Gamma Pi Brothers Show Up in Support of Fight Against Domestic Violence

Basileus Bro. Tony Lee, 2nd right and Social Action Chair Kevin Greenwood, 2nd left,
 with some of the other Gamma Pi Brothers at the domestic violence event

The Brothers of Gamma Pi don't have any problem rolling out of bed early on a Saturday morning, even after working all week, if it is for a good cause. Today, the Brothers rolled out and showed up at the Camelot by Martin's in Upper Marlboro to show support for and help local advocacy groups strategize in the fight domestic violence. For the third consecutive year, Gamma Pi participated in the Prince George's County MOMENTum "Men Making Our Relationships Excellent" Domestic Violence conference.

The chapter's participation was led by the Social action committee and was highlighted by the deployment of its new exhibit booth that served as an onsite home base for the distribution of information about the Fraternity and chapter and its ambitious Social Action initiatives. The booth received a multitude of visitors curious about Omega Psi Phi and about the various community programs the chapter is involved in.

Gamma Pi also drew praise for bringing about a dozen young boys from the nearby underserved Kentland Community-- many dressed professionally in their ties -- to learn an early life lesson in having a proper relationship with women. The young boys are part of Gamma Pi's long-running QueKidz mentoring initiative that sponsors a monthly series of social and education enrichment activities for the Kentland youth. The young boys were transported to the event by bus from the Kentland Community Center where QueKidz programs are held one Saturday a month.

One of the key aspects of the conference, sponsored by the county's Department of Family Services, was a series of breakout sessions, which the Brothers from Gamma Pi covered. For example, there was a session on "Understanding Domestic Violence and Your Role in Preventing It" which included discussions on learning how to detect, report and respond to domestic violence. Another one of the sessions focused on "Becoming a Better Man."  The Gamma Pi team attending the conference took an active part in the frank dialogue and informative discussion that came out of the conference.

"The conference created 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," said Social Action Chairman Kevin Greenwood. "We learned  lot."

In 2016, the chapter used the opportunity of attending the conference to observe and meet community leaders directing the fight. The focus now is on getting more actively engaged in the effort. In recent years, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has turned more of its attention to the plight of domestic violence in our communities.

VIDEO CLIP: Que Kidz mentees arrive at the Camelot

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Chapter's Achievement Week Events Filled with Enthusiasm, Inspiration and Participation

All the honorees

The Brothers of Gamma Pi closed the books on the 2018 Achievement Week observance on Saturday night, November 17, at the annual Rededication Service held at Howard University's Crampton Auditorium, buoyed into the 108th year of the Fraternity by the powerful challenging words of "not satisfied" from Bro. Mark Jackson, the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal.

About 50 Gamma Pi chapter members rolled up U Street Washington, D.C. in a Que car caravan -- direct from the November monthly chapter meeting -- to attend the service. The Gamma Pi Brothers were part of a full house of about 1,000 Fraternity members who came from near and far to the program, some by chartered bus.

Audience enjoys the program

Gamma Pi put on a spirited Achievement Week of its own, making the Howard program "icing on the cake." Friday night, November 16, the chapter hosted 100 Chapter members and Fraternity guests for the annual Robert Busby/Claudius Brothers Only dinner at Martin's Camelot. It was the first time that Gamma Pi had held the dinner at the plush location. Immediate Past Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Bro. Kenneth Rodgers, a Gamma Pi legend, offered the inspirational words of "unity" at the dinner. Brothers enjoyed a free-form fellowship afterwards. It was one of the best Brothers Only dinners in recent memory, from the atmosphere to the succulent food to the Brotherhood to the message of the evening.

 On Monday, November 12, when Veterans Day was observed, the Social Action committee led a contingent of Omega men who gathered at the P.G. House Men's Shelter in Capitol Heights to deliver suits and shirts to the residents. Marching up to the facility in single file, with the clothes in their possession, the Gamma Pi men were met with enthusiasm and appreciation from the shelter manager on duty. Brothers delivered a total of 35 suits and two dozen shirts to the shelter.

How good and pleasant it is when brethren ...

For Gamma Pi, Achievement Week kicked off on Saturday, November 10, with the chapter's annual communitywide awards program held at the Ernest E. Just Middle School. It was a full house audience that witnessed the bestowing of awards to the following community leaders and chapter members. Bro. Anthony Stewart served as emcee.

Incoming Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsbrooks (Citizen of the Year) and incoming Gamma Pi Vice Basileus Bro. Don Norwood (Omega Man of the Year), led the way in receiving the most coveted awards. Other winners were Kayla Lawrence (Student Athlete of the Year); Ms. Dives Lopes (Educator of the year); Rev. Akil Dickens (Religious Leader of the Year); Past Basileus Bro. Brian K. Long (Super Service Award);  and Bro. Kenneth Rodgers, Immediate Grand Keeper of Records & Seal (Founders Award).

In addition to the awards, the program was highlighted by an insightful and riveting keynote speech by Bro. Theodore "Ted" Johnson, a former Gamma Pi chapter member who is a nationally known commentator on social justice issues, and by the soul-stirring renditions sang by the Gamma Pi Chorale, under the leadership of Bro. Alan Stewart.

Earlier in the day, the Social Action committee organized a Veterans Day program for youth in the Kentland community. The event featured military veteran Omega men sharing their experiences and explaining their role and the impact that African Americans have had on the U.S. Armed Forces.

Congratulations to Brother Teddy Taylor and the Achievement Week committee for an exciting and challenging week. Brothers who engaged in the week's events clearly felt re-energized after an uplifting series of activities.

Without Clones, Gamma Pi Pulls Social Action "Double Duty"

Bro. Hines explains Project ENRICH to students and families

There was a lot of good college football action on Saturday, September 29. Some great matchups were on TV and some even  more meaningful ones could be found in person at one of the local area college stadiums. Yet two teams of Brothers from Gamma Pi - with some overlap - managed to fully participate in two major community service projects simultaneously.

Brothers joined the local contingent of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and other Divine Nine organizations and community groups for a daylong scholarship fair at Charles Flowers High School in Springdale. There, Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH program, headed by Bro. Willie Hines,  advertised its upcoming October 6 start for the 2018-19 academic year and registered new students for the program in the process. Scholarship Chairman Bro. Tony Williams was also in tow.

These Brothers assisted at  Surrattsville Community Day

Chapter members also took part in the Surrattsville Community Day program during which the NAACP team, led by Chairman Brother Melvern McCottry and co-chair Lucious Toney , registered new voters on site at the venue. All of this was led by the Social Action team headed by Bro. Kevin Greenwood. Bro Basileus Tony Lee, his "chapter-leased helicopter" down for repairs, managed to shuttle between both events to show support and greet members of the community.

Both events were crowded throughout the day and it was a fantastic opportunity for members of the Prince George's County community to participate in and witness the outcome of Gamma Pi's initiatives to better the community. The Cardinal Principle of UPLIFT was on full display all day.

The benefits to the Community were clear and direct. In the case of the scholarship fair, the chapter was able to share information about Project ENRICH with more than 50 students and families and and sign many of them up for the program. Brochures, flyers and website information was provided to people who visited Gamma Pi's booth and registrations occurred onsite at the table.

For those who encountered Gamma Pi at the Surrattsville Community Day event, the community benefits were obvious. Residents were able to learn more about the Fraternity and chapter and the support programs it offers in the local community and, most importantly were able to register to vote.

Gamma Pi showed Saturday how one chapter through one committee and one vision can make the difference in one community. They don't call us the Super Chapter for nothing. They just call us!

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Back To School with the Brothers of Gamma Pi

Brothers and other Divine Nine members pose 

As the summer dog days drags to a close, it is a time of year that most young kids dread -- the return to school. The laziness of summer and its carefree days are practically over. But one thing the kids in the Kentland Community do not dread this time of year, and that is seeing the Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for the annual Back to School Backpack Drive.  On Saturday, August 25, Gamma Pi once again made it an affair to remember.

Th Super Chapter donated more than 60 backpacks to Kentland students during Saturday's event. A team of about 30 Brothers joined Basileus Tony Lee and Social Action Chairman Kevin Greenwood at the community center for the daylong giveaway. In addition to book bags, the students and their parents were able to select form an array of other supplies like pens, pencils, binders and notebooks. The supplies were provided to Gamma Pi to give to the students by its partner, Friendship Charities Foundation, Inc.

Basileus Tony Lee
and Social Action Chair Greenwood

"This is why we do the work that we do, to see the smiles on the faces of these youth and their parents. You never know when you may be providing supplies for a future doctor, lawyer or scientist," said Basileus Lee.

“It is very important that our children start out their school year on the best possible footing. Unfortunately, many do not have the resources to have a new backpack, writing utensils, folders or any of the essentials they will need to start the school year on a positive note," said Social Action chair Greenwood. "There is no greater feeling than to see how happy and excited the students are when they receive their “back to school” items. The Men of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc will always put our best foot forward to help the youth in our communities across the world. This is what we do!”

The event included a moon bounce, martial arts demonstration,dancing exhibition and the crowd-smashing hop routine by Gamma Pi's Kevin Ford, Jr., David Jackson and Ben Greene. By the time they were done, many of the young and old in the audience were trying to emulate them with their own "hop" moves.

Bro. KRS Norwood greets youth and parents 

The weekend Back to School event featured several other service organizations, including a local chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and a foundation of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. All the participating organizations were lined up along the outer walls of the gymnasium with their exhibition tables.

Gamma Pi has a long history of involvement in the Kentland community, having operated the chapter's Que Kidz initiative there for several years until recently when a leadership change occurred at the facility. Residents of the community still know and respect and look forward to Gamma Pi coming to the neighborhood and it showed in the crowds and activity that The Super Chapter attracted to its table.

Gamma Pi broadcast much of the event on Facebook Live. To watch the rebroadcast, go to www.facebook.com/gammapichapter.

Additional video clips at www.twitter.com/gammapiques