Project ENRICH Director Willie Hines: Why Essay Presentations Are Critical

Bro. Hines listene to presenters

By Bro. Willie Hines

Project ENRICH is a very special program designed to improve the college preparedness for African American student in Prince George’s County, Md. One of the staples of Project ENRICH is the essay oral presentations. The students’ abilities to sell themselves, market themselves, win and influence people will depend largely on public speaking.

On April 23, at Bowie State University Thurgood Marshall Library 25 students came display their oratorical and compete for incentive awards ($300 first place, $200 second place and $100 third place) per grade level. The Freshmen topic, “ Was Bill Clinton the first Black President”, Sophomore topic, “ based upon the strife young Black men and women experience on a daily basis, does the criminal justice system need to be reformed for the sustainment of the Black Community”, Junior topic, “Is the Black Community in a state of emergency”, and Senior topic, “Predatory subprime mortgages victimized Black America, resulting in decreased college educational opportunities for Blacks”

The topics were designed to make our students think, analyze and most importantly become aware of issues facing their communities and the factors limiting educational opportunities in their pursuit for excellence. The students did an incredible job utilizing their personal experiences and performing extended research to defend their positions. The oral presentations were judged on content, style, organization, realism, and mechanics. A three judges were used to evaluate the students’ oral presentations and provide a professional
critique.

The oral presentations are a true measure of the growth and confidence of Project ENRICH students. Watching the improved written and oral skills from freshmen to senior year is a great metric of the success of the program. You can visit Project ENRICH on the web at www.projectenrich.org

Social media sites: www.facebook.com/projectenrichprogram
Twitter (@projectenrich)

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Brothers Folsom, Barnes Get AME Church Asssignments at Conference

Omega men know how to Persevere, and at the end of that Perseverance comes the reward. For Brothers Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom and Rev. Rodney Barnes, Perseverance in The Word and in the shaping and molding of a new calling in ministry is paying off.

Bro. Folsom, the long-serving Second District Chaplain for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, received his first pastoral appointment on April 22. He was appointed pastor of Wayman Memorial AME Church in Baltimore.

“It’s a great community church in the heart of what’s called Pigtown.  We are called the Miracle on Washington Boulevard!  We serve a great working class community close to Ravens Stadium.,” said Bro. Folsom.

Brother Reverends Barnes and Folsom

Bro. Folsom was formally named to the pastorate at the 66th Session of the Washington Annual AME Conference which was held at Reid Temple AME in Glen Dale, MD.  The three-day conference was from April 20-22.  Pastoral appointments were read by Bishop William P. DeVeaux (Alpha Chapter, '60) on Friday night, April 22 at the close of the conference business session.

In the AME church, pastors serve for one conference year and then at the next Annual Conference can be re-appointed to the same church or assigned to another church.  It is up to the discretion of the Bishop and the Presiding Elder. 

“I am so thankful for the appointment and just want to do God's will, love the people, and help transformation take place in the community,” said Bro. Folsom.  “I want to see the church once again be the center of the community.  After serving almost 10 years on the ministerial staff of Community of Hope AME in Hillcrest Heights, MD, under Rev Tony Lee as my Pastor, this takes my ministry, which is really God's ministry, to another level. I do believe this is the church God wants me to shepherd.”

Bro. Folsom has already started serving. In the AME church, the assignments are immediate. He presided over his first worship service on Sunday, April 24, at 11 am.  His sermon was "It's Going to Be Alright" from Matthew 9:18-26.

The church is located at 1305 Washington Boulevard in South Baltimore. You can visit Wayman AME on Facebook: Wayman AME 

Gamma Pi Brother Rev. Rodney Barnes, a recently retired police officer, was also spurred on to continue his calling during the recent Conference. Bro. Barnes received his third re-appointment to Gethesemane AME Church, a church he planted that is now called THEGAMECHURCH after a recent rebranding.

“I'm humbled at this my third Appointment as the Pastor of Gethsemane AME Church.  We are on the move, God has positioned us for success,” said Bro. Barnes. “Our theme scripture is 1 Corinthians 3:6; "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow."  

Bro. Barnes says his church underwent a reorganization and rebranding last year and in 2016 THEGAMECHURCH is positioned for growth. The GAMECHURCH, is located at 2701 Enterprise Road Mitchellville, MD 20721. Services begin at 9:00 a.m.

Congratulations to these Brothers as they continue their important work in the vineyards!

Gamma Pi Annual Talent Hunt Once Again Showcases the Best Youth Talent in the County

Contestants join in curtain call

They really do have talent in Prince George’s County, and every year, the high school youth who participate in Gamma Pi chapter’s Omega Talent Hunt showcase the exciting talent of local youth. That was on display again this year as parents, and friends joined members of the chapter for an entertaining Talent Hunt program on March 12.

A total of 27 students participated in this year’s event, covering four areas of performance: instrumental classical, vocal contemporary, dance contemporary and art. Aston Woolery, of Suitland High School, was named the overall winner of the Talent Hunt. He performed Prelude in C# Minor by Rachmaninoff. He has participated in Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt before.

Winner Aston Woolery (center) with chapter leaders

The atmosphere was very much reminiscent of the old variety shows that were popular on television in the 1960s and 1970s, when numerous performers would appear on one show. The sky-high voices, the sounds of finely tuned instruments, the captivating dance moves and the riveting artwork, all made for an exciting scene that made you think you were in the audience at the old Apollo Theater in New York.

As always, Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt team of judges was comprised of music and arts professionals and educators, including professors from nearby Bowie State University and the University of the District of Columbia, and the manager for the popular Rhythm and Blues supergroup, Earth, Wind & Fire. Bro. Dr. Leroy Barton, a music educator, chairs Gamma Pi’s Talent Hunt. “It never ceases to amaze me the level and kind of talent we have among our high school students in Prince George’s County.”

Gamma Pi Vice Basileus Tony Lee, standing in for Basileus Brian K.Long, served as Master of Ceremonies. True to form, Bro. Lee kept the audience entertained in between the performances with his well-known stand up routine that included a little falsetto singing. Other category winners of the Talent Hunt are listed below. (Photos by Bro. Raphael Terrell)

Brothers tallying up the judges' scores

2016 CATEGORY WINNERS

Vocal Contemporary

Olowabukola Odediram

Visual Art-Photography

Terris Johnson

Dance

Tianna Robinson

Instrumental Contemporary

Langston Hughes II

Classical Piano

Aston Woolery

Instrumental Classical

Graceson Moore

Visual Art – Drawing

Jakema Washington

Scholarship-Winning Daughters of Gamma Pi Brothers Giving Good First-Year Report from Tennessee State

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just in case you don't notice, the writer of this article for the Tennessee State University student newspaper, Shayla Simmons, is the daughter of Bro. Tommie Boone and wife Gayle. The subject of the interview, Kirsten Beverly, is the daughter of Bro. Rodney Beverly and wife Josette. Also, Victoria Gourdin, who is also part of this trio of scholars, is the daughter of Bro. Vaughn Gourdin and his wife Kelly.

By Shayla Simmons

reprinted from The Meter

Tennessee State University

http://tsuthemeter.com/2016/02/12/freshmen-fresh-faces/

Kirsten Beverly

While racking the brain trying to find the first candidate for excellence, eventually I came to realize that the best place might be to start from the bottom up. By the bottom up I mean a fresh face, untapped potential, a diamond hidden in the rough if you will. Yes, this best describes TSU’s freshman class who just recently entered their second semester. In such a short amount of time, a plethora of students have begun to lay the foundations of excellence in leadership, academia and athletics.

The search led me to Kirsten Beverly. Though officially classified as a sophomore, Beverly first stepped onto campus this past August, along with many others. Hailing from Clinton, Maryland, the young woman came prepared to take the world by storm.

“Of course I was nervous moving so far from home, but regardless, I had to remember why I was here,” said Beverly.

As a student at one of the few schools that offered a dental hygiene program, she was more than excited to take on anything that her professors threw at her.

“By working towards becoming a member of the dental hygiene program, I can gain much needed hands-on experience which will be helpful when I enter into dental school,” Kirsten commented, “It will be more than beneficial since I hope to become a pediatric dentist for low-income families and children with special needs.”

Bro. Dr. Foy, wife Dr. SanYvette Foy (r) and Gamma Pi scholars 

When asked about her accomplishments both in and out of the classroom, she first mentioned her role as the freshman class treasurer, a position of SGA and a coveted spot on the Dean’s list in her first semester. But after a little more digging, it was also discovered that she was a new recipient of the Girl Scout’s GOLD award, the highest achievement presented by the organization that prides itself on its community service.

The short interview concluded with one final question: What advice would you have for your peers and those that will make up the class of 2020?

Her response was surprising yet oddly refreshing.

“College is one of the few times that you can be completely selfish. Take advantage of it and take risks. Chase every dream you have because this is the time to do it. Never be afraid of the world. Know and remember that rejection is not a dead end. That’s what I wish I knew coming in.”

Read More About the Exciting Educational Journey that Gamma Pi offspring Shayla Simmons, Kirsten Beverly and Victoria Gourdin Are Experiencing at Tennessee State University on full scholarships.

Watch this VIDEO from Tennessee State University President Dr. Glenda Glover.