Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH Students Use Technology to Deliver Essays During Coronavirus Shutdown

Munyang Tengen gives her stellar presentation

The students and parents of Gamma Pi Chapter’s Project ENRICH program circled April 11 on the calendar months ago. It was, after all, the date for the students to deliver their essays. Every year, it is the most anticipated time in the programs’ nine-month agenda. Students get both excited and nervous about writing and presenting their essays.

No one could have predicted that 97% of the United States and almost the entire world would be under lockdown from a deadly, highly contagious virus. There was no way Project ENRICH could meet in person. But Brother Willie Hines, the program’s director, and his team Persevered outside the box and came up with a strategy to hold the essay presentations anyway, despite the public health lockdown, thanks to online video conferencing via Zoom. From safe inside their own homes, a total of 25 students presented their essays to Project ENRICH staff during the same date and time they were scheduled to be at Bowie State University.

Junior Julian Thomas helps get things started

“The COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity for Project ENRICH staff to utilize creativity, communication, collaboration, Perseverance and Uplift. Project ENRICH conducted 2020 Oral Essay Presentations by utilizing the Zoom technology platform,” said Bro. Hines.  “Conducting these essay presentations maintained the continuity of Project ENRICH and provided our students the opportunity to focus on something positive besides COVID-19. "

Zoom, which has become a popular form of group video communication in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, allowed these students to make their presentations in living color to the Project ENRICH team members who were also safe inside their own homes. To keep the environment “real” and professional, students still had to dress up as if they were sitting in the Thurgood Marshall Library on the Bowie campus. Much of the same energy and enthusiasm that defines the Project ENRICH essays was still present in the virtual version.

Listening to the presentations. aside from director Bro. Hines, were Project ENRICH team members Brother Andrew Clarke, Anthony Kelly, Jason Crump, John Howard and James Riley Jr. As always with the essays, the Brothers provided constructive feedback to each and every student.

Bro. Riley guides the students through the program

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Project Enrich utilized a new platform as a means to allow each student to present their essays to the staff.  We were very proud that each student was able to adapt seamlessly, and even more proud of what we heard from each of them today,” said Bro. Riley, who moderated the event. “All of them truly exemplified hard work, determination and perseverance, there is nothing that can stop us.”

The nearly three-hour session was smooth and organized. Brothers had given each of the students specific time slots to sign on, so that at any given time, one person was presenting and one was waiting in the wings. Each presenter was assigned a member of the Project ENRICH team who formally introduced them and asked the follow-up questions afterwards. There was no audience.

Director Bro. Willie Hines

The students were assigned specific questions to address by grade level. For freshmen, the essay question was, “What are the attributes of the 21st century learner, which attributes have you mastered and which attributes is your greatest deficiency in achieving your scholastic goals?” Sophomores were asked to look at “Key drivers causing African American college dropouts and what is your solution to fix the problem?” For juniors, the challenge was answering, “How would you change the American educational system to properly educate African American students?” And, finally, the Seniors got the toughest question of all, “Describe the impact of racism in development of African American youth in 21st century.  What are the mitigations and solutions to overcome racism in reaching your potential as a global citizen?”

Overall, Saturday’s program was a lesson in life for the students. It demonstrated the value of Perseverance despite the obstacles. But it also showed how difficult times can present opportunity.

---

Below is a list of the participating students, including two who are prospective students for Project ENRICH next year. One of those students is only 12 years old and stars in his own local cable television show.

Freshmen

Quinton Sims (CMIT South)

Joshua Washington (Washington Christian Academy)

Shelemiah Griffiths-Johnson (Samuel Ogle Middle School) -7th grader

David Howard (Frederick Douglass High School)

Cyrus Brookings (Riverdale Baptist)

Anike Akinfolarin (Imagine Foundation at Leeland)

Jana Tengen (Samuel Ogle Middle School) - 8th grader

Sophomores

Jada Smith (Glen Burnie)

Jaylyn Crump (Elizabeth Seton)

Druex Robinson (Bishop McNamara)

Juniors

Justice Flora (Charles Herbert Flowers)

Kennedy Cheek (Charles Herbert Flowers)

Christa Mathieu (Elizabeth Seton)

Stacey Spencer (Charles Herbert Flowers)

John Howard (Frederick Douglass)

Christian Jenkins (John F. Kennedy)

Imani Roberts (Charles Herbert Flowers)

Julian Thomas (Charles Herbert Flowers)

Justin Coles (Arundel High)

Seniors

Munyang Tengen (Bowie High School)

Matthew Wesley (Springbrook)

Kai Merriman (Eleanor Roosevelt)

D’Mani Washington (Washington Christian Academy)

Starr Williams (Charles Herbert Flowers)

D’Naja Washington (Washington Christian Academy)

"100 Ques in Annapolis:" Gamma Pi Leads Second District Meeting with State Legislators

You can best believe that when Omega men get together, something good is about the happen. When Omega men get together at the Maryland State Capitol, something important is about to happen. That was the case on Tuesday, March 10, when Brothers from the Super Chapter, from nearby Epsilon Sigma (Bowie State University) and other chapters in Corridor I assembled at the Capitol in Annapolis to bring Uplift to the community through civic participation.

Called “100 Ques in Annapolis,” the event was held in Annapolis at the State Legislature, where both the House of Delegates and the State Senate for Maryland meet each Spring to discuss and pass legislation impacting Marylanders.  In short, Annapolis is “The Capitol Hill’ of the State of Maryland – the center of power and influence in how the state is run, from the rugged mountains along the state’s western border to the in the crystal clear waters of the beaches and the Atlantic Ocean in the east.

This was no tourist adventure. This was about business. In a series of planned events based on a carefully crafted agenda, the men of Omega – more than 100 strong – arrived in Annapolis armed with information about pending bills, ready to ask questions and discuss various legislative proposals, all in the context of what was good for their communities.  For the Brothers of Gamma Pi, that meant especially looking out for the residents of Prince George’s County. Gamma Pi was charged with organizing this year’s event from a Corridor level. Corridor I is comprised of all of the chapters in Maryland.

The schedule for the day was packed from 9 a.m. until lunch that began at 12 noon, with some optional educational events available afterwards for those Brothers who wanted to stay into early afternoon after the business was complete. This included a visit to the Historic Ashbury United Methodist Church to see Bro. Bishop Edgar Amos Love’s Library and personal artifacts.

 “Looking back, I was fortunate and honored to have been supported by our 1^st Vice District Representative, Bro. Roni Kent; Corridor I Representative, Bro. Amir Shareef; representatives from Chapters across the Corridor; and the Brothers who made time on that historic day to ensure that our event was a success.”

Omega Leaders pose with legislator

In addition to Brothers Kent and Shareef, other notable Second District Omega men in attendance were Delegates Bro. Nick Charles (Prince George’s County),  and  Bro. Nick Mosby (Baltimore City), Bro. James Hicks, Past District Representative;  Bro. Michael Lyles, Annapolis City Attorney; Bro. Brian K. Long, District Chief of Staff; and Bro. Kelvin Ampofo, District Keeper of Records and Seal, Second District Director of Public Relations Bro. Zanes Cypress and Gamma Pi’s own Basileus, Bro. Steven Walls.

Brothers identified four (4) legislative bills for which they prioritized support in Annapolis. These bills are being sponsored or supported by Delegates Bro. Charles and Bro. Mosby.  In true Omega fashion, each bill is aligned with each one of the Four Cardinal Principles of the Fraternity.  In short, they deal with the following:

Manhood - HB1114 - Child Custody and Visitation - Best Interest of the Child - Factors . This bill seeks to eliminate historical preferences/bias towards mothers when analyzing child custody/visitation issues.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1114

Scholarship - SB0001 - Built to Learn Act of 2020 . This bill deals with budgeting money that will be used for public school construction.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0001

Perseverance - HB1343 - Criminal Procedure Expungement Expansion. This bill seeks to expand expungement opportunities for certain offenses.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1343

Uplift - HB0416- Medical Cannabis Business Development Fund. This bill seeks to obtain funding and opportunities for small minority and women businesses in the cannabis industry.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0416

To muscle support for the bills, Brother employed the “fan-out” strategy, that is, they broke up into smaller groups that went out and visited their own local legislator’s offices to discuss the priority bills. Brothers were armed with leave-behind letters of support as part of that effort. The idea was to leave Annapolis with an impression and a message about the most important community-based priorities are from The World’s Greatest Fraternity.

“If we are to have an impact on decisions that are being made that can affect us or the ones we love, we must sacrifice time to inform our legislators regarding how we feel about various issues,” said Bro. Allison, in explaining the significance of the event. “Over the years, the Brothers in Maryland have done exceedingly well at ensuring that legislators know that we are here and that we vote; however, an area where we wanted to improve was in expressing our interest in support of or against actual legislation.  Through this kind of expression, we can achieve impact.” 

Gamma Pi Brings Black History to Life with its QUE Kidz Program

Bro. Ken Jones talks with students

With its monthly sessions, Gamma Pi’s Que Kidz program opens doors on the world for the young preteens who live in the underserved Prince George’s County community of Kentland. For Black History Month, the Brothers threw wide open the doors to the history of African Americans with an entertaining and educational program held at the Kentland Community Center on Saturday, February 22.

The group was small, but the lessons were big. Members of the chapter used the morning to share the biographies of historical Black Americans, lead the youth in history-based trivia games, screen short powerful YouTube mini-documentaries about the Black Experience in the United States and share their own personal stories of racial struggles in America. The youth were wide-eyed and seemed fascinated by the stories and bout the contributions of the African Americans who paved the way before them. Not all of the names of historical figures were household names.

Youth raises hand to ask a question

During the program, the youth were encouraged to relate their own personal stories and ask questions. They wanted to know what I was like during the Civil Rights struggle? How did segregation affect their families growing up? How did Barack Obama become the nation’s first Black president?  Why did African Americans drink out of different water foundations or ride in the back of buses? Some of the questions were sensitive personally, such as students asking why were they seemingly treated differently than other kids in class?  Or, what if someone makes a racially sensitive remark in their presence?

As the noon hour approached, the students were served lunch. That gave them a chance to discuss what they had learned and to continue asking questions. The Brothers of Gamma Pi had a goal with the program, and they accomplished it. They wanted the youth to leave the Kentland Center feeling a sense of pride and self-worth from their heritage. They did.

All in all, it was a productive morning of education and fun. For these youths, Black History Month leaped from the pages of the history book and into their hearts and minds. It became real.

 

Gamma Pi's Achievement Week 2019 Shows Why Omega Psi Phi is UniQUE

The proud Gamma Pi Achievement Week 2019 award winners 

Gamma Pi's 2019 Achievement Week program had all the right touches and showed why we are The Super Chapter when it comes to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In a one week period from Saturday, November 9 through Sunday, November 17, the Achievement Week Committee sponsored two major community service projects, a well-attended community awards program, a packed dinner for Omega men only and a caravan of Brothers who attended the annual Rededication Service at Howard University, where our Fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911,

The week began with an outstanding community awards program on Saturday, November 9, at the Ernest Everette Just Middle School in Largo, MD., an appropriate venue given the special week. The Hon. Bro. Derrick Leon Davis, of the local Prince George's County Council, brought a challenging message as keynote speaker. His point: we are obligated to reach back, and especially to help our youth.

Award Winners
In addition to Brother Davis' remarks, the communitywide event was highlighted by the always-anticipated individual awards for chapter and community excellence. In the community, the award winners were The Hon. State Del. Jazz Lewis, Citizen of the Year; teacher Stevie Prather, Educator of the Year;  Metropolitan Baptist Church pastor the Rev. Dr. Maurice Watson, Religious Leader of the Year; and Miss Brianna F. Davis, Athlete of the Year. Within the chapter, Gamma Pi honored Bro. Kevin Greenwood, outgoing Social Action Chair and incoming Assistant Keeper of Records and Seal, as Omega Man of the Year; Bro. Sheku Alieu, for Super Service; and stalwart Brother Maurice Calhoun for the Founders Award for lifetime achievement.

Suits collected for drive

On Sunday, November 10, about 20 Brothers trekked to the PG House Men's Shelter for homeless men to deliver 200 suits and assorted accessories for the residents. Led by the Social Action committee, the in-person donation triggered emotions of joy and sincere appreciation from the staff. In this one activity, Gamma Pi demonstrated in clear terms just how Omega Psi Phi works. Brothers -- like-minded men of high ideals -- used their foundation of Friendship to provide a much-needed service to a forgotten part of the local community.

There was nothing especially elaborate about the project. It was just simple hard work and dedication and perseverance. Quite simply Brothers used their persuasive skills to encourage members of the chapter and the Fraternity as well as members of the greater community to dispose of too-big, too-small and outdated suits through giving to other local residents they did not know, rather than dumping them on the trash pile.  In two months time, the incredible number of wearable suits collected was achieved. It truly made a difference.

Brothers after Reading Across the District project

A few days later following the community awards program and the suit drive, the Gamma Pi Brothers participated in the Second District "Read Across the District Day" on Tuesday, November 12. The District called on all Omega Men throughout "2D" to gather at a local school and read to Fourth and Fifth graders.  Gamma Pi read to students at Gaywood Elementary School in Seabrook, where Bro. Damien Goins is Principal, and the Mary Harris Jones Elementary School in Adelphi, where Bro. Rev. Brian King teaches.

When Omega Men Get Together
In their "usual and customary fashion," Gamma Pi along with guest Brothers from around the DMV broke bread during the Annual Brothers Only dinner at the upscale Martin's at Camelot in Upper Marlboro. Approximately 120 Brothers attended the dinner, headlined by Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Bro. Mark Jackson as the guest speaker. While most of his message was about "in house" business, he implored Brothers to always make Friendship #1 and to find ways to get involved in the Fraternity.

Brothers enjoy fellowship after the Brothers Only dinner

As an Omega-only event, the Brothers Only Dinner allows Fraternity members to fraternize and fellowship in a way that only Omega men appreciate and understand.  After the formal program, Brothers spent the remainder of the evening sharing their Omega experiences through the years and swapping stories about their time in the Fraternity as well as when they were seeking to enter Omega's realm.

Finally, the weeklong celebration of Omega Psi Phi concluded with another Brothers Only event, which was the Annual Rededication program held at Howard University on November 17, where the Fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911.The Grand Basileus, Bro. Dr. David Marion, led the ceremony at a packed house in Howard's Cramton Auditorium.

Achievement Week was also a time for Gamma Pi to transition in leadership. During the week, Brothers Steven A. Walls and Vice Basileus Richard Allison III and their leadership team entered office as the team of Bro. Tony Lee (Immediate Past Basileus) and Don Norwood (Vice Basileus) finished up three terms of service. The new leadership, elected in June, was sworn in on November 16.

For the Super Chapter, it was a memorable week and a great reminder about why Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is so special. Thanks to Brothers Jeff Adkisson and Cruiz Alexander for heading this year's Achievement Week activities.

-----------------------------------

MORE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM ACHIEVEMENT WEEK 2019

SEE PHOTOS FROM BRO. RAPHAEL TERRELL (Chapter Photographer)

Other photos courtesy of Bros. Teddy Taylor, Ken Jones and Tony Kelly 

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURE BELOW: Bro. Derrick Leon Davis on Gamma Pi TV

Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Mark Jackson at Brothers Only

Fraternity members welcome Grand Basileus Bro. Dr. David Marion to Howard

Brothers after completing "Reading Across America" at Gaywood 

The sold-out crowd at Brothers Only dinner

Gamma Pi men pose after delivering 200 suits

Brothers assemble to deliver the suits to homeless men