chapter in North Carolina.

    Read about the Board of Trustee members who also were elected. The 2023 National Program theme is Gammas Out Loud: Artistry Maximized Professionally.

    This year’s theme for the 6th National Convention was Awakening in the City of a Million Dreams. Representatives from the fraternity’s many chapters joined the Xavier University Art Department to host a discussion about the business of being an artist. The group of more than two dozen split into small teams representing a variety of disciplines, giving participants the opportunity to receive insights into pursuing their chosen art.

    Gamma Xi Phi also hosted a social event, Amethyst Hour, at the Royal Frenchman Hotel & Bar, with more than 50 artists, creators, and community members in attendance.

    The fraternity hosts a National Convention every other year and will host its next convention in Charlotte, N.C. in 2025.

    Gamma Xi Phi is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which honors the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice, and service. Your ongoing support is appreciated.