"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.

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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

Gamma Pi Marches Into the Lives of Young Men Housed at Regional Juvenile Facility

Brothers organize in the parking lot before entering facility

One by one, they strode along the concrete sidewalk up a small incline and into the building through one of an array of electronically secured glass doors. Each one walked with a different cadence, a different length in their step, a different gait, a slightly different path yet along the same route. Symbolizing the fortitude of Omega, one determined Brother, apparently fresh off a leg surgery, dragged one leg on the ground with his injured leg propped up on a scooter. The Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter marched in by two's and three's and at different paces, but they were united in their focus on the young souls waiting inside the Cheltenhan Youth Detention Center.

A Sense of Urgency

On this scorching hot Saturday, June 29, with morning temperatures in the 80s, the average person would have viewed entering the facility only as a relief from the heat. But the more than 50 Brothers of Gamma Pi welcomed entry into the center as a chance -- an opportunity -- to change the lives of young men housed there.

The annual visit to Cheltenham is never routine. Brothers never follow the exact same script. And this year, Brothers used the visit to share their own stories of struggle within the legal system and how they recovered. The lesson for the young men was, "These may be your circumstances today, but tomorrow can be brighter."

Cheltenham Youth Detention Center

Behind the Walls

Once they cleared extremely tight security, the Brothers entered a large gymnasium and took seats on four rows of chairs facing the bleachers that jutted out from the wall. Just about every Omega man wore the Purple and Gold. Shortly after Brothers took their seats, about 30 young men wearing baby blue shirts and khakis were escorted in by the black-clad security guards and other staffers, where they sat in the bleachers. If somebody had walked in from the streets, they would have assumed the guys in Purple and Gold and the guys in Blue and Beige were about to square off. Quite the contrary. Yes, it was a fight that was about to take place. But the Brothers were only helping the young men to fight past their current situation and see bright futures.

Everybody Has a Story

After Bro. Keeper of Records & Seal Otis Fowler warmed up the audience with a run-through of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, history, the information flow took a hard turn toward real "in-your-face" reality.

One by one, Brothers shared some real and raw stories. Just like you would expect from accomplished men of Omega Psi Phi. They did not hold back.

One Brother talked about how his association with the wrong crowd a decade ago ended up with is incarceration for two years on charges for a white collar crime.

Another Brother talked about how when he was the age of the young Cheltenham residents, he too bounced around in juvenile detention for a series of crimes that had his mother saying she had given up on him. He talked about the intense pain of hearing that.

Another Omega man shared how his love -- his obsession with money -- led to his downfall at an early age. Today he is a Chief Information Officer.

Another Brother shared how his exploits as a young teenager kept him off course for so long that he did not begin college until age 25.

A Brother from a nearby chapter came by to give the young men some "current" information. He had just been released from a 51-day jail stay just a month ago after pleading guilty to a white collar crime. With incarceration fresh in his mind, he pleaded with the young men to spend every waking hour working and planning their exit and looking to the future. His message was to visit the library often. Make plans. Talk to people on the outside. Find a mentor. Make good use of the time and begin to visualize "beyond here."

And a Brother who recently retired as a high-ranking police officer closed it out by offering a written strategy for the youth to begin rebuilding their lives, challenging each one to ask of themselves, "What are you going to do about it and when are you going to start?"

The entire two-hour encounter was powerful and uplifting for Gamma Pi and the few guest Brothers who joined us, as several of the young men asked questions and gathered around the Brothers at the end of the presentations to seek more wisdom and encouragement. On the way out, many Brothers were heard repeating the oft-used phrase, "If we can just change one life." They way things went Saturday, it could very weell be several lives that were redirected by the brothers' outpouring.

Thanks to Bro.Tiresias McCall, a professional counselor, for organizing a great and challenging visit. It was a truly great and moving day for Gamma Pi Chapter and for Omega Psi Phi. This is what this Fraternity is all about. This is what Gamma Pi -- The Super Chapter -- is all about.  We could feel the applause of the Founders watching over us.

Due to restrictions, no photographic or video equipment is permitted inside the center

 WATCH GAMMA PI ENTER THE FACILITY EN MASSE: VIDEO

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