Groove Phi Groove

Groove Phi Groove
GΦG
Founded	October 12, 1962 (1962-10-12) Morgan State University
Type	Social Fellowship
Emphasis	Service
Scope	United States
Motto	“Through loyalty and integrity, we shall achieve greatness.”
Colors	Black and White
Headquarters	Silver Spring, MD, USA
Homepage	www.groove-phi-groove.org

Groove Phi Groove (GΦG) is a social fellowship founded at Morgan State College (now known as Morgan State University) as an alternative to mainstream Black fraternities. It also has a sister organization called Swing Phi Swing.

History

Groove Phi Groove was founded on October 12, 1962 by a group of young black men who wanted an alternative to the traditionalism of pseudo-fraternal organizations. Groove is the first non-Greek organization whose purpose deals in promoting organizational growth and academic awareness and effective leadership; and studying and helping to alleviate the social and economic problems of society to generally improve the world.

Groove currently has 75,000 members and hundreds of graduate and undergraduate chapters across the United States. Its members work in a wide variety of career areas, including accounting, education, engineering, human resource services, local and state government, medicine, law, protective services, information technology, religion, real estate, food service, skilled crafts, music, professional sports, the armed services, and business.

Founders

These founders are referred to as the "14 Pearls":

• Glen Brown
• Raymond Clark
• John Conquest
• Walter Goodwin
• Barry Hampton
• James Hill
• Charles Johnson
• Nathaniel Monroe
• David Nesbit
• Nathaniel Parham
• Harry Payne
• Barry Simms
• Robert Simpson
• Woodrow Williams

Governing structure

The governing structure of the Fellowship consists of

• The Conclave
• The National Constitution & Bylaws Manual
• The National Executive Board of Directors
• The National Directorate Staff
• Regional offices
• Local chapters

Meaning behind the name

Groove

During the 1960s, the word “groove” was popular among young blacks. Webster's Dictionary defines the verb “groove” as “to perform deftly or smoothly.” As a noun, “groove” is defined as a “fixed routine in the affairs of life.” Hence, to go against the “groove” means to work against the current establishment, and “grooving” is associated with “socializing or fellowshipping.” These combined definitions form the definiition of Groove Phi Groove.

Phi

The "Phi" in Groove Phi Groove holds an alternative meaning from the Greek word "Phi." In “Secrets of the Great Pyramids” by Pete Thompkins, the Khemit people of ancient Egypt created “phi” as a symbol of the creative function of the male reproductive system and, more loosely, as “reproduction in endless series,” which is a symbolic representation of “the fire of life.” The Fellowship has incorporated this symbol of fertility into its name to stand for our continual growth and development. The “phi” symbol should not be confused with the Greek one. They look the same but have very different meanings.

National Programs

The men of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. actively support and participate in various programs and projects which aim to serve the communities in which we live. Some of these programs and projects focus on black Americans; however, the Fellowship does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, national origin, or physical impairment. Nor do they provide a financial benefit to individual members of the Fellowship, as Groove Phi Groove is a 501(c)(7) not-for-profit entity, and the Groove Fund is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable entity. The Fellowship's National Programs & Projects Manual includes information about the following:

• The Groove Fund, Incorporated Scholarship Awards Program
• The Groove Fund, Incorporated Tutorial Program
• The Groove Phi Groove Mentorship Program
• Project Outreach
• Project Missing Children
• Project UNCF
• Project NAACP/Urban League
• The Boy Scouts of America

Notable Members

• Chet Grimsley First White American Student Athlete from the C.I.A.A
• Junkyard Dog American professional wrestler and professional football player
• Earl "The Pearl" Monroe Former NBA basketball player and Hall of Fame
• Douglas Palmer Former Mayor of Trenton NJ
• Donnie Shell Former NFL Pro and Future Hall of Famer
• Clarence Davis Former House of Delegates for the state of Maryland
• Richard Huntley Former NFL Football player

Current Chapters

• Chapter List

External links

• Official Website
• G Phi G Mother Bear Chapter
• Central Jersey Graduate Chapter
• G Phi G Charlotte Graduate Chapter
• G Phi G Griffin Chapter