Another Great Achievement Week Program for Gamma Pi

In recent years, Gamma Pi's Achievement Week programs have been inspirational celebrations of the Four Cardinal Principles of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Name speakers. Young community talent on display. And a salute to academic achievement and community service within the chapter and in the Greater Prince George's area. Yesterday was all that and more as Brothers, their families and community leaders joined together at Charles Flowers High School for Achievement Week 2012. The school in Springdale, Maryland is actually named for an Omega man who was a Tuskegee Airman.

View of the Dais at Saturday's Gamma Pi Achievement Week

Only a General could lead the way and U.S. Army General (Ret.) William "Kip" Ward, a member of the Fraternity, served as keynote speaker. It was one of the best Achievement Week speeches in recent memory as he quoted from the poem "Invictus" and talked about the historical context of achievement by Omega men in all walks of life since the Fraternity's November 17,1911 founding at Howard University. "The Founders gave Omega life. Now it is our job, the current membership, to keep it going."

Gamma Pi's Brother William Reese, a Fraternity member for more than 40 years, has known Brother General Ward for many years and invited him to speak several months ago. Last year's speaker was Brother Rushern Baker, Prince George's County Executive. Other noteworthy speakers from previous years were Brother Ernest Green of The Little Rock Nine (who was interviewed on XM Satellite Radio about Gamma Pi Achievement Week), Brother Dr. Joe Leonard of the Obama Administration and Brother Dr. Mickey Burnim, president of Bowie State University. Brother William Smith was chief organizer of all Achievement Week activities for the chapter.

Brothers Reese (left), Basileus Gordon Everett (right) with General Ward

While General Ward keynoted the occasion, another highlight as always during Achievement Week is the awards. Brother Brian Keith Long, current chapter Keeper of Records and Seal, was voted Omega Man of the Year by the chapter and officially received the award  at Saturday's program. He was also given the Superior Service Award for this year, a rarity. Immediate Past Second District Representative Brother Kenneth Rodgers, a legend in Gamma Pi history who blazed trails to District and International Fraternity level involvement by the chapter,  was also given the Founders' Award. Community winners were Brother Rev. Tony Lee (Religious Leader of the Year),  State's Attorney for Prince George's County Angela Alsobrooks (Citizen of the Year), Denise Swann (Educator of the Year) and wife of Gamma Pi member Ronald Swann, and Taivon Jacobs (Student Athlete of the Year).

Two highly talented musical aggregations, both directed by Gamma Pi men, performed at the program. They were the Flowers High School Jazz Band (Brother Don DeMarco Myles) and the Surrattsville High School Choir (Brother Marcus Davis).

Brothers gathered for the annual Achievement Week dinner at Andrews Air Force Base on Friday, November 16. Brother Teddy Taylor, a past Basileus of the chapter who just completed three years as an U.S. Ambassador in the South Pacific, brought a special message to members. Several other Gamma Pi Brothers were singled out for awards and certificates at the dinner.

Video highlights from Achievement Week, including General Ward's speech and Brother Long's acceptance speech, are available at Gamma Pi TV, the chapter's YouTube channel: Click here for Gamma Pi TV.

The Super Chapter Brings Cheer to Local Seniors

Contributed by Brother Thomas Boone

Gamma Pi chapter has a following among the seniors in Prince George's County. Every summer, the Ques from the Super Chapter host a Seniors Banquet at a local church in Capitol Heights, Md. that has become very popular and was even covered once by a local newspaper. Throughout the year, there are several other gathering for our seniors including a summer picnic/cookout and a series of Seniors Birthday Bash events held at the Windsor Crossing complex in Suitland.

Several Gamma Pi Brothers led the way with a program of mind-stimulating games, cake and ice cream, music and chit chat. Thanks to Brothers Bleu Colquitt, Don Norwood, Rod Lawrence, Don DeMarco Myles (who played the guitar) and Thomas Boone for organizing and carrying out the program.

The seniors have already requested that Gamma Pi come back in December. They have already engaged the Ques in gold-natured ribbing about who has the best skills in Wii bowling. The next Birthday Bash is  scheduled for December 19. Below are some photos from the event provided by Brother Boone:

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Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH Kicks Into Gear with Opening Program

To hear the young students tell it, they really did not want to be there in the first place. Many of the upperclassmen who took the podium during Saturday morning's Opening Program for the 2012-2013 version of Project ENRICH at Bowie State University recalled how their parents "forced" them to participate in the program, taking away their precious freedom to sleep in and live carefree for one Saturday morning every month. But they also added this in retrospect: it turned out to be a great, fun experience and has helped them grow into more confident, prepared students as they sail towards college. That is the dominant story line for Project ENRICH as the program begins a new year.

About 60 parents and students gathered at Bowie State's Center for Learning & Technology for the formal opening of Project ENRICH for the current academic year. Instead of the customary keynote speaker, this year Program Director Brother Willie Hines decided to focus on the "voices" of students in the program. Students highlighted the program with their own testimonials, partly as an affirmation for parents who have supported them throughout Project ENRICH and also as encouragement to incoming freshmen.

Gamma Pi Brings "Scholarship"to Life: Donates Supplies to Local Elementary School Headed by Chapter Brother

By Brother Rodney Beverly

Brother Principal Damien Goins (center) with
Gamma Pi members outside the Super Chapter Fraternity Center

On Thursday, August 16, 2012, the Brothers of the Gamma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. did what they do best – they responded to the call for assistance in the community.  This time, the call to action involved Scholarship and was in response to chapter Brother Damien Goins who begins his first year as the newly appointed Principal at Gaywood Elementary School in Seabrook, Maryland. Brother Goins requested help in getting supplies for his students who largely come from economically challenged backgrounds.

Gamma Pi responded in Super Chapter fashion as Brothers came together and collected a truckload of school supplies for Gaywood Elementary students. Brother Goins was overwhelmed by the response and Brothers helped him get his career as a school principal off to a good start while also helping young students get the school year off to a promising start. It was a salute to Scholarship all the way around – the Omega way.

Brother Goins (right) with Brother Troy Scott (left)
and Brother William "Bo" Ellis

Thanks to a caravan of Brothers who stopped by the Super Chapter Fraternity Center in Forestville to donate supplies on that date, Gamma Pi was able to amass more than 30 backpacks, thousands of pencils and pens, rulers, erasers, notebook paper, folders, notebooks, even physical fitness equipment and other needed items for Gaywood’s students. Approximately 90% of the students are on free or reduced lunch plans.

“First of all, we are very proud of Damien in his new role as principal, but I am also very proud of how Gamma Pi responded to this effort. This was truly Scholarship in action,” said Basileus Brother Gordon Everett, Sr. “This is exactly what the Founders intended when it comes to both Uplift and Scholarship.”