Sword & Spear Conclave Edition 2015

sword & spear c o n c l av e

e d i t i o n

in this issue brand identity: Are you properly branding your small business? the value of ignorance groove in the windy city

conclave 2015 g r o o v e p h i g r o o v e ta k e s o v er t h e d

“ you are either part of the solution or part of the problem.�

- Eldridge cleaver, former minister of information black panther party for self defense

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table of contents Follow the Sword & Spear on social media for more news, stories and content.

message from the president editor’s note

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remembering fdr. monroe chapter spolight: chicago grad THE VALUE OF IGNORANCE

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branding your small business MOTOR CITY TAKEOVER: CONCLAVE 2015 empowering youth

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SUMMER 2015

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message from the president f

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In his book “A Purpose Driven Life”, preacher Rick Warren says that God created each person in this world for a special reason (1 Peter 4:10). Warren posits that each of us has a unique contribution to make and that we please both God and ourselves when we identify our purpose and use it to serve others.

Some of us were made to sing to make others happy; some of us made to teach; some of us are artists. No matter what unique gift you have, God gave us gifts in order to share them. By extention, I believe that God created each organization on Earth to fulfill a specific purpose. Our organization, of course, is Groove Phi Groove.

Until I read the history of Groove as written by Walter Perkins, I must admit that I never understood the brilliance of our fellowship. Perkins is not a Groove.

So, he observed and wrote about us as an outsider.

One of the things that struck me the most about his observations is that we are the organization that nobody wanted. Whether it was Morgan, North Carolina Central or elsewhere, the college administrators told us to go away- no need to apply. This hostility was even more pronounced when it came from the so-called Black Greeks. This type of hostility sometimes takes place today as much as it did in 1962.

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of our ancestors died along the way just like we did in other phases of our journey. Hence, Africans in America have experienced a long and tortuouse path from the bush, to slave castles, to the middle passage, into slavery, in post reconstruction America, then intense segregation up under Jim Crow, into the Black Power Movement that gave birth to Groove to the recent killings of young Black men like Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri or Freddy Gray in Baltimore, the birthplace of our beloved Groove.

For me, the parallels between black people in the United States and Groove Phi Groove are stunnng.

Black people have not been welcome in America, yet we survive and even prosper. Despite the cold shoulder we recieved on many college campuses, Groove is still here and expanding to places like Los Angeles and Accra fifty years after our arrival at Morgan.

Black people serve a unique purpose in America.

If nothing else, we remind America that is has not lived up to its ideals of liberty and justice for all. As Grooves, we too have a special role. We are college educted men, whose job it is to reach out to others, especially young black men, who want to follow in our footsteps and attend college. As long as there is inequality in America, there will be a purpose for Groove Phi Groove. God knew what He was doing when He created our Fellowship. God also knew best when He ordered our steps toward Groove Phi Groove where each of us can use our special gifts.

The hostility towards Goove reminds me of the anmosity experienced by Africans who live in America.

That too, was a story I didn’t truly understand until I visited our fellowmen in Ghana. Black People are Fl. Victor Henderson regularly taught about the history of slavery in the International President, United States. Many of us have even learned about Groove Phi Groove, SFI. the Middle Passage. Yet, far fewer of us were taught that our ancestors spent time in “slave castles” in places like Cape Coast, Ghana, before the middle passage. We were also not taught about the sojourn from the bush to the coast where ships waited to take us-- involuntarily-- to our new home. That trip could be hundreds of miles- by foot no less, COUNTLESS

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editor’s note f l .

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“Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you.

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you…

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of infinite, and He bends you With His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.” - Kahlil Gibran

A parent has the unique power to directly influence generations. Only a parent’s unconditional love can survive tragedy, defeat hate, and soothe pain.

It is arguably the most powerful force on the planet. It builds communities and produces a variety of successful individuals. To be a parent is an honored and often thankless duty. However, its necessity is heralded from every corner of society. Its lacking is religiously blamed for many of the troubles the world sees in individuals and its prevalence is lauded by those who find fulfillment and accomplishments in life.

Part of our mission is to support black boys and men in our community. Perhaps we can challenge ourselves and become more intimately involved in the lives of black youth. Perhaps we can be more like “parents” in order to properly fulfill our purpose.

Imagine the impact that could be made if every Groove brother acted as a parent to the black youth in our communities. Do we bawl heavy tears during tragedy in our neighborhoods, as if we were lamenting over the fate of our own child? Do we fervently celebrate accomplishments as if we were hugging and kissing our own child?

Do we take the time to instruct and pass on wisdom we each endured, as if our own child were on our knee? In order to reach them, we must understand them. We must empathize. We must feel their pains and joys as if they were our own flesh and blood. Perhaps it may be difficult for all of us to do these things literally, but we can all contribute to the well-being and upbringing of young black boys.

To cultivate a future for Groove Phi Groove and the community, we must sow and nurture seeds within the youth.

As a new father, it is my responsibility to nurture and protect my child. I must exemplify qualities and characteristics that ensure her growth as a conscious, compassionate, and determined individual. It has become my vow to instruct her. When she grows older, I can only watch her fly into this world like an arrow, launched from my bow. This is my duty as a parent, as a father—a duty that I can never forget. We, as an organization, must do the same—not only for our own children, but those boys on the corner, those kids at church, those we see on the bus, and those roaming the mall. We are the influence that they will become. We can be a difference-maker. We hold the power to build a new generation. All we must do is act.

In Brotherhood, Fl. Stuart Frazier Editor in Chief, Sword & Spear

SUMMER 2015

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Founder Nathaniel Monroe

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For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

- Kahlil Gibran

Founder Nathaniel “Money” Monroe passed away on December 25, 2014 after 72 years of life on this Earth. He was a father, mentor, teacher, leader, and friend. Though we are grieved by the loss of our great brother, we celebrate his life and acknowledge the influence he left on us. Founder Monroe’s legacy lives on in the works that we do today and the lives that we affect tomorrow.

Founder Nathanial Monroe was indeed many things to many people. He will forever be remembered for the impact he made in the lives of his students, family, and brothers in Groove Phi Groove. It is now our responsibility to live out his legacy by continuing to contribute to communities in need. Let us honor our beloved founder by taking action rather than providing mere lip service.

Founder Nathanial Parham remembers “Money” as being “cool, calm, and collected.” He was always thankful for his family and never lost his temper. Monroe affectionately nicknamed Parham “Big Boy” and frequently addressed him as such.

Founder Parham will keep the memory of his friend and brother in his mind and heart forever.

Rest in peace, dear brother. You are always in our hearts.

-The Fellowmen of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Incorporated.

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“We’ve come this far by faith” Editor in Chief: Stuart Frazier Art Designer/ Layout: Floyd Brantley Marketing/ Food/ Business Writer: Chris Smith Music Writer: Eric M. Greene International Correspondent: Loomy Danso Photographers: Johannes Henderson and Floyd Brantley

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chicago graduate chapter groove in the windy cit y

Peace and blessings to all the brothers in our wonderful Fellowship. My name is Samori Sykes. I went over at Chicago State University in fall 2003. I took over as President of the Chicago Graduate chapter in summer 2013. First, and foremost, I want to say the brothers in Chicago have been 100% supportive of me. in my role as president. I’m thirty years old.

Some of the brothers in my chapter have been in the Fellowship longer than I’ve been alive. They’ve opened their arms and made it clear that someone with fresh ideas and a different perspective is exactly what they wanted in their President. I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity and responsibility given to me.

in scholarship funds for the first time in over six years. Two more service related events are in the planning stages for later this year. We’re now at a place where our record shows we are committed to service throughout the year.

Undergraduate growth has been another major focus for the chapter. Thus far, our efforts to draw new brothers has not been as successful as we would like.

Up to this point, we have put all of our focus on one school and we didn’t have a presence that would draw outside interest. For years, most of what we did revolved around a yearly picnic and one or two service related events. Our direction recently shows a commitment to service and I believe that will attract Once I took over the role, I tried to layout a roadmap brothers, young and old, to join our organization. It’s that would put the chapter in a successful position. just a matter of expanding the amount of people who The first issue to tackle was that we had a lot of broth- hear about the work we are doing. I’m very hopeful ers in Chicago that weren’t involved with the chapter. that in the coming months we will draw new interest, To address that, we recreated the chapter directory resulting in more positive and productive brothers and made an effort to do a much better job of keepjoining our ranks. ing the brothers aware of what was happening in the Fellowship. It was truly a beautiful moment when Overall, I’m very excited about the direction our brothers who hadn’t been seen for 4-6 years showed chapter has taken. I’m looking forward to seeing up to the Christmas party because we reached out what the future brings. and brought them back into the fold. Several young brothers, who most of us didn’t even know were in the Chicago area, came out as well. Our first holiday party in over four years proved a great opportunity to Fl. Samori Sykes, President Chicago Graduate ChapterGroove Phi Groove, SFI. show the brothers that Groove was definitely on the move in Chicago.

Another priority was to sharpen our efforts regarding service. Holding events that specifically revolved around kids was something the chapter had been doing for a couple of years before I became President.

This year, we did Health Day where 20-30 kids were given a tour of Jackson Park Hospital along with a presentation done by several members of the staff.

The children had the opportunity to hear from doctors, system administrators, accountants, radiologists, and a host of other people with different functions in the facility. We also did Law Day where 20- 30 kids were given a tour of a lawyer’s office with an array of black professionals explaining what they must do to excel at that level. In addition, we gave away $1,000

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Grooves Team with Youth Group to Visit Morgan State and Bowie University

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the value of ignorance f

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One thing that really amazes me is how people function on what they think they know more so than on what they actually know. A lot of times- dare I say more than 90% of the time- we learn new words by hearing them around us. We’ll hear a new word on television, on the radio, overhearing someone else’s conversation; or we may learn a new word in direct conversation. We may not know the literal definition of the word, but we get a feel for the word based on the context of the conversation. If the word resonates with us, then we will add it into our vocabulary; we will go on using it, often without ever looking up the word.

Now, a good portion of the time people get away with this, but then there are those occasional times when a person throws a word out there that they have absolutely no business using. This is a prime example of ignorance.

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that a problem exists, how can you go about solving or correcting it?

Something I always say is that when people make mistakes and suffer self-caused setbacks, it’s basically because either they made a mistake of ignorance or they made a mistake of arrogance. When you make a mistake of ignorance, you simply didn’t know any better. However, a mistake of arrogance occurs when you actually do know better than to follow a particular course of action, but act anyway.

This is the cause of most people’s failures in life. Just ask any convict who has accepted accountability for his or her present condition behind bars.

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” The value of ignorance is in seeing it for what it is ... a lack As a matter of fact, the word “ignorance” in and of it- of knowledge. Once you find yourself lacking in self is an even better example of what I am saying. One knowledge, you can go about filling that void and sure fire way to insult someone is to call him or her improving your life. “ignorant.” However, if the context in which the word is being used is factual; it’s not an insult, it’s a simple There is absolutely nothing wrong with acknowledgfact. Contrary to popular belief, “ignorance” does not ing your ignorance. In fact, the acknowledgement of mean an absence of intelligence. It means an absence one’s ignorance is the dawn of one’s intelligence, and of knowledge. The difference may be subtle, but then the discovery of anything that can make you a better to better solidify the difference we’ll have to examine man is valuable. the difference between intelligence and knowledge.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, intelligence means “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations; also, the skilled use of reason.” The word knowledge means “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association.” Therefore, to be ignorant simply means not knowing about something ... rather than not knowing anything.

The fact of the matter is that there are a great many things of which people are ignorant, but because they misunderstand the true meaning of the word, you will not likely come across someone who’s readily willing to acknowledge their ignorance. However, this is yet another reason why so many people fail to reach new levels of success. If you do not admit or acknowledge

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brand identity f

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An effective brand is a positive combination of logo, words, design, colors, personality, service, and price, to list a few.

For example, when you think of some top brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Apple, and Whole Foods, these companies offer a brand promise to their customers and meet expectations. From my viewpoint as a marketing/social media strategist, the top five objectives that a respectable brand will achieve are as follows:

five reasons to effectively brand your business 1. Distributes your message clearly: The perception of your brand is what the public says it is and more importantly what you need it to be. Consider doing some research with your customers and prospects before you put your message out there. What message is your competition presenting?

2. Endorses your credibility: If the promise or message of your brand is distributed clearly, then it will provide credibility for your business.

3. Makes an emotional connection with your target prospects:: Once your target audiences trust your brand. then the public will naturally connect emotionally with your products and/or services.

4. Motivates the buyer: It is essential as a business to keep your brand promise to the public because it will impact the behavior of the buyers. Also, brand trust is important for creating a strong brand loyalty.

5. Creates a strong brand loyalty for your company: Creating a strong brand will increase the loyalty of your prospects, customers, and even create higher staff morale. Also, small businesses have advantages with creating brand loyalty because it will create a unique experience with customers, prospects, and the community.

To build a strong brand you must first understand the needs and wants of your customers and prospects.

In today’s market, it is more important than ever to spend time investing in a sound marketing strategy for your brand. Therefore, solid execution of the top five objectives should be the backbone in your successful branding strategy.

motorcity takeover

The fellowmen of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Incorporated invade the D for the 2015 conclave

Fellowmen of Groove practice for a step show exhibition on the banquet room level of the Detroit Renaissance Marriott in Detroit, Michigan.

-Photo credit: F. Lennis Brantley

Like that old car that sat in the garage for years, the body rusting, the interior faded and torn, an old air freshener hanging on the rear view mirror, stale no longer giving off a fresh scent to counter the moldy smell that is pervading the interior. This ride sits abandoned, untouched and unloved, no longer appreciated by its’ owner, no longer seeing the value in it.

Its like that old car that sat in the garage for years, the body rusting, the interior faded and Then young individual comes along andview mirror, stale no longer giving off a fresh torn, anone oldday air afreshener hanging on the rear sees the car and recognizes that it is a classic. He buys scent the moldy smell is waking pervading the interior. This ride sits abandoned... theto car,counter tows it home and spends histhat every hour bringing the luster back out of this iconic ve- by it’s owner.

Untouched and unloved, no longer appreciated

hicle. He pounds out the dings and the dents in the body, reupholsters the interior, washes the body and Then onethe day a young individual comes along waxes outside to a new car shine.

Then he sits and sees the car and recognizes that it is a clasinside the driver’s seat, rubs his hands over the sic. He buys the car off of him, tows it homesteerand spends his every waking hour bringing the ing wheel, checks the electrical system and cranks luster outblast. of this iconic vehicle.

Hefar,pounds the back radio full Everything is great so but will out the dings and the dents in the body, rethe V8 roar like it did in its heyday?

He grabs thewaxes key the outside to a new car shine. Then he sits upholsters the interior, washes the body and and cranks the ignition: Once. Click. Twice. Click. inside drivers seatturn andover. rubs hands The the engine does not Hehis pumps theover gas tothe steering wheel, checks the electrical system andinject cranks the radio fullmotor blast.and Everything is great so far...But will the V8 roar like it did in some fuel into the cranks it again.

VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Amidst a the ignition: Once. Click. Twice. Click. The its hey day? He grabs the key again and cranks cloud of smoke from the exhaust from years of sitting engine does not muscle turn over.

He pumps the gas to inject some fuel into the motor and cranks it idle, the iconic car cranks to life with a roar announcing to the world that reports of its demise again. VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Amidst a cloud of smoke from the exhaust from have been greatly exaggerated.

year of sitting idle, the iconic muscle car cranks to life with a roar announcing to the world that reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated and spoken far too soon.

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motorcity takeover f

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This is an analogy that can be used to describe Detroit. The iconic city that was in the eyes of many dead. A shadow of its former self. A failed city that many have written off as lost and forgotten, empty and abandoned.

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This convention wasn’t just about all fun and games.

This was also about changes within the organization.

This Conclave was about elections that would shape the future of Groove and the direction that it would follow. It also hosted the Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.), that contained workshops that provided high school students with academic, professional and cultural tools that they can use in life after graduation.

However, it was also the site of the 2015 National Conclave of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Incorporated. In 2013, after it was announced the convention would be located in Detroit, many questions arose. The concerns about safety, gangs wearThe summit concluded with a step show exhibition ing black and white, and activities began to crop up. that featured teams from across the BWB nation.

Rumors began to fly around like celebrity gossip from TMZ. From the beginning, the Detroit Graduate Chapter went into a massive marketing campaign to not only debunk the rumors, but also encourage members of the fellowship and sister organization Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship Incoporated to come to the D and see with their own eyes all that the city had to offer.

By the time the convention dates where announced, there had been great interest by many to attend. As the attendees began to slowly trickle in on Monday, the buildup reached a full blown invasion of brothers and sisters wearing black & white and white & black.

The Renaissance Center Marriott in downtown Detroit and Marriott Courtyard was filled to capacity.

The BWB Dynasty had invaded The Motor City.

The result? When the Conclave ended, most had a completely different perspective and appreciation for The D. When they turned the key in the ignition, the motor was not dead. It roared like the V8 in a production muscle car that came right off the assembly line.

F. Lennis Brantley has been a contributing member to the S&S since 2009. He is also a photographer, filmmaker, and graphic artist and member of Groove since Spr ‘06.

Fl. Jamille Jones (center), passing knowlege to high school boys at the Youth Empowerment Summit.

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Fellowmen of Groove Phi Groove and Sisters of Swing Phi Swing prepare to order at Sweet Water Tavern near the host hotel in downtown Detroit during the 2015 Conclave.

With all business being concluded and elections over, members of the fellowship, along with the sisters of Swing Phi Swing, left the host hotel to venture out into the city to see the sights, taste the food, take part in the local culture and enjoy the unique experiences that Detroit has to offer.

Even prior to the business events, some adventurous brothers and sisters began to explore the International Riverwalk behind the hotel, amazed at the fact that Canada was not even quite a mile across Fl. Floyd Brantley (right) with members of the Black Star 14 the river. But when the bulk of the membership Fellowmen from Ghana, G Phi G’s charter chapter on the finally arrived on Friday, Detroit looked like it was African Continent at the host hotel. being invaded by a black and white army. Participants checked out the restaurants in Greektown, visited historical sites in the greater downtown area, and took in a Bootsy Collins concert at Campus Martius Park. Others chose to relax in the hotel and take in the panoramic view of the international skylines of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Saturday night bore witness to one of the premier events of the weekend with the Black and White explosion at Club Blu. Scores of members of both organizations worked hard during the week and partied harder after conclusion of all business.

Immediate response to the Conclave was largely positive, as (see Motor City page 21)

Grooves and Swings outside of Club Blu, where the Black Out Party event was held in Downtown Detroit.

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empowering the future

detroit kids meet the fellowmen of groove Fl. Jamille Jones

This years’ Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.) hosted by Groove Phi Groove and Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowships, Inc. proved to be a powerful tool in galvanizing our youth. Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. is a non-profit fraternal organization that focuses on serving young Black men with programs and services that help to uplift their stature within society. During the summit, men of Groove worked with a group of young men from Detroit.

The summit began in the morning with Fl. Odis Bellinger and Fl. Ahmad McDougle working with the young men around goal setting and economic literacy. Young men were asked to introduce themselves and set a goal for themselves and develop a road map to get them there. Fl. Lupe Bamwo talked to the young men about financial literacy which includes creating a budget, understanding assets vs. liabilities, and money conservation.

Later on in the program Fl. Jamille Jones talked to the young men about the importance of discipline and giving back to the communities from where they come. The activities included round table conversations about things they can do to help in their community, as well as topics that focused on responsibility, accountability and brotherhood.

Fl. Jamille Jones

The young men also had an opportunity to participate in some brotherhood exercises that helped the boys form a bond. Fl. Ronn Thomas spoke to the young men about the history of Groove, and some of his accomplishments within the organization. Also Fl. Dr. Alexander Russell talked to the young men about some of the community service projects we participate in as an organization.

The young men also participated in a college ready program during the Conclave which gave them information on financial aid and scholarships. Groove and Swing hosted a Y.E.S. luncheon for the students and their families. They were served a three course meal and engaged by various community leaders and speakers. Some of the speakers included Lynette Hammond Gerido, Odis Bellinger, Chastity Gather, Epha Faison and Emmet Mitchell. All of whom had a message of determination and achievement of our dreams. Two young men were recipients of Groove book scholarships. One of the young men was Aesun Lettsome, son of the current National President of Swing Phi Swing. SFI. After the luncheon, the children had the awesome opportunity to watch the undergraduate members step and stroll at the Y.E.S. step show, hosted by Fl. Jamille Jones. The step show included DYNAMIC performances from both Swing and Groove. Some of the teams that competed were the Great Dane Chapter of Groove (Albany) , Tabu & Ma’atkare Chapter of Swing, Mighty Lion Chapter of Groove and North East Regional Undergrad Chapter of Swing. All of the teams presented high quality and high frequency forms of stepping.

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youth empowerment summit detroit 2015

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around the nation

The Fellowmen of the Bridgeport-New Haven Graduate Chapter adopts a family for the holidays.

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Bridgeport-New Haven Graduate Chapter Adopt-A-Family Christmas Progr a m

Fl. Eric M. Greene

The brothers of the Bridgeport-New Haven Graduate Chapter completed their 4th annual Christmas Adopt-A-Family project. They donated educational toys and clothing to the Christian Community Action Family Shelter in New Haven, Connecticut. Gifts were received and appreciated by the parents and the children.

Tragically, Ms. Pierce, a case worker for the shelter and the chapter’s main contact, passed away after a heroic battle with cancer. The fellowmen of the Bridgeport-New Haven Graduate Chapter would like to send the deepest condolences to her family. She was a viable and instrumental resource that contributed greatly to the success of the project. The chapter plans to continue the project with the Christian Community Action Agency next year.

houston graduate chapter bl ack and white gal a

Fl. Johannes Henderson

International President Victor Henderson and members of the Houston Graduate Chapter at the Black & White Gala When Fl. Ed Johnson and James Carter began the Houston Graduate Chapter Black & White Gala, they had no idea it would develop into one of the most anticipated and successful events in the Nation. What started off as a concept to rally brothers together in times of celebration and not just tragedy, has now become one of Houston Graduate Chapter’s greatest accomplishments.

On January 16th, 2010 Houston Graduate hosted their first gala. Although the concept of having a formal ball met with skepticism, the fellowmen beat the odds and brought in over 125 guests and profited over $2,000.

Thanks to the efforts of Fl. Bobby Glaze, Houston Graduate has followed a format that has allowed them much success. The format includes a silent auction, corporate sponsorship awards program, scholarship

SUMMER 2015

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Today, the Houston Graduate Chapter’s Annual Black and White Gala is attended by over 300 guests. The Gala recognizes brothers who have made significant contributions throughout the year as well as awards numerous scholarships to deserving students. The Black & White Gala has evolved into one of the premier events of the year for Groove Phi Groove.

international news ghana

B l a c k S ta r 1 4 Awa r d s F i r s t S c h o l a r s h i p

Fl. Loomy Danso, International Diretor

Members of the Black Star 14 of Ghana present a scholarship to a student in Ghana.

In 2013, Founder Barry Hampton, National President Victor Henderson and others traveled to Ghana to initiate the first line in Africa, now known as the Black Star 14. The line went over on Friday, October 12, 2013 the same day and date the Founders founded Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. Many will recognize the name Black Star as the cruise line that was founded by Marcus Garvey in the early 1900s.

With the assistance of the Groove Fund, members of the Black Star 14 recently awarded a scholarship to medical student, Albert Agyemang. The Groove Fund, which is the charitable arm of Groove Phi Groove, has awarded countless scholarships to students throughout the United States and is now expanding those efforts to Africa

SWORD & SPEAR: CONCLAVE EDITION Motor City cont. many brothers and sisters of Groove and Swing, Grad and Undergraduate alike all left Detroit with a different look at the city without the bias that is prevalent in the media.

Like Groove itself, it has had it high points and its lows, however, it isn’t dead. The motor is still roaring louder than ever. **Notes from the 2015 Conclave** The votes are in: Groove Phi Groove has elected Dennis Thomas as new International President, with Rodney Greene and Lupe Bamwo for 1st and 2nd International Vice Presidents respectively.

Good Deed!

Groove Phi Groove makes donation to King Jesus Orphanage

By Ameyaw Debrah

Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Incorporated’s willingness to help others is something very dear to our hearts and a personal responsibility.

They strive to do their best. They are not messiahs, but we believe their contributions have made a difference.

The Grooves pledged to furnish the orphanage’s sickbay and dining hall.

We are always seeking more college-educated men to help with our mission of empowering, and educating those on our campuses and in our communities.

Ameyaw Kissi Debrah is a freelance journalist and blogger. He holds a degree in B.A Publishing Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he was voted the Best Publishing Student of 2005.

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