Project ENRICH Concludes Back-to-School Recruitment Visits Across Prince George’s County; Opens on October 10

Gamma Pi Chapter’s Project ENRICH college preparation program is concluding its back-to-school recruitment push after visiting schools across Prince George’s County. The final stop was Wednesday night, September 23 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, where chapter members had another opportunity to meet students and families and introduce them to the program. At this juncture, about 130 students have registered. Project ENRICH is limiting itself to 150 students this year.

Throughout September, Project ENRICH director Bro. Dr. George Montgomery along with fellow Project ENRICH colleagues as well as other chapter members participated in Back-to-School Nights at schools including Potomac, Crossland, Friendly, DuVal, Flowers, Largo, Frederick Douglass, Gwynn Park, Bowie, Oxon Hill, Fairmont Heights and Wise high schools, as well as CMIT Academy South. Principal Dr. Portia Barnes welcomed to Roosevelt. Each school visit gave families a chance to learn about Project ENRICH in person, ask questions and consider whether the program is a good fit for their students. Some students have signed up from nearby Charles, Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties. 

Back-to-School Nights bring together families, educators and community members at the start of a new academic year. For Project ENRICH, they also provide a chance to connect with students at a time when many are thinking about their goals and the opportunities ahead. A conversation at a school table can be a first step toward learning more about college preparation and the support available through the program.

The chapter’s approach focused on making it easy for families to express interest. At each school, volunteers encouraged prospective students and parents to complete the Project ENRICH Interest Form using a QR code. Families ready to join immediately could use a separate registration QR code to begin the official process. Brothers also came prepared with promotional flyers and answers to frequently asked questions so they could provide clear, consistent information.

Reaching so many schools required planning and teamwork. Volunteers signed up for individual Back-to-School Nights, staffed Project ENRICH tables and spoke with families about the program. Other Brothers helped coordinate and transport table covers, display stands, flyers and additional materials from one school to the next. Those tasks may happen behind the scenes, but they helped ensure that Project ENRICH had a welcoming and organized presence at every visit.

The recruitment push also reflected Gamma Pi Chapter’s commitment to being present in the communities it serves. By going directly to schools across the county, the brothers were able to meet families where they already gather and make a personal introduction to Project ENRICH. These conversations gave parents and students an opportunity to hear about the program and decide whether they wanted to learn more.

The visit to Roosevelt  brings this round of school recruitment to a close. It is one more opportunity to answer questions, connect with students and invite families to take that first step. The interest forms collected during the visits will help the Project ENRICH team follow up with families who want to learn more.

Gamma Pi Chapter thanks Brothers who volunteered, coordinated schedules, carried materials or helped make a school visit possible. The chapter also appreciates the schools that welcomed Project ENRICH to their Back-to-School Nights. Together, those efforts brought the program before families throughout Prince George’s County and helped introduce another group of students to the possibilities ahead.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors (Friday, October 2)

Seniors (Friday, September 25)

Register Here: www.projectenrich.org/registration

In Gamma Pi, Success is Often A Family Affair

In Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the apple usually does not fall too far from the tree. Gamma Pi is a good example. Over the years, the sons and daughters of so many Gamma Pi members have excelled in academics, athletics, music and in life. 

Recent case in point is young Sarah Hare, daughter of Gamma Pi Basileus Terance Hare and wife Sharon. Sarah, a 2016 graduate of Bishop McNamara High School and the University of the District of Columbia in 2020, is part of a group of law students being honored  in a pinning ceremony at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, this weekend, on Saturday, September 26.

The 2L Pinning Ceremony is for the members of the Class of 2028, which includes Sarah.  The 2L Pinning Ceremony at Thurgood Marshall School of Law (at Texas Southern University) is an annual tradition that celebrates students who have successfully completed their first year of law school and officially transitions them into their second year (2L).

"Sharon and I are incredibly proud to see our daughter, Sarah Hare, reach this significant milestone. Being pinned as a second-year student at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and commitment to her legal education," said Bro. Basileus Hare. "We look forward to seeing the impact she will undoubtedly make in her future career."

Gamma Pi congratulates Sarah on her success and future endeavors! Like so any other Gamma Pi offspring, she is the epitome of Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift!

 

Through Its TV Show, Gamma Pi Educates the Public About the Voting Process and Resources as the November Mid-Term Elections Loom

Gamma Pi Chapter has broadcast its own over-the-airwaves TV show for 10 years. In that time, "Community UPLIFT" has covered important issues like money for college, free food distribution during the pandemic, mentorship of young men, child support enforcement issues,  minority health awareness and caregiving for seniors among many other topics The chapter's newest episode focuses on Voter Education for Prince George's County residents as the November mid-term elections come into view.

Gamma Pi's Bro. Harold Suggs

The voter education show has been broadcasting for two weeks now. You can watch the current episode every Friday at 8 p.m. ET and Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on Comcast (channel 76) and Verizon FiOS (channel 42)  Those outside the county or who do not subscribe to either cable system can also watch the show on the free livestream at either the station's main web page or its YouTube channel. For on-demand viewing, the episode is also available on Gamma Pi's YouTube channel. "Community UPLIFT" is taped and aired in partnership with Community TV in Largo, MD. 

This show is hosted by Micheline Bowman and is headlined by guests Wendy Honesty-Bey, Prince George’s County Board of Elections; Brian Miller, Executive Director of Nonprofit VOTE, which sponsors the annual National Voter Registration Day on September 15, and Gamma Pi's oldest living member., Bro Harold Suggs, now in his 90s, is featured in a short pre-taped interview segment about the importance of voting and struggles for the right to vote during is early years.

Host Micheline Bowman and 

county elections chief Wendy Honesty-Bey 

Executive Director Brian Miller of Nonprofit VOTE

    

                     

    WATCH ON-DEMAND ON YOUTUBE

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: One of Gamma Pi's Most Senior Brothers Publishes His Memoirs, Shedding Light on the Struggles and Successes of Seven Decades of Making A Difference

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the Good of the Order is an occasional series highlighting the accomplishments of the men of Gamma Pi Chapter.

Gamma Pi Brothers have some interesting life stories, especially the most senior Brothers who have lived through generations and decades of experiences. Sometimes the stories are worthy of a book. One such Brother is The Super Chapter’s Charles Anthony “Tony” Cusack (Chi '68), who’s life story to this point is the subject of a newly released book, My Life in the Dash. The book is penned by Bro. Cusack as a personal memoir and is on sale at Amazon, Walmart and other booksellers. The book was just published in June.

In his book, Bro. Cusack focuses on these themes from his interesting and impactful life:

(1) His childhood growing up in rural Georgia, and his ancestral family roots.

      (2) His career and athletic achievements, college experiences, business success, and leadership development.
 (3) His community service, mentorship and education.
 (4) Overcoming personal trials, which includes dealing with hereditary cardiac amyloidosis.
 (5) and reflections on his legacy, purpose and faith-driven beliefs and actions

Bro. Cusack explained that "the dash" in the book's title refers to the time we have on Earth.

Here is a writeup by the publisher located on the book’s back cover:

Born in 1948 in Nashville, Georgia, Charles Anthony Cusack came of age in a world shaped by faith, family, hard work, segregation, and strong community roots. From shining shoes in a small-town barbershop while “Moon River” played on the radio, to laboring in tobacco fields, excelling in the classroom, leading on athletic fields, serving in government and business, preaching the Gospel, and traveling the world, his life became a testimony to resilience, discipline, and grace.

My Life in the Dash is the story of a boy who learned early that small habits shape great destinies. Guided by strong parents, grounded in faith, and driven by a commitment to serve others, Charles built a life marked by leadership, scholarship, brotherhood, entrepreneurship, ministry, and compassion.

More than a personal history, this memoir is a reflection on purpose, perseverance, and the meaning of the “dash” between birth and death. Through hardships and triumph, setbacks and blessings, Charles Anthony Cusack shows that a life of gratitude, discipline, and service can leave an enduring mark on family, community, and the world.

The memoir is just a part of Bro. Cusack’s life. Even well into his 70’s, he’s remaining quite active in many areas   In addition to being an active member of the Fraternity, he is head of QSack & Associates, Inc. and serves as Vice President of the Metropolitan Washington chapter of the Alabama A&M University National Alumni Association where he is working to increase the university’s visibility, recruit students, promote [public and private support and foster alumni progress

Great going Bro. Cusack! Showing that Omega men are contributing to society in many ways and at all age and experience levels. Everywhere you look, Omega is always bringing something important to the table!