Groove Phi Groove on the Rise

By NICHOLAS NEGRON
Opinion Editor

Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Incorporated has become more noticeable on campus. On Nov. 7, six men were initiated into the group. Michael Lopez, Tyriek McGraw and Rafael Vega of The College of Saint Rose, along with three other Albany area students, pledged. The event was intense and lively as Saint Joseph’s auditorium was packed. The audience was excited and cheerful for the revealing.
The six pledges, masked, processed down the aisle in formation, to a rage of applause from their parents and peers. They then began to express their loyalty and devotion for the fellowship. It was an hour filled with speech, song and dance.
The pledges revealed new names on the back of their shirts, explaining the meaning behind them. Lopez, McGraw and Vega are Wolverine, Renegade and Deadshot, respectively. The bond between the pledges and their fellow GPhiG brothers was apparent. Their genuine excitement was heartwarming, and could be felt from the back of the auditorium. Michael Lopez, a new initiate of Groove Phi Groove, expressed how thrilled he was to be a part of the night.
“Last night’s revealing has to be one of the proudest moments of my life. We made history last night at Saint Rose,” said Lopez. “This organization taught me about myself. It taught me that there is no limit to how far I can go, when I apply myself. The revealing was only the start. It’s time to impact Saint Rose and the Albany community in a positive way.”
The audience of peers and family had nothing but praise for the six new brothers.
“The pledges were amazing and you could see the bond they have developed over the pledging process. Congratulations to the pledges and welcome to your new family,” said Saint Rose junior Patience Cournoo.
The fellowship was founded on Oct. 12, 1962 at Morgan State University. It was created as an alternative to the traditional black fraternity.
GPhiG is a non-Greek organization, further accentuating Black culture. With over 130 chapters in America, the brotherhood has also opened up to Ghana, West Africa, and continues to make progress internationally. There are over 40,000 members in the Maryland-based organization.
Their motto is “Through loyalty and integrity we shall achieve greatness.” They truly honor this; as the fellowship stresses charity and education. The Groove Fund is a registered 501©(3) charity. One of their larger contributions, are the Groove Fund Scholarships, provided to ambitious students in need.
The Groove Fund is a separate entity from The Fellowship itself. Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. donated a total of $75,000 to scholarship funds for Morgan State University and Delaware State University.
A fraternity or fellowship is a close-knit affiliation with others, especially those with similar interests. While GPG is popular with minority students on campus, the fellowship is open to all men, regardless of color or creed.
“Even though this organization was founded in the 1960s by a group of black men and the beliefs of the organization are based on ancient African history, Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Incorporated does not exclude men for their race or ethnic background,” said Andrei Davis, a fellowman.
“We are open to accept any potential members that want to help improve the stature of mankind and lead by example. The members of Groove Phi Groove are currently predominantly of color and that might have some type of particular appeal to students of color. However, we welcome all who are committed to the cause and serious about the organization.”
Davis is the Vice President of the Albany County Graduate Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Incorporated. When Davis was asked how being a part of the organization has impacted him, he had nothing but positivity to preach.
“I fear nothing and I am able to balance my school life while maintaining a decent social life. I know that I can overcome any obstacle in my way and that kind of confidence can only come from the constant and everlasting support of my brothers in Albany, as well as through the world,” Davis said.
Davis further expressed his positivity and willingness towards seeing fellowships in general established at Saint Rose and to the broader Albany community. Groove Phi Groove is the first fellowship in recent years on campus. It may lead to the College extending relations with other universities, creating more chapter connections with other fellowships.
However, that is entirely up to the students of Saint Rose. The first line of Groove students to graduate from Saint Rose were Joachim Koka, Jeremiah Snead and Lionel Nichols. Currently six are a part of the organization, including Saint Rose student and Spectrum President Anthony Sanabria.
The GPhiG sister organization, Swing Phi Swing, has also been established at Saint Rose. Danyel Gordon and Adesuwa Abulu are the only members at the moment, but are actively looking to recruit.
“It would be amazing if we [GPhiG and SPhiS] could get the support of all the colleges in the area,” said Davis. “Imagine how effective a united group of students from all throughout the Capital District and all different walks of life could be if we all worked together. I think the possibilities are endless.”
Davis, along with the rest of Groove Phi Groove, show immense passion for knowledge and progress. They understand that each generation is responsible for helping the next; alleviating societal pressures faced by the Black community. The group is planning on having an interest meeting, to be advertised. The brothers will also be doing volunteer work in the Albany community.
The further progression of the fellowship on campus is imminent; depending on a positive response from the student population, in the next few weeks. What is for sure is that GPhiG will continue to tackle the socio economic problems faced by the Black community, in hopes for a better future.