Second District Representative Bro. Kenneth Rodgers Talks About Omega's Role in Black History on New York City Radio

WBLS-FM is one of the largest African American/Urban stations in all of New York City and, by extension, in the entire country. It has been on the air for more than 50 years and features an adult urban format playing all the top soul and R&B music from today's artists. It's the station that many of New York's African American population listens to while driving to and from work every day.

Bro. Rodgers at recent speech 

On Friday however, WBLS had a different voice coming through the speakers -- that of Second District Representative (and Gamma Pi's own) Bro. Kenneth Rodgers, who was featured in a Black History Month segment on Omega Psi Phi's Bro. Dr. Charles Drew as a Black History Month figure. The piece will run over the next few days as Black History Month comes to a close.

Bro. Rodgers pre-recorded the brief segment earlier with the station via telephone. The spot started airing throughout the day.

In selecting Bro. Dr. Charles Drew as his subject, Bro. Rodgers was able to pay homage to both Dr. Drew's historic contributions in medicine and the Fraternity's annual blood drive named after Dr. Drew as an example of Omega Psi Phi's uplift of America's Black communities through the years.

"I don't think there is any question that when you look at Black History and the contributions of great Black Americans to our society, you will find that numerous Omega men have been front and center,"said Bro. Rodgers. "Bro. Dr. Charles Drew was just one of the many history-changing Black Americans that our great Fraternity can lay claim to. I was honored to have the opportunity to remind people of his role in history as we approach our Centennial as a Fraternity."

Click here to listen to the Black History Month vignette by Brother DR Rodgers.

Click here to send him a shout out for getting a great message out about Omega Psi Phi's contributions during Black History Month. 

Gamma Pi Converges on Local Shelter to Cook and Serve Breakfast to Residents

In a show of force not unlike an Army brigade invading a small country, the men of Gamma Pi chapter showed up in big numbers this morning to cook and serve a hot and tasty breakfast to residents of a local shelter for battered and abused women. The women, along with their children, were awakened bright and early to a "sea of purple and gold" that swarmed the facility for several hours, beginning at 5:30 a.m. (that's right) with food preparations.


By the time the women got fully awake and situated, they found themselves being escorted through a "chow line" and personally shown to their tables by Gamma Pi men, where the residents were able to enjoy a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, grits and various fruit juices in the shelter cafeteria, which was adorned by a big screen television.  For the young children, it was a chance to get a great, nutritious breakfast and sit in front of the TV like many other kids do on Saturday morning. Gamma Pi also arranged for entertainment for the children in the person of a local magician.  At the conclusion of the program, the women were presented with gift bags filled with personal hygiene items, while the children received books and toys.


Sisters from a local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority joined the Gamma Pi Brothers in time to serve the breakfast. It was a true Black Greek experience, and for both organizations, the success of the event served as a testament to the strong emphasis they each place on serving the community. For Gamma Pi and Omega Psi Phi, it is about Uplift, one of our Four Cardinal Principles of the Fraternity.


The huge turnout and the clockwork precision that took place this morning are emblematic of the fast start that the chapter's Social Action programs have gotten off to this year as the Fraternity closes in on its Centennial celebration. Just last year, Gamma Pi was named Social Action Graduate Chapter of the Year for the Second District for 2009.

“As usual, the Brothers of Gamma Pi rose to the occasion.  I could not be more pleased with the Uplift provided to the residents today," said Bro. Charles Casteel, Jr., who has headed the project in recent years.. "Hosting this event is yet another reminder of how blessed we are and how much our service to the community is desperately needed.  Many of us are only a paycheck away from the same plight; therefore, it is important that we recognize that and give as much as we can to help our fellow brothers and sisters.”

 

Thanks to the Brothers for a major success that helped uplift the spirits and fortunes of some people who desperately needed it this wintry morning. Brother Casteel, Jr applied his business leadership skills to organizing and leading a well-oiled machine that showed why Gamma Pi is "The Super Chapter."  Enjoy the video clips below and additional information about this very successful project (including photos from the event) will follow over the weekend. Finally, a special thanks to our Delta sisters for assisting us in this important service project. Click here to send Brother Casteel a "shout out" for a great job organizing this important community service event.