Project ENRICH Program for Students Kicks Off Today: Chapter Promotes Scholarship

Every year about this time, the leaves turn from green to brown and begin falling from the trees to the ground below. The scorching hot days of summer give way to the chill of stiff, fall winds and "sweater weather." And you can always count on Gamma Pi chapter ringing in a secondary, albeit important, part of the Prince George's County school year with its Project ENRICH college preparatory program for 9th through 12th graders. The 2009-10 version of Project ENRICH kicked off this morning with the Opening Convocation held at the Center for Learning Technology at Bowie State University.

In a printed open letter to participants and their families, longtime coordinator Brother Roland Byrd set the tone for the occasion: "It is never too early to think about college, about the benefits of a college education, and about ways to put college within reach academically and financially. Throughout the high school years students make decisions that affect whether they will be eligible to enter college ... Today marks the beginning. Welcome!"

About 80 Prince George's County students have signed up to participate this school year. Project ENRICH is a four-year preparatory program (students must begin in grade 9 and complete the program through high school) originated and operated by Gamma Pi chapter for high school students that meets monthly on Saturdays at Bowie State. The students are required to attend sessions on such topics as time management, career planning, study skills and the college selection and application process from a variety of educators, many from within the chapter. Students also take a field trip to visit regional Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

One of the most anticipated parts of the Opening Convocation each year is when Gamma Pi members line up and take to the stage to individually address the gathered students and their families with their own stories of how they achieved through education. Through sharing their individual stories about education and career, Gamma Pi chapter members motivate the students to set lofty goals and chapter members serve as role models for them in their pursuits of productive lives. Take time to view other Project ENRICH postings on this blog.

Reaching Through Preaching: Brother Dr. Gerald Folsom Starts New Phase in Ministry Trek

Many times we will leave a spirited church service and utter the words, "Man, that brother can preach!" When the Brothers from Gamma Pi chapter say those words, we mean it quite literally, especially when it comes to our esteemed Chaplain Brother Dr. Gerald Folsom. On September 30, Brother Dr. Folsom fed a "heaping helping" of spiritual food to a huge contingent of Gamma Pi Brothers, family, other friends and members of the Community of Hope AME Church (pastored by Rev. Tony Lee) in Temple Hills, Md. who came out to offer support during the delivery of his much-anticipated Trial Sermon titled, "He Looked Beyond My Faults." In keeping with today's culture, Brother Dr. Folsom gave his sermon an alternate "remix" title of "It's Still the Dog in Me." (John 5:1-9).

Judging by the rousing reaction of Brothers, who are still talking about the experience, the sermon was an event in itself for Gamma Pi as much as it was for Brother Dr. Folsom's pursuit of the ministry in the AME Church. Gamma Pi members can already envision the AME church getting a sharp, spirited, committed young minister in the coming years after Bro. Dr. Folsom completes the long and winding road of preparation. The Trial Sermon is the latest milestone in that quest for Brother Dr. Folsom. Another milestones occurred today, October 21, as Brother Dr. Folsom preached at chapel at the Howard University School of Divinity.

As Gamma Pi Chaplain, Bro. Dr. Folsom has elevated the visibility of the job. He provides a Daily Inspirations to all chapter members via email and he recently began writing a religious column called "Chaplain's Corner," for the Gamma Pi Gazette newsletter. Brother Dr. Folsom also leads a session called "Ques for Christ" prior to every monthly chapter meeting and he is also working to re-institute periodic chapter group worship services at area churches. Brothers of Gamma Pi always anticipate Bro. Dr. Folsom's powerful and moving prayers before and after chapter meetings and events. In many respects, Bro. Dr. Folsom's prayers remind Brothers of the popular slogan of the old investment firm, E.F. Hutton -- "when he talks, people listen..."

If you missed Brother Dr. Folsom's sermon in person, don't fret. And if you heard it and would love to be stirred by it again, still don't fret. You can click on this link and download the mp3 file to hear the sermon on your computer or iPOD. After you've heard Brother Dr. Folsom's powerful and convincing message, you may want to pass the plate! Congratulations to Brother Dr. Folsom - a "testament" to Gamma Pi chapter's versatility!

Gamma Pi Preparing to Welcome ABC 7 News Anchor Leon Harris for Achievement Week 2009

by Bro. Patrick Johnson

Please join “The Super Chapter” for its 36th Achievement Week Program on Saturday, November 14, 2009. The program will be held at the Drew-Freeman Middle School (2600 Brooks Drive) in Suitland, MD at 1:00 pm. The theme for this occasion is “Unity through Friendship, Brotherhood and Fraternity.” This program recognizes the achievements of citizens, educators, religious leaders, students, and our fraternity brothers within our community. This year’s speaker will be award-winning newscaster, Leon Harris, ABC 7/WJLA-TV.

Also, members of the Fraternity are encouraged to join Gamma Pi at the Achievement Week Brothers-only dinner, held on Wednesday, November 11th at the Andrews Air Force Base Clubhouse.

Originally designed to promote the study of Negro life and history, today Achievement Week is used to seek out and give due recognition to those individuals at the local and national level who have made a noteworthy contribution toward improving the quality of life for Black Americans.

In One Weekend, Gamma Pi "Turbocharges" the Meaning of Omega Achievement

Many people who come in contact with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. socially may not get to experience the real meaning and depth of the Fraternity in terms of its purpose and mission. Founded on the Four Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift, Omega Psi Phi is a unique Brotherhood of like-minded men whose lives are grounded in achievement and contribution to community. Gamma Pi chapter put all of these traits on full display in just 72 hours over the weekend of September 18 as it first honored and later witnessed the swearing-in of a U.S. Ambassador from among its ranks, and also welcomed a surprise visitor to the chapter in the person of the first-ever African American chief of NASA who is also an astronaut and a member of the Fraternity.

The Super Chapter's Super Weekend began on Saturday, September 19, at the monthly meeting, the first since the summer break. During the meeting, Brother Teddy B. Taylor, the Immediate Past Basileus of Gamma Pi, was honored with citations and resolutions from local, state and federal legislators in tribute to his recent confirmation as the next U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Among those honoring him were State Senator Brother Ulysses Currie.

Brother Taylor is a career Foreign Service officer. And today, over 20 Brothers of Omega Psi Phi (most from Gamma Pi) showed up at the U.S. State Department for his swearing-in ceremony. Some photos from that event are posted here from Chapter Keeper of Records and Seal Brother Joe Felder. A previous recent post on Gamma Pi LIVE contains additional details about Brother Taylor's prestigious new assignment. He and his wife depart in October.

Also on Saturday, Retired Major General Brother Charles F. Bolden, Jr., the new Administrator of NASA, attended the Gamma Pi chapter meeting to meet and greet members. He was the guest of chapter Brother Clint Green, who is employed by NASA. Brother Major General Bolden gave brief remarks and expressed sentiments that this would not be his only visit to Gamma Pi. Many Brothers were startled when he stood up along with a handful of other visiting Brothers and simply gave his name and home chapter information. He later received a special introduction. Brother Major General Bolden is not only the first African American to lead NASA, but only the second astronaut to head NASA in its more than 50-year history.

Photos of Brother Major General Bolden's visit are provided in this post from Brother Rodney Beverly and others. Enjoy the photos as well as a video excerpt of Brother Taylor's farewell remarks to the chapter on Saturday during the series of presentations.