Phi Chapter Celebrates jazz greats at luncheon

The Phi Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, a professional fraternity for artists, hosted a jazz lunch at the Conway Women’s Club on April 6, 2024.  Nearly a dozen people assembled to listen to recordings of classic musicians, including Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, and Charles Mingus. Attendees enjoyed a simple meal of sandwiches and trays of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The event commemorated both Jazz Appreciation Month and National Poetry Month.  After introductions from Program Director Rashid Darden, Membership Director Carolyn Darden-Stutely gave a brief lecture on the history of jazz.  Following this lecture, copies of jazz-inspired poems were distributed to participants, who read the poems aloud.

Attendees included Gamma Xi Phi National President La Toya Hankins of Durham and residents of Conway and Milwaukee. 

After the meal, participants had their photos taken at a photo booth staffed by the Program Director.