Gamma Pi Uses Que Kidz Daze to Demonstrate Motorcycle and Bike Safety

Bro. Norwood and Anointed Horsemen Motorcycle Ministry

On Saturday morning, July 21, the raindrops were falling hard in the metro area as a week of off-and-on storms were cooling down recent extreme heat. In the spirit of true Omega men, the Brothers of Gamma Pi chapter effortlessly turned to "Plan B" when a steady downpour put a damper on a live demonstration of motorcycle and bicycle safety rules using real motorcycles. The bikes would have been driven to the Kentland Community Center where the Que Kidz Daze meets.

"Plan B" was an indoor interactive safety lecture that turned out to be just as much fun to the more than 30 young boys and girls gathered for the July session of Que Kidz Daze. Only one motorcycle (instead of several) was brought to the premises due to the weather, but the kids still had big fun as they always do on Que Kidz Saturdays. Brother Orlando McDowell leads Que Kidz Daz which provides monthly enrichment activities for underprivileged youth in the Kentland area on Saturday mornings.

Youth tries on a motorcycle helmet

Brother Don Norwood, a motorcycle enthusiast and president of the Ebenezer AME Church's Anointed Horsemen Motorcycle Ministry (Fort Washington, MD.), led the presentation. "Show me a left hand turned, everybody...Now how do you signal a right-hand turn,?" Brother Norwood said during his talk, as the kids extended their arms all the way out to signal the left hand turn, but some of them missed the ":trick"of the right hand signal by extending their arms all the way to the right rather than the "L"-shaped signal with the left hand to indicate right turns.

Brother Green's souped-up Harley

The Brothers used motorcycle safety laws as a context to discuss bike safety laws with the youth. For example, other topics included what side of thee road to ride on, what age to be on the sidewalk instead of in traffic, how to properly wear protective gear like a helmet and padding, the ABC's of safety checklist and traffic laws.

Brother Clint Green, who is not a member of the Anointed Horsemen,  was the only one to brave the elements and maneuver his bike to the event (see photo). And just as soon as it appeared the rain had stopped, as the kids prepared to head outside to examine Brother Green's bike as part of the safety lecture, the downpour returned and the Que Kidz Daze contingent remained inside. Read more about Que Kidz Daze on Gamma Pi's web site. Below are some video clips from Saturday:

Gamma Pi and Friendship Charities Partner to Bring American Literature to Papua New Guinean Youth

Demonstrating the global reach of Omega’s commitment to uplifting mankind, Gamma Pi chapter and Friendship Charities Foundation recently partnered to provide Papua New Guinean youth access to American literature with a generous donation of books.

Brother U.S. Ambassador Teddy B. Taylor made the donation on behalf of both organizations to a Papua New Guinea group named the “Voice”.  The Voice is a local non-profit dedicated to mentoring disadvantaged Papua New Guinean youth and is headed by a dynamic young lawyer named Serena Sasingian who left a successful legal practice to begin a crusade to provide the youth of Papua New Guinea with a voice to make a difference in their society.

The Voice’s major program entitled “The Dream” uses a combination of academic, Christian teachings, social service projects and inspirational lectures to prepare young people to become productive, responsible citizens.  Brother Ambassador Taylor became involved with the Voice early in his tenure, routinely speaking to gatherings about the African American experience and sharing life lessons, which can be used in any culture.  The embassy additionally provided the Voice with a twenty thousand dollar grant to specifically establish a mentoring program to better equip high school girls to compete in this male dominated society. 

Originally a program to help better prepare university students for the rigors of citizenship, the Voice is quickly gaining national prominence and recognition for providing Papua New Guinean youth alternatives by which to live fulfilling lives. 

A black democratic nation, of incredible natural beauty and mineral resource wealth, most citizens’ knowledge of The Untied States, and in particular African -Americans is confined to international media coverage, or to the elder generations experience with African American troops stationed in Papua New Guinea during WWII.

Despite the limited coverage, all genres of black music are enjoyed and the hip-hop style of dress is popular.   The generous donation of books will continue to contribute to the positive image of the United States and provide the youth associated with the “Voice” a deeper understanding of the African American experience, which is similar in some ways to their experience as an Australian settlers colony. 

   

Final Appeals for Brothers to Support Ride for Domestic Violence this Weekend

This weekend, hundreds of motorcycle riders will "hit the road" in Prince George's County to bring awareness to a sometimes overlooked cause where so many women -- sometimes in the shadows of anonymity -- are themselves forced to "hit the road" mercilessly after they have been beaten. It is called domestic violence,and it is a huge national problem that plays itself out in the metro area every day.

To help the women in Prince George's County who find themselves in these situations, often needing shelter to "take cover," Gamma Pi is joining with other local organizations and the sponsoring Washington Redskins to help conduct and participate in the Fifth Annual Ride to Survive to Eliminate Domestic Violence. The event benefits the Family Crisis Center of Prince George's County.

Numerous Gamma Pi Brothers who are avid bikers are expected to join in the ride as a symbolic way to turn their hobby into a good cause for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc,.and for the women in the community who need such services.
"We are making a final appeal to the Brothers who can, to come out this Saturday and support this annual fundraiser event,"said Brother Charles Mays, who is Domestic Violence chair for Gamma Pi. "Volunteer support is needed to assist with setting up the tables and chairs for the registration areas and the feeding areas following the ride."

Volunteers for the setup should report at around 8:30 am. Registration will begin at 9:00 am and the ride is scheduled to start at around 11:00 am. Brothers who want to participate in just the ride portion are welcome and the ride starts at Fed Ex Field, gates E, #3 and #4. The ride is co-sponsored by Cruzerz Unlimited, American Legion Riders, Post 275 and the East Coast Busas motorcycle clubs. Registration is $25 per bike.

Brother Mays is encouraging the chapter  to come out and support this worthwhile cause to fund the activities of the Family Crisis Center as they provide support to the victims of domestic violence here in Prince George's County. Call him if questions at 240-899-0715.


Download Pledge and Registration Forms Here!

Second District Chaplain, Gamma Pi's Own Bro. Gerald Folsom, Among New AME Ordinations



Now he is the Rev. Dr. Folsom ...

 The weekend of April 26 was a huge one for Second District Chaplain Bro. Dr. Gerald Folsom, who is also the past Chaplain for Gamma Pi chapter. He was re-elected to his position as District Chaplain at the 64th Annual Second District Conference hosted by Gamma Pi at the Washington National Harbor. And during the 62nd Session of the Washington Annual AME Conference being held a few miles away, nine people were ordained as Itinerant Deacons in the AME Church. One of the nine was Bro. Folsom.

As an Itinerant Deacon in the AME Church, Bro. Dr. Folsom  carries the title of "Reverend" and is authorized to perform Baptisms, marriage ceremonies, burial rites and assist the Elder for the Communion Elements. The next step, after two more years in the AME Board of Examiners, would be the final ordination, as Itinerant Elder.

Bro Folsom was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. on November 20, 1982 at Beta Psi Chapter, Clark College (now Clark/Atlanta University) in Atlanta, Georgia. He serves on the ministerial staff of Community of Hope AME, under Rev Tony Lee, Senior Pastor in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland.

Bro. Dr. Folsom -- now officially Brother "Reverend Doctor" -- leads the"cradle of preachers" that are among the members of Gamma Pi chapter. Several Brothers, including current Chaplain Bro. Michael Turnbull, lead churches or regularly bring sermons at local churches.  Send Bro. Dr. Folsom an email shout out of congratulations!