NPHC – Greek University

Eddie Francis: Leadership Requires Intentional Development

By admin on February 9, 2026

Leadership requires intentional development! A passionate NPHC speaker, Eddie began his leadership journey as president of his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity chapter at Loyola University New Orleans, where he was also vice president of the Interfraternity Council. Because of his leadership, Eddie earned the Spirit of Loyola Award for Racial Understanding. He even choreographed a step routine that won second place at the ever-popular Bayou Classic Battle of the Bands and Greek Show! Eddie later served as an alumni chapter president and campus chapter advisor. Professionally, Eddie is a consultant who led marketing and communications at Southern University at New Orleans, Paul Quinn College, Dillard University, and Talladega College. He is an adjunct instructor for Southern New Hampshire University who has also taught at Tulane University and Dallas College. Additionally, Eddie’s diverse professional background includes mass media and talent acquisition.

In episode 638 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out the biggest mistakes or struggles for Eddie that eventually shaped the D9 Leadership Blueprint, when he realized that leadership requires intentional development, why he chose to blend research, real-world leadership, and “D9 Old Head Wisdom”, how leaders move from survival mode to intentional leadership, what is a self-awareness exercise or mindset shift he would recommend, how Ubuntu show up practically in fraternity and sorority leadership, how understanding followership actually make someone a more effective leader, what is one concept from the D9 Leadership Blueprint that would create the biggest ripple effect, what role do alumni play in reinforcing intentional leadership instead of just critiquing from the sidelines, and how he helps young leaders understand legacy without overwhelming them. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWoGJdrLK9E

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Lyman Montgomery: The Tension Between Faith and Fraternity

By admin on October 19, 2025

Dr. Lyman Montgomery is a best-selling author, international speaker, and leadership coach with more than three decades of experience helping leaders and organizations align faith, purpose, and performance. As a certified life and business coach, Six Sigma Black Belt, and seasoned HR professional, he has trained thousands worldwide, inspiring people to live with clarity, discipline, and impact. His work has been featured in multiple publications, and his books, including Harmony in the Hustle and Shattered Masks, have touched the lives of readers across the globe. He is also the Founder & Creator of Sacred Greeks, a faith-based movement and media platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of Christianity and Black Greek Letter Organizations. Through Sacred Greeks, Dr. Montgomery brings together teaching, testimonies, and cultural insights to challenge myths, redeem traditions, and empower believers to see that faith and Greek life can coexist to the glory of God. His mission is simple yet profound: to help others discover that true brotherhood, sisterhood, and purpose are ultimately found in faith. In episode 603 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out the pivotal moment that shaped his faith, how his experience as both a clergy leader and a proud member of a historically Black fraternity (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.) inspired “Sacred, Not Sinful”, why membership in Black Greek Letter Organizations has sometimes been viewed as “sinful” or incompatible with Christian faith, what drives this tension between faith and fraternity life, why the church has remained silent—or misinformed—on this topic for so long, how BGLOs can actually be modern mission fields, advice he would give to someone feeling pressure to choose one over the other, and what non-Black Greek members can learn from the way BGLOs balance cultural heritage, community service, and faith. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4A1FkoXmlc

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Akeya Simeon: Why We Need Replacement Activities in Hazing Prevention

By admin on August 8, 2025

Dr. Akeya Simeon is the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of South Florida. Dr. Simeon brings a wealth of experience as a scholar-activist, higher education leader, and social work educator. She most recently served as Assistant Director for FSL at West Virginia University, where she also taught in the School of Social Work and earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education. She’s passionate about hazing prevention, student development, and creating empowering spaces. Read her dissertation research here: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12669/

In episode 595 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what experiences shaped her as an “unapologetically student-centered, justice-driven” leader, how her background in social work influenced the way she approaches leadership in fraternity and sorority life, what is “The Kaleidoscope Effect” in hazing prevention, examples of replacement activities in hazing prevention, what are the differences in attitudes between IFC and PHA members regarding hazing, what are the institutional barriers that make it difficult for campuses to address hazing effectively, how campuses build institutional memory and long-term hazing prevention efforts that actually stick, and her initial priorities at the University of South Florida. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ05BEishN4

Lauren Gesualdi: Getting Diverse Fraternity and Sorority Councils to Work TOGETHER

By admin on March 7, 2025

Getting diverse fraternity and sorority councils to work together is a challenge? We’ve got some answers. Lauren Gesualdi is the Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs at Rutgers University – New Brunswick! Lauren earned her BA from Montclair State University and completed her coursework at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education in the College Student Affairs program. Lauren is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority and spent several years as a member of their professional staff.

On episode 542 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, Lauren tells us why she chose Montclair State University for her undergraduate experience, what was special about Delta Phi Epsilon that made her want to join, what it was like to work for the sorority headquarters as Coordinator of Collegiate Services, what she does as Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at Rutgers – New Brunswick and what she is most proud of, how to get diverse councils on campus to work together, how to handle mental health and well-being as a college student, how students can better work with the administration on their campus, and some examples of culturally competent programming within Greek life. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0-ad3lhjhU

Fraternity/Sorority

Frank Jackson: What is “The Pearl Effect” on enhancing the well-being of a group?

By admin on June 8, 2023

To say that our next guest is a founder, speaker, and writer wouldn’t quite capture who he is and what he does. Frank Jackson’s company, The Pearl Effect, is a research based outlet for his own lived experience. It is the story of thriving, that is to say a story of well-being despite circumstances. Writing, speaking, and educating is how he creates impact and conveys his story because his story is the human story. Frank hopes to help communities and individuals change the narrative on their history toward one of strengths, beauty, and thriving.

In episode 363 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Frank chose Texas Christian University for his undergraduate experience, why he decided to join Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., what is The Pearl Effect for the black community, what can I do if I know about communities who continue to persist, protect, and access well-being despite challenges, how I can create a more inclusive environment to get a more diverse membership, how I can educate members of my organization about different cultures, how we can reduce the financial barrier of joining fraternity and sorority life, what students can do to remove the stigma and misconceptions about fraternity and sorority life, and what is the best place to get a bite to eat in Philadelphia. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3V-2dWUgYM

Fraternity/Sorority

Eddie Francis: What is the Gumbo Theory of improving your fraternity or sorority chapter chemistry?

By admin on May 5, 2023

Eddie Francis is a marketing and communications professional, speaker, and award-winning mass media veteran who dedicates his time to helping people and organizations express the value of their identities so that their brands stand out. Eddie produces and hosts the “For Our Edification” podcast as well as the Enrollify Podcast Network’s “I Wanna Work There!” He also presents “The Black Greek Success Program” to show members of African American fraternities and sororities how to enhance their leadership skills and “Lectures to Livelihood” to help college students prepare for their careers. The New Orleans native earned his master’s degree in strategic leadership from Tennessee State University and his bachelor’s in mass communication from Loyola University New Orleans. He is a member of the American Marketing Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Eddie is the proud husband of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. member, Dr. Halima Leak Francis, and the proud father of Stevie.

In episode 359 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Eddie chose Loyola University of New Orleans for his undergraduate experience, why he decided to join Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., what career lessons can we learn from stepping in Divine Nine organizations, what is the biggest challenge right now for higher education in the area of marketing and communication, what is the legacy of service that Divine Nine members must protect, how you can make the most of college, what is the Gumbo Theory of improving your chapter chemistry, how Fraternity men can help in the fight against sexual assault, and how Fraternity and Sorority leaders can improve their resume through their Fraternity and Sorority experience. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaEwlhCR4tc

Fraternity/Sorority

Alonzo Cee: How do we develop college students while balancing racial injustice, COVID-19 & more?

By admin on March 16, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/22469063/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest is Alonzo Cee, a higher education professional from Harlem, NY. He’s a two-time graduate of Elon University in North Carolina – First getting his Bachelor’s of Science in Statistics in 2018 and then getting his Master’s of Arts in Higher Education in 2020. Alonzo believes this: that we have a deep and profound impact on each and every person that lives on this earth. Regardless of intention. Regardless of whether we know them or not. Our capacity to impact others transcends past our physical selves and our direct proximity to other people. It is this interdependence that shapes the way he sees leadership. Leadership is not about power over others, and it is not about management. It is about our impact and our ability to influence. This gives everyone the ability to lead. Because we all have impact.

In episode number 223 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out how his childhood of growing up in a biracial family impacts his life today, how his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player ended, why Elon University was the right place for him, what made Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. the right brotherhood, the value of the counseling center at college, what he learned while working at Auburn University, what’s involved in being the Program Coordinator for Inclusive Excellence at Elon, how black higher ed professionals can shape young minds and balance racial injustice, COVID-19, and other challenges, how Culturally-based fraternal organizations can be more open minded when it comes to intake, how we can better educate about NPHC or MGC organizations, and how we can live a life of integrity and expect others to join us with everything that’s going on in the world today.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jygBJpZY5gs

Fraternity/Sorority

Black History in Fraternity and Sorority Life

By admin on February 23, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/22225244/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Welcome to the Greek University Black History Month Celebration! We’ve got a great program today as our panelists start to decode black history magic including culture, community, campus, and career acceleration. We’ll talk about normalizing anti-racist programs on our campuses for comprehensive development, the relevancy of Black History in Fraternity/Sorority Life, the history of the Divine Nine Organizations and HBCU’s, and some suggestions on how we can keep diversified programming going all year long instead of just thinking about it during Black History Month. Our panelists are Stan Pearson II, Robert Lawrence Wilson, Dr. Jason L. Meriwether, and Edson O’Neale. Our moderator is Ms. Tish Norman. All of our speakers are available to come and speak on your college campus!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GdvoBOuym4

Fraternity/Sorority

Tish Norman: What is the history of HBCUs and the Black Fraternal Movement?

By admin on February 16, 2022

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/22159775/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]Our next guest is Tish Norman! A dynamic and energetic keynote speaker and DE&I consultant, Tish uses public speaking as a platform for change. Frequently referred to as “Coach T”, Tish is the Founder of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., a consultancy specializing in college & career readiness, women, DE&I topics, and the African American experience. Tish has dedicated her professional career to the educational development and social uplift of audiences from the classroom, community, college and corporate spaces. Her presentations have been delivered in 45 states and 14 countries, as Tish maintains an active speaking schedule, keynoting at dozens of leadership conferences and campuses every year.

In episode 216 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what started the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States, what was the curriculum focus of HBCUs early on, whether separate schools actually hindered efforts towards social and economic equality with whites, whether some HBCUs have closed their doors because they are at a crossroads or because all Universities are feeling the pinch right now, how we can get states to invest in HBCUs, how we can overcome some of the threats made against HBCUs over the last two weeks, what pushed the Black Greek-letter fraternal movement to start in 1906 at Cornell University (Alpha Phi Alpha) and 1908 at Howard University (Alpha Kappa Alpha), and how we can properly showcase the Divine 9 history, culture, and creativity to students at PWIs and the larger community.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU0M0KN41ew

Fraternity/Sorority

What Does Hazing Prevention Look Like in a Pandemic?

By admin on August 20, 2020

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/15692714/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/191970/” height=”90″ width=”100%” placement=”top” theme=”custom”]In today’s webinar, we have three incredible panelists for you that are all firmly committed to hazing prevention, so I’m very curious to hear their thoughts on whether their work on hazing prevention changes at all given this new online class format that we find ourselves in for college campuses. Our expert panelists: Lawrence Ross, Dr. Elizabeth Allan, and Dr. Jason L. Meriwether. They have all contributed towards the recent book published by NASPA called Dismantling Hazing in Greek-Letter Organizations. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSz0yWZPjJg