Gamma Xi Phi

The Fraternity for Artists and Creators

Tag: Kappa Chapter

  • Kappa Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi Initiates New Members

    Kappa Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi Initiates New Members

    Kappa Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi Welcomes Distinguished New Line of Artists and Educators.

    CHICAGO, IL — July 2, 2026 — On Saturday, June 27, 2026, the Kappa Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, the international professional fraternity for artists and creators, proudly welcomed four distinguished artists, educators, and scholars into the fraternity during an inspiring initiation ceremony celebrating artistic excellence, scholarship, and service.

    The chapter’s newest members are:

    • Vincent Singleton, an award-winning filmmaker, cinematographer, and Assistant Professor and Director of Media and Technology at Loyola University Chicago. His work as a filmmaker and educator has earned national and international recognition for its innovative storytelling and commitment to cultivating emerging artists.
    • Kent Ross Brooks, an acclaimed theatre artist, director, and educator at Northwestern University. His extensive career in performance, directing, and actor training has influenced generations of theatre practitioners and communicators.
    • Karla Rae Fuller, a scholar, author, and Associate Professor at Columbia College Chicago. Her research and publications examining race, media, and Black cultural representation have made significant contributions to the fields of communication and media studies.
    • Kamesha Khan, a director, educator, and professor at Chicago State University whose work in theatre arts, education, and community engagement continues to inspire artists while expanding opportunities for creative expression throughout Chicago.

    Collectively, these accomplished professionals represent excellence across filmmaking, theatre, visual arts, higher education, media studies, and community engagement. Their induction into Gamma Xi Phi strengthens the Kappa Chapter’s mission to advance artistic practice through fellowship, scholarship, leadership, and service.

    The initiation ceremony culminated in a memorable Odean Performance, an interdisciplinary celebration of the arts that reflected Gamma Xi Phi’s commitment to creative expression. Guests experienced an engaging artist talk with the production’s director, an inspiring ceremonial address, original poetry, vocal performances, live instrumental music, a film presentation, and an intimate piano mini-concert. The evening beautifully demonstrated the power of the arts to educate, heal, connect, and inspire.

    Gamma Xi Phi is an international professional fraternity dedicated to artists and creators across disciplines, fostering fellowship, philanthropy, artistic excellence, and community engagement. Through its members, the fraternity continues to build bridges between artists, educators, scholars, and cultural leaders while advancing opportunities for creative collaboration and public service.

    The Kappa Chapter, located on Chicago’s south side, looks forward to the leadership, scholarship, and artistic vision these new members will contribute as the fraternity continues its mission of strengthening artists and communities throughout Chicago and beyond.

    Gamma Xi Phi’s Public Motto: “Uniting the World, One Artist at a Time.”

  • Kappa Chapter Hosts Open Mic

    On Sunday, May 19, 2024, the Kappa Chapter hosted a virtual open mic event called Brunch and Beats for the public. Gamma members along with local Southside Chicago poets, visual artists, and youth attended this virtual event sharing a meal, exchanging poetry, and uplifting each other through storytelling. Attendees expressed the Brunch and Beats Open Mic was a refreshing break from a monotonous Sunday.

    Gamma Xi Phi is a predominantly African American organization of men and women in the arts, including literature, visual art, music, theater, and dance. GXP was established at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, on October 7, 2010, on the principles of Philanthropy, Sodality, and Elevation.

    Gamma Xi Phi honors artists’ achievements through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice, and service.

  • A Night of spoken word and art in motion

    A Night of spoken word and art in motion

    CHICAGO- Kappa Chapter brings the flow of spoken word and the brush with their Open Mic Night Event

    Kappa Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, the professional fraternity for artists, presented a virtual open mic night hosted by Sisters Venise Keys and Dionne Victoria, with a spotlight on the work of Chicago native traditional artist, Marcus Alleyne.

    Marcus Alleyne is a Chicago artist, with a passion for visual art. An artist influenced by music, nature, Black culture, spiritualism and more, with a broad variety of styles and artistic know how. His mediums vary from the specific projects he works in but he displays a mastery of multiple, such as clay, paint and watercolor. His creative process, birthed from a sense of urgency on his projects, leads to works, at points look as if they were made by different artists. Throughout his career his work has been featured in the South Side Community Art Center and the Black Hammer Organization, as well as several places in his home of Chicago.

    The event featured other speakers from the audience, of all ages, focuses and backgrounds bringing their work to the forefront, with our hosts bringing the fire to help light the way. Among the speakers were one of our newest members, Gamma Leslie Cunningham, one of our past GXP President, Sister Sharnell Bryan, and, a special treat, one of Sister Venise’s students, Ms. Camari Bains. While many gave their all, showing us passed works and sneak peaks of works in progress, Marcus Alleyne, was at work painting a beautiful freeform portrait in the background. At the end, we were enamored by his finished piece as well as the stories and poetry we heard throughout the night.

    It was a time of celebration and creation with members, friends, and newcomers alike. We hope to see you again in the atmosphere abound with poetry, literature, and comedy.

    Open Mic Night is a Wellness Event and part of Gamma Xi Phi’s I SWEAR National Program, which focuses on Service, Wellness, Edification, Advocacy and Recognition.

    Gamma Xi Phi was established in 2010 at Ramapo College to provide a fraternal outlet for students engaged in the arts. Today it maintains a presence of working artists from Vancouver, British Columbia, to the northeastern and southern regions of the United States.

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