Where Is Gamma Pi's Social Action Team? Everywhere....

Gamma Pi Brothers at the MOMENTum Conference

Gamma Pi's Social Action team is continuing to chart new territory for service and Uplift  in the local community. In just the past month, Social Action, under the leadership of Brother Kevin Greenwood, has met with local domestic violence advocates, re-introduced its reformatted Que Kidz initiative in two local communities and sponsored a birthday party for seniors in Suitland and sponsored a basketball skills event in conjunction with March Madness for local youths in the underserved Columbia Road community.

Social Action Chair Bro. Greenwood with Bro. Clarke

On Saturday, March 17, Social Action members attended“Momentum: Breaking the Silence of Domestic Violence Promoting Domestic Peace”, a Men's Conference sponsored by the Prince George’s County Department of Family Services The conference was held at the Camelot by Martin’s in Upper Marlboro and was designed to create a gender specific community dialogue to educate men and youth on healthy relationships, non-violence, and to give them an opportunity to partner with other males in discussion to address domestic violence in Prince George’s County. It was the third conference Gamma Pi has participated in since 2017. The chapter is looking to make inroads at these conferences to lay the groundwork for collaborative social action in that space.

Bro. Terry Hare at March Madness 

On Saturday, March 24, the day of the largest event of the year for Gamma Pi -- the day of the annual Mardi Gras -- The Super Chapter put on two big events for youth under its Que Kidz moniker. In the morning, the Brothers joined local Fraternity member and high school basketball coach Bro. Rod Garner in holding a March Madness session on on-court fundamentals with lessons on life sprinkled in. The skills sessions dove-tailed with the televised NCAA college basketball tournament. It proved to be a fun and exciting way for kids to learn the importance of teamwork, developing life skills and understanding and practicing sportsmanship. The event was held at the Columbia Park Recreation Center in an underserved area of Prince George's County.

That evening, just hours before the Mardi Gras at National Harbor, the Social Action Committee went into another hard-hit community, Seat Pleasant, to host a Que Teenz event  that was designed to help kids learn about good character. The purpose of this session was to introduce the Que Teenz to the concept of Character Education through dialogue.

Gamma Pi Chapter finished up the latest Social Action run by hosting the Quarterly Birthday Bash for the seniors at the Windsor Crossing Apartments in Suitland, Md., bringing cake and ice cream, party favors, gifts, singing and a whole lot of love and respect to the seniors who always look forward to a visit from "The Ques" and those exciting birthday parties!

"We're just here to serve in as many ways as we can," said Bro. Greenwood, who leads the committee. "Every project is a part of our commitment to Uplift."

Gamma Pi Chapter Celebrates 45 Years in True Omega Fashion

Chapter Founders Williams, Herring, McIntosh, Edwards and Robinson

March 5, 2018 - The very core reason for why Omega Psi Phi Fraternity', Inc. has survived and thrived for more than a century was epitomized at Gamma Pi Chapter on Monday, March 5, when Brothers from The Super Chapter got together across generations, initiation lines, geographic backgrounds and experience in the Fraternity to celebrate 45 years in Omega for Gamma Pi.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc history was alive and well at The Super Chapter Fraternity Center on this special night!

On the exact date of the chapter's founding -- 45 years after the charter was granted -- more than 100 Brothers gathered for an exciting and insightful program and Omega fellowship at The Super Chapter Fraternity Center. What resulted was an Omega style celebration of 45 years, 21 lines and hundreds of Omega men made at The Super Chapter in almost half a century. Several of the Founders were present and spoke at the program. All are still active in the chapter today. In attendance and at the podium were these esteemed Brothers: Timothy McIntosh (the first Basileus), George Edwards, Don Herring, Sr., Joseph Williams, and John Robinson. Seeing and hearing from these Brothers was inspiring and a real testament to why the Founders organized Omega Psi Phi as a Fraternity for life.

The Super Chapter: A Part of Omega History

Through the years, Gamma Pi has left an indelible mark on Omega Psi Phi. The chapter has won numerous awards at the District level and has had numerous members serve the Fraternity at the International and District level, including Bro Kenneth Rodgers, the current two-term Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, who was in attendance. Gamma Pi has won the Large Chapter of the Year award for the Second District four times, including in 2015.

Brothers are all eyes and ears during the program

Brothers took the opportunity of the event to recall the earliest beginnings of the chapter, including  when it was meeting in Brother Tim McIntosh's basement and later at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park. Some of the earliest Mardi Gras events were even held at the old church in the basement.  The idea to conceive the chapter was triggered by several graduate Brothers in 1972 and from the germination of that idea, a total of 21 Brothers applied to the Supreme Council of the Fraternity on January 31, 1973 through then-Second District Representative Bro. Milton Johnson.

At the time Gamma PI Chapter was just an idea, many graduate Brothers in Prince George's County -- mostly in education and business careers -- were driving north to Montgomery County or into Washington, D.C. to remain active in the Fraternity.

An historic night

Anniversary Ties Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

The 45th Anniversary celebration afforded newer initiates into Gamma Pi the occasion to swap stories with some of the earlier Sons of Gamma Pi. It was a tie to see how many Past Basilei you could recall. Or how many lines have crossed over (the answer is 21). And for many, the challenge was to see if they come up with the right number of Founders and how man could you name?

It was an exciting and symbolic moment for the Brothers who bridged the very beginning with the current -- from first Basileus McIntosh to current Basileus Tony Lee, and from the first line in the Spring of 1979 xxxx to the most recent line to enter the Fraternity through Gamma Pi: the two-man Que-cified II, on April 29, 2017, of Bros. Ben Greene and Andrew Clarke.

Congratulations to Bro. Maurice Calhoun (Gamma Pi '90) for leading the planning and execution of an outstanding program, along with committee members Bros. Sheku Alieu, Steve Coles, Kevin Ford, Jr., Marlin Godfrey, Damien Goins (who serve as emcee), Eddie High, Keith Keemer, Brian King, Charles Mays, Michael Mitchell, Thad Turner, Darryl Ward and Milton Ware, Jr.

Check out the video clip below and also visit the link below to see a collection of 45th Anniversary photos from Bro. Raphael Terrell, chapter photographer.

 CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO ALBUM

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Gamma Pi Achievement Week Holds A Great Year Up to the Mirror

Brothers fellowshipping at dinner

Achievement Week may be an annual event for all of Omega Psi Phi, but for Gamma Pi Chapter, each year's observance has its own flavor. This year's Achievement Week and Founders' Day underscored the chapter's longstanding commitment to community service and highlighted just how much of a difference Gamma Pi makes in the local community.

Gamma Pi's growing influence and results in Uplifting Prince George's County were evident throughout the week's programs, from the Sunday, November 12 worship service to the Saturday, November 18 communitywide awards and recognition program. The underlying theme of it all centered on the importance of full participation and service to community as outlined by the Founders.

For Omega men everywhere, the call to action and to service is as strong as it has ever been. It's a time for Omega men to get inspired by other Omega men. No question that was the case for Gamma Pi this year as is the case every year.

It began with the Brothers' visit to Greater Bethesda Baptist Church pastored by Gamma Pi Chaplain Bro. Rev.  Brian King, on November 12.

Next, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker reminded Gamma Pi Brothers and Fraternity guests at the November 16 Brothers Only Dinner that the vast talents and abilities of Omega men  are contributing to community Uplift all over. He used the example of Omega men who have been called to serve Prince George's other than himself. Bro. Baker reminisced about his days as an Alpha Chapter Brother at Howard University "back in the day", recalling the Brothers during the dinner. Grand Keeper of Records & Seal Bro. Kenneth Rodgers also greeted the Brothers along with Gamma Pi's first Basileus and founding member  Bro. Tim McIntosh.

Bro. Alfonzo Powell delivers keynote at program

Gamma Pi's Brother Alfonzo Powell, having recently returned to the United States after a two-year stint in Sierra Leone, brought forth some inspiring words about service and commitment to community during the November 18 Community program in Fort Washington.

In speaking to community and chapter honorees, he said, "You were chosen because your body of work, that which has come to define you, has set you apart from those who have come to define themselves as simply, ordinary....The reason you have been set out above the rest is because you have demonstrated that you are driven by a sense, a use a vision ... that has proven to be greater than yourself."

Achievement Week award winners were Bro. Darryl Thompson (Omega Man of the Year), Bro. Gordon Everett (Founders' Award), Bro. Kevin Greenwood (Superior Service Award), Bro. Brian King (Religious Leader of the Year), Bro. Ikey Staton (Educator of the Year), community leader William Paige (Citizen of the Year) and John Morgan III (Student Athlete of the Year).  In addition, Bro. Greenwood was also named Committee Chairman of the Year.

                                        Visit our Achievement Week 2017 Photo Album

2017 Omega Man of the Year Bro. Darryl Thompson

Grand KRS Bro. Rodgers (Center) with Founders and Basileus Lee

Gamma Pi Joins Forces With Community to Combat Domestic Violence

Brothers with U.S. Rep Anthony Brown

The Brothers of Gamma Pi don't have any trouble getting up early on a Saturday morning as long as it is for a good cause. That's why they were in the house and in force by 8:30 a.m. today to attend and exhibit at a countywide Domestic Violence conference called MoMENtum, Moving into the Millenium; Elevating the Male Perspective on Domestic Violence. As the crafty titles suggests, the conference was focused on educating men about domestic violence prevention through getting males to see the ripple effect and consequences of domestic violence..

About 25 Chapter members attended the morning workshop, led by Social Action Chairman Kevin Greenwood and the committee. Gamma Pi did not present as part of the program but it sponsored an exhibit display in the lobby along with other organizations. The chapter was able to highlight its community action program to attendees, including former Lt. Governor and current Congressman Anthony Brown and Prince George's County state's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks who were highlighted during the event. The Super Chapter was able to take a photo with them both.

During the Saturday program, Brothers were taking notes, meeting with other participants and speakers, collecting materials and disseminating information about Gamma Pi and Friendship Charities at the chapter's information table.

Bros Roland Jones, Kevin Greenwood and Anthony McAllister with
 U.S. Rep. Brown and County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks

This year Gamma Pi has explored new avenues to conduct social action activities throughout the community and participation in the domestic violence conference was a part of that new approach. "We're here talking to people throughout the community about how we can get involved," said Bro. Greenwood. "We have learned about a lot of opportunities."

The chapter already works with young males through its periodic visits to the Cheltenham Youth Facility in Prince George's County. It also sponsors programs in the Kentland and Seat Pleasant communities through its Que Kidz initiatives where it also has opportunities to help shape and mold the lives of young boys, including teaching them to have respect for women. Male mentoring and combating domestic violence are two major social action priorities for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

If you would like to contact The Super Chapter about a social action partnership, please reach out to Bro. Greenwood at kgreenwood35@gmail.com