Project ENRICH Returns to Bowie State for December Session

James Copeland, U.S. Department of Education

Project ENRICH exists to help prepare and connect Prince George's County youth to college and life beyond. For many of the program's participants, a key part of that process is experiencing the look and the feel of a college campus while learning good study habits, time management, and about the college selection and application process. On Saturday, December 14, the program returned to its familiar supportive home, Bowie State University. The highlight of the session was a full-fledged College Financial Aid workshop conducted by a representative of the U.S. Department of Education.

For students and parents, finding the money to pay for college is of utmost concern. James Copeland, of the federal Education department, answered many of those questions on Saturday with an in-depth presentation that covered everything from the FAFSA worksheet to creatively seeking scholarships to government loan programs to what kinds of costs to expect for families confronting college for the first time. He even carved out a few minutes in his presentation to warn students about misusing social media and spending too much time with the social calendar once they arrive at college.

Students listen to presentation at Project ENRICH

Copeland, whose visit was arranged by Brother Courtland Smith, who works at the Department of Education, has a fascinating story of his own that he talked about some during the presentation. During his youth, he was in and out of trouble growing up in New York and did not enter college until age 38. Today, at 54, he has an MBA and a doctorate to go along with his undergraduate credentials. He is an "evangelist" for education and after hearing that story, it was easy to see why. He told Project ENRICH youth he was proof that it is never too late to get serious about education.

Parents and students also were advised by Immediate Past Basileus Gordon Everett, Sr. to network through Gamma Pi Brothers and their various alumni associations, as well as churches, nonprofits and other organizations to identify scholarship opportunities. He is president of the Winston-Salem State University National Alumni Association.

In keeping with Project ENRICH's commitment to financial literacy for students, there was also a presentation yesterday on how compounding works in the financial world, especially when applied to the interest one pays or earns.

Thanks to Brother Don Cook for the photos. More photos from Brother Cook are available here on Shutterfly: https://2013decemberprojectenrich.shutterfly.com/.

Watch the bulk of the Financial Aid Presentation on YouTube below:

Grand Basileus Helps Gamma Pi Bring 40th Anniversary Celebration to a Close with Dynamic Achievement Week Program

A keepsake program for the ages

If you had been living on Mars and did not know anything about Omega Psi Phi or Achievement Week, you would have thought there was some sort of State Dinner being held at the Prince George's Ballroom in Landover Saturday night, November 23. People were entering with their best formal fashions: tuxedos, fancy bowties, and cummerbunds; stylish footwear and silk dresses were the order of the day for the ladies. Fresh hairdos were all over the place. Some local barbers and beauticians likely made their profits in the past few days.

What gave it all away Saturday night were those unmistakably special and unique colors--Royal Purple and Old Gold.  You knew then the Ques were in the house. And this was Gamma Pi's house -- and it was the culmination of the chapter's yearlong 40th anniversary celebration in conjunction with Founders' Day and the annual Achievement Week observance.

A sold out crowd -- including a long list of dignitaries -- packed the Ballroom venue to celebrate "40 Years of Purple Reign," Gamma Pi's stellar record of 40 years of Omega Friendship and community service involvement in Prince George's County. Now the third-largest graduate chapter of the 700 chapters in the entire Fraternity, Gamma Pi used the occasion to look back on its meager beginning and look ahead to a promising future built on its accomplishments and growth.

For those unfamiliar with the story,. it was recounted in person at Saturday night's program through an interconnecting thread of Gamma Pi Brothers representing almost every era of the chapter, from the Founding members who conceived the vision  to the brand new leadership team just installed last week. Gamma Pi was born  in the early 1970's simply as the result of a small knot of "Ques", many from North Carolina, wanting to remain active with the Fraternity and maintain their cherished friendship bond while serving their community a little closer to their homes in Prince George's County. It was that simple. It was really no more complicated than that. And those seeds sown over four decades led directly to the historic event that took place Saturday night.

Strong at the Mike: The 39th Grand Basileus

Grand Basileus Dr. Ray Lights up the Audience

Symbolic of its status, Gamma Pi featured a sitting Grand Basileus as a keynote speaker for the first time ever. Brother Dr. Andrew Ray flew in from New York to deliver a rousing , stirring speech that had everybody buzzing afterwards. As they say,"he brought down the house." The 39th Grand Basileus gave the Fraternity and other members of the audience something to think about, challenging everyone,especially the Brothers, to look inward and not to forget where they came from, not to forget who they saw on the way up,and not to ignore those in need just because they are from a different social demographic.

Dr. Ray's message was loud and clear and appropriate in  a historical context -- you never know when you will see certain people in your life again in the future or what your relationship might be with them later. How will you treat them when you first encounter them? Brother Dr. Ray told an interesting story of how a recent surgery he had to have was performed by a doctor who had been a student of his years ago. Brother Dr. Ray recalled how the doctor and former student looked down at him on the gurney and assured him calmly,"Don't worry Dr. Ray...I got you." Dr. Ray then asked the audience rhetorically, to laughter: "What if I had treated that boy bad?" He drew a standing ovation and really brought the house down with his remarks. Brother Dr. Ray left the audience and Gamma Pi with three bywords for success in providing community Uplift:-- Hindsight, Insight and Foresight. Dr. Ray's message was powerful and uplifting. It carried the night.

Immediate Past Basileus Gordon Everett, Sr. - Omega Man of the Year,
 with Emcee, Vice-Basileus Bro. Tony Lee, Program Chair Bro. William Smith,
newly installed Basileus Bro. Brian Long and the Grand Basileus.

While Dr. Ray's message was the highlight, it was the showmanship-like hosting of emcee Brother Tony Lee that had the more than 250 guests rolling in the aisles and spilling their drinks. His one-man "Omega style" stand-up routine and his "friendly jabs" at members of the dais and the audience was as good if not better than any on-air TV talk show hosts. He was, as they say, "the life of the party." He brought a lot of levity to the evening. Longtime Achievement Week Chairman Brother William Smith, preparing to retire from those duties, spent months leading a team of Gamma Pi Brothers in planning the special event despite persistent health challenges.

Star Power at the Gamma Pi Anniversary

The dignitaries were lined up: U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards, Prince George's County Executive Brother Rushern Baker (who entered the Fraternity at Howard University, Alpha Chapter), State Senator Brother Ulysses Currie, Brother Dr. Mickey Burnim, President of Bowie State University, Omega Psi Phi Second District First Vice Representative Milton Harrison, Maryland Administrative Judge Brother Richard Moore, and state delegate an Attorney General candidate Aisha Braveboy, were among local officials in attendance for the memorable occasion. The Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, also an Omega man, was there as well to support his wife, Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning, who received the Religious Leader of the Year Award (see below).

Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning, one of the community award winners 

In keeping with past Achievement Week programs, Gamma Pi also presented its customary and Fraternity awards: Citizen of the Year (Carolyn Mills-Matthews), Student Athlete of the Year (Asa Marie Cook),  Educator of the Year (Bro. Damien Goins),  and these awards for the Fraternity, Founders' Award (Bro. Ambassador Teddy Taylor), Omega Man of the Year (Bro. Gordon Everett, Immediate Past Basileus) and Superior Service (Bro. James Alexander). Brother Edward High II also made scholarship presentations as the new Scholarship Chairman. The event also included the introduction of Gamma Pi and Omega Psi Phi's newest members, the "Apollo 13," who were initiated November 15.

The Year in Review

U.S. Rep.Donna Edwards Brings Greeting

For Gamma Pi, the year has flown by. It kicked off with a 40th Anniversary Reunion on March 5, marking the date that Gamma Pi was chartered. More than 200 Brothers celebrated that occasion with a series of remarks and recollections from the Founders as well as Brothers from various decades. Later in March, Gamma Pi held its annual Mardi Gras Dinner & Dance Gala but this year it was linked to the Anniversary and it was where the theme, "40 Years of Purple Reign," was introduced. June brought on a new event with a special Anniversary outdoor dinner held at Darnall's Chance house. True to Omega spirit, Brothers braved a torrential downpour and lighting to persevere in what turned out to be a very successful event under eventually calm skies. And Saturday night's program was also a new twist in honor of the anniversary.  Traditionally, the Super Chapter holds a free community-wide program in observance of Achievement Week. This year, the decision was made to go forward with a formal Achievement Week dinner and dance program to serve as a crescendo at the end of the Anniversary Year. Gamma Pi's Past Basilei Council organized this year's anniversary events, co-chaired by Brothers Kenny Rodgers (Immediate Past District Representative) and Brother Ambassador Taylor. Long live Gamma Pi!

The top and bottom photos are provided by Brother Jamal Parker, who is the Second District photographer. The other photos are from Gamma Pi Brother Don Cook. More photos and videos will be coming.

Want to see more available photos? Go to Facebook and to Gamma Pi's special web page
Want to see the archived live video telecast? Go to Gamma Pi's Ustream TV Channel

Gamma Pi Brother Brings His Veterinary Career to Students -- On Wheels ...

Opening the Door to Opportunity - Bro. Dr. Foy (rear) starts tour

Elementary school is not too young to consider a career. Brother Dr. Harrison Foy (Rho Psi '67) knows that and enjoys whenever he can talk to young people about a career as a veterinarian, he takes the opportunity. His wife, Dr. SanYvette Williams-Foy, DVM, is also a practicing veterinarian and a daughter Mari-Ashli is on the road to joining the profession. She entered the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in the Fall of 2012 and is in her second year.

Recently, Brother Dr. Foy started NMotion Home Veterinary Care mobile veterinary service that serves the Baltimore-Washington community. His office -- whether for examination or surgery -- is his wheels.

Brother Dr. Foy used the mammoth mobile facility to excite and interest elementary school students in veterinary medicine during a visit to Gaywood Elementary School last month - for the school's "Men Make a Difference" Day. The school is headed by another Gamma Pi Brother, Damien Goins, who, as principal, is interested in increasing students' interaction with African American male role models at the Seabrook, Maryland school which has a large population of disadvantaged students.

Students marvel at Brother Dr. Foy's mobile setup

Brother Dr. Foy's work is interesting in that many children are fascinated with animals and many probably never envision themselves working to keep animals healthy just like people. It is the kind of career choice a lot of students may not have enough information about but would be interested in pursuing if they knew more about it.

Throughout the year, Gamma Pi men go into various schools throughout the community to provide Uplift by introducing students to careers, encouraging them academically and connecting them to opportunities to work as interns or in the career area of interest post-degree.  Below are several photos from the event provided by Brother Dr. Foy:

"Now listen up..." Bro. Dr. Foy talks animal medicine

Brothers Don Norwood (left), Brian Long and Goins
with Bro. Dr. Foy at "Men Make a Difference Day"

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.