Gamma Pi Closes Out a Very Successful and Uplifting Achievement Week with Community Event

Full house on hand -- soaking up the special occasion

Every Brother in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. draws a purple circle around November 17. For the uninitiated, November 17 is Founders' Day for this great Fraternity.  It is a time for every Brother to reflect back on the brilliance of the Founders and the charge they left with every member of Omega Psi Phi down through the generations, backed by the Four Cardinal Principles. For the public, Achievement Week is about recognizing the Uplift that Omega Psi Phi provides to the local community every day through individual and collective efforts, both seen and unseen.

This year, Gamma Pi's Achievement Week was worthy of a "purple circle" drawn around the entire week. Another year, yet another outstanding series of events by The Super Chapter, culminating in a standing room only communitywide Achievement Week program held Saturday afternoon at cozy Harmony Hall in Fort Washington. This year's theme was "Leveraging Our Collective Resources for Impact."

Basileus Brian Long and Bro. Rev. H. Beecher Hicks

Inspiring, Informing, Igniting

The program at Harmony Hall inspired, informed and ignited, a fitting close to a great week for Gamma Pi. Brother Richard Allison II led the afternoon as the official emcee, priming the audience for an afternoon of history, thoughtful messages and entertainment.

Brother Peter Harvey, Esq., the former Attorney General for the state of New Jersey, brought a thoughtful message to the audience about the deep meaning and purpose of Omega Psi Phi's founding in the context of social challenges faced today in the African American community. He deftly weaved together a number of issues and challenges that together represented a "call to action" for Omega.  For example, Brother Harvey reminded the Brothers and educated the audience that the Greek letters were not chosen "out of a hat" at random and the Four Cardinal Principles were thoroughly discussed and arrived at, and in the specified order in which they are presented -- Manhood, Scholarship,Perseverance and Uplift -- for a reason. Men of Omega, he said, are men who are ":called to action" and who are needed to address community issues today as when the Fraternity was founded.

Brother Harvey reviewed the meaning of  "a true Friend," another core aspect of Omega, by saying, "I define friendship this way: it's the people who will come see about you when it matters...they don't wait for you to stumble and fall, they come to lift you up."

Brother Harvey also used the occasion to challenge the Brothers of Gamma Pi and Omega to educate about and fight against domestic violence. He provided a moving scenario in which he asked the Brothers to think of two important women in their lives, and imagine them being assaulted at the hands of a man. At the end of his remarks, Brother Harvey revealed that he is working with a couple of professional sports leagues to develop personal conduct policies in light of recent high-profile media reports about domestic violence involving athletes. Brother Harvey drew a standing ovation.

While this year's event was a return to the traditional community program, it was anything but "run-of-the-mill," given the full house, the new venue, the impassioned message of the speaker and the energy of the audience. To read more about Brother Harvey's illustrious career in law and the Fraternity, read the preview article in The Gamma Pi Gazette: Achievement Week Preview

Bro. Harvey's entire speech can be viewed on Gamma Pi's You Tube channel: Gamma Pi TV

Fraternity and Community Awards

Gamma Pi used the program to present its customary Achievement Week awards to the community and to members of the chapter. It is always one of the highlights of Achievement Week and especially the community program.

Brothers Rodgers (Grand KRS), Calhoun, Folsom and Turner

Brother Tony Lee, Vice Basileus, was named Gamma Pi's Omega Man of the Year for 2014; Brother William "Bill" Reese, who chaired this year's Achievement Week program, was named Superior Service Award winner; Brother Otis Fowler, Vice Chair for Achievement Week, received The Founders' Award; Brother Roland Jones, newly named to a top county government position, was presented The Citizen of the Year award; Brother Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks was named Religious Leader of the Year; and Brother Donald Belle received the Educator of the Year award.  The chapter also recognized scholarship winners who are collectively receiving more than $24,000 in support from the Charles Drew Memorial Scholarship Foundation and Gamma Pi this academic year.

Bro Basileus Long also recognized four Brothers for their contributions by having them serve as Founders stand-ins: Brothers Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Kenneth Rodgers, Maurice Calhoun, Second District Chaplain Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom and Thaddeus Turner. Also, Bro. Long recognized Brother James Alexander for receiving the District Superior Service award in 2014.

Youth talent was clearly on display during the program, thanks to the soothing sounds of the Surrattsville High School Choir under the direction of Brother Marcus Davis and the Charles H Flowers High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Brother Don DeMarco Myles. Both musical aggregations demonstrated the plentiful, rich talent that is alive and well in Prince George's County's schools.

At the Howard University Rededication

The Hon. Bro. Rushern Baker, Prince George's County Executive, helped close the program out with a ringing endorsement of Gamma Pi's solid reputation and active commitment to the greater Prince George's Community.

A Special Week from Start to Finish

Ironically, the week began on Sunday, November 16, with a chapter visit to Pillar of Truth Baptist Church, the church pastored by Vice Basileus Bro. Tony Lee, the 2014 Omega Man of the Year for Gamma Pi. About 30 Brothers attended the service in Capitol Heights. Known for his humor and wit, Bro. Rev. Lee, referring to several Scriptural passages, stirred Omega souls with a message about the requirements of a Friend versus the requirements of a Brother. Brothers Lee and Harvey essentially gave bookend messages about Friendship and Brotherhood that allowed each to make complementary points. You can stitch those two messages together like fabric and Gamma Pi Brothers received a dynamic challenge for Achievement Week. It could not have worked out better as the starting and ending points for Achievement Week.

Brothers and Vice Basileus Rev. Tony Lee after Nov. 16 service

In between the beginning of Achievement Week and the end of it, Gamma Pi had a contingent of about 50 Brothers to go to the Rededication Ceremony at Howard University on Founders' Day, November 17. As always, Gamma Pi represented well, having one of the bigger chapter aggregations at the Rededication ceremony.

The Super Chapter also hosted about 80 Omega men from in and outside the chapter for its popular annual Omega Brothers Only Dinner at Andrews Air Force Base on Friday night, November 21. Gamma Pi's Brother Rodgers, the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, brought a powerful personal message about how you get from Omega what you put into it, using his own story about making the tough transition from college to the graduate level after initially being disengaged with the Fraternity. He described the inner satisfaction of returning to the fold after initially being away for a brief period, now since remaining forever engaged and committed, realizing how much he had missed the fellowship of being among Brothers. Clearly, he has embraced the full meaning of brotherhood having been elected to a Supreme Council post.

Just a year ago, Gamma Pi celebrated its 40th anniversary Achievement Week with a stellar, first-class, star-studded formal dinner program that paid homage to the chapter's history and lineage. While  the overarching story line last year was about Gamma Pi turning 40, this year it was about the chapter's greatest accomplishment in Omega -- electing the first Grand officer  from Gamma Pi to the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi, in the person of Brother Rodgers, who is also a past three-term Basileus for Gamma Pi and the former two-term Second District Representative.

Truly, the Super Chapter has come a long way and is on track to go even further as one of the shining lights of Omega. Achievement Week was a great time to recognize that accomplishment and emphasize the message of seeking even higher heights for the future for Gamma Pi. 

CLICK HERE FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENT WEEK 2014 PHOTO ALBUM

Youth Learn "Table Manners" from Que Kidz Dayz

Brothers pose with youth at Que Kidz Dayz

By Brothers Terrence Prince and Donald Belle


The Que Kidz event on Saturday, October 18th was GREAT! There were a total of 20 kids that took part in the Social Action Program. The morning started with prayer and a hot breakfast prepared by Brother Daryl Thompson. The kids enjoyed oatmeal; waffles/French toast sticks, fruit, and milk. During breakfast Brothers engaged the kids in conversation regarding the “Top Ten Table Manners” and current events. The “Top Ten Table Manners” discussed with the kids were:

1. Chew with your mouth closed;2. Avoid slurping, smacking, blowing your nose, or other gross noises. (If necessary, excuse yourself to take care of whatever it is you need to take care of);3. Don’t use your utensils like a shovel or as if you’ve just stabbed the food you’re about to eat;4. Don’t pick your teeth at the table;5. Remember to use your napkin at all times;6. Wait until you’re done chewing to sip or swallow a drink. (The exception is if you’re choking);7. Cut only one piece of food at a time;8. Avoid slouching and don’t place your elbows on the table while eating (though it is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses);9. Instead of reaching across the table for something, ask for it to be passed to you; and
10. Always say ‘excuse me’ whenever you leave the table.

Hooping it up with Gamma Pi!

The kids really enjoyed the discussion of how to conduct themselves with proper manners during their meal. After breakfast we broke up into several groups to participate in solving various crossword puzzles, math puzzles, and memory games. As we distributed the puzzles and memory games, we discussed with the kids the importance of exercising their minds. Brother Prince and Belle explained that these games helped them utilize their reading, math, and spelling skills along with strengthening their memory capabilities. It was a joy to see the kids’ excitement while they played these challenging games.

The next activity was teaching the kids the fundamentals of basketball. With basketball season around the corner, we figured it would be great to give the kids a head start on improving their basketball skills. During this activity, Brother Orlando McDowell, Michael Salley, and Terrence Prince taught them the proper way to dribble, pass, and shoot the basketball. After going through the basic drills, we assembled the kids into age appropriate teams (purple team vs.gold team). They really enjoyed running up and down the court competing against each other. Not sure which team won, but overall, they had fun and exercised.


After basketball, we broke for lunch. Brother Thompson prepared a healthy lunch, which consisted of grilled chicken, pork chops, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, fruit, and tea. The kids really enjoyed the lunch, even to the point of requesting second and third helpings of the delicious meal. They even displayed some of the “Top Ten Table Manners” they learned earlier that day. See more photos below:

Building the Future: Project ENRICH Dives Into 2014-15 with New Parents' Club

Bro. Lawrence Dukes works with the freshmen

For many years, parents have been the backbone of Gamma Pi's monthly Project ENRICH program.  They are the ones who have taken on the sometimes thankless task of waking their sons and daughters up early on a Saturday morning, encouraging them to put on their best outfits and then convincing them to ride to Bowie State University for Project ENRICH sessions that begin at 9 a.m.

In many cases, parents have had to pitch the "hard sell" (better known as "arm twisting") to the young high school students who, like anyone else their age, would rather be doing anything else on a Saturday morning besides something academic. Let's face it. Who would not want to sleep in on a Saturday morning? But thanks to the dedication of these parents and their commitment to the program, Project ENRICH is able to attract a large following and every Saturday the smiling faces are seated in their places ready to learn and absorb, looking to the future.

Parent Aimee` Pressley, Bro. Brett Blake (left)
 and parent Kevin Thomas discuss the new Parents' Club 

For this reason, Project ENRICH Director Bro. Willie Hines and the leadership team have set a goal this year to get parents more involved in planning and executing the program. To that end, the first session for the 2014-15 year held on September 27 at Bowie State was highlighted by the formation of a new Project ENRICH Parents' Club. Mrs. Aimee` Pressley has volunteered to be the inaugural leader for the group. She will be working with Bro. Hines and parents to shape the agenda and build a program that will help move Project ENRICH forward. Another parent, Kevin Thomas, has volunteered to lead fundraising efforts for Project ENRICH.

"Project ENRICH has is turning the corner with respect to parental support. Thanks to Bro. (Brett) Blake for leading the parents club effort and obtaining the excitement and support which will propel us to a new plane," said Bro. Hines."We are still recruiting and looking to make a difference in the lives of our students."

Project ENRICH Director Bro. Hines chats with students

Public speaking is a big component of Project ENRICH. And Saturday's first session included student introductions as a first step to helping them develop their own "elevator speech." In addition, students got to work with their team leaders and participated in a group activity about what attributes are needed to be effective learners in the 21st century. 

"Our next session is October 11 and this will be a very special session for parents who have children in the 9th through 11th grades." said Bro. Hines. "Dr. Ezeze, founder of Future Quest, Inc. will present 'Selective Colleges, Who Gets In and Why'. This presentation is directed at parents and our goal is to fill the room with parents for this presentation. More information to come with respect to this presentation."  A tour of the U.S. Naval Academy is planned for October 29.

More information about Project ENRICH, including online registration information, can be found on the website: www.projectenrich.org

You can also follow project ENRICH on Social Media: (www.facebook.com/projectenrichprogram) and Twitter (@projectenrich)

Below, Bro. Blake addressing parents in video clip from Saturday September 27:

Youth Learn About the Life of a Veterinarian During Recent Que Kidz Dayz Saturday Session

By Bro. Kevin Greenwood

Que Kidz youth enjoy a healthy meal

The Que Kidz event on Saturday, September 20th was a success as there were a total of 15 students that took part in the Social Action Program.  Several of the Que Kidz Committee Brothers exhibited UPLIFT by generously donating several games of Scrabble, Junior Scrabble and Memory. All in all this may have been one of the most exciting programs we have had this year due to the overwhelming participation of the students..


The morning started with a nutritious breakfast of turkey sausage, waffles, fruit and milk, while the Brothers engaged the students in conversations regarding current events and world topics. Once breakfast was complete we arranged the students up in groups of four to participate in several games of Scrabble. Not only did the kids exhibit enthusiasm while formulating words, they also displayed their math skills by managing their own score cards, which required multiplication and addition. The games forced each child to use their own creativity and many were surprised at how well they performed. At first the Brothers were not sure if the kids would be excited about spelling words, but our kids are exceptional and they enjoyed every minute of it! This goes to show that learning can be fun and exciting!

Bro. Greenwood with kids

The second activity consisted of basic soccer drills and fundamentals. There were several Brothers who were soccer aficionados in their younger years and they led a very thrilling clinic for the kids. The kids received roughly sixty minutes of exercise, which is consistent with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” health initiative. Although time didn’t permit a full scrimmage game, the kids still had a great time learning how to dribble, pass and move through obstacle courses with the balls. Our next Que Kidz Days health activity will be an extension of Saturday’s event, which will consist of a soccer scrimmage and a continuation of the drills and activities.

Gamma Pi Chapter’s very own veterinarian, Dr. Harrison Foy, surprised all of us by stopping through after one of his last animal visits for the day. He allowed the kids to board his state of the art mobile Veterinarian office, spoke to every child about animal health and offered words of inspiration. Many of the kids were excited about the surprise visit and there was at least one that kid that mentioned he wanted to be a Veterinarian just like Dr. Foy.

Bro. Damion Goins watches over free play

Before lunch started, we gave each student a lesson in hygiene by showing them how to properly wash their hands before meals. We discussed the importance of cleaning properly and how that will prevent germs that cause common colds and illness.



Lunch consisted of fresh, homemade vegetable soup and tasty tuna fish sandwiches prepared by our culinary wonder, Bro Darryl Thompson. During lunch the kids gave feedback of their experience for the day and the sentiment was extremely positive.

To cap off the day the students were able to memorize the first four lines of one of our beloved fraternity poems, See It Through by Edgar Albert Guest.

Overall, our kids learned about soccer, Scrabble, hygiene, animal care and how to continue to persevere “when you are up against a trouble”. Photos and video clips by Bro. David White

Man that food sure was good!

Below are a couple video clips: