Project ENRICH Opens New Academic Year With a Renewed Vision

There is a timing play in football called the "delay," where the ball is given to the running back after just a couple seconds of "delay" in order to throw off the defense. What results when the play works correctly is a big unexpected gain due to that few seconds of delay which is just enough to buy more time for the offense to throw an extra "block," and for the defense to miscalculate based on the surprise delay. Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH unfolded very much like that football play when it opened to a slightly delayed schedule for the year on Saturday, October 26. It may be a little late on the hand-off, but the gain could be big.

Students give introductions during Saturday's program 

Despite being delayed a few weeks by unexpected administrative developments beyond its control, the program is looking to make bigger strides even in this slightly shortened year, hoping to use the brief period of delay to enhance its offerings for the 2013-14 academic year. Some great things are in the plans for this year, according to Director Willie Hines, including a special presentation on financial aid that will be given to parents and students by the experts at the U.S. Department of Education in December and an appearance in January by junior Foreign Service officers who will share information about preparing for careers in the diplomatic corps.

Brother Willie Hines (l), Project ENRICH Director, with students

About 100 parents and  students joined Gamma Pi Brothers at Gaywood Elementary School in Seabrook for the Opening Program. . Project ENRICH used the opportunity to welcome a number of new freshmen and remind the seniors who have been a part of Project ENRICH since ninth grade that their future is just on the horizon.

Much of the Opening program was interactive as the focus was on the students, who took to the stage by class and introduced themselves to the audience. Part of that exercise Saturday went to the heart of what Project ENRICH does -- it helps students gain confidence in themselves and learn to communicate more forthrightly by "speaking up" and thinking on their feet.  Human resources experts have identified communication skills as among the most critical for success in the workplace. Parents were also introduced to Project ENRICH instructors for 2013-14: brothers Lucien Cox (freshmen), Reginald Thomas(sophomores), Marc Ellington (juniors) and Don Norwood (seniors).

Basileus Gordon Everett (r) and Brother Thad White (l) in audience

While the opening program was held at Gaywood, Project ENRICH is planning to return to its traditional environment, Bowie State University, in December for the Department of Education seminar. A field trip to Microsoft corporate headquarters is planned for November.

Gaywood's principal, Brother Damien Goins, has been named Educator of the Year for Gamma Pi and will be honored at the chapter's Achievement Week program on November 23.

The portion of the program featuring the students was broadcast live on Gamma Pi's Ustream channel and is available for viewing. Below is a clip from Brother Hines after Saturday's Opening Program. Additional photos can be found by visiting the Project ENRICH Facebook page.

Chapter Brother Organizes First Conference for Unique "2-Wheelers" Ministries

Brother  Don Norwood (center, wearing vest)) and Anointed Horsemen

When you draw attention from The Washington Post, you've truly done something of note. Gamma Pi's Brother Don Norwood (Spring 2011) was the subject of a lengthy feature in the legendary newspaper recently after organizing a successful conference of bikers for God. What kind of bikers are we talking about? Bikers as in the motorized kind -- motorcyclists. The ones with the loud engines and long tailpipes and big spoke wheels. That is not normally a culture associated with church ministry. But as a member of the Anointed Horsemen of Ebenezer AME Zion Church (pastored by Brother Rev. Grainger Browning), Brother Norwood and his churchgoing riding partners see their motorcycles as just another "vehicle" for spreading The Word.

As a co-founder of Anointed Horsemen, Brother Norwood helped bring the first-ever conference to life. It attracted Christian riding groups from throughout the state to Ebenezer AME in Fort Washington, Md. The Anointed Horsemen participated in Gamma Pi's Que Kidz Day program for underprivileged children in 2012 by sponsoring a bike safety seminar for the youth during one of the monthly Que Kidz Dayz sessions.

Brothers Clint Green and Terry Rogers with their bikes

Norwood is among a number of Gamma Pi Brothers who ride for the thrill of it. Among Gamma Pi men often seen "on twos" are Eric Konohia, Clinton Green, Terry Rogers, Gregory Gaines, Lucious Toney, Woodrow Grant and the Rev. Rodney Barnes, who is also a Montgomery County police officer and pastor. Bro. Rev. Barnes, who co-pastors Gethsemane AME Church in Landover along with his wife,  Kimberly, participated in the ministerial conference. Of course, all the participants came from around the region "on twos'" as the bikers like to say about their mode of transportation.

Click here to see The Washington Post story about Brother Norwood and the Anointed Horsemen.

Click here to see the blog post about the Bike Safety Event with Que Kidz Dayz.

Gamma Pi Leads a Military Celebration for the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta During Recent Delta Centennial in Washington, D.C.

The Military Women Honored During July 10 Event

By Brother Reginald Thomas

On Wednesday, July 10, 2013,  the eve of the historic 51st National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Ernest E. Just Foundation, Inc., founded by Gamma Pi's own Bro Wesley Jarmon, hosted a Reception, Dinner and Dance for the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The theme of the evening was "Honoring Deltas that Serve".   The event was held at Capital Ballroom, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) at the Officer's Club, Washington, DC.   The purpose of the event was honor the women of Delta that served  and are still serving in the military in uniform, as Department of Defense (DoD) Civilians and Contractors.  Upon learning that their was no event of this nature planned in the official Delta Convention schedule Brothers Reginald Thomas, William "Bill" Reese and Edgar Brookins, all retired military who came together to put a plan in place to honor the ladies of the military patterned after the Omega Salute to the Military in 2011.  The Brothers also reached out to active and retired military members of Delta to assist in the

planning of the event and many responded in kind.

After the receptions, the national color was posted by the Bolling JBAB Honor

WUSA 9 Newscaster and Delta J.C. Hayward (rigth) 

Guard and Colonel Michael Saunders, Vice Commander of Bolling gave welcoming

comments.  The guest speaker for the evening was Major General (Retired)

Marcelite J. Harris, United States Air Force and a member of Delta Sigma

Theta.  General Harris gave an inspirational speech of her days a Spelman

College and her participation in the 1960's sit-ins to the many

"firsts" of her career as she was first African American female promoted to the rank of

General Officer in the US Air Force.  Also, Ms. J.C. Hayward, Noon

Anchor, USA9 News and a member of Delta Sigma Theta, served as the Mistress of

Ceremonies and performed magnificently. Other senior Deltas honorees include the

Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, Delta Centennial Chair. She supported the DoD as a Senior Analyst working on nuclear submarines early in her professional career.

Dr. Boyd remarked that one of her line sisters was in attendance and she was Air Force retiree as well.  A presentation from the Secretary of Defense was made by Brother Reginald Thomas to the Deltas. Various other senior military Deltas included Brigadier General (Retired) Clara Adams-Ender, the first African American and female to command Fort Belvoir, Virginia, who also gave brief remarks at the conclusion of the

event.

Brothers Reese, Thomas and Brookins During Program 

Senior military officials from around the country came to honor the Deltas including Army four-star General Dennis Via, Commander, Army Material Command who wife is a Delta, three-star General William "Kip" Ward, whose wife is also a

Delta, and he is a member of Omega Psi Phi and previous Gamma Pi Achievement

Week Keynote Speaker, and Major General Robert E. Ferrell, Commander, U. S. Army

Communication Electronics Command.  The ladies were escorted by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., from the Washington D.C. area to include Gamma Pi, Lambda Gamma Gamma, Alpha Omega, and Alpha Lambda Lambda chapters.  Entertainment was provided by the Just Friends Band that is comprised of all Omegas from various chapters in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Overall everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves and it was a night the Deltas will remember for a long time to come.

Bro.Jarmon of Just Foundation

Gen. William "Kip" Ward (center) with other Military Men 

Military Men and Delta Military Women

Keeping Omega Alive with Life Membership

7 of the 10 Genesis X Line members display their plaques
with Chapter Life Member Chair Bro. Lester Miles, M.D. (2nd left) 

Submitted by the Members of the Genesis X Line

The members of Gamma Pi's Chapter Spring 2011 Line Genesis X made a promise that we would obtain Life Memberships once we became Omega men.  Genesis X believed becoming a Life Member is not only an honor but a duty to the Fraternity.  On June 5, 2013,  the men of Genesis X became Life Members with an interesting twist -- arranging for our individual Life Membership  numbers to be assigned in the same sequential order as the makeup of our line.

The members of Genesis X have felt  as though the Fraternity has taught us so much, and for each of us,it has been a long journey but an honor to call ourselves Omega men.  Throughout the process we were led by seasoned Omega men from all over the 12 Fraternity districts.  These seasoned Omega men have taught us the importance of leaving a legacy not only to the chapter but to the Fraternity.

We the men of Genesis X, who are working hard to take a visible and active role in Gamma Pi,  believe that being "owt" is  more than hopping and throwing parties. Instead, it is friendship, service, commitment and pride in the Fraternity. Genesis X understands that as Centennial Brothers,  it is our duty to move the Fraternity to the next 100 years.

Genesis X during a 2011 service project while pursuing Omega Psi Phi

As Omega men, we must continue to value service inside and outside the Fraternity. Following the guidance of Grand Basilus Dr.  Andrew Ray as dictated in his address during the Centennial Rededication Ceremony,  we must continue to stand on the solid foundation and remain active to ensure like-minded men will represent the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  To do this, we,Genesis X will accept the baton passed to us and keep Omega alive. Thanks to Gamma Pi for supporting us in this effort to ensure that for each of us, Omega is a lifelong commitment.