3 Ad Rates/ Issue Deadlines 16 Chapter Spotlight: Tabu Takeover 4 Message From The Editor 20 Midwest SWING 6 Swinging into Service
5
In this Issue
National News
National Graduate and Under graduate Symposium
Chapter News
Features
22 Swings Get Fit 24 Ujamaa Marketplace 26 Letter From the President
This Issue’s cover was designed by Sister April Foxx of Mid-South Graduate Chapter. THANK YOU!
This Issue’s Theme: Ujamaa(oo-jah-MAH) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG
2
The Ebony Pearl is the official national newsletter for Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® Send your LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. We are always looking for content for the following sections: Chapter Spotlight Swing Mommies BackSwing Ujamaa Marketplace Swings Get Fit! NEW AD RATES FOR THE EBONY PEARL The Ebony Pearl has established ad rates for all future issues. If your chapter or business would like to advertise in our national newsletter and e-bulletins, please make a note of the following rates and specifications: * 5 line ad: $7 * 1/4 page or banner: $9 * 1/2 page: $22 * Whole Page: $40 Graphics must be at least 300 dpi or higher and in jpeg format. These ad rates are effective as of February 1, 2013. Issue Spring 2013 Summer 2013 Fall 2013
Article Deadline May 12, 2013 June 12, 2013 September 12, 2013
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 3
MESSAGE FROM
THE EDITOR EDITOR: Keisha J. Reed
EMAIL:keisha.reed@me.com
NATIONAL
NEWS
BLOG: www.keishajreed.com
Excellence is not chance or luck but by choice. Happy New Year! As the new Media Affairs and Public Relations Officer, I am excited to take the reigns and get the ball moving in this new position. I look forward to implementing a more social aspect to our communication, enhancing the Ebony Pearl and to help take our organization to the next level! Along with the support of the EO and PR team, I know that Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc速 will continue to grow and flourish as an Afro-Diasporic organization with our dynamic and proud sisterhood! OLA!
magazine contact Magazine Team
Distribution
EDITOR: Keisha J. Reed t. 443-653-1023 e. mediaafairs@swingphiswing.org HEAD OF DESIGN: Noel Webster SENIOR DESIGNER: Terazia Jones
The Ebony Pearl is published quarterly and serves as the official news publication for Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.速. All articles will be subject to editing and revision, which may alter the length of a submitted article.
Writers Chapter PR Officers
Advertising Digital or printed media packets available on request. HEAD OF SALES: Keisha J. Reed t. 443-653-1023 e. mediaafairs@swingphiswing.org
Additional Information For more information about working with The Ebony Pearl, press releases, media kits, brochures, e-newsletters, and marketing related issues, please contact the National Media Affairs and Public Relations Officer, Sis. Keisha J. Reed at mediaaffairs@swingphiswing.org.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 4
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 5
NJ Garden State Grad Raleigh Grad DC Metro Grad RuBu Grad Imani Kuumba Grad
Winter Feature Swinging into Service
AUTISM
SPEAKS
By Sister Charlene Robinson, Imani Kuumba Graduate Chapter of NJ
It was with great pleasure that the Sisters of Imani Kuumba Graduate Chapter of NJ participated in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Walk Now for Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest grassroots autism walk program. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum and local businesses and companies that employ those on the spectrum, this successful grassroots fund-raising effort not only generates vital funds for autism research but also raises awareness about the increasing prevalence of autism. In support of our Sister who has a son affected with Autism, the Imani Kuumba Graduate Chapter of NJ raised over $1,900 in donations and on walk day - Sunday, October 21, 2012 in Cranford, NJ. Our team had in excess of 40 families, friends and Sisters from Garden State Grad - along with our brothers team from Groove Phi Groove, SFI - Central Jersey Grad and North Jersey Grad Chapters. The final donation total raised was over $1,300 in support of finding a cause and cure.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 8
SISTERS IN THE
COMMUNITY
The Sisters of Imani Kuumba also participated with the Newark Urban League Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New Community Playground in the Historic Fairmount Area. This community service was an awesome event as the cleaning up of the park wil allow the children in the community to have a place for safe play. It was great to see the neighborhood children and their families come out and support the “Go Play” movement. The Sisters also donated to the City of Newark Adopt a Lot in June 2012, by cleaning up a vacant lot in order for it to be used as a community garden for the neighboring residents. At the close of 2012, the Sisters of Imani Kuumba had the privilege of adopting two families for the Christmas Holiday. It was a humbling experience for Sisters to be able to serve families that were less fortunate during these difficult times. As a result of Hurricane Sandy many families are still struggling financially and are in need of financial as well as emotional support. The Sisters of Imani Kuumba were elated to be able to make a small dent in the needs of two families by providing toys, house ware items, clothing and food for this Holiday Season. The families were very appreciative of the donations and it is our hope to make bigger and better contributions to local families next year. Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 9
DC METRO GIVES
BACK
RUBU IN THE
COMMUNITY
RuBu Chapter Members Volunteer for Local Community Center Fall/Winter Events
The members of the Rukiya Busara Piedmont Triad Chapter (RuBu) were in full swing and involved with several community service events this past Fall/Winter season.
On November 3, 2012, DC Metro Graduate Chapter supported this community service project for the homeless by providing ten dollar ($10) gift cards, and two (2) large boxes of toiletries such as soap, deodorant, liquid body wash, tooth paste, tooth brushes, and detergent. Each year, DC Metro Graduate Chapter identifies a family or organization during the month of December for which to provide support as a community service project. This year we decided to give back through one of the Sisters that teach in the Southeast ward of the DC Public School System. This area has some of the most vulnerable youth in the City. Sister Hampton and her colleagues at Leckie identified 20 students of varying ages and sizes who were in most need of wonter coats On December 14, 2012, during the after school program, the Chapter presented winter coats and clothing to 20 students. The chapter has also committed to remaining in touch with the children and continuing to support and assist them. When we presented the coats and clothing to each individual child, the grateful smiles that were on their faces warmed our hearts as we said “Merry Christmas”. The children felt special and we were happy to be able to bless them with their gifts. We are proud to provide community service throughout the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 10
First, on October 31, chapter members volunteered at their local community center partner, The Carl H. Russell, Sr. Community Center in Winston-Salem, NC, for its Third Annual Fall Festival. More than 65 children enjoyed a night of fun, plenty of treats, prizes and games. The Center Supervisor, Ben Piggott, began this effort to allow the children of the community a safe haven for Halloween. Second, the chapter was one of many local community sponsors and members who volunteered for the 20th Annual Citywide Bingo for Turkeys event held on November 16. More than 20 turkeys and 13 hams were won by local area residents. The event was free but participants were asked to donate non-perishable canned good items for Second Harvest Food Bank, a local area food bank, to help many families for the holiday season. While it was an intense Bingo competition, it was a great time for a great cause had by all in attendance. Lastly, the highlight event of the season was the Third Annual Feeding the Homeless Christmas Dinner, held in Greensboro, NC on December 9, 2012. This event was attended by well over 500 people in the Greensboro/Triad area.
Carl Russel Rec. Ctr. Annual Fall Carnival
Third Annual Feeding the Homeless Christmas Dinner
SWING SOCIETY
By Sister Cheryl Phipps-Kornegay, Swing Society Coordinator, Raleigh Graduate Chapter
Swing Society had a great year last year and has begun the 2012/2013 year with that same successful pattern of events and meetings.
They began as always in August with a parent/student meeting in which information and forms are given out. They had a wonderful cookout and day of fellowship in the home of one of the coordinators, Sister Tracie Howell. In September the girls went on a field trip to support the “Ladies in the Making” Day, hosted by the Rubu Graduate Chapter of Swing Phi Swing, S.F.I, ® and they as well as the sisters had a wonderful time. Workshops, lunch, prizes, dinner and a football game and fellowshipping with girls from other programs were the highlights of the day. The sisters of the chapter have stepped up to conduct workshops, travel with and help the girls in the program. It has been a collaborative and successful program that as a chapter we are extremely proud of. Sisters Debra Lightner, Yashida Vinson and Cheryl Kornegay transported the girls and attended the game. What a day!!! In October Sisters, Ashley Williams and Yashida Vinson conducted workshops on bullying and were assisted by Sisters Edwina Jordan and Jewyl Dunn. The sisters got emotional and could relate to this topic as many of the girls could. It was an important and needed workshop for all.
In November they had a fun cooking class in which the girls were assigned to stations and were responsible for cooking a part of the meal. The members of the Raleigh Graduate Chapter applaud other chapters that have mentor programs; DC Metro, Rubu, Central Carolina and Harambee Graduate Chapters you are doing a wonderful job with your programs. We also encourage and will support other chapters to get out there and begin. Our youth needs us to be role models and to help them develop into finer black women. Please feel free to visit our Facebook page “Swing Society of Raleigh” to see all that we do with the girls. Watch out for upcoming events in 2013; Ebony Pearl Scholarship Pageant, Young Women’s Empowerment and the 2013 College Tour. For more information, contact the coordinators, Cheryl Kornegay, Tracie Howell and or Edwina Jordan.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 12
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 13
A NEW DAY WITH NJ GARDEN STATE GRAD By: Sister Deborah Hunter, New Jersey Garden State Graduate Chapter
Ola Sisters and Happy New Year. May your spirits be uplifted with the love and positive energy as we take on a New Year, and a new attitude. As one of the first Graduate Chapters, we take pride in being an example for others. That being said let us share some of the great things we have been doing. In 2012, we had a succession of wonderful community service activities. There is an annual project which has included “Book Scholarship”, donations for youngsters and college students. In April we honored 20 years of excellence for the “Genesis Line – Sisters Lisa Hickmon, Dorothy Slaughter, La Verne Wilson, & Pat Chalmers”. Genesis was the first Graduate line for the organization. A celebration event was had and an exciting fun evening of food, program & fellowshipping as only we can do. Proceeds from the Genesis celebration went towards a $1200.00 donation to NAMI, a mental health initiative that provides mental health services to African American women. Kudos to the co-hosting chapters – Tri-State Grad, Imani Kuumba Grad, & Zuri Obinrin Grad for their assistance, in this endeavor. The first “Founders Day Program and Luncheon” in conjunction with 6 other Graduate chapters, took place also in April. This was a fabulous affair held at the Renault Winery in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.
We are a proud “annual” sponsor for the NY Aids Walk, where we have participated for at least 12 years. “Walking for a cause”, is one of our premier efforts generated every year. This year is no exception. We have participated in the “Miracle Walk, Walk for Breast Cancer, Lupus Foundation, and Autism Walk”. It is a pleasure working with neighboring chapters on many of these projects here in NJ. In addition Garden State Graduate Chapter participates in the National Objective of Mentoring. There are many hours of commitment generated by our diligent chapter Sisters. We made a sizeable donation to the “Supplies for Success” in September, to assist with the purchase of backpacks. Participation was also positive in the “NHN-Neighbors helping Neighbors” campaign. With this effort we collected 2133 pounds of clothing (exceeding our goal of 2000 pounds). We adopted the same 2 families for our Thanksgiving Day Baskets and also provided a Christmas Wish List. Garden State Grad is also proud to announce our first Crayon & Coloring Book Drive to the Beth Israel’s Children’s Hospital in Newark, NJ. Garden State Graduate Chapter is doing exciting things and planning on more to come. We are so pleased to work with our other Sisters in the surrounding areas, i.e.; Imani Kuumba & Zuri Obinrin, & Tri-State Grad., & Brothers from NJ Grad, North Jersey Grad, & Central Jersey Grad collectively. We have an awesome “Family experience here in New Jersey. Working together to make a difference in the communities we serve. Stay tuned for truly it is an honor and a privilege to be a Sister & supporter of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. ®
One of the highlights for us was our annual “chapter retreat”, held in Atlantic City, NJ. We went away for two days and renewed our commitments to the organization and each other. There were smiles, tears, and overwhelming love that reaffirmed our commitment to our beloved organization.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 14
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 15
TABU TAKEOVER By Sister Terazia Jones
The Gendaga Bimbisha Tabu chapter members are consistently bringing good light to Swing Phi Swing and the community through their philanthropic work and unfaltering sisterhood at Lincoln University. I am pleased to be the liaison between the on-campus sisters and off-campus sisters who appreciate and want to share in their accomplishments and happenings. In this article, you will get a candid look into past and upcoming events, accolades, triumphs and much more of the Tabu Chapter. Growing and Expanding This year we held Fall intake for the first time in our chapter’s 14 year history. We welcomed 5 new sisters ( Tara Brown, T’Aira Wright, Krystal Bostick, Brittney Johnson, Tequila Jimenez) as part of a joint membership between two schools Lincoln University and Rosemont College. It was in this process that the Maarabe chapter was reactivated. We held a probate at Lincoln University following a small gathering with family, friends, and loads of gifts to properly welcome “All or Nothing” into our beloved organization. Now reclaiming their rightful place as a stepping contender amongst the Greek organizations on LU’s campus, the 2012 Clash of the Titans Homecoming Stepshow brought pressure for the ladies not only to place again but to present an even more impressive show than last year’s 1st place winning show. Enlisting the help of chapter alums and previous step masters Rose-Anne Matthew, Folosade Bey, Terazia Jones and our wild card Rienne Scott; Jessica Jean, Yasmin Ismail, and Noni Fernandez spent countless hours from August until the day of the show rehearsing to perfect their karate themed performance that took place on October 26th. Their show entitled “The Black Belt” featured 4 stages/belts: The White belt which represented Swing’s ability to be unified, Yellow belt was the ability to be “light on one’s feet”, the Purple belt represented Swing’s loyalty to our fellowmen of Groove Phi Groove and finishing with the Black belt that signified Swing being taken to a higher level. This event was the biggest source of pride within the Homecoming events and Tabu was proud to have placed within the top three consistently throughout the last three years. Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 16
Community involvement
TABU ACTIVES
The sisters began their year by fulfilling one On campus: of Swing’s biggest initiatives, community service. Service is always at the forefront of every Tabu Jessica Jean – President woman’s priorities. Though most of our members Noni Fernandez – Senator are preparing for their senior year, they make time to perform small monthly gestures such as volunYasmin Ismail- Vice President teering to clean various labs, hosting & promoting events for the Women’s Center, collecting & donatTara M Brown - Historian ing perishables to the local Kennet Square Food Cupboard, serving food to workers at Penn townKrystal Bostick – Community Service Chair ship Park, and donating school supplies & candy to the Lincoln University Community Center. Brittney Johnson - Secretary Nothing gives us greater joy then when our schedule allows us to conduct larger acts of serTequila Jimenez - Treasurer vice together like the 2nd annual clothing drive (proceeds given to Domestic Violence Center of Off campus: Chester County), roadside clean up, the 2012 event of the year award winning 2nd Annual Breast CanRenita Harris cer Walk, and canvassing for the 2012 Presidential Election in Elkins, Park PA. The 2nd Annual ‘ A CONTACT US Walk for a Cure” Breast Cancer Walk, held in the Wellness Center bared appearances from organiEMAIL zations on-campus and off-campus who set-up tabuswings @gmail.com tables to promote awareness of breast health on behalf their organizations. WEBSITE On Dec 13th, the chapter created the “Dare to http://tabuswings.wix.com/tabube Different” Scholarship (in an effort to continue site to give back and “advance the legacy” .TABU is giving a scholarship to a very devoted student on TWITTER Lincoln University’s campus. The scholarship is @tabuswings for those who can best express how he or she is making a difference on-campus and off-campus. FACEBOOK The recipient will receive a $200 check that will be used towards their finances and future develophttp://www.facebook.com/groups/ TABUSWINGS/ ment at Lincoln University.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 17
TABU HIGHLIGHTS
DC Metro Graduate Chapter of
Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. ® “Fired Up….Ready to go” In Celebration of the Re-election of PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Join us at our
White & Black Inaugural Ball
(in benefit of the Arthelia ‘Spanki’ Parker Scholarship Fund) SUNDAY, January 20, 2013 8:00 until Midnight The CLARION Hotel 6400 Oxon Hill Road Oxon Hill, MD
Music by: DJ OKEY
Attire: Black Tie Dinner served at 8:30pm Tickets: $65 per person
For further information or tickets please contact: Brenda Torrence - (571) 245-7909 Mary Johnson - (202) 345-4394
Or visit www.swingphiswingdcmetro.org The Gendaga Bimbisha Tabu Chapter is the first “Chapter Spotlight.” of 2013. If you wish to be considered for the next issue, feel free to send your submission to ebonypearl@swingphiswing. org. Good luck! Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 18
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 19
MIDWEST DETROIT SWING IS ON THE RISE
Just as the Detroit auto industry (GM, Ford, Chrysler (Fiat)) has made an astounding come back from financial struggles and is reestablishing itself with promising growth, the Detroit Graduate Chapter of Swing Phi Swing Inc.® has experienced its own surge of energy, growth and expansion within recent years. The sisters of DGC have been continuously hard at work with paid off dividends in expanding the chapter with new membership and also birthing/establishing the first Undergraduate Chapter in the region.
First, the chapter embraced Teeaira Collins, an amazing sister and undergraduate student at the University of Michigan-Flint, who crossed with a remote line in New York City in Fall 2010. Following only one short year later, two sisters Brittnany Thomas and Alexandria Mitchell, also from U of M-Flint, rose to the occasion and endeavored to attain the sisterhood status into Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® Brittnany and Alexandria, full of energy and passion immediately went to work to formally establish the first undergraduate chapter, appropriately named “Abeo Neema”, meaning her birth brings growth and prosperity. The Detroit Graduate Chapter is also very ecstatic about its newest member, Ms. Endia Santee, a Ph. D. student at the University of Toledo (Fall 2012). Endia, ska, “Swing Dr.” is an amazing young lady who has shown an extraordinary level of interest and love for the Swing organization. At just the expressed interest level, she displayed a seriousness that proved to be sincere as she knew the history, founders and founding date of the Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® In addition to the new ladies who have just joined the organization, we’ve expanded the DGC with the addition of sisters originally members in other chapters who have joined our chapters due to career and/or personal moves within the cities of the Midwestern Region. We proudly boast the membership of Erika Jackson, Crystal Ballard and Anesha Y. Ali as bonafide Detroit Graduate Chapter members. On December 1, 2012, the graduate and undergraduate chapters hosted the second annual Midwestern Regional Conference (White & Black Winter Weekend) in Chicago, IL. There were ladies from Chicago, Detroit, Flint and Fort Wayne represented in the meeting. The genuine love, comradery and family pride Detroit demonstrates among one another has attracted interests to Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. ® and helps to maintain the stability and growth needed to promote our cause! Detroit and the Midwestern Region as a whole are on the rise and continue to climb toward the unified goal of all the sisters of our beloved organization to “attract women from all walks of life in every profession and cultural background…..and continues its commitment to serve the community and serve women in need of support and growth.”
SWINGS GET FIT
DID YOU KNOW? REST Think you don’t need 8 hours of sleep? Well think again! The suggested eight hours may be a bit too much to ask, but if you sit down with your ‘to-do list’ for the week and spend all hours well, you might be surprised to find that you are wasting thirty or forty minutes each day that can be spent catching ZZZ’s. The saying “They sleep, we grind” may be a mantra for some, but during the hours when you are resting, your body is gearing up and preparing for the next day and needs you to be at your best. So DVR the lastest episode of Scandal and get the rest you deserve.
EAT WELL
Dont forget to exercise! Quick ways to get your heart moving: 1. Walk between breaks in T.V. shows 2. Park further than you normally would 3. Take the stairs. 4. Take a stroll during your lunch break 5. Dance like no one’s watching! Have a tip for the next SGF or just want to connect with others in the movement? Email ebonypearl@swingphiswing.org for more information.
Historian Spot
Project Community Service Timeline Ola Sisters! In order to document our history I’m requesting that each sister send me the following information: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Line Name Line # Undergrad Chapter Year pledged and any/all community service activities participated in as a Swing.
You may send all information to lbark004@gmail.com and please in the subject box type “Community Service Timeline”
LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT
What we will need all sisters to do in the upcoming months: 1)
Update your membership profile in our database;
2)
Assist our National Historian in creating chapter history/family trees for all chapters active and inactive;
Happy Black History Month! By this time you should have received your welcome letter from the Executive Office (EO). We are very pleased to call you our Sisters and to dedicate the next three years to working for you, on one accord as leaders. As your new executive team, we know our sisterhood is filled with professional women representing diverse ethnic groups, educational and business backgrounds, and geographical locations. One of the main reasons why many sisters remain active within Swing is because of the close knit camaraderie we have towards each other, coupled with our strong sense of pride in our sisterhood, and our dedication to the communities we serve.
3)
Pay your dues on time and to encourage other sisters to do so as well;
4)
Actively participate in the organization on a local and/or national level; and
5)
Participate in the Each One Reach One Program by:
a) reaching out to inactive sisters and inviting them to participate in Swing events in their area (i.e. joining a local chapter; paying dues)
On a global stage, there have been a number of technological strides within the last two decades. Companies today are rapidly making advancements in how they communicate and conduct business. As your executive team, it is our desire to promote a balance between fostering an intimate Swing experience and utilizing user-friendly technological tools in order to provide a more efficient and cost-effective way of conducting business. Instant messaging, Smartphones and various communication products have brought about an era of instant interaction.
b) reaching out to women who have no affiliation with an organization and tell them about Swing (directing them to our website is a good start). Do this once of month and watch how our sisterhood grows.
Ola and Greetings Sisters!
It is not our intent to solely rely on technology and become a virtual sisterhood; however, in order to grow we need to embrace technology as an important lifeline to the longevity and advancement of our organization. Application of various communication tools will build our knowledge-base. It will also provide and informative outlet for instantaneous and constant communication. This will allow us to implement simple and fiscally efficient ways to keep us moving in a forward and upward direction. We endearingly refer to this process as the Evolution of Sisterhood Movement. Our focus from this standpoint would be for you to determine your role in the Movement. One way to do this is by choosing your level of communicative interaction--be it by way of snail mail, text messaging, social media, and/or electronic mail. If you would like to become more involved with Swing on a national level, volunteering to participate in one of our many work-groups is a great way to start! A work-group is our new moniker for committees (on the EO team level). The Board will still continue to use committees and the EO team will implement work-groups. Work-groups will involve brainstorming, conceptualizing, and the development of tasks and projects which assist in completing the day-to-day operations of Swing. This opportunity will provide a variety of instances to volunteer your talents and expertise and to offer sisters a bigger, better, bolder, and more professional Swing experience.
Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 26
c) reaching out to a sister who you don’t know by way of a telephone call, email, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
Our goal as executive leaders is to become open and transparent. We look forward to personally getting to know our sisters on an individual level. If we can do anything to make your Swing experience a more pleasant one, please do not hesitate to let us know. If you have not done so already, I want to personally invite you to take a tour of our website, enroll in a class or two at Phi University, create a chapter in your community or join a chapter near you.
In Sisterhood, Dr. Leone Lettsome National President Of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. Winter 2013 | SWINGPHISWING.ORG 27