One of eight children, Phillip was born in Stonewall, Louisiana, to Phillip and Rosie Lee Moore Pennywell. At an early age he moved with his family to Shreveport's Hollywood neighborhood. His father was a welder for J.B. Beard Company, his mother a housewife. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Phillip went to live with an aunt in Compton, California where he attended Compton Community College. Returning to Louisiana he enrolled at Southern University and earned his bachelors and masters degrees. While a student he helped integrate local libraries, was arrested and went to jail. Phillip taught at Caddo Parish schools during integration, then earned his doctorate at Kansas State University in 1980. Back in Shreveport he taught psychology and statistics at Southern University, and was named Chairman of Division of Behavioral Sciences and Education. He also was appointed Dean of Continuing Education and Outreach Programs, a position he held until he retired in January 2001. Phillip served a year on Caddo Parish police jury, and 12 years on the Democratic State Central Committee. On August 16, 2003 he married Shenya T. Williams. He has three children, two stepchildren and four grandchildren.