About the Detroit Gye Nyame Graduate Chapter
Serving Southeast Michigan since 1978 with a commitment to service, leadership, and community empowerment.
Chapter History
The Detroit Gye Nyame Graduate Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. was founded in September 1978 by six visionary HBCU graduates in the Detroit and Ypsilanti area. Operating initially as a pre-Conclave formation with temporary officers, the chapter was officially voted in as an active chapter at the national Conclave on April 7, 1979.
The chapter is also known as the Detroit Gye Nyame Graduate Chapter, taking its name from the West African Adinkra symbol Gye Nyame — "Except for God" — reflecting the chapter's Afro-centric identity within the Groove Phi Groove fellowship.
Our Founding Members
| Name | University | Initiation Date |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Armstrong | Winston-Salem State University | Spring 1970 |
| Harold Sullivan | Clark College | Spring 1974 |
| Milton White | Virginia State University | Spring 1973 |
| Toomage Abza (Charter Member — still serving) | Hampton Institute | Fall 1974 |
| Harry Smith (Charter Member — still serving) | Clark College | Spring 1974 |
| Allan McManus | Winston-Salem State University | Spring 1968 |
Temporary Officers (1978-1979)
President
Walter Armstrong
Vice President
Milton White
Second Vice President
Harold Sullivan
Treasurer
Harry Smith
Secretary
Toomage Abza
Current Chapter Leadership (2026)
Two charter members continue to serve in chapter leadership 48 years after founding.
President
Fl. Edward Withers
Vice President
Fl. Harry Smith
Charter Member
Second Vice President
Fl. Jeff Wafer
Treasurer
Fl. Terence Willis
Secretary
Fl. Toomage Abza
Charter Member
Chief Development Officer
Fl. Rich Vincent
Our Mission
The Detroit Gye Nyame Graduate Chapter is committed to promoting academic awareness, maintaining high ethical standards, fostering unity among members, and working collaboratively to alleviate social and economic problems facing the Detroit metropolitan area and beyond.
Our Vision
To be a beacon of service and leadership in Southeast Michigan, transforming communities through education, economic empowerment, and unwavering commitment to the principles of loyalty, integrity, and mutual advancement.
Geographic Scope
The Detroit Gye Nyame Graduate Chapter serves five counties across Southeast Michigan:
Wayne County
Oakland County
Macomb County
Washtenaw County
Monroe County
About Groove Phi Groove National
Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. was founded on October 12, 1962, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) by 14 Black male students who sought to create a social fellowship rather than a traditional Greek-letter fraternity — a more inclusive and socially conscious model of brotherhood. Members refer to one another as "fellowmen" rather than fraternity brothers.
The organization's motto, Through Loyalty and Integrity, We Shall Achieve Greatness, reflects its founding commitment to academic excellence, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership. As of 2022, the fellowship surpassed 60,000 lifetime members across more than 200 chapters, with international headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland.
501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status
The Detroit Gye Nyame Graduate Chapter is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to charitable, educational, and community development work.
EIN: 01-0684233
All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of all donations.