"Uniting the world, one artist at a time."

“Wall of Respect,” 1967. 20-by-60-foot mural painted on a tavern, honored more than 50 African-American heroes, including Ray Charles, W.E.B. Du Bois, Dick Gregory, Charlie Parker, Bill Russell, Nina Simone and Malcolm X. (Photo credit: Robert Sengstacke)

Gamma Xi Phi

Gamma Xi Phi is predominantly African American organization of men and women pursuing and engaged in careers in the arts, including literature, visual art, music, theater, and dance. GXP was established at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey on October 7, 2010.

The cardinal principles of the fraternity are Philanthropy, Sodality, and Elevation. The public motto is: "Uniting the world one artist at a time." The colors are purple, black, and gray.

The purpose of Gamma Xi Phi is to honor the achievements of artists through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice, and service. Gamma Xi Phi promotes philanthropy and service to the arts, brotherhood among all artists, and leadership development in the artistic professions through collegiate and community outreach to people of color across the world.

A new chapter of Gamma Xi Phi has come to the Midwest.

Gamma Xi Phi, the nation’s leading fraternity for artists, chartered its Kappa Chapter in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, June 12, 2021, with two members: Venise Keys and Dionne Victoria. The local movement began during the height of the pandemic in the Fall of 2020, when informal meetings were held with interested working artists in the community. The Artists of South Side Chicago are now the fraternity’s tenth single-letter chapter.

There are four dynamic members of the Kappa Chapter:

Ander Brown

Venise Keys

Dionne Victoria

Searra Vinnett

Call 988 for Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

NAMI Chicago Helpline refers community members to over 700 resources through their free helpline, open seven days a week. Call 833-626-4244.

CARES & SASS: 1-800-345-9049 Crisis hotline, mental health evaluation, and other services for youth and adults with Medicaid.

Crisis Text line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor