# Swing Phi Swing

Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. (SΦS) is an African-American non-profit social fellowship for female students, as opposed to a traditional Greek-lettered sorority. It was founded in 1969 at Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It has more than fifty undergraduate and graduate chapters across the United States, mostly affiliated with historical Black colleges and universities.

## History

Swing Phi Swing was founded at Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on April 4, 1969, the first anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Its founders were twelve African-American women, helped by the brothers of Groove Phi Groove.
The twelve founders were:
* 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 founders wanted to challenge the traditional Black Greek-lettered organizations by creating a fellowship of women committed to community service, promoting and achieving academic excellence, and strengthening community involvement and engagement through culturally conscious events and activities. Thus, their group was an alternative to sororities and actively criticized the missions and programming of Black Greek letter organizations. Swing Phi Swing was incorporated in North Carolina in February 1971.
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; the organization and its members were more political and were "invested in Afrocentricity and Black Power". IChapters were started at prominent historically Black colleges and universities such as Hampton University (Hampton Institute), Morgan State University, Tuskegee University, Wilberforce University, Shaw University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Swing Phi Swing grew so quickly that it was difficult to keep up with processing new memberships. In 1982, the society decided to discontinue intact of undergraduate members so that it could focus on establishing the group at the national level. In addition, the new collegiate members were close in age to the founders and "did not show deference to their elders". In the spring 1992, new members were admitted at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pennsylvania, marking the return of undergraduate chapters. By the end of 1999, Swing Phi Swing had 5,000 members. nationwide. In 2008, it had 20,000 members.
On April 4, 2019, Swing Phi Swing celebrated their 50th anniversary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Ten of the surviving founders attended the convention and were present to dedicate a momunent to the organization on the campus of Winston-Salem State University. Swing Phi Swing also made a $25,000 donation to the university for a scholarship fund.
Swing has chartered over fifty graduate and undergraduate chapters throughout the United States. As of 2016, it has over 10,000 members. It is the sister organization of Groove Phi Grove.

## Symbols

Swing Phi Swing is an acronym for Sisters With Interest Never Gone (Swing), Promoting Higher Intelligence (Phi), and Supporting Women In Need of Growth (Swing).
Swing Phi Swing's motto is "Perseverance by Virtue". Its colors are white and black. Its members are called the Swings.

## Activities

Swing Phi Swing is focused on community service. Its national initiatives include African American health, Global Outreach & Optimism in the Diaspora, mentoring, and Supplies for Success which provides resources to students and teachers.

## Governance

The National Organization of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship is managed and operated by a Board of Directors and Executive Officers, consisting of a national president, vice president, graduate affairs officer, undergraduate affairs officer, historian, media affairs and public relations, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, parliamentarian, and undergraduate representation. Its national office is located in Dearborn, Michigan.

## Chapters
### Undergraduate chapters

Following are the undergraduate chapters of Swing Phi Swing, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status |
| Groove | April 4, 1969 | Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Abeo Neema | | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Inactive |
| Aggie | | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Ainka Makeda Marali Moliehi | | Pennsylvania State University | State College, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| As-Aslum | | Wilberforce University | Wilberforce, Ohio | Inactive |
| Andile Engara | | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Awon Egbe Obirin Otito | | Grambling State University | Grambling, Louisiana | Inactive |
| Ebony | | Benedict College | Columbia, South Carolina | Inactive |
| Ebony | | South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Inactive |
| Endesha Baraka Eagle | | Coppin State University | Baltimore, Maryland | Inactive |
| Gendaga Bimbisha Tabu | | Lincoln University | Lincoln University, Lower Oxford Township, Pennsylvania | Active |
| Golden | | Johnson C. Smith University | Charlotte, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Harambee II | January 15, 1974 | Clark Atlanta University | Atlanta, Georgia | Inactive |
| Harambee II | January 15, 1974 | Spelman College | Atlanta, Georgia | Inactive |
| Kwanzaa | | Texas Southern University | Houston, Texas | Inactive |
| Maatkare Hatshepsut Bulldog | | Bowie State University | Bowie, Maryland | Inactive |
| Maisha New Birth | | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Princess Anne, Maryland | Active |
| Maraabe | | Drexel University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Maraabe | | Rosemont College | Rosemont, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Maraabe | | Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Maraabe | | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Marali Nubia Bear | | Morgan State University | Baltimore, Maryland | Active |
| Marali Nubia Bear | | Towson University | Towson, Maryland | Active |
| Marali Nubia Bear | | University of Maryland, Baltimore County | Catonsville, Maryland | Active |
| Masika Ghayda Niara | | College of New Rochelle | New Rochelle, New York | Inactive |
| Matumaini Ya Baadaye | | Buffalo State University | Buffalo, New York | Active |
| Muntu | | Shaw University | Raleigh, North Carolina | Active |
| Nandi | | Rutgers University | | Inactive |
| Nakawa Warriors | | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Inactive |
| Ndada Amuka Kwa Pindua | | Adelphi University | Garden City, New York | Inactive |
| Ndada Vumilia Daima Inuka | | Mercy University | Dobbs Ferry, New York | Active |
| Ndada Weuse Panda | | Bloomfield College | Bloomfield, New Jersey | Active |
| Ndada Weuse Panda | | Kean University | | Active |
| Ndada Weuse Panda | | Montclair State University | Montclair, New Jersey | Active |
| Nehanda Bison | | Howard University | Washington, D.C. | Inactive |
| Nguvu Katika Mwanzo Mpya | | Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans, Louisiana | Active |
| Nyawela Chic Wolverine | | Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | Cheyney, Pennsylvania | Active |
| Nkijha | | St. Augustine's University | Raleigh, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Odu Ifa | | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, Virginia | Inactive |
| Orita | | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View, Texas | Inactive |
| Osei Fola Simba | | Syracuse University | Syracuse, New York | Active |
| SOBU | | North Carolina Central University | Durham, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Spartan | | Norfolk State University | Norfolk, Virginia | Inactive |
| Subira Chemwuapu | | Johnson & Wales University | Providence, Rhode Island | Active |
| SUNY | | University at Albany, SUNY | Albany, New York | Inactive |
| Siyanda | | East Carolina University | Greenville, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Umoja | | Livingstone College | Salisbury, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Upenda | | Hampton University | Hampton, Virginia | Inactive |
| Viking | | Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Inactive |
| Wantu | | Virginia State University | Ettrick, Virginia | Inactive |

### Graduate chapters

Following are the graduate chapters of Swing Phi Swing, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Location | Status |
| Ajeya | | Central New Jersey | Active |
| Anan Tendaji | | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Active |
| Ashanti Zuri | | Atlanta, Georgia | Inactive |
| Atlanta | 1983 | Atlanta, Georgia | Active |
| Boston | | Boston, Massachusetts | Inactive |
| Central Carolina | | Durham, North Carolina | Active |
| Central Carolina | | Raleigh, North Carolina | Active |
| Charlotte | | Charlotte, North Carolina | Active |
| Dada Rafiki Tri-County | | Pennsylvania | Active |
| DC Metro | | Washington, D.C. | Active |
| Detroit | | Detroit, Michigan | Active |
| DFW | | Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas | Inactive |
| Garden State | | Northern New Jersey | Active |
| Greater New York & Connecticut | | Connecticut | Active |
| Greater New York & Connecticut | | New York | Active |
| Hampton Roads | | Hampton Roads, Virginia | Inactive |
| Haraambe Nssa | | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Active |
| Houston | | Houston, Texas | Active |
| Imani Kuumba | March 5, 2011 | New Jersey | Active |
| Kemet PA | | Pennsylvania | Active |
| Los Angeles | | Los Angeles, California | Active |
| Mid South | | Memphis, Tennessee | Inactive |
| New Jersey Zuri Obinrin Abike Aye' | | New Jersey | Active |
| Nia Maryland | | Baltimore, Maryland | Active |
| Niara Atanipenda | | Greensboro, North Carolina | Active |
| Niara Atanipenda | | High Point, North Carolina | Active |
| Okimma Delaware | | Delaware | Active |
| Paidamoyo Potomac | | Maryland | Active |
| Paidamoyo Potomac | | Virginia | Active |
| Paidamoyo Potomac | | Washington, D.C. | Active |
| Palmetto | | Charleston, South Carolina | Active |
| Philadelphia | | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Active |
| Portland | | Portland, Oregon | Active |
| Raleigh | | Raleigh, North Carolina | Active |
| Richmond | | Richmond, Virginia | Inactive |
| Rukiya Busara Piedmont Triad | | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Active |
| Sankofa | | Las Vegas, Nevada | Active |
| SC Nkiruka | | South Carolina | Active |
| Siku Mpya Sunshine State | | Florida | Active |
| Tri-State | | Connecticut | Active |
| Tri-State | | New Jersey | Active |
| Tri-State | | New York | Active |