Gamma Xi Phi - Phi Chapter

06/12/2026

The Phi Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi cordially invites you to attend a virtual author talk with scholar and Stellar Award nominated musician Courtney M. Nero, author of Have Horn, Will Travel: The Life and Music of Herman "Junior" Cook.

Published by University of North Texas Press in 2025, Have Horn, Will Travel is the first full-length biography of tenor saxophone virtuoso and in-demand sideman Herman “Junior” Cook, chronicling his life and impact from his Pensacola, Florida, origins to his New York City–based career. Best known for his association with pianist Horace Silver’s iconic quintet from 1958 to 1964, Cook continued as a mainstay in some of jazz’s hardest-driving ensembles—with trumpeters Blue Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, and Bill Hardman; drummers Louis Hayes and Elvin Jones; and the McCoy Tyner Big Band, among others—through the decades until his death in 1992.

Join Gamma Xi Phi members Alexandra Joye Warren and Rashid Darden as they discuss with Courtney M. Nero wide-ranging questions about Herman "Junior" Cook, the writing process, and what's next for the author.

Register now--for free!--at gammaxiphi.com/events!

05/19/2026

Phi Chapter Celebrates Malcolm X’s 101st Birthday with Free Books

CONWAY, N.C. — In honor of the 101st birthday of Malcolm X on May 19, and in celebration of nonfiction literature, the Phi Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi has placed free copies of The Autobiography of Malcolm X in various locations in Conway for community members to enjoy while supplies last.

The books were made available through a grant from Friends Meeting of Washington, a Quaker meeting in Washington, D.C., supporting initiatives that promote literacy, expand access to books, and encourage the growth of home libraries.

The initiative is part of Gamma Xi Phi’s ongoing commitment to the arts through its national program of service, wellness, edification, advocacy, and recognition. By making one of the most influential autobiographies in American history freely available, the fraternity hopes to encourage reflection, conversation, and a deeper understanding of Black history, identity, and social justice.

This effort follows Gamma Xi Phi’s recent participation in Free Comic Book Day at Trackside Tavern, where four individuals collected bundles of comic books during the event. The fraternity views both initiatives as part of a broader mission to celebrate literacy at every age and across every genre, from graphic storytelling to historical nonfiction.

“In times such as these, it’s important to look to the past for examples of resilience and transformation,” program director Rashid Darden of Conway shared. “Malcolm X persevered through extraordinary circumstances and found his own voice. In so doing, he changed the world. That’s a story worth sharing over and over.”

Books were placed in the Little Free Libraries on Main Street and on Martin Street in Conway, as well as at the Conway Post Office. Community members are encouraged to visit the Martin Street location regularly for future book offerings related to Black literature and justice issues.

05/15/2026

Due to a lack of community interest, MX101 has been canceled.

Please visit the GXP Little Free Library (104 Martin Street in Conway) to pick up your copy of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and other books.

Phi Chapter is interested in learning what sort of activities folks in our service area would like to see. If you live in Northampton, Hertford, or Halifax Counties, please DM us with your ideas and collaborations.

05/02/2026

Come get your free comics TODAY at Trackside Tavern, 137 East Main Street in Conway, NC! Giveaways start at 10am and last until 1pm or until we're out!

Thank you Trackside Tavern and Grill for hosting another one of GXP's events!

04/30/2026

We'll be at Trackside Tavern and Grill on Saturday, rain or shine! Please come!

Save the date! GXP is bringing back Free Comic Book Day, this time in partnership with Tavern and Grill! Put May 2 on your calendar and meet us there!

03/18/2026

Save the date! GXP is bringing back Free Comic Book Day, this time in partnership with Tavern and Grill! Put May 2 on your calendar and meet us there!

11/21/2025

Join Gamma Xi Phi for Sips & Snaps at Trackside Tavern and Grill — a pop-up mocktail and photo experience! Enjoy a handcrafted mocktail and get a free digital headshot for your next profile, portfolio, or social post. Come sip, snap, and celebrate the art of community! 📸🍸

It happens on Saturday, December 6, between 8:30am and 11:30am. Enjoy Trackside's breakfast buffet--an affordable meal for the whole family!

10/22/2025

Local Artists Seek Prayer and Support Amid Federal Government Shutdown

CONWAY, N.C. (October 2025) — The Phi Chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, the professional fraternity for artists, has sent letters to more than 70 churches and faith communities throughout Northampton and Halifax Counties to raise awareness of National Arts and Humanities Month and to highlight how the ongoing federal government shutdown is impacting artists and cultural organizations across rural northeastern North Carolina.

The fraternity’s outreach emphasizes the spiritual and communal importance of the arts and calls upon congregations to pray for artists and cultural workers who enrich the life of the region yet often face uncertainty in times of economic disruption.

“In moments like this, the church and community can shine by opening our doors, sharing our gifts, and helping the arts continue to flourish even when federal support has stopped,” the October 20 letter said.

The fraternity’s letter urges churches to include prayers for artists in worship services or independently. This is the second such letter that the organization has sent to churches. It hopes to reach a wider group of faith communities in 2026.

National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM)—celebrated every October—honors the role creativity plays in strengthening the fabric of American life. The 2025 theme is “Stories Unite Us.” Through this initiative, Gamma Xi Phi’s Phi Chapter hopes to remind residents that the arts are a vital expression of culture.

Founded in 2010, Gamma Xi Phi is a professional fraternity for artists committed to the promotion of the arts and humanities. The Phi Chapter, serving Northeastern North Carolina, supports artists and creative initiatives throughout the Roanoke-Chowan region through service, advocacy, and community partnership.

10/08/2025

We 🩶 BlackCotton!

Today is world cotton day. I felt like I needed to make a post. I have dozens of pictures I looked at posting for today. While scrolling, I found this picture I took. This a picture of some cotton a scrapped up that was left after a cotton truck picked up a cotton module made from 2024 cotton. Scrapping cotton is an old term used to denote the leftover cotton that's picked after harvest. Scrapping cotton was a big thing back in the day. People were happy to make money off whatever was left in the fields that could put some change in their pockets. Scrapping cotton has basically been my business model. We work cotton because that's a crop market that my family could get paid in to pay our taxes to keep farm. That's been the biggest priority of my family farm since I've known working on it. Making enough to pay our bills and surviving to keep paying those bills. I decided nearly 10 years ago that maybe I need my own way on the farm to mentally handle that lifetime commitment. From there, this social media business was created. Cotton helped me find a way to describe my farm and community story I wanted to share. I would love to get rich off farming, but that may never be possible. But what I can do is change some people perspectives to let them know cotton wasn't evil and maybe there was something good to come from it. So, since I made my mind up to do that, I started Scrapping cotton from my family farm to create a new way of thinking. I hope on this world cotton day, some people can see beauty in trying to scrap some cotton. l create the possibility of finding value in our rural lives on farms that black people can be seen in positive lens and be empowered. Love all my supporters on this journey. You all keep my spirit fed with positivity. I will always love you all for that .

10/07/2025

Happy anniversary to us!

Happy Founders Day to all the artists of Gamma Xi Phi both near and worldwide!

Today we celebrate 15 years of service to our communities through philanthropy, sodality and elevation. Today we cherish growth. Today champion creativity.

Salute to all Gammas dedicated to uniting the world one artist at a time.
💜🖤🩶🐾