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

Bro. Chairman Rodney Beverly and family

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.

Bro. Basileus Eric Fields

Bro. William Lloyd, Chairman

Bro. George Montgomery, Emcee

 

 

Gamma Pi's Bro. Teddy Taylor Named to Prestigious Diplomatic Board

by Bro. Kyle Randolph Bacon

HONOLULU (March 1, 2024) Antony J. Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has recently announced the appointment of five new members to the Board of Governors of the East-West Center. Among the newly appointed members is Ambassador (Ret.) Brother Teddy Taylor, a prominent figure in the Gamma Pi Chapter. Brother Taylor had a distinguished 40-year career in the US Foreign Service, having served in various parts of the world, including Central America, Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and Africa. From 2009-20012, Brother Taylor served concurrently as the United States Ambassador to the Republics of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.   

 

Bro. Taylor held several other noteworthy positions, including Consul General in Cape Town, South Africa, Diplomat in Residence at Howard University and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Resources, in the latter assignment, Ambassador Taylor was responsible for overseeing the activities of a global multi-national human capital footprint of 75,000 personnel and a budget of over $3 billion. With his extensive experience and impressive track record, Bro. Ambassador Taylor is a valuable addition to the Board of Governors of the East-West Center.

 

“ I want to thank Secretary Blinken for the opportunity to serve once again. Serving the nation is always a humbling honor," said Bro. Taylor. "I enthusiastically look forward to working with colleagues fulfill the Center’s mission."

 

The East-West Center fosters mutual understanding and better relationships between the United States, Asia, and the Pacific. The Center, established in 1960 by the US Congress, is an independent, public, nonprofit organization that promotes cooperative study, research, and dialogue among individuals from these regions.

 

As a resource for information and analysis, the Center brings diverse groups of people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. To fulfill its mission, the Center receives funding from the US government and additional support from the region's private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments.

 

The East-West Center contributes to advancing peace and prosperity by promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among its stakeholders.

Read Bro. Taylor's Medium blog post from 2015 when he was stationed in Cape Town, South Africa as the U.S. Consul General: "Seven Months on the Move"

 Bro. Taylor with current U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (left)
 and Ambassador Joyce Barr upon their State Department retirements in 2017

The Brothers of Gamma Pi Work to Serve the Community As Part of Omega Psi Phi's "Project 5000"

Bros. George DuBose (left) and Basileus Bro. Eric Fields
with State Sen. Joanne Benson at food drive

During the days leading up to the Christmas Holiday Season, the Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter did not take a holiday from community service. As part of a special Social Action initiative throughout the Fraternity's Second District (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), Gamma Pi spent those days feeding needy families, senior citizens, and healthcare first responders. We also contributed to a local charity and donated "gently used" personal items to citizens in need throughout the region.

All of this activity is organized under a Second District Social Action Project called "Project 5000." All chapters in the District are required to participate. Last year through Project 5000, Second District chapters fed 25,479 people, contributed $10,616 to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and donated 344 pairs of gently used eyeglasses to Lion's Club International along with 1,590 pairs of gently used shoes to the Soles4Souls organization. The goal for Project 5000 this year is to exceed those numbers for the 2023-24 Fraternity Year.

Bro. Michael Colbert delivers food 

To meet this year's goals, each chapter is asked to feed at least 500 people, donate $500 to the respective state Sickle Cell Disease Association, and collect 100 pairs of gently worn eyeglasses and 100 pairs of gently worn shoes for persons in need. Although the deadline is not until April 1, 2024, Gamma Pi Chapter completed these tasks over the holiday period. As of December 22, Gamma Pi fed 2200 families, donated $500 to the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, and collected and donated 125 pairs of lightly used shoes to DSW for Soles4Souls as well as 115 pairs of lightly used eyeglasses to the Lions Club for distribution to persons in need.

 "The Brothers of Gamma Pi responded like we always do to community needs -- with intensity and haste," said Basileus Bro. Eric Fields. "While there are numerical goals we must meet, we never look at this as solely about numbers. We see the people behind the numbers. As Omega men, we are conditioned to serve."

Gamma Pi Chapter has an extensive Social Action program that is performing community service activities throughout Prince George's County each month. For more information, visit our chapter Website at http://www.gammapi.org

 

Brothers have collected a bag full of "soles for souls"

These eyeglasses are headed to new homes

Those are some big turkeys!

Completing a day's work