The Super Chapter Has a Super Night at Omega Psi Phi's Second District Conference

The Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter -- the Super Chapter -- experienced a Super Night at the 76th Second District Conference held April 25-28 in King of Prussia, Pa. at the Valley Forge Casino and Resort. At the Saturday night Founders Banquet, Gamma Pi received several prestigious awards topped off by the election of a stalwart Gamma Pi chapter member as the newly elected chief executive of the Second District. The theme for this year's conference was "Saving Our Children, Saving Our Cities."

A contingent of about 30 Gamma Pi Brothers journeyed to the Keystone State to attend this year's meeting, led by Bro. Basileus Eric Fields. 

Bro. Amir Shareef (left) takes oath

Bro. Amir Shareef was elected as the 39th Second District Representative during the business session held on Saturday. His election marks the second time a Gamma Pi chapter member has held the District's highest office. Bro. Kenneth Rodgers served two terms as the 32nd Second District Representative from 2010-12. As Second District Representative, Bro. Shareef gains a seat on the Fraternity's Supreme Council which represents the top elected leadership of Omega Psi Phi.

Three Gamma Pi individual award winners -- Bro. Rev. Laurence Hawkins and Bro. Darryl Perry -- were honored by the District. Bro. Rev. Hawkins was not only Gamma Pi's Omega Man of the Year, but also was voted for that same award for the entire Second District. Bro. Perry, who is Gamma Pi's Superior Service Awards winner, was also named as the Second District's Superior Service award winner. Bro. Hawkins was in attendance. Bro. Perry was unable to be at the conference, but is receiving his award via the Basileus. 

In addition, the chapter's top community award winner also got accolades at the Second District conference. Local television news reporter Tracee Wilkins, of WRC-TV Channel 4, who was named Gamma Pi's Citizen of the Year for 2023, received the same honor at the Second District level. In other words, these individuals were all bestowed the same award twice at two different levels of the Fraternity, at the chapter and District levels. Also, Gamma Pi's Talent Hunt contestant, Kenji Yokote, took part in the District competition and represented Gamma Pi very well. Kenji did not place at the District level, but did a great job with his performance.

This weekend's conference was also a time for Gamma Pi's brand new initiates to experience Omega fellowship and friendship at another level. It also was a good opportunity for them to see "Omega in action" when it comes to handling the Fraternity's business.

All in all, it was a great night for Gamma Pi. It was one of the most historic nights for The Super Chapter during a Second District conference.

VIEW THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL

VIEW THE OMEGAN NEWSLETTER/CONFERENCE EDITION (Gamma Pi on pages 44-48)

Thanks to Brothers Teddy Taylor and Reggie Thomas for providing photos

TV news reporter Tracee Wilkins at Gamma Pi's
 50th Anniversary gala last November

Basileus Fields, Bro. Hawkins and
 Gamma Pi charter member Bro. Tim McIntosh

Bro. DR-elect Shareef (right) with
 Bro. Robert Manning of Philadelphia

Bro. Darryl Perry

New Omega Psi Phi initiates from Gamma Pi Chapter

After All These Years, Gamma Pi's Mardi Gras Returns With a Vengeance

Bro. Chairman Rodney Beverly and family
(photo by Bro. David Sierra)

Over the years, the annual Mardi Gras gala has been Gamma Pi Chapter’s signature social event. It was the go-to social occasion in Prince George’s County – the place and event to be seen at and spoken for in all of Prince George’s County. For the Ques of The Super Chapter, Mardi Gras was the finest “party with a purpose” in the area as the Brothers, in partnership with Friendship Charities Foundation, used the formal event to raise funds for  social action projects.

Enter the pandemic. Four straight years of postponements due to health risks associated with the COVID pandemic proved to be the only foe that would knock the Mardi Gras off its perch. And now, five years later, karma caught up and settled the score, as the Mardi Gras returned with a vengeance on Saturday, March 30 with a sold-out house of more than 800 patrons at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD.

Among the crowd were several local and state officials and other dignitaries who came out to show their support for the causes of Gamma Pi and Friendship Charities, Inc.

So many people, so much activity

The highlight of the classy, entertaining evening was the costume parade competition. If there is one thing about Mardi Gras everybody was longing for in its return, it was the masQUErade parade and judging. This was just one of the many reasons patrons relished the return of the event and enjoyed the evening’s festivities. Adding to the fast and furious entertainment was Deejay SHABLAST and singer Fancee.

“The Gamma Pi Chapter orchestrated an unforgettable night of elegance and mystery at the Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball 2024,” said event chairman Bro. Rodney Beverly. “This event was a unique blend of festivity, fashion and philanthropy, all in the spirit of Mardi Gras.”

This year’s return to Mardi Gras focused on welcoming back waiting patrons by re-connecting to the roots of the event – masquerade and masks, draped in New Orleans-themed Purple and Gold (what else?).

The tally isn't in yet, but suffice it to say Gamma Pi and Friendship Charities raised in the tens of thousands of dollars for social action projects to help Prince George's county residents who are in need of assistance. 

This year also marked a creative new approach to charitable fundraising. Called text-to-give, it is a powerful fundraising method that offers convenience, simplicity, and intuitive use. Donors were able to give directly through their mobile phones, making it an effective way to engage supporters and drive donations. This year, through the chapter implementing this method of donating, that campaign alone netted $7,000 in addition to thousands more that will be raised through ticket sales.

Overall, it was a fantastic night for Gamma Pi and the community! We are already anticipating Mardi Gras 2025! Thanks to Bro. Beverly and his entire committee for yet another Gamma Pi "elite experience!"

This crowd is electric!!!

Who are these masked "invaders?"

 

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There's No Talent Hunt Like Gamma Pi's Talent Hunt

Overall winner Kenji Yokote

Where else can you see or hear a cello player, classical dancers, sparkling vocalists, various instrumentalists, and stunning samples of breathtaking artwork? Only at Gamma Pi Chapter’s Annual Omega Talent Hunt program. And this year, as usual, the young people participating in the show brought the house down with some scintillating performances and art presentations on Saturday afternoon, March 9, at Charles Flowers High School in Springdale, MD. 

She's got real talent

In a span of three hours 19 students representing five local schools entertained and demonstrated why in Prince George’s County, “we’ve got talent.” All were high school students from grades 9-12. For their families and other observers, it was an uplifting and emotional time as they saw the outcome from many hours of grueling work and dedication the students put in over the months practicing and honing their skills, getting ready for the big day. The final participants were selected from tryouts in February.

While all the participants received trophies, the overall winner was Kenji Yokote, an 11th grader from Georgetown Day School who skillfully played the selection, “Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor,” on his attention-grabbing cello, which was clearly the largest handheld instrument in the show. He had an accompanist. Honors were also given to winners in the various categories: dance, vocals, instrumental classical and art. As the overall winner, Yokote will represent Gamma Pi Chapter in the 2024 Second District Talent Hunt competition that will be held April 25-28 during the 76th Second District meeting at Valley Forge, PA.

Voice of a star

“We have such a great collection of talented students here in Prince George’s County,” said Bro. William Lloyd, who is Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt chairman. “Every year the students get better and better, and they never cease to amaze me. I believe this was one of the best shows we have had in years.”

Category winners were as follows: Ibukun Akinterinwa (Art), Kendyll Melton (Vocal), Angel Obidike (Dance), Jordan Javon (Piano Classical), Elijah Aluko (Piano Jazz), Joseph Bayote (Instrumental Classical). Cash prizes amounted to $300 for category winners, $200 for second place and $300 for third place.

One of the offbeat highlights of the occasion was the entertaining comic relief provided by Bro. George Montgomery, who served as emcee. Bro. Montgomery kept the crowd loose with his karaoke-style singing and “name that tune” back-and-forth in between the breaks. Each time, he took the audience down memory lane with a different decade in R&B music, including the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and into the 2000s. Bro. Montgomery, like the students, received a rousing round of applause at the end.

This year’s Talent Hunt marked the second consecutive year the program has returned to in-person status after three years of video on-demand during the pandemic.

Photos by Bro. George DuBose

Bro. Basileus Eric Fields

Bro. William Lloyd, Chairman

Bro. George Montgomery, Emcee