Gamma Pi Brothers Return from the Biggest Grand Conclave in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity History

Can you count the number of QUES in this picture?

If you've been following our activities on our blog, you know that we've been sort of silent and out of pocket for a couple of weeks. That's because many of the men in Gamma Pi have been away out in the Midwest taking care of some serious business...

About a week or so ago, more than 75 men of Gamma Pi Chapter stepped out of planes, trains and automobiles in their return to the DMV after one of the most historic meetings in the existence of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. After many months of buildup and anticipation, the 85th Grand Conclave came and went almost as fast. The July 30-August 3 meeting in Cincinnati was the largest in the history of our Fraternity and brought in Omega man from all 13 districts including the international district.

Overall, there were approximately 20-30,000 Omega men on site throughout the week. For Gamma Pi, it was a chance to regroup, recommit and rejuvenate as one of the largest chapters in the Fraternity. Hundreds of brothers from the 5-state Second District (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) attended led by incoming District Representative Bro. Leon Smith. This is how we do our official business in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Pi's contingent was led by the core leadership of Basileus Bro. Terance Hare, Vice Basileus Bro. John Morgan, Jr. and Keeper of Records and Seal Bro. Rev. Dr. Laurence Hawkins, who all attended. Two past Second District Representatives from Gamma Pi were also engaged in the conclave: Brothers Kenneth Rodgers and Amir Shareef, who is the Immediate Past Second District Representative. 

Gamma Pi Chapter dinner

Omega Psi Phi holds conclaves every two years. It's the official business meeting of the 115-year-old international brotherhood founded at Howard University on November 17, 1911. While official meetings are closed and limited to Omega members, the conclave is surrounded by numerous upscale social events to "unwind and socialize" and to which the public is invited, as well as local host community social action activities to serve and address unmet needs. Cincinnati showed up to support and socialize with us!

Gamma Pi Chapter also celebrated several members receiving their milestone service awards from the outgoing Omega Psi Phi Grand Basileus, Bro. Ricky Lewis, on stage before all the members in attendance. One Gamma Pi member, Bro. Roland Penn, was awarded his 65-year pin.

Also, Gamma Pi helped carry the banner of the Mighty Second District at the conclave as the Second District Large Graduate Chapter of the Year. The Super Chapter was bestowed that honor at the historic 78th Second District Conference at National Harbor in May.

For Omega men, the conclaves are also mini-reunions. Because it brings together Omega men from all across the world, the conclave represents an opportunity for members to rekindle ties by fellowshipping with brothers from previous Omega Psi Phi chapters or affiliations, especially for those who were either initiated while in school or who have moved around the country.   

Traveling to the conclave turned out to be an "Omega trek" for many brothers. In fact, many airplanes landing at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport were at least half full with Omegas. It was the same for many fights heading out of Cincinnati on Monday, August 3.

For our local Gamma Pi community, we are recommitted and armed with new ideas and energy, ready to go to serve our families, seniors and youth in Prince George's County for the upcoming Fraternity Year. 

As you know, we work hard and play hard so you should also be on the lookout for our upcoming social and social action events. Keep up by following our Gamma Pi website as well as our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The accompanying photos from our conclave allow you to see the best of excellence in Omega Psi Phi from the international level.

CONCLAVE NEWS COVERAGE

Cincinnati Enquirer
WLWT TV Cincinnati
WCPO TV Cincinnati

WKRC TV Cincinnati

Yahoo News

WANT TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS? CLICK HERE FOR MORE (courtesy of Bro. George DuBose)

Brothers prep for a direct flight from Washington Dulles

Former Secretary of Defense Bro. Lloyd Austin 

served as keynote speaker

Bro. Roland Penn receives 65-year service pin

Gamm Pi Brothers take a meeting break

Gamma Pi Brothers at one of the many banquets

Enjoying an outdoors chapter meal in downtown Cincinnati

"Omega Express" in flight to Cincinnati

The "last of the Mohicans" at the very end of the day's business

Airport Welcome to the QUES

Early Bird Deadline Ends This Weekend for the Phil Ferguson Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament - SIGN UP NOW!

The Charles Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund's Annual Phillip Ferguson Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament that was postponed earlier this spring is now back on, and it is set to tee off on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Lake Presidential Golf Club, 3151 Presidential Golf Drive, in Upper Marlboro, MD.

YOU NOW HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, TO PURCHASE YOUR SPOT AT THE EARLY BIRD RATES!

Golfers from the local area and the region typically participate in the event and all are welcome to return for this year’s tournament. Last year’s event attracted more than 110 golfers from near and far.

Proceeds from the tournament go directly to helping fund numerous scholarships for Prince Georges County high school students. The Charles Drew fund is a 501 (c)3 organization affiliated with the Gamma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Last year, the Charles Drew fund awarded $33,000 in scholarships to local students.

Now that you’ve got the date, are you looking to register right away to beat the rush? Need to reach out to your buddies so you can all register as a team? Well, registration is currently open! You can start with the EARLY BIRD RATE that was extended until August 9, at the price of $160.00 for single golfers and $600 for a foursome!!!!. Once the Early Bird period ends, the rates will go up to $175 for single golfers and $700 for a foursome, until August 19.

The golfers package includes an early morning breakfast along with a tasty luncheon spread for participants, all at the course clubhouse. Various prizes will be awarded during the tournament such as closest-to-the pin and longest drive. The format is 4-person best ball.

Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy some friendly competition with other area golfers while supporting local students through our annual memorial golf tournament. The tournament is named for a former Gamma Pi Basileus and longtime chapter stalwart who also played the sport.

Contact for information: PFGOLFGPGOLF2021@gmail.com

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Gamma Pi Brother Leads 9,000-Mile Round Trip Motorcycle Adventure Way Up Into Alaska ...

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

Omega men are known for doing extraordinary things. In the spirit of Omega, only men who are privileged to be in that number can relate to what it's like to have a hunger for  accomplishing goals that are exceptionally challenging, requiring a special combination of body, mind and soul that sets Omegas apart from others. Omega men thrive on it. 

Gamma Pi's Bro. Donell Brown (Fall '74 Psi Delta) is one of the latest example of that. Bro. Brown is part of a three-man contingent from Prince George's County who trekked from the local area all the way up to Alaska on their "hogs" -- their motorcycles -- encountering rain, heat, cold, wind as well as treacherous pothole-filled roads, and small, out-of-the-way communities that don't have any of the amenities of home. 

From left: Bro. Brown with road partners Fielder (c) and Trass

Bro. Brown, an Air Force veteran, and his fellow road warriors arrived in the "metropolis" of Anchorage Alaska on Sunday, July 5. That was a nine-day, 4,480-mile journey (one way) across more than a dozen states and four Territories in Canada. Bro. Brown is traveling on his three-wheeler Honda Goldwing that you may see in passing on Route 301 almost anytime. The other two riders, who are not members of Omega Psi Phi, are on their two-wheeled Honda Goldwings. The other two road hogs on the trip are Darryl Fielder and Kenneth Trass also of Prince George's County.

One of the nights was spent in tiny Tok, Alaska, (pop. 1,243) known as the "Sled Dog Capital of Alaska." Yes, there is such a place. They have also spent nights in other "hotspots" such as Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada and Muncho Lake, British Columbia in the Northern Rockies. 

As of this writing, the group is now setting their GPS to head back towards the DMV with another nine days of loose rocks, gravel, twisting and turning roads carpeted with hot heavy pavement up ahead. One of their intermediate goals is getting to Rapid City, South Dakota by July 15. They have started to head that way. Who knows what the weather will be like along the way home over the next nearly two weeks? Target date for setting foot back in Prince George's County is July 2, which for Bro Brown is in time for the 85th Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclave which he will be attending in Cincinnati.

"I thank God for getting us here safely. And I trust he will do likewise on our return trip," Bro. Brown said from Alaska whole resting up for the next few hundred miles of road.  You can reach out to Bro. Brown on the road here: donell.brown0730@gmail.com

County Seniors Spend the Day With Gamma Pi As Annual Banquet Brings Joy and Excitement

Every year about this time, Gamma Pi Chapter and the Friendship Charities Foundation, Inc. put out feelers in the local community about its annual Seniors Banquet and the response is always incredible. The was evident on Saturday, June 13, when county senior citizens piled into buses large and small, cars and vans that dropped them off at Greater Mount Nebo AME Church in Bowie for the 53rd Annual Seniors Banquet. As in years past, it was another full house and a full afternoon of activities that brought joy and excitement to people who are the backbone of the local community --  SENIOR CITIZENS.

Greater Mount Nebo served as a perfect backdrop for this year's event, thanks to the generosity of Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom and his Executive Minster, Rev. Donna Durham and other church leadership. Bros. Terance Hare (Basileus) and Lucius Toney  are also members of the church. For nearly three hours on Saturday, the sanctuary of Greater Mount Nebo was converted into a makeshift dining hall to accommodate about 200 senior citizens, which rivals last year's record-breaking attendance. The food was top-notch: chicken, beef, potatoes and gravy, brussel sprouts plus dessert. 

The event was spearheaded by Gamma Pi's Social Action committee, headed by Bro. Weldon Gilchrist, Jr., and the nonprofit Friendship Charities, Inc., with Bro. Sheku "Shake" Alieu leading the charge from that side. Both men worked together to pull off the banquet. Bro Alieu has led the planning of many recent Gamma Pi Seniors Banquets.

 

Members of the Gamma Pi Chapter were temporarily turned into grocery shoppers, cooks and waiters for 24 hours to make it all happen with smoothness and ease. The seniors thoroughly enjoyed it! As they departed the sanctuary, the seniors -- many of them septuagenarians and octogenarians -- hugged and shook hands with the Brothers thanking them for a wonderful afternoon.

Saturday's banquet was also about terrific comfort food prepared shopped for, cooked and delivered at the table by Gamma Pi chapter members. It was also about social interaction with other seniors as well as with the Brothers of Gamma Pi, a Word from the Lord through chaplain Bro. Rev. Reggie Pickett, an informational talk about wills and estate planning and "legacy" from Ms. Mahasin el-Amin, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Prince George's County and the always-anticipated stellar praise singing by the Gamma Pi Chorale. Bro. Anthony Stewart served as Master of Ceremonies. The seniors also heard from a representative from the office of 7th District Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, and from Leslie Johnson, Director of Senior Affairs  for the Office of the County Executive.

Door prizes are always given for persons who can answer fun trivia questions and for the oldest man and woman. The eldest woman in attendance was 101 years old and the eldest man was 88. They received gift cards. Once again, Gamma Pi showed its chops when it comes to executing social action!  

CLICK HERE FOR 100+ PHOTOS FROM BRO. DAVID SIERRA