Sunday, March 10, 2024

Gamma Pi's Bro. Teddy Taylor Named to Prestigious Diplomatic Board


by Bro. Kyle Randolph Bacon

HONOLULU (March 1, 2024) Antony J. Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has recently announced the appointment of five new members to the Board of Governors of the East-West Center. Among the newly appointed members is Ambassador (Ret.) Brother Teddy Taylor, a prominent figure in the Gamma Pi Chapter. Brother Taylor had a distinguished 40-year career in the US Foreign Service, having served in various parts of the world, including Central America, Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and Africa. From 2009-20012, Brother Taylor served concurrently as the United States Ambassador to the Republics of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.   

 

Bro. Taylor held several other noteworthy positions, including Consul General in Cape Town, South Africa, Diplomat in Residence at Howard University and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Resources, in the latter assignment, Ambassador Taylor was responsible for overseeing the activities of a global multi-national human capital footprint of 75,000 personnel and a budget of over $3 billion. With his extensive experience and impressive track record, Bro. Ambassador Taylor is a valuable addition to the Board of Governors of the East-West Center.

 

“ I want to thank Secretary Blinken for the opportunity to serve once again. Serving the nation is always a humbling honor," said Bro. Taylor. "I enthusiastically look forward to working with colleagues fulfill the Center’s mission."

 

The East-West Center fosters mutual understanding and better relationships between the United States, Asia, and the Pacific. The Center, established in 1960 by the US Congress, is an independent, public, nonprofit organization that promotes cooperative study, research, and dialogue among individuals from these regions.

 

As a resource for information and analysis, the Center brings diverse groups of people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. To fulfill its mission, the Center receives funding from the US government and additional support from the region's private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments.

 

The East-West Center contributes to advancing peace and prosperity by promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among its stakeholders.


Read Bro. Taylor's Medium blog post from 2015 when he was stationed in Cape Town, South Africa as the U.S. Consul General: "Seven Months on the Move"


 Bro. Taylor with current U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (left)
 and Ambassador Joyce Barr upon their State Department retirements in 2017

Thursday, December 28, 2023

The Brothers of Gamma Pi Work to Serve the Community As Part of Omega Psi Phi's "Project 5000"

Bros. George DuBose (left) and Basileus Bro. Eric Fields
with State Sen. Joanne Benson at food drive


During the days leading up to the Christmas Holiday Season, the Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter did not take a holiday from community service. As part of a special Social Action initiative throughout the Fraternity's Second District (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania), Gamma Pi spent those days feeding needy families, senior citizens, and healthcare first responders. We also contributed to a local charity and donated "gently used" personal items to citizens in need throughout the region.

All of this activity is organized under a Second District Social Action Project called "Project 5000." All chapters in the District are required to participate. Last year through Project 5000, Second District chapters fed 25,479 people, contributed $10,616 to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and donated 344 pairs of gently used eyeglasses to Lion's Club International along with 1,590 pairs of gently used shoes to the Soles4Souls organization. The goal for Project 5000 this year is to exceed those numbers for the 2023-24 Fraternity Year.

Bro. Michael Colbert delivers food 
To meet this year's goals, each chapter is asked to feed at least 500 people, donate $500 to the respective state Sickle Cell Disease Association, and collect 100 pairs of gently worn eyeglasses and 100 pairs of gently worn shoes for persons in need. Although the deadline is not until April 1, 2024, Gamma Pi Chapter completed these tasks over the holiday period. As of December 22, Gamma Pi fed 2200 families, donated $500 to the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, and collected and donated 125 pairs of lightly used shoes to DSW for Soles4Souls as well as 115 pairs of lightly used eyeglasses to the Lions Club for distribution to persons in need.

 "The Brothers of Gamma Pi responded like we always do to community needs -- with intensity and haste," said Basileus Bro. Eric Fields. "While there are numerical goals we must meet, we never look at this as solely about numbers. We see the people behind the numbers. As Omega men, we are conditioned to serve."

Gamma Pi Chapter has an extensive Social Action program that is performing community service activities throughout Prince George's County each month. For more information, visit our chapter Website at http://www.gammapi.org

 

Brothers have collected a bag full of "soles for souls"




These eyeglasses are headed to new homes

Those are some big turkeys!



Completing a day's work




Sunday, November 19, 2023

Putting the Exclamation Point on 50 Fantastic Years!


Fifty years. Half a century. Two generations. However you choose to measure it, Gamma Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc has been around five decades. Brothers who were there at the beginning remember 8-track stereo players, dashikis, Apple caps, vinyl 45- and 33-speed records and wide-leg bellbottom pants. And don't forget the "Deuce-and-a-quarters" and Cadillac Eldorados that cruised the streets with fur-coated steering wheels, clip-on TV antennas and "diamond in the back" windows.

When this chapter was birthed into existence in Prince George's County, Md., it was also a time of turmoil in America's inner cities caused by racial strife due to inequality. Through it all over the past five decades, Gamma Pi has truly made its home in Prince George's County and the county has truly made a home for Gamma Pi, known by its deserved moniker, The Super Chapter.

These and many more specific and vivid memories of Gamma Pi helping to better the lives of families, children and seniors throughout the years in the county was celebrated recently as the chapter closed out its 50th year with a communitywide gala Saturday night, November 11, at 7 p.m. at The College Park Marriot.

Patrons enjoying the gala festivities

Celebration Really Began In March

Gamma Pi's birthdate is March 5, 1973. It was chartered by 21 courageous Omega men who had the nerve and the vision to form the chapter. Last March, the chapter kicked off the 50th celebration with a weekend of initial activities saluting the Charter Members. The weekend in March was highlighted by a Sunday brunch honoring the Charter Members.

This weekend's event puts the capper on what has been a strong year for the Super Chapter. Gamma Pi used the 50th gala to recognize its two leading Achievement Week award recipients within the Fraternity and the local community in conjunction with Founders Day.

Local Journalists Honored

Brother Rev. Laurence Hawkins, Gamma Pi's outgoing Chaplain, was named Omega Man of the Year. 

Journalist Tracee Wilkins
Local TV personality and investigative reporter Tracee Wilkins received the coveted Citizen of the Year award. Members of the Fraternity vote on all of the awards

Each year, Gamma Pi selects a local citizen who has contributed greatly to the betterment of the county through their work. As an investigative journalist for WRC Channel 4 in Washington, D.C., Wilkins, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has presented hard-hitting stories about citizen issues with the local police department, challenges in local schools and youth crime and violence. Bro. Rev. Hawkins gained support from the chapter for his daily early morning spiritual lessons.

Gamma Pi also recognized two stalwarts who are responsible for Gamma Pi being the only chapter in Omega Psi Phi with a regularly scheduled over-the-air broadcast television show, "Community UPLIFT," which is broadcast over local cable systems through PGCTV.  Those two persons were David Barnes, who manages the studio at PGCTV, and Denise Roberts, who has served as the show's host since the beginning in 2016.

Luminaries in the House

Bro. Dr. David Marion
A formally dressed crowd of about 600 packed the sold-out ballroom.  Immediate Past Basileus Bro. Dr. David Marion led the celebration as keynote speaker for the evening. He used the occasion to challenge Omega men to continue with our social justice agenda and engage in activism which he reminded the audience was just as important now as it was during the Civil Rights struggles, having been started with the founding of the Fraternity.

An array of elected leaders -- including Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Glenn Ivey and  several members of the county council -- were among the crowd. This included state lawmakers Bro. Nick Charles and JoAnne Bensen. In addition to Bro. Dr. Marion, Grand Keeper of Records & Seal Bro. Sherman L. Charles was another international officer who in attendance. Second District 1st Vice District Representative Bro. Amir Shareef, a member of the chapter, was also present. Immediate Past Basileus Bro. Richard Allison II served as emcee for the evening. Just a few weeks ago, Bro. Allison, after two terms, handed the leadership gavel off to new Basileus Bro. Eric Fields, who also addressed the crowd.

At the Brothers Only Dinner 
The night before, Friday, the Brothers of Gamma Pi gathered for their annual Busby-Walker Brothers Only Dinner also at the College Park Marriott. More than 120 Brothers showed up for the members-only occasion. Bro. Clemmie Solomon, one of the Charter Members, served as the keynote speaker and reminded Omega men of the lifelong commitment we all have.

Another Omega Mission Accomplished

"We completed the task. This event could not have happened without each of our Brothers supporting and "Seeing it Through." It was a great job," said Bro. Maurice Calhoun, who chaired the year-long planning committee.

Other Achievement Week Award Winners

Student Athlete of the Year: Christian Blackwell (Bro. Charles Flowers High School)

Essay Contest Winner: Claudia Queen (Acellus Academy)

Religious Leader of the Year: Bro. Glenn Grayer

Educator of the Year: Bro. Wilbur Lucas, Ph. D (Livingstone College)

Superior Service Award: Bro. Darryl Perry

Brigadier General Charles Young Military Award: Bro. Aaron Ajani

Founders Lifetime Achievement Award: Bro. Teddy Taylor

Project ENRICH Chairman Emeritus: Bro. Roland Byrd

Click here to watch the WRC Channel 4 report on reporter Tracee Wilkins' Citizen of the Year award

Photos by Bro. George DuBose



























Saturday, January 28, 2023

Gamma Pi Chapter Kicks Off the 50th Year With An Awe-Inspiring Achievement Week

 

For the Brothers of Gamma Pi Chapter, the 2022 Achievement week program was a special milestone for The Super Chapter. It was the first time the chapter held its entire Achievement Week program in person since COVID emerged in early 2020.

 Two key highlights of Achievement Week ’22 were the community awards program held on November 14 at the University of Maryland and the always-anticipated Brothers Only dinner that was held on the evening of November 11 at the Lake Presidential Golf Club in Upper Marlboro. Both events drew a full house.

 Brothers from Gamma Pi, along with Brothers as guests from other chapters, joined together for an interesting, informative and exciting dinner program that offer the perfect atmosphere for Brothers to engage in fellowship and celebrate the Founders Day and Achievement Week period. Bro. Amir Shareef, Second District First Vice Representative, served as Master of Ceremonies. Past Second District Representative Bro. Milton Harrison attended as a special guest.

This year’s Achievement Week theme, “Providing Uplift to Local, National and World Communities," came through in the message of keynote speaker past Second District Representative Bro. James “Scrappy” Jordan, who talked about the precious value of Friendship from a personal level during the Brothers Only Dinner. Bro. Jordan recounted the role of Brothers in helping along his recovery from a health crisis and a coma several years ago. The personal Uplift from Brothers that he described is the same Uplift that can revive and strengthen our communities. Bro. Basileus Richard Allison II also used the occasion to recognize members of his leadership teams for their support of him and the chapter’s operations.

Many members of the local community attended the evening awards program on the Maryland campus. This was the program where the so-called “hardware” was handed out to deserving Brothers in the chapter as well as to outstanding leaders in the community. Just as Bro. Jordan’s message at the Brothers Only dinner, the message at the awards program was about how award winners embodied Uplift of local, national and world communities through their work.

Congratulations to the Achievement week award winners:

  • Omega Man of the Year: Basileus Richard Allison II
  • Superior Service: Bro. John Morgan, Jr.
  • Founders Award: Bro. Edward High II
  • Citizen of the Year: Bro. Anthony J. McAllister
  • Religious Leader of the Year: Rev. Tony Lee (Community of Hope AME Church, Hillcrest Heights, MD)
  • Educator of the Year: Bro. Regie Pickett
  • Student Athlete of the Year: Karmarre J. Lawrence
  • Essay Winner: Elizabeth Oduro

Congratulations also to Bros. Terence Hare and Tommie Boone, who as co-chairs led the planning and execution of a memorable Achievement Week program for The Super Chapter.

"Achievement Week is an opportunity to recognize the good work that has been done as well as look ahead to the work that remains,” said Bro. Basileus Allison.