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.

Local Students Wow The Crowd at Gamma Pi’s Annual Omega Talent Hunt Program

A brilliant group of Prince George’s County high school students showcasing a wide range of exciting talents, from proficiency in instrumental music to octave-stretching vocals; and from  swift, sophisticated acrobatic dance moves, to the astoundingly realistic portraits and paintings of visual arts; all “stole the show” at the Annual Omega Talent Hunt sponsored by Gamma Pi Chapter at Charles Herbert Flowers High School on Saturday afternoon, March 14, 2026.

With family, friends and the Brothers of Gamma Pi in attendance, the Helena Nobles-Jones Auditorium at Charles Flowers High School in Springdale was transformed into a local version of America’s Got Talent for little more than two hours. Every one of the performers did an excellent job. It took the judges to sort it all out when it came time to award the top performers, though everyone was deserving of praise.  Tara Jones, a local media arts educator and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., served as the Host.

This year’s overall winner was senior Markai Tatum, of Charles H. Flowers High School, who won the judges and audience over with a classical piano performance of “Prelude in C-sharp Minor” by Sergei Rachmaninov. As the overall winner, he received $500 and will represent Gamma Pi at the Omega Psi Phi 2nd District Conference held on April 30-May 3 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, hosted by the Gamma Pi and Iota Mu Mu Chapters.

Judges also announced category winners for Vocals (Madolin Crim, Charles H. Flowers, senior); Contemporary Dance (Dior Brown, St. Stephens/St. Agnes High School, junior); Visual Art (Aiden Cheewah, Duval High School, senior); and Tatum won the instrumental category. This year’s competition included 17 participants representing eight local schools. The only category that did not have a contestant was drama. Cash prizes for category placers ranged from $100-300. Each non-winner received $50. 

To enhance the impact of the visual arts entries, Gamma Pi added a new video component last year that allows the artists to showcase their works on screen before the entire audience. In prior years, visual artists had to depend on patrons to voluntarily review their work by dropping by tables in the lobby where their handiwork was placed. In presenting their work this way the visual artists are able to elaborate on the thinking and meaning behind their creations. 

Congratulations to Talent Hunt co-chairs Brothers Don Myles and Marcus Davis and the entire Talent Hunt Committee for putting on a fantastic Talent Hunt 2026. It was a show to remember!

MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO CLIPS

Gamma Pi Chapter's Social Action Chair Reviews and Previews the Chapter's Work in the Community

    WATCH THIS EPISODE NOW

An episode of our public affairs show, Community UPLIFT, that ran late last fall is back on the air for a short rerun. For the past couple weeks, the program featuring then-Basileus Eric Fields and former Social Action Chair John Morgan, Jr. has been airing in our Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.) time slots on Comcast (channel 76) and Verizon FiOS (channel 76). The focus of this episode is on Gamma Pi's aggressive Social Action work in the Prince George's County community.  Our show is taped at the Community TV (CTV) studios in Largo, MD. Shortly after this program was originally broadcast, Bro. Fields became Immediate Past Basileus, Bro. Morgan became Vice Basileus and Bro. Terance Hare became Basileus as Gamma Pi changed over to a new year on the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. calendar. Enjoy watching online at the link above or check the show out at the appointed times on Comcast or Verizon. Watch this space for our next episode! Here's a clue: The QUES are coming to National Harbor...