Sword & Spear Winter 2020

SWORD & SPEAR the year of the return ONE MIC: generations pandemic: covid19 Truths, myths and surviving this global outbreak

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President’s Message

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Groove Notes

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One Mic

YEAR OF THE RETURN TO AMELIORATE AND PERPETUATE GENERATIONS COVID19:

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Pandemic

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New Energy for the UG Convention

Truths, myths and surviving this global outbreak

Groove Phi Groove Statement on the Death of Congressman Elijah Cummings

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e the Fellowmen of Groove Phi Groove are visited with great sadness at the passing of the Honorable Elijah Cummings, U.S. Congressman (D) Maryland, who died on Thursday October 17th at the age of 68. He represented the 7th Congressional District encompassing much of Baltimore.

In Congressman Cummings we find a kindred spirit, he fought for the oppressed with courage and endurance; and it is in this sense that he represents us all. Our Congressman served as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee and will be remembered as a splendid orator and freedom fighter. Some will seek to define by the Civil Rights struggle, impeachment hearings etc.

Elijah Cummings the son of sharecropper represents what America has been trying to become for more than 200 years. Like this great Brother, Groove’s analogous legacy of service will sustain us into the upcoming election cycle and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cummings family; may they know that we have picked up his banner with courage and endurance.

Sincerely, Ahmed McDougle International President Groove PhI Groove Social Fellowship Incorporated.

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President’s Message F L A H M A D M C D O U G L E , I N T E R N AT I O N A L P R E S I D E N T

GRO OVE PHI GRO OVE , SO CIA L F E LL OWSHIP INCOR P OR AT E D

tasked with innovating and taking the family to new plateaus. Without subsequent generations of leadership, the family will cease to exist. When longevity is not established and succession does not occur, we become a part of history instead of making history.

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reetings my Brothers Welcome to the Winter/Spring 2020 edition of the Sword and Spear!

This issue is titled “The Year of Return”, commemorating the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. When we traveled to Ghana, we came to the understanding that we were on a spiritual and birth-right journey to learn about and re-identify with our roots. I contend that as Grooves our “Year of Return” consists of journey to return to our cultural roots and organizational foundation. Our founders could not have created a more divine mission or a more appropriate purpose. Our strength lies in our principles, values and customs, which all originates with our founders and our elders.

We have made prodigious collective strides as a fellowship and a family, since our foundation in 1962. Our values, mission, purpose and brotherhood has stood the test of time. Our founders and elders frequently express their pride in the growth and development of our fellowship. The organization has grown from a primarily undergraduate organization to a membership comprised of men ranging in ages from 18-80 years old.

Groove now has Industry, Community and Professional leaders developing future leaders of our world, in our undergraduate sector. It is our job to ensure that our juniors reach their optimal potential.

Respect within the cultural roots of our membership, is based on a foundation of the past and the present. We respect those individuals who have demonstrated consistency and longevity fulfilling their purpose as a Groove and as A Man. In our culture elders do not grow old, they grow wise, and serve as guides to those of us whom have less knowledge and experience. Those instructions help guide us through our arduous journey of life and serve as a roadmap to ascend to higher heights then our predecessors. It is the goal of any Senior, to see that his junior is more successful the he is. In acknowledgment of that goal, the senior makes sacrifices, overcomes disadvantages, and makes the appropriate effort ensure that the goal is accomplished.

Our culture also revers the youthful, as the youth serve as a legacy and a furtherance of all that the elders have accomplished. The youth are

With that being said I want Groove to continue to grow our virtuous circle of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. It is well understood that “Steele sharpens Steel “and that one “must stay green so that he may grow”. Let us learn from each other and rededicate ourselves to our purpose and our membership responsibilities. Let us return to the values and culture that strengthens us through collectivity, rather than weakens us through division.

We are “the Few, but the Chosen”, We are the Men of Groove Phi Groove.

In Fellowship may we Groove On.

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INTERNATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT F L JA B R I L G A R N E R , I N T E R N AT I O N A L V I C E - P R E S I D E N T GRO OVE PHI GRO OVE , SO CIA L F E LL OWSHIP INCOR P OR AT E D

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eace and Blessings, I have always viewed October 12th as a New Year. A time to celebrate this great organization, but also a time to reflect. To reflect upon our founding principles, our fallen brothers, and how to progress this beloved Fellowship. It is also a time of rejuvenation. Spirits are lifted around Founder’s Day. Ruining a true Groove Phi man’s day on October 12th is almost impossible. Groove Phi has made it another year.

With the exception of the 2012 50th Anniversary Conclave, Founders Day 2019 was the best I have had in my 19 years as a brother. The entire weekend was filled with brotherhood and fellowship. It reaffirmed of a decision I made as a junior at Towson University back in 2000, and it hasn’t failed me yet.

The weekend started with the unveiling of our monument at Morgan State University. That along with a plot with excellent artwork done by Fl. Doug Bolton and Fl. James Lewis are on display for the World to see. Brothers from various chapters and decades were at Morgan to celebrate the occasion. There is no better way to start our 57th anniversary weekend.

The Founder’s Day Gala hosted by the Groove Community Foundation was a world class event and a great representation of the Fellowship. It was an opportunity for us to honor the Founders and also recognize brothers and chapters for the work they have done in the community. Funds were also raised to assist the Foundation in its philanthropic endeavors. The highlight of the event was the 5 Founders in attendance. To watch them interact with each other is the spirit of brotherhood, the spirit of Groove.

57 years ago as young African American men they made a decision that would change the lives of thousands of men internationally. They made a decision that would bond them together for life. They still hold true to this bond, and it is a great site to see.

Saturday morning was a moment we all should be proud of. We held an Oath of Office for elected and appointed officers at OUR international headquarters. To be sworn in as an officer of this organization on Founders’ day is humbling to say the least. To have the Founders instill their trust in us as an administration to carry the torch of Groove Phi Groove SFI reaffirms the Conclave’s decision and lets us know the brothers have our backs. It is incumbent on all of us to keep this torch lit and we shall continue to do so to the best of our abilities.

Saturday afternoon and evening were the essence of our beloved organization, Fellowship. The brothers showed up to Morgan in large numbers and ended the night at Bowie State University. A brother of 40 years mentioned to me it was invigorating to see the young brothers fellowship.

It gave him faith that we are headed in the right direction and also confirmed with him that brotherhood is still our roots.

I would be remise if I did not thank the sisters of Swing Phi Swing SFI for supporting us during this journey over the years. They always show love and support and this past Founders’ Day was no different.

Our organization is rooted in community service, activism, brotherhood, and fellowship. Every October 12th these four things are on my mind and my heart. We are a Fellowship of great men coming together to impact the lives of others under these banners for 57 years and counting. With the support of the brothers this administration wishes to continue our growth and progression for future generations to know Groove Phi as WE know Groove Phi. To love Groove Phi as WE love Groove Phi. Keep it Groovy My Brothers,

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groove notes F. LENNIS BR A NTLEY E d it or- i n- Ch ie f, S & S

to ameliorate and perpetuate Greetings, Fellowmen,

2020

is providing for Groove a new look forward by looking back upon our historical and cultural past with uur return to Ghana where out fellowmen are thriving and growing on the African continent. We are also injecting a new energy into our undergraduate cinventions, so that they can represent on the undergrad level what we do nationally, so it can be the event that can be used to boost undrgraduate growth. We are also however experiencing a global issue that is affecting Groove along with the rest of the world as we deal with and come to terms wth this COVID19 virus that has become a pandemic and impacting ever aspect of societty. But as we will read in this issue it is a serious issue but not quite the doom and gloom of past pandemics.

We are celebrating a brother who has been inducted into the Football Hall Of Fame and then also mourning the loss of and NBA Legend. But as has always been the case Groove will contonue to ameliorate and perpetuate, no matter the highs anws we as a and rganization experience.

The Edgar Randall gymnasium Dedication

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he Brotherhood and the commitment to uplifting our communities is so important on our Groove Phi Groove Journey. Our brother Edgar “Egg” Randall exhibited these pillars in the way he lived his life, always extending a part of his self to uplift others. No longer with us “Egg” continues to impact his family and Grooves commitment to uplifting our communities, through the people he loved so dearly.

On January 10th 2020 The Williamsburg Christian Academy, located in Williamsburg, Va. Said, “Thank You and Job well done”. The school dedicated the “Edgar Randall Gymnasium” in honor of the man and all he stood for. In the summer of 1994, Edgar founded the Flying Eagles Basketball Camp and held that camp yearly at Williamsburg Christian Academy after the current building opening until the summer prior to his passing in 2018. “Eggs” wife Mrs. Belinda Randall, sister Raynaide Carson Randall (Sam) and sons Brandon and Bryan keep Eggs dreams alive as a family. Edgar’s sons have continued the tradition of the Flying Eagles Basketball Camp, renaming the camp in honor of their father, the Edgar Randall Basketball Camp.

Groove Phi Groove monument at Morgan State University, where the organization was founded.

The WVSU Virtual Alumni Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. would like to Salute our brother who displayed so many of the qualities we stand for. We send congratulations with Peace and Blessings to the family. Egg will always be a Groover who we appreciate for displaying so graciously Bob Russell’s Lyrics “He ain’t heavy- He is my brother”!

Written By Fellowman Darren Salter

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hip hop: generations S

o, we haven’t talked in a little while. How do you truly feel about the generations changes in hip-hop. Do you think it was music quality? Artists going “hollywood”? We always ask this and can never come out with the answer that all can agree on.

Well, to me not much has really changed. Drama happens, new artists come and go, the older artists come and drop some heat and go back into isolation. But one conversation, that one debate that we all involve ourselves in when we talk about our beloved genre is that one generation beats another. And then other generations are so-so and even the ones we attempt to gloss over and they re-appear for some odd reason.

In some ways, the aforementioned may seem like both generations are beating up on one another. But this cant be the truth. The genre has seen some of the greatest years of being in existence with becoming even more internationally known, but also being included in the Grammys and now even Community Based and social problems that plague our communities.

This all deals with the changes in the genre, whether positive or negative, which are NUMEROUS! I won’t cover everything in this ( or else this would almost be a book) so allow me to try and truncate it.

one mic F L. ER IC GR EENE M USIC W R IT E R , S & S

One debate that we all have always boils down to and will be my first point is a simple one: Lyricism. It’s defined as “the quality of being lyrical” and with many of us fans, we can conjure up 1,000 artists from the 80’s, 90’s and the 2000’s that we consider incredibly lyrical….. but it seems that it becomes more of a scarcity as we go into the later 2000’s and now.

Now, This is not to say that hip-hop artists that are coming out into the mainstream game aren’t lyrical, but when you are spitting your verses whether off the head or from a composition book. It should always feel as if its coming from the soul. What you say in a song is either a factual representation of a situation in your life from the past or what can be the present.

Hip-Hop has always been known to have roots in the arts, such as poetry in the backbone of the genre. Even across the arts and clothing industry of hip-hop, there has been a slight shift in this dynamic which can come from dismal media attention. But, do not fret...thus hasn’t died. There are a handful of artists who not only were pioneers in hip-hop are now teaching classes such as 9th wonder, whom has teached at Duke University.

One of my last points deals with the industry itself. What many may not know is that there are a lot of rules and contracts changing from year to year. And right along with that, hiphop has a chance to become a frontrunner. In 2016, The rules even changed with the Grammys as they ushered in a new rule dealing with streaming music services such as Spotify and Apple Music. The rules not only helped to bring more votes to newer artists, but gave them the power to be able to be on the ballot for such a prestigious award.

The street culture has also had a BIG influence within the genre. Since the 1970’s, the genre itself was birthed from a house party in the south bronx and has grown to international fame.

With it, whether good or bad, the influences of some of the lyrics and the visuals have become incredibly misconstrued. One individual’s situation that he/she is putting on a track might be close to what you are going through, and if that’s the case then please press play. But, there are ones that we will call “posers” that listen to the music and recite lyrics bar-from-bar and have no idea what they are saying.

So to sum it all up, culturally there are changes that happen almost every day. But the one point that doesn’t change is the quality of the music. The culture will change as the artists come in and make their mark on the community. Change will always be good. The question is….are you ready for it.

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T I TA N S O F I’m used to being cut out of the conference meetings, but now they are cutting us out even before the bill’s are written or either the House or Senate Acts .

J O H N C O N Y E R S 1929-2019

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P OL IT IC S Most people who are hating on you, they are not worried about where you are. They’re worried about where you’re going.

E L I JA H C U M M I N G S 1951-2019

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being black in the trump era

pandem C O V

13 TRUTHS, MYTHS AND SURVIVING THIS GLOBAL OUTBREAK F L > F . L E N N I S B R A N T L E Y, S & S S TA F F W R I T E R

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e are living in some trying times right now.

Currently we are experieneing a pandemic of the COVID19 virus that has made its way around the world, and wreaking havoc world wide, in terms of , health and well being; lives and economics. What was intially thought to be simply a new illness afecting a small area in China is has now claimed lives in small town USA. However, while this is something that we should take serious, we should nmot allow it to drive us to panic. For comparisions sake, the yeah betrween 19181919, the Spanish Flu claimed 50 million lives globally,. at thise point with the coronavirus, reports around the world have put the death toll at somewhere near 8,849 globally ut of a total number of cinfirmed cass of 214, 698. Of those confirmed cases 84,402 were reported to have recovered from the illness.

Experts have confirmed that this virus can be transmitted from one person to the next through person-to-person contact as well as through airborne transmission. They have alsio given various types of advise to help in the prevention of its spread and to protect ourselves to minimize

the potential of individuals contracting this virus. First and foremost, there is the common sense approach to prevention and protection: Wash your hands whenever you come into contact with surfaces that the general oublic has access to, as well as your private spaces and if you are experiecing cold symptoms such as cough or sneezes, cover your mouth and nose to prevent miscrosopic particles from becoming airborne; and secondly minimize the potential for exposure by excersising self qurateen measures.

This really applies to those who are especially at risk: the elderley, those who are immuno-compromised, individuals with existing respiratory conditons and the very young. So far the virus has not claimed the lives of very many people forty-five and under- at least not from the latest reports from the World Health Organization.

Here in the U.S. the outbreak has been relatively mild compared to the number of people infect in Italy, Iran and China whjo make up 134,002 confirmed cases- roughly 60% of the global total. And of the 8,938 deaths that have resulted so far these three countries account for 7,358 or 82%. In terms of confirmed cases so far in the US, of the 9,458 confirmations in the country, Washingt,on State, Ca;ifornia and New York account for 47% of all cases in the U..S. and all of its territories.

And it’s not just the numbers in terms of people who have come into contact that casts a dark cloud on a life that we seem to have taken for granted not event a month ago. When the first cases began to hit the news cycle back in November/ December, many people initially thought that that it was going to be some reginal problem that will extent no further than a province within China’s borders. As we see the pandemic has now affefected nearly every aspect of our lives here. Businessess from large global and multinational corporations such and the Big 3 have shut down production at all of its factories nationwide. State governments are stating that people should not be in crowds any bigger than five people in order to ,itigate the spread of the virus.

At this particular point right now, this is pretty much the best that we can do, since there is no kmown cure for the coronavirus, and since the federal government has bungled the management of containment of COVID19 it has been allowed to spread across the U.S. . We don’t really know the true numbers of those who have been infected since there has been no wide scale testing and with the few testing locations that we do have right now, only paints a grimmer picture with the list of confirmed cases growing daily.

But it is not all gloom and doom however as there seem to be trends shjpwing that there are individuals who have rcovered (continued page 15)

14 new Energy, New Purpose for the Undergrad convention

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his year our Fellowship launched the re-envisioned undergraduate convention with a new energy and a new purpose.

The Directorate targeted the Mid-Atlantic Region based on its commitment to community service, its financial membership, and the capacity of its infrastructure to further undergraduate growth. We’ve implemented a “Southern Strategy” for the initial first two conferences, as we invest in untapped markets and regions.

The Undergraduate Leadership Conference seeks to spur undergraduate growth by inundating campuses and locales with our undergraduate (UG) members. We planned to offer said members an avenue to acquire (and to impact) institutional knowledge while cultivating the synergy needed for organizational growth.

Our conference was a 3-day weekend event that emphasized assessment, intervention and evaluation of efforts rendered. The undergraduate fellowman arriving at Hampton University on Thursday, October 24. However, the portents of a good nature were evident as we ventured out from New York/ Northern Jersey and headed South. Despite the early hour of our start, the Fellowmen were energized. We discussed the future of Groove, plans for the rest of fall and upcoming spring semesters and Virtually registered for the community service events at Hampton.

During the three-day weekend we held an undergraduate meeting with training modules. We addressed the planned community service project to be done in partnership with the Hampton University Alumni Association; we on recruitment by planning to assess the campus community, focused interventions with students and alumni, step/stroll instruction and practice, and reviewed plans for a concluding brotherhood breakfast. Each event was impactful as brotherly bonds were built, networking opportunities were provided, and information provided to our graduate and undergraduate sectors on best practices. In short, the Fellowmen socialized, traversed the campus to get a “lay of the land” and directly engaged the student body. They gathered information on various campus activities while targeting those that that would give the greatest return on investment (like the Homecoming Bazaar).

On Friday morning the National Hampton Alumni Association Community Service event took place. Fifty-one (51) of the Seventy-six (76) participants were Groove Undergraduate Fellowmen. The organizers were forced to split the participants into two groups given the larger than expected number of volunteers. One group was stationed at the local food bank and the other group was detailed to area schools. (**pictures of both events). The fellowman at the food bank made care packages for families in need; while the fellowmen at the schools facilitated youth participatory activities.

The event gave our organization a solid standing amongst Hampton’s alumni and the school’s administration. From the Community Service the brothers then traveled to campus for school’s signature event, the Hampton Bazaar. The brothers were greeted at the front door of the student union by Hampton Groove Alums. The Fellowmen duly congregated proceeded to

the Student Union. Sixty (60), all attired in black and white, captured the attention and garnered the subsequent acceptance of the campus students.

The Undergraduate brothers walked around and engaged the students on campus with conversations, until the music started to play. They put their late-night practice to work, lining up 45+ deep, unleashing a thunderous G-Phi !!! prior to starting their first party stroll. It was obvious that the Grooves were the only ones who employed their 7 P’s for this day, in that other organizations did not begin to stroll until the brothers finished. The brothers strolled, represented Groove, socialized with campus students and had conversations with other organizations for most of the day. Potential recruits approached the brothers and the brothers approached potential recruits throughout the day. At 4:20pm the brothers walked back to the vans in orderly fashion, with the understanding that the meeting and training was to occur at 5:00pm.

Once again, in the lead up to this showcase for Groove, I’m pleased with the studious preparation of the Fellowmen upon arrival at Hampton. The undergraduate leadership conference meeting started with an address about the future of groove and the liability of hazing, delivered by yours truly. I addressed the different concerns regarding hazing such as: expulsion or suspension from the organization and/or the college campus, stifling one’s career path with a criminal record, bankrupting the organization through lawsuits, and how hazing does not present any positive impacts. My talk ended with a pledge, by every member present in the room, to not to physically haze from that day forth. Along with Fellowman Harold Reed, Jr I then facilitated conversations in the breakout groups. The following lists the subject matter of the breakout groups: Marketing/Recruitment Visibility/Presence - being in attendance and having your presence felt Engagement – how to attract others attention Branding - how you want to be perceived Public Image - the general perception of your organization Community Service Impact/effectiveness - having a strong effect on someone Needs assessment - evaluate the local needs Service population - determine who you are serving Volume of services - # of services Alignment – are your event aligned with our purpose / mantra Succession Planning Identification of leaders Cultivation of leadership skills Opportunities to demonstrate Plan for chapter longevity The meeting concluded with Fl. Harold Reed, Jr conducting a training on parliamentary procedure (Roberts Rules of Order) and a subsequent open forum on what ideas the undergraduate sector wished to share with us on

15 methods for undergraduate growth. The gentlemen were then provided new brochures to pass out and recruit potential interest at the homecoming festivities on the final day of the conference.

Following the end of the meeting the undergraduates cobbled together their resources with connections that they made with undergraduate students and hosted a well-attended impromptu “house party” in an apartment complex adjacent to campus. The brothers leveraged their notoriety and advertised the party via word of mouth and the party offered yet another opportunity to recruit potential interest for the organization.

On Saturday the fellowmen had a “Brotherhood Breakfast” at a local restaurant, where young brothers and elders had fruitful conversations, an actively attempted to “bridge the gap” between the two age groups. From there the brothers traveled to campus for the homecoming game, armed with new recruitment techniques and new brochures, and with a focused goal in mind.

The fellowmen represented Groove in an exceptional manner all day and were able to attract interest from several students and alumni. Due to their preparedness and uniformity in attire, the brothers effectively took over the tailgate section, occupied by all the campus’s organizations and alumni.

The on lookers asked to take videos and pictures with the undergraduate and graduate fellowmen in attendance. Even the members of the opposing football team also expressed interest to the brothers on the way out of the stadium.

Overall the weekend was a success in that, we were able to establish stronger ties to the university’s alumni association and campus administration; created interest and notoriety with the undergraduate students on campus; we conducted training modules to prepare our undergraduate student to carry out their membership responsibilities in an proficient fashion; further established our brand a of community service; and presented opportunities for productive and memorable experiences amongst our undergraduate and graduate ranks. We will continue to host this event in the future, making substantive improvements each year based on knowledge and perspective gained from each prior year.

I want to sincerely thank the fellowmen from the undergraduate chapters at Johnson and Wales, Brooklyn College, Lincoln University, Bloomfield College, Rutgers University Newark Campus, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Mercy College, and Cheyney University for your participation. I

West Virginia State University Virtual Grad Chapter, Community Service Luncheon The most exciting and rewarding part of being a member of the Groove Phi Groove family is our community outreach initiatives. These projects allow us to serve the communities in which we are chartered and others throughout the world.

On October 4th the WVSU Groove Phi Groove family initiated a project with WVSU alumni volunteers to do just that serve members of the community of Charleston, WV. The event not only served the outside community, but also served as an opportunity to reestablish our commitment to community through leadership. A special Thank you to all the volunteers who made the event a success.

also would like to thank Hampton Pirate Chapter Alumni, Marlon McSwain, Rodney Greene, Harold Reed, Jr., Tommage Abza, McPhail Simon, Al Carr, Jameel Mathews and the brothers who donated money for helping bring this event from a dream to fruition.

(Pandemic, ct’d) from the illness. The only downside to recovery is that those who’ve recovered will have lost some lung function or their lumg capacity will be lower than it was when they contracted the illness.. However, as the CDC and the WHO have mentioned before, while this is a serious outbreak and people have died from it, there are simple basic things that we can do to protect ourseles from exposure and minimize our chances of contracting this sickness.

Currently the states that experiencing the highest rates of infection are New York, New Jersey, Washington State, California and Michigan. The state with the fastest growing rate of infection is Louisiana. The U.S> has now surpassed China (according to numbers released by China’s state owned media) as the epicenter of this virus. But even as staggering as those numbers are, since testing still has not been rolled out on a unifom, national scale, then we can almost be assured that the true numbers are much higher than what we are bening told-- especially by this administration.

But until then, as long as we practice basic hygiene( wash you hands, use hand sanitizer, eyc.), and practice social distancing, we can prevent the tragedies that have visiten China, Iran and Italy, prevent its spread and we can all get though this and healthy happy lives once this virus has run its course.

We, made it through 9/11 when we once thought that was the new normal, we will get through this also.

The Fellowmen of Groove Phi Groove, Social Fellowship Incoporated fully support efforts to...

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