Back to School: Gamma Pi Leads Successful Communitywide Backpack Giveaway

Bro. Orlando McDowell addresses the crowd

The Kentland Community Center off Pinebrook Avenue in Landover was packed this morning. Moving around inside the facility was tough. You could not go very far without accidentally bumping into somebody because there was so much activity and so many people -- both students and parents.

For the youth in the Kentland community, the community center was the place to be on this Saturday morning, and yet, there were no entertainers or athletes anywhere to be found. So what accounted for all the energy and the buzz? It was all about Back-To-School and the backpack and school supplies giveaway coordinated by Gamma Pi chapter's Social Action Committee along with Sisters4Sisters,Inc.,  just in time for the start of school this upcoming week.

"The Ques Are Coming"

The Ques from Gamma Pi after a hard day's work

In the Kentland community, when they see the Ques coming, they know something good is about to happen.The arrival of Gamma Pi is always eagerly anticipated. For this event, the Super Chapter joined forces with two other organizations.  The Sisters4Sisters community organization were joint partners on the backpacks and supplies and the Tau Delta Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority sponsored a Voter Registration Drive and a school clothing drive in conjunction with the backpack event.

The community center was a beehive of activity as more than  200 children and parents came through to get free backpacks and accompanying supplies -- from pencils and pens to composition books,  portfolios, folders, glue sticks, crayons and more.  It was much needed in Kentland, a community facing stiff socio-economic challenges that often leave children behind educationally and socially. The Kentland center is the site of Gamma Pi's monthly Que Kidz Dayz enrichment program for underprivileged youth in the area. About 40 Gamma Pi Brothers participated in the event.

"The majority of our back pack recipients are from poor families who cannot afford the required clothes, shoes, or basic supplies for the new school year. Many are too ashamed and embarrassed to go to school and if they do attend classes, they don’t have the tools to learn," said Sisters4Sisters in a statement prior to the event. Sisters4Sisters, Inc. donates back packs to underserved children in poverty along with those whose lives have been impacted by HIV-AIDS and those residing in those in area domestic violence safe houses and homeless shelters. The president, Carolyn White-Washington, added at the close of the backpack drive::"Sisters4Sisters is happy to partner with the Brothers of Omega Psi Phi as well as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. These organizations are really coming together to change the community."

Bro. Sgt. Boone talks hoops with student

Educating the Community

Today's event was about much more than just backpacks and school supplies. It was an opportunity for the community to gain knowledge on some other related "you-need-to-know" issues. For example, the students heard about the importance of setting and achieving academic and other goals for themselves as they progress in school. 

The youth also heard from three Gamma Pi chapter members who serve in law enforcement agencies in Prince George's County and Washington.D.C. In light of the recent Ferguson, Mo incident, the officers used the opportunity to talk with the youth about their jobs protecting the community and why the youth should not fear the police, who are there to help.

Students in a long line to pick up supplies

The dialogue with officers Tommie Boone (Social Action Chairman, Prince George's police sergeant), James Chatmon and Robert Akouko (both Metropolitan D.C. police officers) was very enlightening and led to some excellent questions from the attentive youth. Bro. Boone, recently promoted to sergeant, is also president of the United Black Police Officers Association in Prince George's County. Bro. Chatmon is also a sergeant.

The backpack giveaway also included a pizza party, mini carnival with popcorn, cotton candy, face painting and a mini-parent workshop.

The success of the program at Kentland on Saturday was the culmination of several years of Gamma Pi investing in and building strong relationships with the community through its QueKidzDayz program. A number of the youth picking up backpacks were from the program and were familiar with the Brothers and their work in the area over the years.

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Officers Chatmon, Akouko and Boone

Posing with Zeta Phi Beta and Sisters4Sisters


Zeta Phi Beta Getting Out the Vote!

Gamma Pi History Maker: Brother Kenneth Rodgers Elected Grand Keeper of Records & Seal

Bro. Kenneth E. Rodgers

On the evening of Tuesday, July 15, Brothers from around the entire Omega Psi Phi “Que Country” had gathered at the main Ballroom inside the Philadelphia Convention Center for the much-anticipated formal Founder’s Banquet. It was the last night of the 79^th Grand Conclave. Everybody was dressed “to the nine’s.” Many Omega men exchanged Omega-style hugs and handshakes with long-lost Line brothers, former chapter Brothers and with Omega men they had just met at the conference. Most of the 1,500 or so Brothers and guests were simply enjoying a light meal just before the start of the formal program.

Gamma Pi’s tables were collected in a large group along the left side of     the stage. Suddenly, the sound of forks and plates making contact slowed significantly. Mouths stopped chewing and all eyes turned up award as Brother Edward High II swooped in on each Gamma Pi table and whispered to the anxious Brothers: “Kenny won!” brothers worked hard to contain themselves and the word was to keep quiet until the official announcement during the program.

Later, at 9:08 p.m., Basileus Brother Brian K. Long sent this e-mail out throughout the chapter’s communication channel: Where ever you are, thank the Lord for answering prayers. Brother Kenney Rodgers has been ELECTED by the Omega brotherhood to the office of Grand Keeper of Records and Seal.

Conclave Display

What Brother High said to Brothers in the room and the message Brother Basileus sent out to the chapter back at home was the Omega equivalent to “the shout heard round the world.” Yes, it was true – this was not a prank. Brother Kenneth E. Rodgers indeed had been elected as the next Grand Keeper of Records and Seal for the entire Fraternity. A Gamma Pi man was now standing in the gap among the several going forward from the Philadelphia to lead the Fraternity. This date, this moment was forever etched in Gamma Pi history as a “purple”-letter day.

Brother Rodgers was elected over incumbent Brother Curtis Baylor and Brother Edward Morant. He won the election in the early evening run-off with Brother Baylor that commenced right before the banquet began. The Founders’ Banquet ended with the new Omega leadership team receiving the official oath of office as newly installed.

For Brother Rodgers and Gamma Pi, the election was historic. Already the first member of the chapter to serve at the District Representative position, as the 32^nd Second District Representative, he now is also the first to serve in an international office. His election as Grand Keeper of Records and Seal will forever mark the beginning of Gamma Pi’s “second 40” years after celebrating its 40-year anniversary throughout 2013.

With "the guru" Bro. Roland Byrd

Brother Rodgers’ election also culminated weeks of extensive and energetic campaigning that began more than a year ago.  Weekly strategy meetings, calls, preparing and printing materials campaign materials and traveling and visiting with chapters around the country paid off for Brother Rodgers, known affectionately in Gamma Pi as “Swamp Dog.” Actually, the journey to Grand Office was a long time coming, first talked about some 10 years ago as Gamma Pi decided to become more active within the Second District by contributing service through seeking out official office positions and boosting chapter attendance at District meetings.

Bro. Rodgers with Gamma Pi members at Conclave

Gamma Pi’s Brother Roland Byrd was a key player at the very beginning of these developments and now a part-time retired resident of Florida, he was able to be at the Conclave in person and witness Brother Rodgers’ election.

In addition to Brother Rodgers, other Brothers elected to international office included. Antonio Knox (Grand Basileus); Dr. David Marion (1^st Vice Grand Basileus); W. Kelly Shannon (Keeper of Finance); and Michael Lyles, Esq. (Grand Counselor).Brother Lyles is a member of Lambda Gamma Gamma chapter and is also  resident of Bowie, where brother Rodgers also resides..

Brother Rodgers thanks his campaign team and all the Brothers of Gamma Pi and the Second District for all their support and confidence in him in ensuring his important election to International office.

Bros Rodgers, Milton Harrison (2nd District Representative)
and Michael Lyles (newly elected Grand Counselor)

End-of-School-Year Que Kidz Dayz Covers Safety, Hygiene and Golf!

By Brother David White

Showing Children a Pathway to Success 

The school year is over and it’s now time for some summertime fun with the children of Kentland Community Center.  The men of Gamma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. entertained, encouraged and mentored 12 children on Saturday, June 28, 2014.  Our program focused on the following core concepts (Cultural Awareness, Healthy Living, Academic Achievement, Service to the Community and Etiquette Training).  As always, we began our program with a healthy breakfast and a discussion strategically chosen to educate the children.   

Safety:

Brother Donald Belle lead our program with an interactive discussion regarding safety and how one plan versus another would be more appropriate for a given emergency situation such as, a fire or a burglary in the home.  Additionally, we discussed how the children should react to a stranger knocking at the door of their home if mom and/ or dad were not present in the home at the time.  We then segued into a water safety crossword puzzle where the children were challenged to see who could find the most words about water safety.  There was one child that found 13 words and was considered the top word finder of the program. 

To further the discussion of safety and summertime, and since most of our activities after breakfast were going to be performed in the sunlight, we discussed the potential dangers of too much exposure to the sun, and applied sunscreen to each child before they performed the outdoor activities planned.                   

Introduction to Golf:

What a fabulous opportunity the children of Kentland Community had in learning the basics of the challenging game of golf.  Bro. Kevin Greenwood and Bro. Chris Fleming did an outstanding job facilitating how to putt, and the children soaked up the information like a sponge.  More importantly, the actual putting performed by the children and the desire displayed by the children to actually sink the ball in the hole was nothing short of exciting.  They learned about 3 different golf clubs, the putter, driver and the pitching wedge. 

In addition to learning about the clubs, the children were exposed to the proper way of putting, the stance, and how to study the hole in preparation for a putt shot.  The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. enjoy healthy competition, and so we challenged the children to making a long putt and to sink the ball with the fewest number of strokes.  Most children began approximately 15 feet away from the hole as one child putted and made it in only 2 strokes, which was incredible for first time exposure. 

The exposure to the game of golf is not very prevalent in our communities however, the exposure on Saturday and if consistently promoted by the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., coupled with the desire of the children to continue to want to learn how to play, the opportunity could create many positive and productive pathways in many of the lives of the children that attend our programs in the Kentland Community.

Obstacle Course:     

Also, in the spirit of competition we developed a challenging obstacle course for the children that tested physical balance, stamina and perseverance.  The obstacle course consisted of balancing a book on their head while walking to a station within the course, hula hooping to another and continuing the course by revisiting, and re-teaching how to tie a tie, and ended by making a lay-up on the basketball court.  While some of the activities in the course were difficult tasks, the fortitude that was carried out by the children to finish the course was amazing to witness.

Competition is healthy and is needed to push children to the next level.  Although we wanted to see how the children responded to the spirit of competition, it was much more important for us to see the willingness of the children to persevere, and they did. 

Clean-up, Lunch and a Lesson in Hygiene:

After 60 minutes of active play, the children gathered the golf clubs from the course, cleared the make-shift obstacle course and made their way to a hearty and healthy lunch prepared for them.  We served a nutritious lunch and recapped the day with an interactive discussion about what they learned and experienced. 

We ended the program by presenting the children with a gift bag of hygiene products that consisted of a toothbrush, dental floss and toothpaste.  The purpose of this activity was to continue our push for clean living in our communities which is consistent with our acronym, C.H.A.S.E. 

Thanks to Bro. Kevin Greenwood for the photos

Omega Men Help Young Boys Tie Their "First Necktie" and Teach Kids About Tennis

By Brother Donald Belle

"Tighten it like this, young man..." ...

As the school year comes to a close, the Que Kidz program is stronger than ever.  On May 31^st, the Gamma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. hosted 22 kids at the Kentland Community Center.  The morning started with a nutritious breakfast and a discussion about academic achievement.  The students discussed the various activities being completed at their respective schools in preparation for the last day of school. 

The highlight of the morning was attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kentland Community Center.  The new center will replace the community center currently located in the basement of the Prince George’s Ballroom.  Members of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House of Delegates, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Prince George’s County Council were in attendance.  Our students were recognized for their participation in the groundbreaking ceremony and received an enthusiastic round of applause from all stakeholders.

 The Que Kidz program was also highlighted for the partnership with the Kentland Community Center and commitment to the community members of the Kentland area.  Students expressed their anticipation of utilizing the many features of the new center (including a computer lab, media room, and gymnasium).  The construction of the new community center will also provide an opportunity to point out the many academic programs and careers associated with facility design, development, and management.  The students also commented on the professional attire of the panel members at the groundbreaking ceremony. 

Learning how to handle a raquet

Every man remembers when and where he first learned how to tie a necktie.  It is an essential tool for becoming a productive and respected citizen.  The students of Que Kidz received this lesson, and for many of them it was their first experience tying a tie.  The students listened intently as the brothers demonstrated tie knots such as the four-in-hand, half-Windsor, and Windsor.  Observation transitioned into application as the students practiced and tied the knots for themselves.  The students beamed with confidence as they demonstrated their new ability.  This skill will serve the students well as they endeavor to cultivate their inner character as they develop their outward appearance. 

Healthy living is always at the core of any Que Kidz session.  The physical activity for the day was “Tennis 101.”  Brothers instructed the students on fundamental tennis skills including basic racket grip, the ready position, pivoting, and the forehand stroke.  The students also completed drills to demonstrate and practice racquet/ball control, returning a serve, and sprinting.  These activities met the goal of achieving 60 minutes of active play while broadening the horizons of the students through the introduction of a new sport. 

After “Tennis 101” the students cleaned the area around the tennis courts and discussed the importance of keeping their community clean and in good condition.  Taking ownership over your environment is the first step in developing community leaders and environmental stewards.  After this discussion, the students had a chance to cook-out with the Ques as they dined on burgers/hotdogs with healthy chips and fruit.  All of the activities were successful and promoted the core concepts of cultural awareness, healthy living, academic achievement, service to the community, and etiquette training.

Photos from Brothers Kevin Greenwood, McCory King and Belle along with student participant Noriega Jones

Time for some grub!