Project ENRICH Closes the Year with Essay Presentations and a Final "Check"

On Saturday,  April 4, while working away at the home of the flock he oversees, Greater Mount Nebo AME Church in Bowie, MD Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom was called to come into the sanctuary where he was escorted down to the pulpit by two familiar Omega men from Gamma Pi chapter. They weren't asking him to preach (though he is always ready!), but they instead wanted to say thanks and present him with a gift. 

With a symbolic oversized check, Project ENRICH director Bro. Dr. George Montgomery along with Basileus Bro. Terance Hare and Bro. John Howard presented Bro. Rev. Dr. Folsom a $1,500 check from the Charles Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund as a way of saying thanks for his church coming to Project ENRICH's rescue by providing  a meeting place for several months. The situation developed after Project ENRICH was essentially "forced out" of a federal facility that was suddenly closed during the long government shutdown that occurred during a federal budget battle last fall. 

At the time of the shutdown, Project ENRICH was just a few days away from its next meeting date and faced the real possibility of having to cancel the October session which happened to be the opening session of the 2025-26 academic year.  Once he heard about the crisis, Bro. Rev. Dr. Folsom opened the doors of the church for the October 11 session and the program remained there throughout the program's academic year.  As they say, "the rest is history!"

Meanwhile on Saturday, Project ENRICH students, with many parents gathered, brought down the curtain on a challenging but successful year with their essay presentations. They split into groups by class designation and one-by-one they took turns striding up to the front of the room to give their 3-minute presentations on their assigned topics.

Each student received constructive feedback from a Project ENRICH staff member. The assigned topics were as follows: 

• Explain specific strategies and initiatives to address pressing issues and foster positive change (freshmen);
• Examine the qualities that make for exceptional leaders (sophomores)
• Discuss choosing the right college, major, and career path (juniors)
• Discuss the relationship between career aspirations and the journey towards entrepreneurship (seniors)

The top three essays from each grade will be awarded $500, $400 and $300 respectively. The written essays were graded in advance and the students then had to deliver the essays orally at the April 4 session.

A week prior to the closing session, students attended an HBCU Expo in Washington, D.C.

"Several of our outstanding juniors received on-the-spot college admissions and scholarship offers, with a handful earning full-ride scholarships. This is a testament to their preparation, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to these hardworking students," said Bro. Dr. Montgomery, who is finishing up his second year as Project ENRICH Director.

Last year's senior class received a record-high $5.4 million in college scholarships and this year's graduating class has already surpassed that total. The Project ENRICH end-of-the-year scholarship banquet is scheduled for May 28. Follow the Project ENRICH website for more information about the banquet.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Bro. Ben Greene Gets One Step Closer to Achieving A Huge Academic Goal

When Gamma Pi Brothers do big things, they don't always happen locally. Case in point -- Bro. Ben Greene, who was initiated at Gamma Pi in 2017, left the area more than two years ago to further his studies some 800 miles away from the DMV, at Alabama State University in Montgomery. Today, Bro. Greene has reached a milestone that puts him very close to achieving his goal, which will be marked with a formal ceremony upcoming on Friday, April 24. The program will be livestreamed.

On that date at 4 p.m., Bro. Greene and fellow Doctor of Physical Therapy program classmates will be honored in a white coat and pinning ceremony at Alabama State University, in the Ralph D. Abernathy Building. Because his ceremony is this year, it means that Bro. Greene is in the Class of 2027. Showing off his Omega leadership skills, Bro. Greene is the class president for 2027.

"This is like a rite of passage ceremony as I go into my last year of the program. I'm excited about being one year away from being done," Bro. Greene said in a recent interview. "This accomplishment means I am one step away from my ultimate goal."

Bro. Greene is a 2011 Morehouse College graduate with a B.A. in Kinesiology.

The Physical Therapy program is a three-year academic endeavor which makes one eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. A license is needed to practice physical therapy.

Black physical therapists remain significantly underrepresented in the United States, comprising only about 3.6% to 5% of the workforce. This disparity is driven in part by systemic barriers, including limited access to educational pathways and the high cost of training, which restrict entry into the profession. The lack of diversity has meaningful implications for patient care, particularly in communities where culturally competent care and provider trust are essential to improving health outcomes.

The impact of this underrepresentation is reflected in both the pipeline and patient experience. Recent data show that only about 3% of physical therapy graduates are African American, reinforcing the ongoing gap in representation. At the same time, Black patients are up to 44.8% less likely to attend physical therapy for conditions such as arthritis, due in part to structural barriers and longstanding mistrust in the healthcare system. Efforts by organizations such as the American Academy of Physical Therapy, the National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT), and the USC BKNPT Black Alumni Association are working to address these challenges by supporting Black professionals and strengthening pathways into the field.

Gamma Pi sends a huge congratulations to Bro. Greene way down in Alabama, and all the Brothers of the Super Chapter look forward to the day we can call him doctor!

BREAKING SOCIAL NEWS: Here's a Lineup of Social Activities for the Omega Psi Phi District Conference at National Harbor Next Month

Imagine a menu at your favorite restaurant. You have a wide range of selections on the page. You like everything you see, but you enjoy some items more than others. That is what you will experience when you learn about the upcoming events and activities that will take place during the 78th Second District Conference of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., at National Harbor in Prince George's County, brought  to you by Gamma Pi and Iota Mu Mu Chapters.

If you are a regular follower of our blog, you will know that we have been talking about this event since last August. Well, it's almost here now. We're excited to announce these social happenings during the weekend of April 30-May 3, all at National Harbor. 

You can keep track of all social activities and public events right here, including purchasing tickets: QUES at the National Harbor Info. You can also keep track of events and ticketing via Gamma Pi social media: Facebook and Instagram. 

If You're Looking for a Good Groove

Right now, we have TWO (not one, but...) big "After Dark" parties scheduled for the weekend during the conference. Check out these two events for Friday and Saturday night, May 1 and May 2 and share the information via this article link, including on your social media. Check out the promos below for the full "411" on these special After Dark events:

  

If You Like to Watch High-Stepping QUES !!!

A very big and very OWT Marchdown Step Show (" the biggest and best ever!") is happening on Friday, May 1, from 8-10 p.m. It will take place in the Annapolis Ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort.. Bro. John Faison, Jr. has been working hard to put on a fantastic show and has already secured five teams from across the region to participate in the competition. There is room for more! Interested hop teams can contact Bro. Faison by email at: John Faison, Jr. (johnfaisonjr@gmail.com)

Reserve your spot now for the Energy, Excitement and Electric atmosphere of the Marchdown step competition. Advance tickets are available here (right now!) for the Marchdown at this link for just $15 (it's $20 at the door): Get Omega Marchdown Tickets here...

Here's the latest update from Bro. Faison:

"We have five chapters signed up already and are still accepting more. We are looking for Bruhz who are ready and willing to "set it owt" to make this show better than ever."

"This year, we are excited to have several D9 sorority chapters participating in the show for an exhibition-style performance."

"Historically, when we show up, we show 'owt.' The men of Omega express themselves differently than any other D9 organization; our unique style, soul, grace, and expression naturally attract crowds. Culturally, this represents Black Excellence. We have always provided what was needed in the space of Black academia, and this Marchdown is a perfect example. You will see college-educated brothers providing top-tier entertainment and excitement."

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: From the Ledger to the Pulpit, Gamma Pi Brother Shares Spiritual Insights with His First Books

In recent years, Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter have opened their early morning email to a guaranteed spiritual boost to kick the day off. Positioned between all the SPAM and “do this,” “send me that,” “’do you have a copy” emails was one note that Brothers anticipated receiving and could depend on to lift them them up. It was a mini-sermon from then-Chaplain Bro. Rev. Laurence Hawkins (Tau Psi '87), along with Scripture and a Bible verse.

After three years of giving Gamma Pi members an inspirational start to their day with his “Thought for Reflection” mini-sermons, Bro. Rev. Dr. Hawkins is expanding his reach. The 2023 2^nd District Man of the Year recently published two books containing his robust collection of “Thought for Reflection” devotionals, from Genesis to Revelations. It is his first published work.  

“While serving as Chapter Chaplain, I wanted to reach the brothers daily with a brief, inspiring message that offered guidance and encouragement as we strive to grow into the men we are called to be—for our families, ourselves, and Omega,” Bro Rev. Dr. Hawkins said in a recent interview. “I would occasionally ask my wife to proofread the messages. Eventually, she asked to share them with some of her friends and family. That led me to begin writing a slightly different version for a broader audience.”

The books are The Omega Man’s Devotional: 365 Reflections of Faith, Purpose and Power,” which includes approximately 50–60 entries that use language specifically designed to resonate with Omega Men, and Thoughts for Reflection: One Year of Faith, Purpose and Renewal” serves as an excellent companion for wives and Omega Men to use together for daily devotional check-ins and discussions. Both books are available at www.laurencehawkins.com. This is his first published work.

“I would like to thank the Brothers of Gamma Pi and the First Baptist Church of Highland Park—especially my pastor, Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis—for their tremendous support in helping me successfully launch both books,”  Bro. Rev. Dr. Hawkins added. “Their encouragement and generosity enabled us to completely sell out the first printing of both books within weeks of publication.”

“The purpose of both books is the same: to encourage readers to engage with God daily, even if only for a few minutes. I firmly believe that being intentional about connecting with God in a consistent rhythm positively shapes our lives,” said Bro. Rev. Hawkins. “Consistent, sincere engagement with God reflects faithfulness—and God responds to faith.”

The Omega Man’s Devotional simply incorporates language in certain entries that speaks directly to brothers, using expressions and themes that resonate with our shared experiences as Men of Omega.

In “Omegaspeak,” members of the Fraternity often recognize and refer to God as The Supreme Basileus. Following the lead of the Chaplain, Brothers often open and close meetings with prayer.

Bro. Rev. Dr. Hawkins wears many hats. It begins with his role as Husband and father. Within the Fraternity, he serves as  Keeper of Records and Seal for Gamma Pi. In his career life, he is Director of Financial Oversight and Audit Quality in the Office of Audits at the NASA Office of Inspector General. And he is an Associate Minister at First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Prince George’s County, where he regularly teaches an adult Bible class, serves as a premarital and marriage counselor, and provides counseling for baby dedications.

Rev. Dr. Hawkins earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from North Carolina Central University and later completed both a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Old Testament and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Theology at Maple Springs Bible College and Seminary.