Gamma Pi LIVE: 78th Second District Conference of Omega Psi Phi: They Said It Would Be A Big Deal, But It Was Bigger Than That!

Monday, May 11, 2026

78th Second District Conference of Omega Psi Phi: They Said It Would Be A Big Deal, But It Was Bigger Than That!

Photo by David Sierra

You know how it goes, you get ready to host an event and you tell everyone, "this is going to be big!" Nine times out of 10, it ends up being just OK and not living up to the hype. But in the case of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 78th Second District Conference held at the National Harbor Maryland, April 30-May 3, it was everything that was expected and more. It clearly was and will go down in Omega history as the GDOAT - the Greatest District Meeting Of All Time!

There was a record number of Fraternity members in attendance (more than 1,100 registrations, the limit), celebrity speakers, high-profile social action activities conducted throughout the local community during the conference, and lots of first-class entertainment and social options. In what amounted to three full days, the Brothers from The Mighty Second District packed a ton of business activities and community and social events into a short time frame that practically amounted to an extended weekend.

Bros. Laurence Hawkins and Terrance Hare
of Gamma Pi get award from
39th District Rep. Bro. Amir Shareef

For Omega, the annual District Conference also represents the election of officers and the formal transition of leadership for the new year, Bro. Amir Shareef presided over the conference as the outgoing, two-term District Representative for the five-state region. Bro. Leon Smith II of Omicron Chi chapter in Plainfield, NJ, moved into the role as the new and 40th District Representative after serving as First Vice District Representative.

For the Brothers of Gamma Pi and Iota Mu Mu chapters, it was the culmination of eight solid months of planning. Bro. Richard Allison II of Gamma Pi served as District Marshal overseeing the planning and organization.

For Gamma Pi, the district conference had an especially exciting ending as The Super Chapter was named Large Graduate Chapter of the Year for 2024-25 by the Second District Achievement Week Committee. Gamma Pi was selected for the award based on the contents of its comprehensive scrapbook detailing all of its social action and community service activities during that particular year.

The Brothers of Gamma Pi humbly accepted the prestigious award and are moving forward with pride to represent all of the hardworking Brothers of the Mighty Second District in the competition for International Graduate Chapter of the Year. That award will be given at the upcoming 85th Grand Conclave in Cincinnati in July-August. The Second District snakes through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

Brothers listen in during a session

The highlight of the National Harbor conference was the Public Forum. The star-studded event was attended by a packed, no-seats-available audience numbering above 1,000 persons -- many from the public -- and featured Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Representative James Clyburn and famed trial attorney Benjamin Crump, who discussed the political climate and civic responsibility in the wake of the upcoming mid-term elections in November. Maryland head football coach Michael Locksley introduced the governor. Clyburn, Crump and Locksley are members of the fraternity.

During the conference, groups of Omega men peeled off from the official meeting to complete a variety of community service projects in Prince George's County: a gun buyback with Prince George's County Police, an expungement fair, donation of wheelchairs to a seniors residential complex, a STEM program for county high school students, held on-site blood drive and PSA screening events and orchestrated the the always-anticipated districtwide Omega Talent Hunt, which was won by a contestant from Theta Xi Nu Chapter in Fort Washington, MD. Brothers also visited local women's and men's shelters in Prince George's County on Wednesday, April 29, a day before the conference officially began. The gun buyback was covered by WUSA Channel 9 and CTV News and included an on-camera interviews with Bros. Tiresias McCall and Rick Allison.

Bro. Leon Smith II
40th District Rep.

In addition to the prestigious Large Graduate Chapter of the Year Award, Gamma Pi was also honored with several other citations for its social action work in the community during the past year.

On the social side, a Marchdown and three separate late-night parties -- including one featuring DCVYBE Band live -- all were sold out. Pi Chapter of Morgan State won the Marchdown and will represent the Second District at the Conclave in Cincinnati. The Undergrad Party. The Friday Night Groove. The Black Party all sold out. There was no more room in the house.

And, the usually quiet ecumenical service, normally held on Sunday morning, was a big hit in the Saturday morning time slot and featured the strong voices of the Gamma Pi Chorale (watch video).

Clearly the 78th District Conference weekend was a very successful weekend with record-setting attendance but also with a mix of activities for every individual taste and preference for Brothers along with their family and friends and the local community.

"I’m thrilled that Gamma Pi was awarded the Second District 2024-25 Large Graduate Chapter of the Year," said Basileus Bro. Terrance Hare. "These accolades and the great execution of the conference are a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Gamma Pi brothers. It’s truly inspiring to see what we can accomplish together!"

GAMMA PI and the SECOND DISTRICT ON LOCAL TV