Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. (SΦS) is a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

social

fellowship A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher educationa ...

, as opposed to a traditional Greek lettered sorority. It was founded as an alternative to historically Black sororities.

History

Swing Phi Swing was founded at

Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina. History Winston-Salem State University was founded as Slater Industrial Academy on ...

Winston-Salem, North Carolina Winston-Salem is a city and the county seat of Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. In the 2020 census, the population was 249,545, making it the second-largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region, the 5th most populous city in ...

, at the conclusion of the

Civil Rights Movement The civil rights movement was a nonviolent social and political movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized institutional Racial segregation in the United States, racial segregation, Racial discrimination ...

and the burgeoning of the Black Power Movement. Twelve African-American women- with the help of their brother organization

Groove Phi Groove Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. (GΦG) is a social fellowship. It was founded at Morgan State College (now known as Morgan State University) as an alternative to mainstream historically black fraternities. History Groove Phi Groove ...

, founded Swing Phi Swing on Friday, April 4, 1969, which was the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At a time of social unrest, these twelve young women created an organization that would honor the trailblazers of the Civil Rights Movement and their legacy. These women dared to be different by challenging the traditional membership in Black Greek-Lettered organizations and chose to create a fellowship of women committed to meaningful

community service Community service is unpaid work performed by a person or group of people for the benefit and betterment of their community without any form of compensation. Community service can be distinct from volunteering, since it is not always perform ...

, promoting and achieving academic excellence, and strengthening community involvement and engagement through culturally conscious events and activities. Swing Phi Swing ignited a flame that influenced thousands of women to follow in their footsteps. Their pioneering spirit continues to burn in the hearts of many Sisters, transcending the boundaries of geography, social class, complexion, and religious affiliation. Today, Swing has over 50 graduate and undergraduate chapters throughout the United States. The twelve founders are: *Jeanette Butler *Anita Chase (Watson) *Beverly Dorn (Steele) *Finesia Dunovant (Walker) *Jane Harris (Madison) *Rosiland Marshall (Tandy) *Marilyn Reid (Hill) *Patricia Story (Edwards) *Ellen Tomlinson (Carter) *Brenda Travers (Satterfield) *Lorraine Watkins (Phillips) *Talma Woods (Brayboy) The founding date is the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...

During the 1970s, Swing Phi Swing's membership grew as Black college women across the South, the Midwest and the East Coast heard of an afro-centric organization. Chapters were started at prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities such as

Hampton University Hampton University is a private, historically black, research university in Hampton, Virginia. Founded in 1868 as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School, it was established by Black and White leaders of the American Missionary Association a ...

(Hampton Institute),

Morgan State University Morgan State University (Morgan State or MSU) is a public historically black research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the largest of Maryland's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In 1867, the university, then known ...

Tuskegee University Tuskegee University (Tuskegee or TU), formerly known as the Tuskegee Institute, is a private, historically black land-grant university in Tuskegee, Alabama. It was founded on Independence Day in 1881 by the state legislature. The campus was ...

(Tuskegee Institute),

Wilberforce University Wilberforce University is a private historically black university in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans. It participates i ...

Shaw University Shaw University is a Private university, private Baptists, Baptist Historically black colleges and universities, historically black university in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. Founded on Decembe ...

and

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (also known as North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina A&T, N.C. A&T, or simply A&T) is a public, historically black land-grant research university in Greensboro, North Caro ...

. On April 4, 2019, Swing Phi Swing celebrated their 50th anniversary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during their National Convention. Ten of the surviving founders attended the convention and were present to describe how they founded the organization.

Demographics

Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship Inc. is divided into seven regions across the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Each region is directed by a Regional Director who monitors all chapters and members-at-large in her jurisdiction. Regions *Mid-Atlantic DE , MD , OH , PA , VA , WV , DC *Midwest IL , IN , IA , KY , MI , MN , WI *Northeast CT , ME , MA , NH , NJ , NY , RI , VT *Northwest AK , ID , MT , NE , ND , SD , OR , WA , WY *South-Central AR , KS , LA , MO , OK , TX *Southeast AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC , TN *Southwest AZ , CA , CO , HI , NM , NV , UT

Leadership

The National Organization of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship is managed and operated by Board of Directors, Executive Officers and Regional Directors.

National Presidents

*1. Founder Marilyn Reid-Hill- *2. Carlenia Graham Ivory- *3. Debra Cauthen Jones/Donna Simmons- *4. Linda Smith- *5. Tanya McKoy- *6. Cheryl Kornegay- *7. Tanya Mckoy-Sutton- *8 Sharon Chandler-Thomas- *9. Dr. Leone Lettsome- *10. Lori Gittens - *11. Debra McKoy-Present

Current Graduate Chapters

*Ajeya Graduate Chapter - Central New Jersey *Ashanti Zuri Graduate Chapter- Atlanta, GA *Atlanta Graduate Chapter - Atlanta, GA *Boston Graduate Chapter *Central Carolina Graduate Chapter - Raleigh, Durham *Charlotte Graduate Chapter - Charlotte, NC *Dada Rafiki Tri-County Graduate Chapter- PA *DC Metro Graduate Chapter – Washington, D.C. *Detroit Graduate Chapter - Detroit, MI *DFW Graduate Chapter - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX *Garden State Graduate Chapter - Northern New Jersey *Hampton Roads Graduate Chapter - Hampton Roads, VA *Haraambe Graduate Chapter – Fayetteville, NC *Houston Graduate Chapter- Houston, TX *Imani Kuumba Graduate Chapter - New Jersey *Kemet PA Graduate Chapter - Pennsylvania *Los Angeles Graduate Chapter - Los Angeles, CA/Southern California *Mid South Graduate Chapter – Memphis, TN *The Greater New York & Connecticut Graduate Chapter - New York, Connecticut *New Jersey Zuri Obinrin Abike Aye' Graduate Chapter - New Jersey *Nia Maryland Graduate Chapter - Baltimore, MD *Niara Atanipenda Graduate Chapter - Greensboro, High Point *Okimma Delaware Graduate Chapter - Delaware *Palmetto Graduate Chapter - Charleston, SC *Potomac Graduate Chapter - DC, Maryland, Virginia *Philadelphia Graduate Chapter - Philadelphia *Raleigh Graduate Chapter - Raleigh, NC *Richmond Graduate Chapter - Richmond, VA *Rukiya Busara Piedmont Triad Graduate Chapter – Winston-Salem, NC *Sankofa Graduate Chapter - Las Vegas, Nevada/Southern California *Siku Mpya Graduate Chapter- Florida *Tri-State Graduate Chapter - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut

Current Undergraduate Chapters

*Abeo Neema Undergraduate Chapter -

University of Michigan , mottoeng = "Arts, Knowledge, Truth" , former_names = Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania (1817–1821) , budget = $10.3 billion (2021) , endowment = $17 billion (2021)As o ...

*Aggie Undergraduate Chapter-

*Ainka Makeda Marali Moliehi Undergraduate Chapter -

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State becam ...

*Andile Engara Undergraduate Chapter -

University of North Carolina - Greensboro The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG or UNC Greensboro) is a public research university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system. UNCG, like all members of the UNC system, is a stand ...

*Awon Egbe Obirin Otito Undergraduate Chapter -

Grambling State University Grambling State University (GSU, Grambling, or Grambling State) is a public historically black university in Grambling, Louisiana. Grambling State is home of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum and is listed on the Louisiana African American Herita ...

*Bison Undergraduate Chapter -

Howard University Howard University (Howard) is a Private university, private, University charter#Federal, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, classifie ...

*Ebony Undergraduate Chapter -

South Carolina State University and Benedict College South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*su ...

*Endesha Baraka Eagle Chapter -

Coppin State University Coppin State University (Coppin) is a public historically black university in Baltimore, Maryland. It is part of the University System of Maryland and a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. In terms of demographics, the Coppin State st ...

*Gendaga Bimbisha Tabu Undergraduate Chapter - Lincoln University *Golden Undergraduate Chapter -

Johnson C. Smith University Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) is a private historically black university in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The unive ...

*Mother (Groove) Undergraduate Chapter -

Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina. History Winston-Salem State University was founded as Slater Industrial Academy on ...

*Harambee II -

Spelman College Spelman College is a private, historically black, women's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman r ...

and

Clark Atlanta University Clark Atlanta University (CAU or Clark Atlanta) is a private, Methodist, historically black research university in Atlanta, Georgia. Clark Atlanta is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Southern United States. Fou ...

*Maatkare Hatshepsut Bulldog Undergraduate Chapter -

Bowie State University Bowie State University (Bowie State) is a Public university, public Historically black colleges and universities, historically black university in Prince George's County, Maryland, north of Bowie, Maryland, Bowie. It is part of the University Sys ...

*Maisha New Birth Undergraduate Chapter -

University of Maryland-Eastern Shore University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a public historically black land-grant research university in Princess Anne, Maryland. It is part of the University System of Maryland. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High res ...

*Maraabe Undergraduate Chapter -

Rosemont College , mottoeng = I will lift my eyes up to the hills , established = 1921 , type = Private college , religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic (Society of the Holy Child Jesus) , president = J ...

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universit ...

Drexel University Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drexel's undergraduate school was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a financier and philanthropist. Founded as Drexel Institute of Ar ...

, and

Temple University Temple University (Temple or TU) is a public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1884 by the Baptists, Baptist minister Russell Conwell an ...

*Marali Nubia Bear Undergraduate Chapter -

Towson University Towson University (TU or Towson) is a public university in Towson, Maryland. Founded in 1866 as Maryland's first training school for teachers, Towson University is a part of the University System of Maryland. Since its founding, the university ...

*Masika Ghayda Niara Undergraduate Chapter -

College of New Rochelle The College of New Rochelle (CNR) was a private Catholic college with its main campus in New Rochelle, New York, but also in Australia, England, and Germany. It was founded as the College of St. Angela by Mother Irene Gill, OSU of the Ursuline ...

*Muntu Undergraduate Chapter -

*Nandi Undergraduate Chapter -

Rutgers University Rutgers University (; RU), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a public land-grant research university consisting of four campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College, and wa ...

*Ndada Amuka Kwa Pindua Undergraduate Chapter -

Adelphi University Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, New York. Adelphi also has centers in Manhattan, Hudson Valley, and Suffolk County. There is also a virtual, online campus for remote students. It is the oldest institution of higher edu ...

*Ndada Vumilia Daima Inuka Undergraduate Chapter -

Mercy College Mercy College may refer to: * Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia * Mercy College (Dublin), Ireland * Mercy College, Sligo, Ireland * Mercy College of Detroit, Michigan, since merged with the University of Detroit * Mer ...

*Ndada Weuse Panda Undergraduate Chapter -

Montclair State University Montclair State University (MSU) is a public research university in Montclair, New Jersey, with parts of the campus extending into Little Falls. As of fall 2018, Montclair State was, by enrollment, the second largest public university in New ...

*Nguvu Katika Mwanzo Mpya Undergraduate Chapter -

Loyola University New Orleans Loyola University New Orleans is a private Jesuit university in New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans ( , ,Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public historically black university in Cheyney, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1837, it is the oldest university out of all historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. It is a m ...

*Nkijha Undergraduate Chapter -

St. Augustine's University Saint Augustine's University is a private historically black Christian college in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded by Episcopal clergy in 1867 for the education of freed slaves. History Founded in 1867 as Saint Augustine's Normal Sc ...

*Odu Ifa Undergraduate Chapter -

Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virginia in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia ...

*Osei Fola Simba Undergraduate Chapter -

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

*SOBU Undergraduate Chapter -

North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University (NCCU or NC Central) is a public historically black university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by James E. Shepard in affiliation with the Chautauqua movement in 1909, it was supported by private funds from b ...

*Spartan Undergraduate Chapter -

Norfolk State University Norfolk State University (NSU) is a public historically black university in Norfolk, Virginia. It is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Virginia High-Tech Partnership. History The institution was founded on September 18, 1935 a ...

*Subira Chemwuapu Undergraduate Chapter -

Johnson & Wales University Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university with its main campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded as a business school in 1914 by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales, JWU enrolled 7,357 students across its campuses in the fall ...

, Providence RI *SUNY Undergraduate Chapter -

State University of New York The State University of New York (SUNY, , ) is a system of public colleges and universities in the State of New York. It is one of the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States. Led by ...

, Albany NY *Siyanda Undergraduate Chapter -

East Carolina University East Carolina University (ECU) is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina. It is the fourth largest university in North Carolina. Founded on March 8, 1907, as a teacher training school, East Carolina has grown from its origi ...

*Umoja Undergraduate Chapter -

Livingstone College Livingstone College is a private, historically black Christian college in Salisbury, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Livingstone College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Sout ...

*Upenda Undergraduate Chapter -

*Harambee I Undergraduate Chapter -

Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is a public historically black university in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It enrolls nearly 2,500 students in 28 undergraduate programs and 4 graduate programs and is a member-school of the Thurgood Mar ...

References

External links

National Website
* {{YouTube, id=M1ZQHnySUXE, title=Video tribute Student societies in the United States 1969 establishments in North Carolina Student organizations established in 1969