Gamma Pi Gets Recognition at Second District Conference

It was quite close to home, just one county over from Prince George's County. The 68th Second District Conference was essentially a "home game" for the Brothers of Gamma Pi chapter, though it was sponsored by Mu Nu chapter in neighboring Montgomery County. But Gamma Pi has a reputation for showing up at District meetings and Grand Conclaves, whether near or far, and true to that form, more than 50 Super Chapter Brothers represented Gamma Pi at the District Conference this weekend, April 28-May 1, at the Montgomery County Marriott Conference Center in Bethesda. The chapter's attendance spanned from the newest initiates all the way up to at least one 60-year member, Bro. Harold Suggs, as well as several 50- and 40-year members.

Gamma Pi Hop Team with trophy (photo by Bro. Raphael Terrell)

Gamma Pi's presence at the Second District meeting was symbolized by Brother Kenneth Rodgers, now the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal and the 32nd District Representative who served in that position several years ago. He received a warm and welcoming reception throughout the conference weekend from the gathered members of the Fraternity, reflecting on Gamma Pi's legacy. Brother Rodgers' elected position on the Supreme Council embodies Gamma Pi's long, successful run in the past 15 years. Per the new District Council, Gamma Pi's Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom was appointed to yet another term as the Second District Chaplain. It's been a good-news period for Bro. Folsom who just got his first-ever church pastorate during  a recent meeting of the AME Church. Read About It Here.

In recent years, Gamma Pi, the Second District Graduate Chapter of the Year for 2015, has consistently gotten some type of accolades at the conference, whether chapter or individual. This year it continued, but in a different vein. It began with Gamma Pi's newly re-organized Hop Team, comprised of a handful of new or recent initiates, crowned the winner of the step competition held Friday night, April 29, before an enthusiastic packed house. Vice Basileus Bro. Tony Lee was Master of Ceremonies. The Gamma Pi team will represent the Second District in Las Vegas at the Conclave in July. Gamma Pi also finished Third Place in Social Action Chapter of the Year balloting. The chapter is also a previous Social Action Chapter of the Year. And The Super Chapter also placed in the district-wide Omega Talent Hunt with Gamma Pi Talent Hunt winner Aston Woolery finishing in Second Place during Saturday's Talent Hunt program.

Basileus  Long and Immediate Past Basileus Everett review notes

The chapter tallied in the individual awards with Immediate Past Basileus Gordon Everett being named Committee Chair of the Year for the Second District, by outgoing District Representative Milton Harrison, who recognized Bro. Everett's tireless efforts organizing and running the new Violence Prevention Committee. "Our committee worked on several initiatives this year. We worked with the International Committee on a strategic plan. Our committee also held discussions across the Second District in all five states," said Bro. Everett.

Popular conference 2016 bags

Gamma Pi's fingerprints on the Second District even extended to the classy leather conference bags that were given to registrants. They were a hot item this weekend and were provided through a company owned by longtime Gamma Pi member Bro. Alfonzo Powell, who recently relocated to Senegal as part of the export-import business.

"I was proud of Gamma Pi's participation. We upheld our reputation for being one of the most engaged chapters at the District level. We are now looking forward to the 80th Grand Conclave in Las Vegas in July,"said Brother Brian K. Long, Basileus, who, with a new District Council, is already busy making sure that Gamma Pi is represented on the District level.

To view clips of the Hop Team's performance, visit our social media sites:
www.instagram.com/gammapiques
www.twitter.com/gammapiques

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