Happy Holidays from Gamma Pi -- The Super Chapter Goes to Work for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Gamma Pi Brothers Take a Break 

at the Holiday Extravaganza

You did not have to get all the way inside Panorama Elementary in Temple Hills, Md on Wednesday night, December 4, to know something big was happening. A huge red fire truck was parked out front with its emergency lights flashing and the engine running. A couple of county police cars were also parked not too far away with their blue and red lights flashing. It may have looked like there was trouble brewing, but not at all. Inside the school building it was all fun and excitement as more than 400 people enjoyed hot food, games, Christmas photos, toy giveaways and time with Santa. Welcome to Gamma Pi Chapter's 2024 Holiday Extravaganza.

Bro. John Morgan, Jr. surveys the huge crowd

Once again, the hardest working men in Omega Psi Phi were at it. The Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter do not let anything or anybody stand in their way when it comes to delivering much-needed services and support to the community, especially when it comes to helping the youngest and oldest among us -- the seniors and the kids. In this case, Gamma Pi, the Super Chapter, was ringing in the holidays with tangible forms of cheer and good tidings.

The Christmas event, organized and executed by the chapter's Social Action committee, was planned for Panorama parents and students but it turned into a community affair. It did not really matter as there was more than enough food, toys and other gifts and Holiday Spirit to go around.

Bro. William "Santa" Lloyd

"I'm glad how it worked out. We had a great partnership with Panorama Elementary. It was a collaborative effort, said Bro. John Morgan, Jr., Social Action chairman for Gamma Pi. "The kids enjoyed it and that's all that counts."

If you stood inside the cafeteria-auditorium, where most all of the action took place, and looked around, there were lines everywhere. Lines for food. Lines for the raffles. Lines for holiday photos. Lines to sit and talk with Santa (Bro. William Lloyd). And lines for toys and Christmas trees. The toys were a wide variety -- motorized cars and trucks, dolls, action figures, games, puzzles and more. And more than a few students and parents could be seen wheeling new bicycles through the crowd. It looked like Christmas came early.

It was evident from the sheer number of people that this was Gamma Pi's largest-ever Christmas party.  The patrons attending the party would have not have fit into two airplanes.

Several local leaders stopped by, including Bro. County Councilman Calvin Hawkins, who said: "This is a prime opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the Christmas season in a safe and festive environment. Great job Gamma Pi!"

Bro. Tiresias McCall delivers

A few days before the Christmas event, the Brothers and Social Action committee helped seniors in the Forestville and Temple Hills communities enjoy Thanksgiving. On Saturday, November 23, a large contingent of Gamma Pi Brothers unloaded, repacked and delivered free Thanksgiving packages containing turkeys and trimmings to more than 100 seniors at Trinity Terrace in Temple Hills and Cheval Court in Forestville. Both dwellings are reserved for seniors.

"Our social action team does a real good job of identifying areas of need and planning activities for us to provide support in those areas," said Basileus Bro. Eric Fields. "We do an even better job of executing those plans when the time comes."

PHOTOS BY BRO. GEORGE DUBOSE

Bro. Basileus Eric Fields and Bro. Councilman Calvin Hawkins 

present turkey to one of the residents

Bro. Kerry Wilson (left) and Vice Basileus Bro. Terrance Hare

 present bicycle to young family at Christmas event

Bro. Morgan and Hare unload Thanksgiving food boxes

Brothers transfer Thanksgiving packages from the truck

Bro. Shake Alieu leads the way with Thanksgiving food boxes

Gamma Pi TV Releases New Episode Highlighting Project ENRICH

The host Denise Roberts and Guests

For nearly 40 years, Gamma Pi Chapter's Project ENRICH college preparatory program has paved the way for more than 900 students in the Greater Prince George's County community to enter and succeed in college. As Project ENRICH swings into high gear for the 2024-25 academic year, Gamma Pi looks back at how the program started and what has kept it going even during the challenges of COVID, in a special episode of the chapter's "Community UPLIFT" over-the-air television show. 

WATCH THE NEW EPISODE HERE.

"Community UPLIFT" airs every Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.) on Comcast (Ch. 76) and Verizon FiOS (Ch. 42) cable systems in Prince George's County and surrounding areas. 

The 30-minute Project ENRICH episode debuted on Friday, November 8. It features current program director Bro. Dr. George Montgomery and past directors Bros. Willie Hines and James Riley, Jr., as guests, along with regulars Bro. Basileus Eric Fields and host Denise Roberts.

"Community UPLIFT" is recorded by Prince George's County TV (PGCTV) at its Largo, MD studio. Gamma Pi started broadcasting the show in 2016. The inaugural episode spotlighted Project ENRICH, which at the time was headed by Bro. Willie Hines and was being held at Bowie State University.

Gamma Pi is the only chapter in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. that has its own regular, studio-produced TV show.

View past episodes here

 

Gamma Pi Chapter Brings in Achievement Week with Powerful Program and Timely Message

Bro. Lloyd Jordan, 36th Grand Basileus 

Each year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. looks back and ahead at the progress and promise within the local communities it serves. For the Super Chapter, whose home area is Prince George's County, there was a lot to look to in both directions. Looking back, Gamma Pi recently celebrated 50 years of dedicated service in the Greater Prince George's area, from its successful food drives during the COVID crisis to its Project ENRICH  program that has helped prepare more than 900 students for college over the years. Looking ahead, Gamma Pi is on course to help change the trajectory of even more young lives with new fatherhood and mentoring programs as well as a STEM initiative to help steer youth into high-paying technical careers. All of this was top of mind during the Achievement Week community awards program held at the Harmony Hall Arts Center in Fort Washington, MD on Saturday, November 9 at 3 p.m.

Gamma Pi shows up in a big way for Achievement Week

The theme for this year is, "Omega Men Building a Better Society with Friendship as the Foundation." This year's program was backdropped by a critically important national election that saw many in the African American community questioning the future and wondering if the best days are behind. It was a perfect platform for keynote speaker Bro. Lloyd Jordan, the 36th Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who delivered a powerful message of hope, rededication and engagement to a packed house of more than 150 people.

A full house was on hand

"What I want to say to you is something I've lost sleep over for some time. Brothers, it is so important for the Omegas to take over the leadership helm," said Bro. Jordan. "It's who we are because a special respect is given to Omega men. A special duty lies with Omega men. We need to do more. We need to come up with a draft plan and we need to work together."

In making his point, Bro. Jordan described how many other minority communities organized around merchant and business associations to keep their communities viable and create opportunities within, especially during challenging times.

Bro. Jordan was introduced at the podium by Gamma Pi's own Bro. Kenneth Rodgers, who is a past Grand Keeper of Records and Seal as well as a past two-term Second District Representative. Also in attendance was Gamma Pi Basileus Bro. Eric Fields. Keeper of Records and Seal Bro. David Jackson, and Achievement Week chairman Bro. Don Norwood, along with a host of other Brothers and their families.

Charter Member Bro. Tim McIntosh (3rd, left)

In addition to Bro. Jordan's uplifting remarks, Gamma Pi recognized the awarding of $60,000 in college scholarships to local high school seniors for the coming year through the Charles Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund. Also, one of the chapter's most distinguished members, Charter Member Bro. Tim McIntosh, who was also the first Basileus, was awarded his 65-year service pin by Bro. Jordan onstage. And of course, the main purpose of the event was to recognize Achievement Week award winners in the community and in Gamma Pi. Below is the list of honorees:

Community Award Winners

Gamma Pi Essay Winner: Ms. Cameron Perkins

Student Athlete of the Year: Ms. Kayla Greenwood

Educator of the Year: M. Christine Coleman-Warren

Religious Leader of the Year: Pastor Keith Battle

Citizen of the Year: Mr. Keith Turner

Gamma Pi Chapter Award Winners:

Superior Service Award: Bro. William Lloyd

Brigadier Young Military Award: Bro. John Cheatham

Founders Award; Bro. William McCottry

Omega Man of the Year: Bro. Michael Locksley

PHOTOS BY BROTHER GEORGE DUBOSE

Kayla Greenwood

Cameron Perkins

Bro. William Lloyd

Rev. Keith Battle

Keith Turner

Bro. John Cheatham

Christine Coleman-Warren

Bro. William McCottry

Gamma Pi Welcomes The Start of Fall and A Revamped Project ENRICH in 2024-25 Opening Program

Director Bro. Dr. George Montgomery and students

For nearly four decades, Gamma Pi Chapter's Project ENRICH college preparatory program has shined a well-lit pathway to college for so many students in Prince George's County and the surrounding communities. A total of 912 students have successfully navigated the four-year program and more than $1.5 million has been awarded in scholarships. This powerful legacy weighed heavily yesterday as Project ENRICH opened for the 2024-25 academic year on Saturday. It was the first time Project ENRICH has started the year in person since the pandemic struck in 2020.

A crowd of about 80 parents and students joined nearly 30 members of Gamma Pi Chapter for the opening ceremony held at the program's new meeting venue on the sprawling campus of the National Wildlife Visitor Center hidden away in Laurel, MD. As of October 12, a total of 74 students - a 512% increase from last year-- had registered. Registration remains open throughout the year.

"I want you guys to know  that here at Project ENRICH, it is all about excellence. We don't want just good enough," said Bro. Dr. George Montgomery, who assumes the reins as director this year. "I don't want lukewarm. I want enthusiasm. This is what I want from you and this is what you should demand from me. Are you ready to run?"

Students ask about careers  

Bro. James Riley, Jr. has run the program the past three years, all during the time that the pandemic persisted and when Project ENRICH was only able to meet virtually. Bro Riley kept the program going during this challenging time. Bro Dr. Montgomery served alongside him for the past two years preparing for the upcoming transition.

Gamma Pi Basileus Eric Fields also welcomed the students and parents. "It's a pleasure to see this many faces here this morning. The step that you are all taking today is a very important step. It's going to outline what you are going to do in your life and where."

Among those in attendance was the esteemed founder of Project ENRICH, Bro. Roland Byrd, a retired college educator who started the program back in the 1980s. Bro. Byrd has been a mentor to all four directors who followed him: Bros. Riley, Pete Ford and Willie Hines, who served as chairman for 10 years when the program was thriving at Bowie State University.

The highlight of the opening session was a spirited and uplifting presentation by Paula Dofat, founder of the HBCU Money Guide and a college funding strategist. She cut her teeth in this arena by arranging HBCU college educations as the mother of four sons. She amazed and dazzled the audience yesterday with breathtaking explanations for how students can get at least some of their college for free or at greatly reduced costs. She also educated students and parents about why so many college applicants are trying to get to Maryland HBCUs for college. Not only are the schools must less expensive, but their fast-rising STEM academic programs and facilities, along with formal partnerships with outside major universities are making them more and more attractive to college applicants.

Getting pinned

At the conclusion of Dofat's keynote presentation, students held an informal advisory session about STEM careers with Gamma Pi members who work in those fields. Brothers in the chapter cover so many STEM fields ranging from engineering to medicine. In the conversations, students were able to inquire about educational requirements, how to get internships, salary levels for various professions and suggested paths of study. She also got surprised looks when she explained the practice of scholarship displacement, where schools deduct the amount of any outside scholarship funds a student earns from what the school is offering. In other words, the value of outside scholarship funds is wiped out. The practice is illegal in Maryland, Washington, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Another highlight and first for Project ENRICH was the pinning ceremony. During the program, students were awarded lapel pins signifying that they are officially in Project ENRICH.

The four former directors and current director of Project ENRICH will tape an episode of "Community UPLIFT," a local public affairs TV show of the Gamma Pi Chapter, later this month. The program will look back at the illustrious history of Project ENRICH and promote this year's edition.  More details to follow in this space.

PHOTOS by Bro. George DuBose