You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Pout ... Santa QUE is Coming to Town

By Brother Dwayne "Pete" Ford



It was early in the morning of December 20,2011, 9 a.m., when they heard Omega Calling. A total of 20 Brothers (what a coincidence!), thoroughly immersed with true Omega Spirit, descended upon Kentland Community Center in Landover under the Leadership of Brother Orlando McDowell to do what all good Omega Men do and joyously participate in yet another of Gamma Pi Chapter’s many community service projects. Today it was Que Kidz Daze, a relatively new youth-oriented program, of Gamma Pi.

No stockings were being hung. No chimney for Santa. Just the joyous spirit of giving, love and support for the 27 children as the chapter helepd them get ready for Christmas.

Activities included breakfast, a Kwanza Celebration, lunch, Secret Santa and "stepping" which kept them all busy up until 1 p.m. Smiles filled the room, as the Brothers served and the Children ate and told the Brothers about their Christmas wishes, grades and their fantastic dreams for their future.

Brothers Darrell Dreher and Marcus Whitfield set up the Kwanza Celebration Display, while Brother Whitfield made the presentation. In short, the Kwanza is considered a 7 day celebration, which begins the day after Christmas. as a cultural holiday, it is meant to celebrate and embrace the Collective Work, Unity and Collective Economics in the Black Community. Three different colored candles -- red (represents blood shed for prosperity), black (represents Black people) and green (represents fertile land & prosperity) -- are to be lit over seven days. All candles will be placed in the Kanuri before being lit. With each day representing a common goal of the community, like Unity, Purpose etc. etc... Optional Kwanza display items included a Fertility Doll that represents prosperity and growth of the community and a Drum, which was the fastest and first means of long distance communication between African people.

The food was good and abundant. As a surprise, the Brothers provided the children with presents and played “Secret Santa”. Brother Roderick Lawrence (Rod #6 Genesis 10) displayed his Omega Talent by controlling 27 children while they negotiated (or "fought" maybe?) over all the great gifts. Other than not having enough footballs, all went extremely well.

In true Omega tradition, we started off strong with food and closed out strong by teaching the QKidz how to "step". Our MVP for the day, Bro. Marcus Whitfield and Bro. Anthony Kelly did the honors of being their "instructors." 

Laughter, joy and love were shared by all, if only for a few hours. Who said that STARS don’t come out during the day time? The support of all the Omega Men (List Below) was commendable. I’m sure Coleman, Cooper, Love and Just was smiling. Twinkle, Twinkle Bruhs!

Attending Omega Men: Rev. Rodney Barnes, Anthony Kelly, Thomas Boone, Roderick Lawrence, Kevin Buster Briscoe, Orlando McDowell, Bleu Colquitt, Kelvin Medlock, Darrell Dreher, Albert Slack, Joe Felder, Lucius Toney, Kevin Ford, Rob Waller,Steven Walls, Otis Fowler, Marcus Whitfield, Willie Hines Jr. and Reggie Marshall.

Thanks to Brother Kevin "Buster" Briscoe for the photos

Gamma Pi Joins Lambda Gamma Gamma for Suitland Community Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

by Brother Tony Kelly

On the dawn of Omega's greatest feat, celebrating 100 years of service to community and Brotherhood, the Grand Basileus addressed the assembled Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Inc. during the Rededication Ceremony at Howard University on November 17, 2011, beseeching us to never forget, "We must not drop the baton as we go forward into the next 100 years.



Bro. Bleu Colquitt (r) leads the way 

 Accepting our marching orders, on Day Five of the next 100 years, you could find the Brothers of Gamma Pi chapter along with other local Omega men serving the local community, in this case passing out 17-pound Thanksgiving turkeys with all the fixings to the seniors of Windsor Crossing apartments in Suitland, Md. on Tuesday, November 22. Participating in the 9th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway with the hard working men of Omega were the Prince George's chapter of the Boys Scouts, as well as the Walker Mill High School girls basketball team. The energy was high and recipients very appreciative as they opened their doors in anticipation of receiving what one said, "was a blessing."

One occupant walking from her apartment could be heard stating, "I love the men of Omega Psi Phi, they are such a blessing." Afterwards, the gathered Men of Omega and the participating volunteers gathered in the vestibule for pictures and fellowship. We got the next 100 years off to a great start. I was thankful and honored to be a part of it. This is what it is all about, we shall return...

Brother Bleu Colquitt (in photo above) and Brother Melvin White coordinated this event. About 110 turkeys were distributed.  Here are some great photos from the event taken by Brother John Robinson:

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.