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. 

"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

Leader of New Gamma Pi STEM Initiative Honored by Prince George's County Schools

Receiving Award from Prince George's County School Board Vice Chair Dr. Kenneth Harris II

Bro. Aaron Ajani has been working nonstop for more than the past year to establish a formal STEM program for Gamma Pi Chapter. His hard work resulted in success, as the Super Chapter initiated its STEM program on November 1, 2023. Nearly a year later his hard work is being recognized by the local community as he was one of a number of men honored with a prestigious "Men Make A Difference" award from the Prince George's County Schools at a ceremony in Upper Marlboro on Saturday, October 12.

With son Niko

The awards were presented during the daylong Men Make  A Difference: The Power of Presence conference held at the Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School. School Board Vice Chairman Dr. Kenneth Harris II presented the winners with a plaque onstage in front of an auditorium crowded with family, friends and representatives of Divine 9 organizations. 

Bro. Ajani was selected for his award by Mattaponi Elementary School, where he has worked with administrators on a STEM initiative focused on elementary education and sparking early interest in STEM subjects among young students. He has put in place at Mattaponi an interactive and educational program to expose the students to STEM subjects in hopes that they will pursue STEM academically and in their careers.

During the same conference, Gamma Pi sponsored an exhibit table that received heavy traffic. Also, Bro. Damien Goins, principal of Gaywood Elementary in Lanham, participated in the conference as a presenter. Gamma Pi was well-represented at a very important conference that was all about developing and engaging manhood in our local school system.  Once again, the Super Chapter responds to the call of the community.

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