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."

Gamma Pi Chapter Preparing to Host Omega Psi Phi District Conference at National Harbor in Maryland

The captivating National Harbor at night

Click to enlarge and save

The Brothers at Gamma Pi Chapter in Prince George's County Maryland, known as the Super Chapter, are already huddling up in a series of meetings and strategy sessions planning for the biggest intersection of business and pleasure in the DMV when the 78th Second District Conference of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. meets at the National Harbor in Maryland, April 30-May 3, 2026.

The annual district conference will draw in Omega men from the five-state region of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland -- along with family and friends --- who will descend upon the East Coast's hottest entertainment venue for the four-day event. This is Gamma Pi's second time hosting the District Conference at the glitzy National Harbor. The first time was in 2012.

More than 2,000 Omega men - some with families and friends in tow - are expected at National Harbor for the conference on the banks of the fabled Potomac River.

While the days will be packed with meetings, seminars, social action projects in the community and other official Omega business including the Annual Talent Hunt program, the evenings are going to be filled with enough on-site and nearby entertainment and tourist activities to pack the calendar with more exciting options in an extended weekend than you could schedule in an entire month. The Super Chapter has already begun staking out the landscape to guarantee that everyone who attends experiences an exciting and memorable Omega long weekend. Iota Mu Mu Chapter of Annapolis is working with Gamma Pi on the planning and logistics.

Activities being planned in conjunction with the conference are backdropped by an existing array of built-in attractions located right on the banks of National Harbor including the MGM Grand National Harbor Casino, a major concert theater, more than 100 restaurants and shops, and mega outlet shopping.

In addition to fun and entertainment available right on-site at the National Harbor, just a few miles away by water taxi, boat, subway and Uber, is the Nation's Capital, the District of Columbia, where there are even more entertainment and attractions including professional sports and night life. The conference will take place during one of the most favorable times of the year in terms of the DMV weather.

Watch this space and follow our social media for more information in the coming weeks, including registration information for Omega men, as well as details about lodging and other activities. Because of the popularity of this venue, reserved space is expected to go fast. The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center will serve as the anchor for the conference.

SAVE THE DATE!! And share this information around to your networks about a collection of days that promises to be one of the most exciting and productive Second District conferences ever. Plan now for APRIL 2026!

At Second District Conference, Gamma Pi's Community Work and Effectiveness Is Lauded and Highlighted

Basileus Bro. Tony Lee (2nd left) and other chapter members at Founders' Banquet

DOVER, Del.-- Hundreds of hours of volunteer time spent planning and executing programs for youth, families and seniors in Prince George's County just about every weekend in the 2017-18 Fraternity Year translated into several awards for The Super Chapter at the 71st Second District Conference here the weekend of April 25-28.

Bro. Don Norwood with Omega Man of the Year award

Gamma Pi Winners 
Recognition for Gamma Pi at the 2019 conference was highlighted by Vice Basileus Bro. Don Norwood's selection as the Omega Man of the Year for the Second District. It is the first time that a member of the chapter has been named the winner of the prestigious award district-wide.

Immediate Past Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Bro. Kenneth Rodgers, who is also the 32nd and former three-time Second District Representative and former Gamma Pi three-time Basileus, was named Founders' Award winner for the district.

Gamma Pi's Citizen  of the Year winner, new Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, was named Second District Citizen of the Year. And, Gamma Pi was one of three chapters that placed in the Social Action Chapter of the Year competition, winning 2nd place.

Bro. Kenneth Rodgers  with District Founders' Award

If being recognized by your peers is the highest form of achievement, then the Brothers of Gamma Pi have every right to feel good about their efforts as fellow Omega men in the 5-state Second District bestowed three individual awards and one group award on the chapter at the conference.

For Gamma Pi, it was a time to reflect on all the chapter's hard work and sacrifice, noted by hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours working with children, youth, families and seniors to improve the lives of the Prince George's County community. It was also a time to demonstrate humility in the context of what Omega stands for, grateful for being recognized by other Omega men who are also doing great work in the Second District.

The District Conference: Getting Down to Business
The awards were announced Saturday, April 27, at the Founders' Banquet gala held at the Dover Downs Casino and Hotel. For those unfamiliar with how the Fraternity does its business, Omega Psi Phi is about far more than "hops," social events and the chants that many people mistake as the only activities of the 107-year-old Fraternity.

Not only do individual chapters conduct monthly business meetings, but once a year, the Brothers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania gather to host a four-day business conference to elect officers, set priorities and plan service events and other operational activities. It's also done this way in other districts.

 As part of the District Conference occasion, chapters and individuals who do outstanding work are cited. So are members of the greater community that Omega Psi Phi serves as part of its Social Action agenda, which accounts for the selection of Gamma Pi's Citizen of the Year awardee.


Gamma Pi is very active in the Second District, led by Bro. Adrian Wilcox, who this weekend was elected as the Second District Keeper of Finance. It is one of the most significant leadership roles in all of District operations. Bro. Wilcox is a professional insurance broker with his own agency.

Other Gamma Pi members who serve in appointed positions for the district are Bro. Gordon Everett, Sr. (committee chair); Bro. Teddy Taylor; Bro. Lawrence Dukes, Bro. Norwood and Bro. James Alexander.

Bro. J. Kendall Smalls with Gamma Pi awardees and stand-ins

The Super Chapter Behind the Scenes 
In addition to the awards, Gamma Pi played a behind-the-scenes role in the proceedings. Brother Brian "BK" Long, the Immediate Past three-term Basileus and now Chief of Staff for the Second District, orchestrated many of the logistics and kept 33rd Second District Representative Bro. J. Kendall Smalls and other District and Fraternity leaders updated and connected, including a major visit and address to the conference by the Fraternity's Grand Basileus, Bro, Dr. David T. Marion. Also, Gamma Pi was asked to develop a video slide show to showcase all the scrapbook submissions which was played during the gala.

Young Bros on the move with Gamma Pi

Led by Basileus Bro. Tony Lee, about 30 chapter members traveled here for the weekend meetings. As always when Omega men get together, time to fellowship and socialize was mixed in with the official business. It's the Omega way. For example, Omega men who were initiated at colleges and universities within the Second District often find the district conference a time to re-connect with their fellow chapter Brothers scattered in the region. But the business clearly came first.

Individual chapters of the Fraternity give out their local version of these awards every year during the Achievement Week period, which is the official observance of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Founders' Day, November 17, 1911. For district-level awards, each chapter's local winners are judged to determine who is the overall district winner for these categories.

This year's 71st Second District Conference was hosted by Psi Iota chapter in Dover. It was a smooth-operating, well-organized conference that many Brothers complimented. Next year, the 72nd Second District Conference will be hosted by the Iota Phi Chapter of Pittsburgh during the weekend of April 30-May 3, 2020. Travel plans are already underway for next year.

DOWNLOAD OUR PDF CONFERENCE EDITION "NEWS AND NOTES"

Below: Video Clip of Omega Man of the Year Award

Preparing for a session

Brothers pose with West Point Ques

Discussing the Proceedings

Bro. Basileus displays Social Action and Citizen of the Year awards

Gamma Pi's First Basileus Bro. Tim McIntosh

                                              Candid Shots from the Weekend Activities

Mission Completed at the 63rd District Conference; Omega Centennial Up Ahead

Dinner at the 2D Conference

A week ago, a caravan of Brothers made their way to Cherry Hill, N.J.for the 63rd annual Second District Conference. It was a special time of pride for the chapter as one of its own, Brother Kenneth Rodgers, led his first District Conference as the 32nd Second District Representative.  Second District Chaplain Brother Dr. Gerald Folsom, also of Gamma Pi, led a worship service at the conference.

Gamma Pi represents ...

About 25 Brothers made the trip up the busy corridor known as I-95. Now, having taken care of District business and having polished off a slew of community service projects including Fraternity mandated programs, Gamma Pi is ready to roll into the upcoming historic Centennial celebration for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. in Washington, D.C.

Bros. Keemer and Mays at Xmas in April 

So far in 2011, the Super Chapter has:

• cooked and served food to  more than 100 occupants of two nearby shelters
• conducted 4 weekend sessions of Project ENRICH, its program for college-aspiring high school students
• helped rehabilitate a local home in disrepair as part of Christmas in April
• helped educate local underprivileged children on nutrition and exercise through Que Kidz Dayz 
• worked the local March of Dimes walk-a-thon
• sponsored a communitywide talent hunt program
• raised thousands of dollars for college scholarships with a sold-out Mardi Gras attended by Grand Basileus Bro. Dr. Andrew Ray
• sponsored a meeting of Maryland State legislators and area members of the Fraternity to discuss legislative priorities of importance to the local African American community
• reclaimed 84 Brothers back to the Omega Psi Phi fold, taking chapter membership beyond 200

Brothers Dr. Harrison Foy and Thaddeus Turner provided these photos from the District Conference and Brother David Sierra snapped Christmas in April photos.  An additional photo of a Line from Iota Gamma chapter, "The Mother Pearl of New Jersey," was provided by Brother Akima Rogers. Many more are forthcoming and will also make their way to the Gamma Pi website.



Bro. "DR" Rodgers (2nd, right)





Bros. Greg Gaines and Terry Rogers (2nd, 3rd left) with Line Bros.