B.I.G. PHI News - A Service by the Mid South Grad Chapter of Swing Phi Swing SFI

Swing Phi Swing National Convention

2008-06-06T14:48:00.001-05:00

Members of Mid-South Graduate Chapter will be going to Houston, Texas for our annual convention! We hope to see you there, so, safe travels to all!Look for future updates about The Gulf Coast Black Book Drive - coming soon!peace,mdgg

Mid-South Grad celebrates Founder’s Week

2008-03-31T06:00:00.003-06:00

The Mid-South Graduate (MSG) Chapter of Swing Phi Swing will be observing Founder's Week through educational outreach and service. Though we are based in Memphis, TN, we have vowed to use the virtual world the best we way we know how to extend the principles and heritage of Swing Phi Swing to our members, fellowmen, interests, and the world.On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was

We are Returning!

2008-03-24T15:45:00.001-06:00

The B.I.G. PHI blog is gearing for a return, just in time for Founders Day.Did you check out Mid-South Grad's Founders Day Tribute? Look at the top of the page!peace and Ola,mdgg

Swings Travel to Jena, LA - Part II

2007-09-26T10:51:00.000-05:00

Sister Raquel "ROC" Rouse of the Raleigh Graduate Chapter of Swing Phi Swing SFI talks about the sometimes fun yet unforgettable, spiritual, emotional, and meaningful trip to Jena, LA on September 20:It is Sunday afternoon and although we have been back since Friday morning, as I type, my feet are elevated, and my ankles are STILL swollen, smile! Sidenote~I had not ridden on a bus for over five

Swings Travel to Jena, LA - Part I

2007-09-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

Sister Sharon Chandler of Dallas-Ft. Worth Graduate Chapter of Swing Phi Swing SFI tells about the emotional and life-changing journey for the Jena 6 Rally on September 20:As a teenager and young adult, I participated in several rallies, marches and protests. That was the height of the Civil Rights era and living in Maryland, it was a common occurrence to drive in to the Nation’s Capital for one

BIG PHI NEWS: The Ways of the World

2007-09-06T13:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week's installment of B.I.G. PHI News. On with it:A new British study links hyperactivity in children to food additives. Fortunately, Oran Juice Jones was not incriminated. Though a change in diet could help, by eliminating foods that have those additives, experts believe "drugs rather than diet changes could improve behaviour more effectively in the most severe cases."

Time Flies When You're Uncovering the Truth

2007-08-30T10:09:00.000-05:00

Apologies for the delay in the updates, but check that title again. On with the news!A statue made in Nelson Mandela's honor has been unveiled in London? Yes, London and not in South Africa...but big ups to London. Mandela himself commented on his 9 foot high statue, "Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all of those who have resisted oppression, especially in my

B.I.G. PHI returns: "Ya'll Musta Forgot" - Thanks Roy Jones

2007-08-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

To kick off the return of B.I.G. PHI news, let's look at Julian Bond's speech given at this year's NAACP national convention. Most notably he suggests that Many Americans maintain -- from corporate and government sponsored pulpits,newspaper op-ed pages and television and radio talk shows -- that racialdiscrimination is an ancient artifact. Most of the people saying this are white,but some blacks

Jill Scott's New Album - Check out the Sampler!

2007-08-07T10:35:00.000-05:00

Swing Phi Updates

2007-07-29T21:17:00.000-05:00

I hope you have had a progressive summer. The blog took a bit of a holiday because I have been quite busy, professionally, civicly, and personally. Let's get down with the updates:1. I have to consider the Gulf Coast Black Book Drive a success! From contributions made by Sisters and chapters of Swing Phi Swing and Random House Publishers, I have received nearly 700 books! A B.I.G. PHI 'Thank

James Earl Jones: Literacy=Liberty

2007-07-01T11:37:00.000-05:00

The mighty voice, James Earl Jones, will be reading the Declaration of Independence for 4th of July celebrations at the National Constitution Center.Check out what he had to say to a group of young people about how the pursuit of literacy helps one find and honor their God given right to liberty!

Gulf Coast Black Book Drive update!

2007-05-26T10:33:00.001-05:00

Hello all,Thanks to those who have participated already with the book drive.The B.I.G. PHI book drive has now established a partnership with the Heart of America Foundation, who has been working with schools and libraries in the Gulf Coast area that were affected by Hurricane Katrina since 2005. Here's a little more about them:The Heart of America Foundation®'s mission is to teach the values at

Daily Brief: You Don't Scare Me

2007-05-21T17:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Daily Brief. Today's briefs mostly centers around people defying threats, fear, and drama.One of my favorite directors and mouthy liberal, Michael Moore, hits big at the Cannes Film Festival with his film Sicko, which takes on the American healthcare system. It highlights how other countries have better healthcare, shorter emergency room waits, and even Al Quaeda members in

Daily Brief: I see The Sun!

2007-05-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

Here's your latest Daily Brief right along with an updated track, Vikter Duplaix's "I See The Sun". Listen carefully to the words!Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., died Tuesday from heart complications.Learn more about her life and legacy.Meditate on her words from the 2000 Human Rights Campaign Gala DinnerPlease check previous blog post below, because I updated it with a

Special Report: Oprah gives commencement speech at Howard University

2007-05-12T20:56:00.000-05:00

If you missed it, you can catch the entire commencement ceremony and Oprah Winfrey's commencement speech at the prestigious Howard University here:Here's an article from CBSNews.com about her speech:(AP) Oprah Winfrey, whose show has remained the top-rated TV talk show for 20 consecutive seasons, says her success comes from maintaining her principles and serving others."

Daily Brief: Irony + Coincidence = ?

2007-05-10T23:34:00.000-05:00

This Daily Brief is brought to you by Insomnia, Sinus/Allergies, and Funky Wannabes who want you to just be happy...Roll Tape: this first clip co-stars one of the most serious Swings I know! Give it up for Lynette (far right) and the Funky Dreams (Sis, hopefully your dreams of becoming a star won't overshadow the people who helped you get there - LOL!)Ivory - blood tusks - I wonder if this will

Daily Brief: And they wonder why...

2007-05-09T11:22:00.000-05:00

Here's your Daily Brief:Zimbabweans ration electricity to only 4 hours a dayFormer American President, Bill Clinton, to provide cheaper AIDS medication to developing countries through the Clinton FoundationClarence Thomas is no longer Black, again.Members of Zeta Phi Beta charged with hazing after making a candidate eat garbage, among other things...how does that encourage Sisterhood?FEMA

Daily Break: Breakin' Black

2007-05-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

So much has happened in 24 hours, I thought I would do an update:Queen Elizabeth returns to the scene of the crime - Jamestown.Who does Barack Obama think he's fooling? We all knew he would need the secret service eventually...I can't believe it snuck up on me, but did you catch you the Republican Candidates' Debate last night? Why do we still consider the Republicans the Grand Old Party? That

Daily Brief: Give Me My Beans Back!

2007-05-03T08:30:00.000-05:00

Here's your latest Daily Brief:The Diaspora has been dealing with some major issues here lately, Folks...Ethiopia has finally compromised with Starbucks to get the right to trademark their own damn coffee beans.What is the true cost of cotton? In Burkina Faso, their livelihood depends on it.When I see a picture like this, my heart breaks for real. After 142 years since the supposed American

Daily Brief

2007-04-28T14:38:00.000-05:00

This Daily Brief is brought to you by the promoters of Malaria Awareness Day:And now to the news:In the history of America and modern media, never have presidential candidates had a town hall style debate. If you missed, check out all of the video from this historic debate on the HBCU campus of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC.Find out about all the candidates at MSNBC's

Oprah's Town Hall on Imus and Hip Hop

2007-04-18T15:46:00.000-05:00

This has to be the most profound Town Hall on Oprah yet. Imagine a panel with Asha Bandele, Spike Lee, Bruce Gordon, India.Arie, Jason Whitlock, , Stanley Crouch, Diane Weathers + Russell Simmons, Common, Kevin Liles& Benjamin Chavis. According to Jason Whitlock, hip hop encourages "prison mentality". Diane Weathers believes that irresponsible hip hoppers should lose their contract. Is hip

Daily Brief: Back in Effect

2007-04-18T12:38:00.000-05:00

Bush and the Boys send dated threat of sanctions to Sudan to let peacekeepers into Darfur...my question, what took you so long?Antiretroviarl drugs still denied to 72% of HIV positive victims in Africa, typically the poor and lower middle class.Educated Africans struggle with double-consciousness brought on by education...man says he's dealing with an "identity crisis" because of polluted Western

Daily Brief: "Is it the Shoes?"

2007-04-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

Folks, here's some news you can use or not use...it depends on how much ignorance/reality you can handle at this moment:"Nigger-brown" sofa arrives to Black Family in Toronto in one pieceSnoop Dogg distinguishes between lazy hoes and the Rutger "hoes"3 killed in Ugandan protest when villagers admonish the use of forest for sugar manufacturersOver a 100 people killed by an explosion in

Daily Brief: No Genocide Denial Here and "B.A. Barack" says Don't pity that fool

2007-04-11T20:32:00.000-05:00

Here's your daily Africana Diaspora in brief:Man arrested for wanting to memorialize his dog lost during the Rwandan genocideThe UK chasing debt away and developing "emergency educational schemes" - what the hell?The Jacksons getting their own piece of the reality blubbernutRwanda has their own traveling film festival: Hillywood"B.A. Barack" says don't pity that fool: I'm not going back on Imus'

Nappy Not No Mo

2007-04-11T20:17:00.000-05:00

As I was pilfering through the Imus Raunch-a-scandal since he has lost his syndication deal on broadcast radio, I came across this article that claims that "nappy" is not part of the American lexicon anymore. I am always fascinated by the whole antics of otherness in America. It seems that if you are not part of the massive stream of consciousness (aka mainstream society) and are unconsciously

Mid South Grad Swing initiates B.I.G. PHI's mission

2007-04-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

PHIfully, I am really excited today because I am launching, on behalf of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc., the Gulf Coast Black Book Drive to benefit rural schools (pre-K-12) and libraries in South Mississippi and Louisiana. Those that know me know that I am passionate about literacy and intellectual engagement and proclivity, particularly in disenfranchised communities. Growing up in my

Daily Brief: Imus Calls Rutger's female B-Ballers 'nappy headed hoes'

2007-04-07T10:39:00.000-05:00

Why don't things like this bother me anymore?Who you calling 'nappy headed'?Is calling a woman a nappy headed ho a racial slur? Which is more inflammatory: the fact that he called an entire team of female b-ballers "hoes" or the fact that he thinks they are "nappy headed"? In these times, where even White suburban kids on Super Sweet 16 are condemning their natural manes of blonde (or add ins)

Amazing Graze - How Sweet the melody!

2007-04-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

For you history and religious buffs, check out this video. This brotha gave me chills with his explanation of the history of the origins of slave melodies and its connection to Negro spirituals. Much honor to the Motherland and her far reaching influences! Thanks to Fellowman Will Williams (Groove Phi Groove) out of Philly for the link!

Under Construction

2007-04-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

Please stay tuned! Information to come by April 9, 2007!!But until then, check out these news stories:Obama tells Clinton to show me the money!Mutant Baby ban to go through successfullyAl Quaeda in the Motherland...?Wow, America finally wants to help Haiti now that it's safer...