Gamma Xi Phi

Tag: Theta Chapter

  • Gamma Xi Phi Honors National Poetry Awareness Month

    Gamma Xi Phi Honors National Poetry Awareness Month

    DURHAM, N.C.—On April 14, the potential and power of poetry brought together members of the nation’s leading fraternity for artists and creators for a virtual program on the art form known for sonnets, spoken word performances, and similes.

    North Carolina Piedmont Laurate Dasan Ahanu, D.C.-based poet and actor Buddah Desmond, and nationally recognized poet and South Carolina resident Marla Taviano served as panelists for the program presented by the Theta Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, the professional fraternity for artists and creators.

    “This event was inspired by National Poetry Awareness Month,” said La Toya Hankins, Gamma Xi Phi National President and Theta Chapter program director. “It was intended to bring together poets from across the nation with years of experience and outstanding insights to discuss the craft and capacity of poetry to impact changes in our community.

    “The insight the panelists brought to questions like how poetry has changed over the years, how younger generations appreciate the art form, and when they realized they were poets was remarkable. The fact that all three panelists are also members of Gamma Xi Phi made the experience even better.”

    Dasan Ahanu is a North Carolina-based cultural organizer, artist, and scholar. In conjunction with creative arts, his academic work focuses on critical writing, hip-hop, and popular culture. He is an alumnus of the Nasir Jones Fellowship with the Hip Hop Archive at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. He is also a resident artist with the St. Joseph Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center and co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theater.  

    Buddah Desmond has served as a healing leader in the D.C.-based arts+faith+social justice organization the Sanctuaries. He has been featured as part of the Baltimore African American Book Festival, and The Ask Rayceen Show, and his work has been included in The PBS Blog and Vocal Expressions.

    Marla Taviano is a poet who created a Black Writers Fund to support Black Writers who dream of writing a book but need time and financial freedom to make it happen. She also maintains an active Instagram account, White Girl Learning, where she cultivates and shares books written by black and indigenous authors with her followers.

    “It was a great program, ” said Joseph Cunningham, a member of the Pi Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi. “The panel was engaging and knowledgeable, and I learned some nuances about poetry today.”

    La Toya Hankins said this program was part of the fraternity’s National Program I SWEAR. As part of this initiative, chapters must implement artistic projects, programs, and activities related to Service, Wellness, Education, Advocacy, and Recognition.

    “Today’s program reflects Gamma Xi Phi’s commitment to elevating the arts and expanding awareness of all the ways facets of the arts shape our world,” Hankins said. “Our current fraternal theme is Gammas Out Loud: Artistry Maximized Professionally. I feel we are striving towards our mission through programming like today.”

    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. For mor information, visit www.gammaxiphi.com.

    Dasan Ahanu
    Buddah Desmond
    Marla Taviano
  • 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.

  • Theta Chapter Brings Dance to the Forefront

    Theta Chapter Brings Dance to the Forefront

    Durham, North Carolina- Theta Chapter doesn’t tip toe around giving the gift of Dance Education

    DURHAM- Gamma Xi Phi, Theta Chapter brought together internationally recognized Black male dance educators and performers to discuss the past and potential of Black men in the world of dance September 24 during a virtual program.

    The program, facilitated by Thomas F. DeFrantz, research professor in the Department of African and African American Studies at Duke University, featured a conversation between renowned dancers Willie Hinton and M. Clayton Barrier. The trio discussed the relevance and necessity of Black men being a force in the world of dance. Participants learned about the impact fellow Black male dancers made on them spotlighting local legends Chuck Davis and Mel Tomlinson and as well as their goals to encourage the next generation.

    “The conversation was empowering and edifying. Our goal in bringing together members of a community engaged in the work of carrying on the legacy of Black men in dance was to raise awareness of the importance Black men play in the craft. The panelists achieved that and more,” La Toya Hankins, Gamma Xi Phi national secretary and Theta Chapter program director said.

    A little about our key guest panelists for this event:

    Willie Hinton

    Hinton, a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and current instructor at Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, recalls his start in the world of dance at Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC when he dealt with the perception from fellow male students who were engaged in athletics while he participated in dance class. Their curiosity evolved into respect as they were able to view the work that went into his study thanks to his dance class located in a room over the high school gym featured a window for students to observe. Hinton obtained his first professional job shortly after college graduation and, since then, has performed with The Rebecca Kelly Dance Company and Dance Kaleidoscope. Hinton has also been engaged as an educator as Artist in Residence at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

    M. Clayton Barrier

    Panelist Barrier, a graduate of North Carolina Centra University, cites Hinton as one of the forces that has impacted his dance journey. The Durham native has created hundred individual choreographic works including a murder mystery piece he created that only the dancer tapped to be the murder knew the answer to the whodunnit. He currently serves as an educator at the Longleaf School of the Arts. He is also a member of the National Dance Educator Organization.

    DeFrantz and panelists discussed the imposter syndrome of not believing in the strength of one’s talent, how support from fellow artists makes in success and the power of Black male involvement in the craft.

    “Dance is a salad that everyone can eat from, and Blackness is just part of the expression. It is history, it is a form of documentation, and it is spiritual.” Hinton said.

    The Black Men in Dance program event is part of the Gamma Xi Phi’s National Program of I SWEAR-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.

    ###

  • Arts Fraternity Charts New Artistic Paths With Three New Chapters

    Arts Fraternity Charts New Artistic Paths With Three New Chapters

    CONWAY, NC- Gamma XI Phi, the fraternity for artists and creators, initiated seventeen new members July 31, 2022, during a virtual ceremony. The infusion of creators and innovators expands the organization’s membership and places it on a continued path of celebrating “Art, Society & Justice: For Decades to Come.”

    The new members are visual artists, educators, writers, actors, arts administrators and filmmakers. While their talents may run the artistic gamut, according to National President Rashid Darden, which unites them is their character.

    “These are men and women of integrity who have devoted their lives to the arts in some way.  We believe that their zeal for the arts and for justice will unite them with one another and with all the members of the fraternity.”

    Members were inducted into two existing city-wide chapters and chartered three new chapters located in New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA, and Atlanta, GA.  The organization also inducted members into chapters that serves the South Atlantic Region and Southwestern Region.

    Eight embers became part of the Delta Chapter based in New York City. The members induction represents the largest intake of members into a single chapter since Gamma Xi Phi founding in 2010.

    • Cristina Lynn Acevedo
    • Timothy Benston
    • Shawnasia Black
    • Luisa Maria Butler 
    • Secile Doseau
    • DeMarius “Champ” Kilpatrick
    • Kayla Sharon Smith
    • Husein Yatabarry

    Doseau said she connected with Gamma Xi Phi’s focus on philanthropy. 

    “I’ve always loved helping people and my community in any way I can. It’s always given me a certain comfort or joy and it’s something that I believe I will enjoy doing with Gamma Xi Phi.”

    Theta Chapter which serves the Raleigh/Durham area added three new members

    • Dasan Ahanu
    • Jonathan Issac Champion
    • Leslie Cunningham

    “My hopes for my own career during my journey with Gamma Xi Phi will be to grow as a spiritual being, a woman, an artist, business owner and philanthropist. My goal will be to stay open to learning, be a good friend and collaborator with my Gammas, and serve my community with passion.” Cunningham said.

    The Beta Lambda Chapter which serves the South Atlantic Region at Large added member Marla Taviano who is based in Columbia, SC

    Regina Renee Nyègbeh became a charter member of the Delta Lambda chapter which serves the Southwest Regional-At-Large. She is based in Denver, CO 

    Ansel Augustine became a charter member of the Lambda Chapter which will serve the New Orleans area.

    Herman Beavers charted the Mu chapter which will be based in Philadelphia.

    Nsenga Burton and Tiffany Jade Lezama became charter members of the Nu chapter in Atlanta, GA.

    Augustine said he hopes to be able to create another avenue to serve and advocate from those in the New Orleans area that have struggled for recognition.

    “My hope with becoming a member of Gamma Xi Phi is to create new partners to assist with helping preserve what makes New Orleans unique and sacred.”

    Darden said he feels good about the organization’s newest members contributing to the organization plan grow and thrive.

    “The Summer 2022 class has a wide range of gifts that will invest in Gamma Xi Phi for decades to come. From Marla and Regina Renee’s deep love of literature to Timothy’s penchant for capturing everyday beauty through his camera lens. Besides the new members’ artistic experiences, there are several with experiences in the nonprofit sector and the fraternal world–these are experiences that will continue to bolster GXP’s standing among professional fraternities.”

    Gamma Xi Phi was founded on October 7, 2010, on the campus of Ramapo College. The purpose of the organization is to honor the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice and service.

    ###