Nu Iota Sigma Participates in Toy Give-A-Way

On December 17, the brothers of Nu Iota Sigma brought some some yule tide cheer to the Northwest Tennessee Head Start and Bolivar Elementary School by participating in a Toy Give-A-Way! A good time was had by all. 

Johnson's Book Selected for Top Award

The African American Communication and Culture Division (AACCD) of the National Communication Association (NCA) selected Dr. Andre E. Johnson's book The Forgotten Prophet: Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the African American Prophetic Tradition for its 2013 Outstanding Book Award. According to the announcement letter, the selection committee felt that Dr. Johnson's work was an "outstanding scholarly contribution to the field of African American discourse" Dr. Johnson received the award at the Association's convention in Washington, DC in November. 

Dr. Johnson currently serves as the Dr. James L. Netters Associate Professor of Rhetoric & Religion and African American Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary and editor of the Rhetoric Race and Religion blog. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated

New Hip Hop Book

from Rhetoric Race and Religion blog

We are pleased to announce the publication of Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality edited by R3 editor Andre E. Johnson. The book is a collection of essays that examine the religious and spiritual in hip hop. The contributors argue that the prevailing narrative that hip hop offers nothing in the way of religion and spirituality is false. From its beginning, hip hop has had a profound spirituality and advocates religious views—and while not orthodox or systemic, nevertheless, many in traditional orthodox religions would find the theological and spiritual underpinnings in hip hop comforting, empowering, and liberating.

In addition, this volume demonstrates how scholars in different disciplines approach the study of hip hop, religion, and spirituality. Whether it is a close reading of a hip hop text, ethnography, a critical studies approach or even a mixed method approach, this study is a pedagogical tool for students and scholars in various disciplines to use and appropriate for their own research and understanding. 

Urban God Talk will inspire not only scholars to further their research, but will also encourage publishers to print more in this field. The contributors to this in-depth study show how this subject is an underrepresented area within hip hop studies, and that the field is broad enough for numerous monographs, edited works, and journal publications in the future. 

Reviews for Urban God Talk

The scholarly study of hip hop and spirituality is strong and growing. Urban God Talk: Constructing a Hip Hop Spirituality adds a serious and much needed anthology to this field of study. What Dr. Johnson has done is essentially capture cutting edge research and help the field rise to new levels of thought and scholarship. What Dr. Johnson has here is a canon for a stronger understanding of hip hop and spirituality. A must read! (Daniel White Hodge, North Park University, Chicago and author of The Soul Of Hip Hop: Rimbs, Timbs, & A Cultural Theology (2010)

Johnson’s efforts to promote ongoing dialogue between religious expressions and the ever-expanding cultural force of hip hop are laudable and useful for their interdisciplinary reach beyond religious and theological studies. This book is a valuable read for laity, students, and scholars alike that promises to make a robust contribution to the diversity of intellectual resources in the burgeoning area of religion in hip hop studies. (Monica R. Miller, Lehigh University and author of Religion and Hip Hop (2012)

*For a limited time, get your signed copy here

Sigmas Serving

The brothers of Nu Iota Sigma helped with the feeding ministry of Gifts of Life Ministries during the Holiday Season. We also became a part of the Soup and Sandwich ministry at the church. We help serve over 300 plates a food a month. 

Brother Johnson Presents at Academic Conferences

Brother Andre Johnson, president of the Nu Iota Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity incorporated presented at two major national academic conferences. First he presented papers at the National Communication Association, where he also won the top book award, and second, at the American Academy of Religion. We are proud of brother Johnson's accomplishments! 

At the AAR conference with hip hop scholars (from L-R) Christopher Driscoll, Monica Miller, Jayme Wooten, Andre E. Johnson, and Daniel  White Hodge

King Day Service

The Brothers of Nu Iota Sigma and the lovely ladies of the Chi Lambda Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority incorporated teamed up to celebrate King Day by serving at Gifts of Life Ministries in Memphis, Tennessee. As you can see, all had a great time and served over 100 plates of food on that day.  

From L-R: Glenn "Paps" Carter, Andre "Bluedog" Johnson, Mahlon Barnes, and Richard "Doc" Holliday

Pan-Hell Love with Alpha Man, Robert Patrick