Gamma Pi Preparing to Pitch in at Upcoming Area Thanksgiving Food Drive - Local Chapters Challenged to Join In

Bro. Rushern Baker

Omega Psi Phi celebrates 100 years officially on November 17, the Fraternity's true "birthday." Earlier this summer, chapters from all across the globe flocked to Washington, D.C. for the official Centennial Celebration to mark the historic 100th. One of the challenges issued to Omega men worldwide in observance of the Centennial year is to remain steadfast in service to the community -- Uplift.

Brothers from the Metro Washington.D.C region are being called into action to put Uplift on display this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual WHUR "FOOD2FEED" Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Gamma Pi chapter, in Prince George's County, is looking to lead the way by inviting its members as well as members of area chapters to join at the event on Thursday, November 17, at the Old Post Office Pavilion  on Constitution Avenue, from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. WHUR personality Renee Nash will be on hand and on-air during the 12-hour event and is preparing to give the Fraternity a special "shout out"during the day for bringing "Que Manpower" to the event.

"This event is a major factor in ensuring that our less fortunate citizens are able to enjoy a holiday meal during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season," said Bro. Terry Rogers, Social Action Co-Chair for the chapter, which was chartered in the county in 1973. Bro. Rogers and Co-Chair Bro. Keith Keemer are already recruiting Gamma Pi members to get involved.

"We take it for granted that we are going to sit down at the table with our families this holiday season and enjoy our favorite foods. For many families, that would be a luxury or even a miracle," Brother Rogers added.

The event will serve as a symbolic way for Omega men to observe the 100th by engaging in a real-life service project honoring the Four Cardinal Principles just prior to participate in the evening Rededication program to be held at Howard University, where Omega Psi Phi was founded.

Members of Gamma Pi or other chapters who are interested in participating should contact Brother Terry Rogers via e-mail.  Want to get a feel for what working with FOOD2FEED is like? Catch these video highlights from the 2010 project.

Saturday Session Kicks Off Project ENRICH Program for Local High School Students

Not every teenager in Prince George's County was sleeping in on Saturday morning, October 8. At least 70 of them were "hanging out" with the Ques at Bowie State University's Thurgood Marshall Library, talking about how to select a college, how to access information on scholarships and financial aid, how to choose a career, how to save, invest and budget money and even how to become respectable men and women growing into adulthood. All of these and more elements were the keys to starting the engine that is Project ENRICH 2011-2012. Yesterday was the first official session for the current school year for Gamma Pi's flagship Scholarship initiative.

The surroundings were familiar, but the program is changing. With an eye toward going year-round, Project ENRICH has new leadership: Brother Willie Hines, an engineer from Southern University in Louisiana, is in his first year as director. Some new approaches are being tested to expand the offerings and better equip students with the tools they will need to get in, stay in and succeed in and after college. For example, the program this year will look to connect participating students with various summer enrichment opportunities in the area.  Project ENRICH is an ambitious program that the chapter would like to grow locally and beyond. The only cost to students is a $25 registation fee.

The registration door is rapidly closing and there may be a brief window of opportunity over the next few days for students who would like to join this year's program.  Learn more about Project ENRICH at: http://www.projectenrich.org/.  Below is a video montage from Saturday's session at Bowie State.

 

Now with School Underway, Project ENRICH Swings into Action

On August 22, the school year kicked off in Prince George's County. But just a day into the new school year, a large earthquake rocked the metro area and shut down county schools for several days to assess damage. No sooner than students returned to school, a major hurricane whipped up in the Caribbean and lashed the mid-Atlantic region, again closing schools. Now that school is finally underway after the disasters, students from around the county are signing up for Gamma Pi's revamped Project ENRICH college prep program.

Parents, Students at 2020-11 Convocation

The program will hold an Opening Convocation on Saturday, September 24, at the Center for Learning and Technology (Room 102) at Bowie State University. With the exception of a $25 application fee, Project ENRICH is free and open to all Prince George's County students. Students begin the program in ninth grade and complete it upon high school graduation. Once a month throughout the school year, students participate in a series of workshops, lectures and exercises on time management, study skills, writing and critical thinking and the college application process.

This is more than just a new year for Project ENRICH. Brother Willie Hines is the new director and the program has a new Web site (http://www.projectenrich.org/) that now allows students to register online. Project ENRICH has also moved into social media on Facebook (search 'Project ENRICH') and Twitter (www.twitter.com/projectenrich). New director Bro. Hines, along with Bro. Brett Blake, who works with Project ENRICH and also the chapter's Public Relations team, recently completed an on-camera interview about this year's Project ENRICH program for Gamma Pi TV. You can view that interview below and also on the Project ENRICH Web site.

The first official monthly session is Saturday, October 8, at Bowie State's Thurgood Marshall Library. Some changes are planned for the curriculum this coming year.

Word about Project ENRICH is spreading fast to county school administrators and faculty as well as students and parents. Persons interested in the program can sign up on the Web site or contact program officials through the new online home for more information.

If you know a student who would benefit from Project ENRICH, select any of the social media icons or the e-mail share function at the end of this post to send it to your own Facebook or Twitter accounts,or to e-mail around to family, friends or fellow educators.

Gamma Pi and Omega Psi Phi Prepare for Centennial 5K Event for Prostate Cancer

Bro. Reggie Thomas

African American men are profoundly affected by prostate cancer. When it comes to prostate cancer, African American men have the world's highest incidence and mortality rates. These are our Omega Brothers, our fathers, grandfathers, our blood brothers, nephews and co-workers. These are men in our church and the men active throughout our communities. Omega men understand this plight real well and that is why Omega Brothers across the country are gearing up now for the Centennial 5K Run/Walk to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer as part of the upcoming Centennial Celebration of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in Washington, D.C.

Brother Reginald Thomas, of Gamma Pi chapter, is among the lead planners for this historic event set against the backdrop of an historic celebration for Omega Psi Phi. It is a first for any Conclave and a symbol of Omega Psi Phi's commitment to Uplift in the community in the form of health awareness and education.
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Brother Thomas, who pledged Xi Psi chapter at South Carolina State University, took some time recently to give a Q&A interview on the upcoming July 30 event to try and interest Brothers to put it on their calendars now for the Centennial week or commit to pledging financial support through sponsoring a participant or making a donation. Below is the interview with Brother Thomas.

 Q.  What is the Centennial 5K Run/Walk and when, and where will it be held?
A.  The Centennial 5K (3.1 miles) Run/Walk is a family focused event for all Brothers and their families coming to the 100th Centennial Anniversary of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. It will be held on the beautiful and historic campus of Howard University, the birthday place of Omega, Saturday, July 30, 2011, 8:00 a.m.  Pre-race activities start at 7:30 a.m.

Q.  How did this get linked to the Centennial?  What is the significance?
A.  Myself and group of other Brothers from various chapters across the nation realized that we wanted to do something more than just throw a great party at our national conventions. We also realize that we as men need to become more health focused.  So we did our first major 5K Run/Walk event in Little Rock Arkansas following the 2006 Grand Conclave in honor of the Little Rock Nine 50th Anniversary in 2007 and it was a great success (see Little Rock Photo gallery).  We believe as we honor our proud past that we must put something in place for the next 100 years and want this event to set the stage for future health related Conclave events that the entire community can participate in regardless of what city we're conduct our conventions.

Q.  Why should we as Omega Men care about this event?
A.  Our health is one of the most important gifts from God and it is our duty to take care of our bodies and lead our families by example.  Additionally, Omega Men have always been at the forefront of Social Action issues affecting our community and the greater community at large.  Prostate Cancer affect African American men 70% more than any other ethnic group in America and we must and can bring greater awareness for our brothers to get check early.

Q.  How does an Omega Man participate--what role can we play individually in making this a success for the Conclave?
A.  We need Omega Men to start training now with daily walks or runs so that they can be confident that they can actually do it.  Also we desperately need brothers to register to participate in this event online at www.active.com, keyword "Centennial".  We will also have hard copy registration forms available as well.  You can register as a "chapter", "a line", "district", it doesn't matter, just register.  Individual and collective participation by registration will make this a success.  We also need  brothers to assist as volunteers to man water points and help with race set-up, music, photographer, etc.  There is a definite need for assistance.  We currently have more women registering for this event than Brothers by leaps and bounds.

Q.  Is there a fund raising goal for this event?
A.  Our goal is to raise $10,000.00 for the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN).  In fact, all checks will be made and paid directly to PHEN for transparency.  Brothers and chapters can help us reach this goal by making pledges and supporting this event through sponsorships. 

Q.  Where can Brothers learn more about this upcoming event?
A.  Brothers can go to www.active.com, use keyword search "Centennial" and all the information will pop up.  We also have a Facebook Account and you can call the Co-Chairs, myself, Reggie Thomas, (301) 326-3658 cell, or Steve Coles (202) 387-8857.   We only have a limited number of  "Under Armor" quality T-shirts made for this event and when they're gone, that's it.  So Brothers please, please, register.

Click here for more information on Prostate Cancer from the National Cancer Institute. There's more cancer information for African Americans at this link as well.

Brothers at the recent Washington, D.C. Run/Walk for breast cancer