The "Super Chapter" Is Preparing for Some Big Events in the Coming Weeks: Adjust Your Social Calendar

Fresh off a just completed "hot" DMV Sneaker Ball held at The Park at 14th in downtown Washington, D.C. the Brothers of Gamma Pi are on to planning and preparation for three more big events in the DMV in the next three months. This is hereby your official notice!

First up is the Annual Mardi Gras Gala on Friday night, March 6 at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. Next is the Talent Hunt at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, MD on March 14. And finally, coming this year is the largest gathering of Omega men anywhere in the DMV. We are hosting the 78th Second District Conference of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc -- yes, the QUES are coming to town, from all 5 Atlantic coastal states: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and from all across the state of Maryland.

Let's break it all down ...

MARDI GRAS '2026 (March 6 @ 8-12p)

Mardi Gras is always sold out and this year will be no exception. Gamma Pi and Friendship Charities Foundation, Inc. always kick off Spring in the DMV with this five-star event that helps us raise funds for Social Action projects we conduct throughout the year in Prince George's County.

If you enjoy dressing up, tasting exquisite food and drink, dancing to grown folks soul-rocking music and being "in the mix" with the social scene for a good cause ("party with a purpose"), join us for an unforgettable evening!

This year we have a theme: Bourbon Street Bash! Dress accordingly for the theme.

GRAB YOUR EARLY-BIRD TICKETS HERE

                VIDEO PREVIEW

TALENT HUNT (March 14@ 3 P.M.)

Talent Hunt is ALWAYS FREE! You can simply come on out to the Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, MD with your family, your friends, or just bring yourself. Enjoy an afternoon of instrumental, vocal and visual arts performances and presentations. Think variety show!

Come watch tomorrow's superstars today. Who is the next Luther? Who is the next Leontyne Price? Who will grow up to be a great jazz saxophonist? Who will be the next artist from Prince George's County that will create paintings like Romare Bearden?

While you don't have to rush to get tickets since it is a FREE event, plan now to arrive early so that you can get some of the best seats available. It's a big facility, but seats can go fast when you factor in the performers' families, teachers and local residents who come every year to see what new young talent is emerging "on the block" in Prince George's County.  Your seat is waiting!

OMEGA PSI PHI 78th SECOND DISTRICT CONFERENCE (April 30-May 3)

For the first time in more than 12 years, National Harbor, MD will be the temporary home of several thousand Omega men who will converge on this East Coast entertainment hotspot to host the annual business meeting of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.'s members from five states. Yes, it's true. The QUES are coming to National Harbor! For the first time since 2012.

The Brothers of Gamma Pi, along with Iota Mu Mu Chapter, are working hard behind the scenes to plan the 78th Second District Conference that will be headquartered at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. 

On one hand, Brothers are planning important business meetings that will anchor the conference. But there will be plenty of time for R&R after the business is done. We're talking about a Greek Step Show, after parties, other social gatherings and a public forum that will address important social issues. There will be something for everyone at the upcoming 78th Second District Conference. Not to mention all the amenities available at National Harbor.

Broadly the conference is about Omega Psi Phi, but it's also about the community served by the Fraternity locally and throughout the District. On that note, the conference will offer tremendous sponsorship opportunities to advertise and promote local and regional businesses. The opportunity is waiting for you if you own a business and want to expand your reach during the conference. Approximately 3,000 Omega men are expected to attend some or all of the conference. 

Interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities? Visit this site for more information about high-visibility advertising and promotion options. Here are some reasons from our brothers why you may want to consider advertising and sponsorship for what is being billed as the biggest Second District Conference ever. 

In the meantime, watch this space to keep abreast of what's coming up at the conference and also follow us at the Gamma Pi website for District Conference updates and alerts about social and public events. See you in April!

BROTHERS REGISTER HERE (login required)

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: WUSA-TV Channel 9 Highlights the Church and Work of Gamma Pi Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom in King Holiday Feature

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

Back in the day, the Black church was the center of comunity activism, civil rights struggles, economic relief, lifesaving health information, and it served as a place where congregants and others in the community could go for help and direction when there was a family crisis or an educational need. These days, serving all those roles may not be so prevalent when it comes to the Black church, but some churches still see addressing these needs as their mission. One of those churches is Greater Mount Nebo AME Church, located in Bowie and pastored by Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom of Gamma Pi Chapter.

Bro. Rev. Dr. Folsom and Greater Mount Nebo were the focus of a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday feature report on WUSA channel 9, broadcast on Monday, January 19. The church held a program honoring Dr. King's legacy. Bro. Folsom was among those interviewed.

The broadcast profiles the church and Bro. Rev. Dr. Folsom's work as pastor. In the spirit of Dr. King's work, Bro. Rev. Dr. Folsom and Greater Mount Nebo opened the door to Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH college preparatory program late last year when the government shutdown closed the federal facility that the prorgam was using for its monthly Saturday sessions. Project ENRICH has continued to meet at Greater Mount Nebo into the new year.

Bro. Rev. Dr. Folsom is a dynamic example of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.'s leadership in providing UPLIFT through aggressive Social Action in the church and the greater community.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE COMPLETE WUSA 9 REPORT 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Gamma Pi Brother Leads Upcoming Prostate Cancer Health Fair in Prince George's County

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

Gamma Pi's Bro. William Battle is among those African American men who are blessed not to have been given a prostate cancer diagnosis. According to government health data, 1 in 3 African American men will be diagosed with prostate cancer.

Bro. Battle (left) at a fundraiser

Yet, the fact that Bro. Battle has not experienced prostate cancer personally does not mean he does not identify with those who encounter the disease. A lifelong health professional and advocate, Bro. Battle has always held a special place in his heart for fellow African American men when it comes to educating them about prostate cancer -- what to look for, when to go see the doctor, what to ask and when and how to get screened. These and other aspects of prostate cancer will be the subject of an upcoming Prostate Cancer Health Fair coming to Prince George's County on Saturday, February 21.

Brother Battle's organization, Emmanual Health Education, is co-sponsoring along with other organizations and the countty, the local health fair at the Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on February 21. The event is free. You can register here: REGISTER.

"I believe education about prostate cancer sits in the driver's seat to eradicate this disease," he said. "Screening is our greatest defense against prostate cancer."

The event being held in Prince George's County is synonomous with the fact that Prince George's has some of the highest prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates in Maryland.

Bro. Battle is active on many fronts to educate Black men about prostate cancer. He sponsors bike rides, awareness events and seminars, fundraisers, in the Prince George's County community and in his home state of North Carolina. He often works with local chapters to organize events 

In September 2024, Bro. Battle and Gamma Pi co-hosted a very successful prostate cancer seminar for area Omega Psi Phi members at the chapter's meeting facility in Forestville. 

For information about this upcoming event, reach out to Bro. Battle at: emmanualhealthedu@gmail.com

WATCH BRO. BATTLE IN THIS 2019 TV INTERVIEW: Community UPLIFT

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Bro. Dr. Kyle Bacon of Gamma Pi Speaks on Educational Excellence in National Podcast

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

Bro. Dr. Kyle Bacon has blazed an impressive 20-year-plus career trail in education as a teacher, principal, program coordinator, National Board candidate and speaker/advocate, especially when it comes to increasing the number of males of color in the teaching profession.

Bro. Bacon, who teaches middle school mathematics at the Accokeek Academy in Prince George's County, was recently interviewed about his career and educational excellence issues for a podcast focused on the pursuit of excellence in education. 

The BONDcast is part of The BOND Project, an organized nonprofit endeavor -- it stands for Building Our Network of Diversity (BOND). The podcast is the formal "conversation space" of the BOND Project and its commitment through professional enrichment, mentoring, scholarship, and fellowship activities for educators across the country.

You can listen to Bro. Bacon's uplifting 30-minute interview, "The Pursuit of Excellence and Impact," on Season 5, Episode 10 of The BONDcast on any of these venues:

APPLE 

SPOTIFY

PODCAST ADDICT

Gamma Pi Educates The Local Community on Child Support Enforcement -- Separating Fact from Fiction

When it comes to child support enforcement, there is almost as much fiction as there is fact about how the system works. Gamma Pi Chapter tries to help sort it all out for the local community in the latest episode of its Community UPLIFT public affairs televison program. The program is celebrating 10 years and broadcasts every Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast (channel 76) and Verizon FiOS (channel 42) in Prince George's County, MD and surrounding areas. People outside the viewing area can watch the shows on the station's livestream.

Bro. Sen. Nick Charles (District 25) is the lead guest along with Prince George's Associate Circuit Court Judge Judge LaKeecia Allen, Magistrate Bruce Edwards, and local family law attorney Valeria Tomlin. The 30-minute program was taped at PGCTV (Prince George's Community TV) studios in Lanham, MD. Host Micheline Bowman led the discussion as well as a separate interview with Gamma Pi Basileus Bro. Terry Hare who updated the audience on Gamma Pi community initiatives.

 An on-demand version of the telecast is available on YouTube: Community UPLIFT.

First-Ever Project ENRICH "Homecoming" Turns Out the Crowd and Excitement for the Program

It was the first-ever event of its kind in the illustrious 40-year history of Project ENRICH (1985-2025). After decades of agenda-packed Saturday information sessions, college tours, hosting celebrity speakers, field trips, and special Black History Month programs, the one activity that Project ENRICH had never done is host a Homecoming. That all changed when the program run by Gamma Pi Chapter held a successful and well-attended Homecoming gathering on Saturday, January 3 at its new temporary home, Greater Mount Nebo AME Church in Bowie, where Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom is the pastor. It was a first of its type event for Project ENRICH, but certainly will not be the last given the reception.

Bro. Dr. Montgomery and former directors reminisce

Approximately 200 students, parents and alumni attended the Inaugural Homecoming. Also in attendance were former Project ENRICH directors Bros. Willie Hines and James Riley, as well as former staff. There were four solid rows of alumni who came to show support and reminisce on those Saturday mornings when they had to arise early to venture to Project ENRICH when it was held on-campus at nearby Bowie State University.

True to form, Project ENRICH, led by Bro. Dr. George Montgomery and team, turned the day into a learning experience. It was not just a social occasion. The program’s motto, "Excellence Without Excuses," was in full bloom and clearly reflected in the program agenda.

"This is an amazing day," said Bro. Dr. Montgomery, in welcoming the audience.

Project ENRICH alumni stand

Current students received some very useful tips about college from a special panel of recent alumni, including one who recently graduated from college. 

A networking session also allowed students to get personal time with alumni and former staff to plot their futures and get a leg up on preparing themselves to compete in today's complex and challenging world. 

Some of the topics addressed include effective study habits, adequate sleep and rest, class attendance, time management, obtaining scholarships and having a positive relationship with your professor.

Panelists were candid in sharing their experiences. They did not hold back in revealing some of their own missteps as they looked back at how they adjusted to college life. 

Local Maryland House Delegates Tiffany Austin (Dist. 24) and Nicole Williams (Dist. 22) were in attendance and took turns greeting and encouraging the students. Both mentioned scholarships that were available through their offices. Bro. Rev. Aaron Stewart, who was named Gamma Pi's Religious Leader of the Year, also spoke to the students with a message of UPLIFT.

Alumni panel shares advice

At the end of the four-hour series of activities everyone was treated to a catered meal. Like most Homecomings, it could easily have been a tailgate on a warmer day.

In its 40-year history, Project ENRICH has graduated 927 students with 100% of the students going on to attend college. Last year's senior class earned $5.4 million in college scholarships.

Below are some other photos from the event.