I Thought I Was Going To a Senior Citizens' Banquet

From the Basileus Bro. Brian K. Long

This afternoon I set foot inside the Fellowship Hall at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Capital Heights, MD thinking I was attending Gamma Pi's Annual Senior Citizens Banquet. But by the time it ended, I had gone to "church!" The spirit was surely all throughout the place as the brothers of The Super Chapter set it out for our senior citizens in the community with delicious home-cooked food, friendly fellowship and a sermon brought by our chaplain that probably covered us all for two weeks.  I was glad to be in the place to witness one of the best Senior Citizens Banquets that Gamma Pi has hosted. The Super Chapter made me PROUD and I know that Bro. Phil Ferguson was looking down from Omega Chapter pointing his finger saying "those are my brothers"!!!!!  Thanks to Bro. Don Norwood and his committee for putting on an outstanding event that shows why we are the Chapter of the Year and runner-up for the Social Action Chapter of the Year.  Thanks to Bro. Joe and Mrs. Carolyn Williams for obtaining the facility for this event on the chapter's behalf. 

Apparently, I wasn't the only one feeling the spirit. One of our guests let her joy be known by breaking into a Holy dance filled with the spirit that caught the attention of the entire room. This is what happen, our newly reformed Gamma Pi Chorale ushered in the Holy Spirit with several selections but when they broke out with "Down at the Cross where my Saviour Died "Glory to His Name"", the Holy Spirit took over. Bro. King allowed the spirit to have its way before he could give the WORD.  It was just a joy to see the Seniors having a wonderful and enjoyable time.  I was glad to have our Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, Bro. Kenneth Rodgers, to join us with having such a busy and traveling schedule.

I also want to thank  the brothers who participated in the formal program: Bill Reese, our fabulous emcee; Bros. Tony Lee, Tommie Boone, and our chaplain Brian King, who brought a very spiritual message about how our elders have paved the way for our success today.  Not only did the sermon take us to church, but so did the music provided by our Gamma Pi Chorale led by Bro. Marcus Davis, and the instrumental ensemble comprised of brothers George Edwards, Marcus Davis and Don Myles. And we absolutely have to give a shout out to the hardworking crew of Gamma Pi brothers who got up early this morning to prepare the food and then stayed around to serve it to the seniors at their tables. Approximately 30 brothers had a role in this event and it was great to see the room packed around the perimeter with Gamma Pi Chapter brothers adorned in purple. The door prizes were also fantastic and the seniors could not contain themselves.  By the way, I have to give accolades to the Friendship Charities Foundation, led by Bro. William Smith, and it's board members for sponsoring/ funding this event.

Brothers you make me PROUD!!!!!!!!!  Keep serving the community. Thank you again Social Action Committee, led by Bro. Tommie Boone for a great event!!! Well planned and well executed!!!!

Click here for more than 80 photos

Click here for more video segments on the Gamma Pi TV YouTube channel

Project ENRICH Ends 2014-15 On An Exciting and Uplifting Note

Bisa Williams, center, with Basileus Brian Long and chapter 

Gamma Pi's flagship Scholarship program, Project ENRICH, continues to grow by leaps and bounds. That was evident by a Standing Room Only crowd that gathered at the Thurgood Marshall Library Auditorium on the campus of Bowie State University for the official end-of-year salute on Saturday, May 30. It was one of the most memorable closing programs in years.

One of the things the program has focused on more in recent years is providing students a more direct link to the outside world and the place they can have in it through hard work and study. To do that, Project ENRICH has brought in a number of speakers who are accomplished in their field. This year's closing program keynote speaker, Ambassador Bisa Williams, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. State Department, underscored that effort in a huge way, with a rousing and inspiring presentation that got the students excited about foreign service and had parents thinking abut just how wide open career options can be when students think "outside the box," and explore career areas that aren't typically introduced to young African American youth.

Ambassador Williams talks

Judging by the questions, students appreciated most her candor in describing the challenges she overcame and how she became a successful diplomat without going through school studying to be a Foreign Service officer. The daughter of a doctor and social worker from Trenton, NJ., she was educated at Yale undergraduate and studied Comparative Literature in gradate school at UCLA. Her message to students was that diplomats have varied interests and academic backgrounds and there is no one-size-fits-all career path. She invoked the name of many African Americans who have served in the diplomatic corps, including Gamma Pi's own Teddy Taylor, now stationed in Cape Town, South African.

"No one ever mentioned to me the idea of being a diplomat. I of course knew there were such things as diplomats, but that was never in any of the conversations in any of the social circles I was in," she said.":I learned about the Foreign Service by reading an ad in Black Enterprise magazine."

As always, the Project ENRICH students were impressive. Showing growth, maturity and self-assurance that maybe was not a part of their makeup when they started the program, the students -- representing all grades -- amazed and encouraged their families about their future when some of them took turns at the podium to provide an overview of their experience.

Full house looks on at Project ENRICH

Perhaps no one was more proud than Bro. Willie Hines, who has rejuvenated Project ENRICH in recent  years with a creative approach to running the program that focuses on getting more practical information to students and parents to help them not only study better, but be more informed with inside knowledge about the college selection and application process, choosing a major, choosing a career and becoming well-rounded individuals with a sense of community responsibility and a global view. Under Bro. Hines, Project ENRICH has expanded beyond just helping students with academics.

There is plenty of video evidence of  the success of Saturday's program. Click here to watch the first 40 minutes of the live broadcast on Gamma Pi's Ustream TV Channel.

You can watch Ms. Williams' speech in its entirety here on Gama Pi's YouTube channel:
Also, Bro. Brett Blake provided more than 30 photos from the closing program.

Que Kidz Dayz Program Introduces Local Youth to Camping and Outdoors

Photos and Story by Bro. Donald Belle

The Gamma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. recently partnered with 4-H of Prince George’s County and the Kentland Community Center to host a camping weekend at Watkins Park.  The camping weekend was conducted from May 15^th to May 17^th and the weekend was filled with fun and educational activities.   In true Que fashion, the brothers were first on the scene Friday evening to help setup tents, unload supplies, and welcome more than 30 kids to the campsite. For most all of them it was their first-ever camping experience.

Bro.Orlando McDowell addresses youth

Saturday morning started with a discussion on cardiovascular health.  Brothers stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and taught the students how to take their pulse and calculate heart rate. The students were encouraged to engage in physical activity for at least 60 minutes each day.  After learning about heart rate and exercise the students transitioned into morning warm-ups which consisted of jogging drills, pushups, and stretches. 

Communication and trust was the theme for the next activity as the students completed a blind obstacle course.  While one student provided verbal directions, the other student blindly navigated the obstacles.  The students learned about giving clear and meaningful directions and improved their listening skills while working as a team.  After the obstacle course, students worked on a God’s Eye arts and crafts project and prepared for kickball.  Students put their newly developed communication skills to the test during the kickball game as they traded turns on offense and defense. 

After kickball, the students had a chance to cook-out with the Ques as they dined on burgers/hotdogs with healthy chips and fruit.  The students were even treated to a mini step show by some of the brothers.

The camping weekend was a huge success and a great opportunity for Gamma Pi to partner with other organizations on the most worthy of causes -- our kids. 

Check out more photos below and a YouTube feature video here   

    

Gamma Pi Welcomes 12 New Men into Omega Psi Phi

While any organization wants to see itself survive far into the future through the generations, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. doesn't have to bring in new members. Only when it identifies quality men who fit the stringent standards of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift does the Fraternity add to its rolls,  Gamma Pi chapter did that recently when it welcomed new initiates into the Fraternity. On Friday, May 8, a dozen new initiates entered the fold as part of  "The Transformers XII." The new members attended their first-ever Fraternity meeting on Saturday, May 16 and have joined Gamma Pi at an interesting time, as the chapter was just named Graduate Chapter of the Year (for large chapters) at the recent 67th Second District Conference in Teaneck, N.J. Above, the new members pose for an official photo with their Dean, Bro. Dr. Harrison Foy, DVM, and Assistant Dean Richard Allison II.  The new members from left to right (back row): Mabili Akinyele, Kevin Ford, Jr., Wilbur Lucus, Jason Crump, Esq., Rapheal Terrell, David Jackson, Tyrone Smith, Perryn Stewart, James Riley, Shake Alieu, Kevin Spencer and Terrance Hare.