Third District History and Archives Monday Pearl 4/15/19 – EXTRA EXTRA

Posted on by Third District Automation

Greetings Brothers,

Congrats on a successful 86th Annual District Meeting and to all the worthy chapters and brothers who were deservedly recognized for their service. It is proper and fitting for this group to say thank you for making history. Please take time to upload pictures of your awards to the 3rd District Online Artifacts and Memorabilia Archive upload utility at https://3rddistrictques.org/third-district-archive-artifact-registration-utility/. You can examples of other similar submissions at https://3rddistrictques.pastperfectonline.com/.

In the late 1950s The Oracle was printed by the H.C. Young Press Company of Norfolk, VA. The printing company was owned and operated by Brother Henry Cheatham Young, businessman and community servant. The attached article appeared in the March 1957 Oracle and records Lambda Omega Chapter presenting H.C. Young with the "Omega 1956 Achievement Award" for his "devotion to duty and his work in the community." The History and Archives Committee pulled on a few of the threads in the article to learn more about Brother Young and discovered some interesting interconnections.

As mentioned in the article, H.C. Young was the brother of Plummer Bernard "P.B." Young, owner and editor of the Norfolk Journal and Guide (the Guide) (https://libraetd.lib.virginia.edu/public_view/mp48sc827), thought by many to be one of the top black newspapers of the 20th Century on par with the Pittsburgh Courier, Chicago Defender, Baltimore and Washington Afro-American, and the Cleveland Call-Post.

The Guide was considered by many to be the top black newspaper in the South. In addition to its distinction as a vital civic organ, the Guide had the distinction among equals of having to survive and function in the Jim Crow South. Despite being criticized by some for being too conservative and conciliatory in its agency for social change, the Guide and its editor still played an important part in advancing voting rights, equal pay for teachers, and equal opportunity for blacks in the Armed Forces. From 1942 to 1948, Luther P. Jackson wrote a column in the Guide called “The Rights and Duties in a Democracy.” In that time, Brother Jackson wrote numerous articles on the importance of voter registration, argued for the elimination of the poll tax, appealed for teacher involvement in political affairs and engagement, advocated for better pay for black teachers, promoted black history, and argued for the end to Jim Crow segregation and discrimination against black people in Virginia.

In addition to writing a column in the Guide, Jackson along with Benjamin E. Mays and P.B. Young were key figures in organizing the Southern Conference on Race Relations in Durham, NC, also known as the Durham Conference, and the related drafting of the "Durham Manifesto," which proposed an approach for the South that would win the approval and support of white moderates, thereby salvaging the possibility of interracial cooperation. (see fully transcript https://archive.org/stream/southernconferen00sout/southernconferen00sout_djvu.txt).

There are likely more revelatory threads to be pulled from the hem of Brother H.C. Young's Achievement Week recognition (e.g., see Henry P. Cheatham https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_P._Cheatham). Unfortunately, Brother Young entered Omega Chapter in 1960, just three years after being recognized by Lambda Omega chapter. His brother, P.B. Young, died shortly thereafter in 1962.

The H&A Committee encourages Brothers from Eastern Area I (or elsewhere) to share information you might have on the intersection of Omega, H.C. Young, P.B. Young, or the Norfolk Journal and Guide. Here are a few old related news clippings for your review:

Read More - ExtraExtraHCYoung
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30613550/njg_controversial_ad/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30614038/hcy_deceased/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30619641/durham_manifesto/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30619690/pb_young_and_truman/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30619517/pby_speech/

Make it a great week Brothers. Be noble!

F.I.E.T.T.S.
3rd District History and Archives Committee

The Monday Pearl is provided by the Third District History and Archives Committee and is a weekly sharing of fraternity content, commentary, and research of historical value we hope Brothers will enjoy and from which Brothers will draw inspiration. Previous "Pearls" can be found at http://3rddistrictques.org/about-us/overview/monday-pearl/. The Committee encourages your feedback. Should you have reactions, comments, information, anecdotes, documents, and the like, related to any of the content we share, we'd very much like to hear from you. Please send all communication to 3dhistoryandarchives@gmail.com.

Each One Bring One: Get Reclaimed Now!

Posted on by Third District Automation

Our service to our community can best be accomplished by the aid of talented, competent Brothers, willing to roll up their sleeves and carry out the true mission of Omega.

I hope we can count on you to reactivate your standing with the Fraternity today.

Click now to view - 3rd District Reclamation Chairman List

Greetings Brothers

We are excited to provide tools and resources for you to use to make Omega better for all of us.  Be sure to select the Reclamation Chairman link to view the list of 3rd District Chairman.  This page will be update frequently so check back often.

Overall the Reclamation and Retention Committee is focused on three main areas.

• Providing resources to the Fraternity to engage active and inactive brothers
• Establishing goals and metrics for the Chapters and Districts to maintain and
grow membership.
• Increase awareness through marketing and social media.

Make no mistake retention and reclamation is the duty of every Brother and it is going to require some effort from all of you.

Did you know that only 1 out of every 5 Brothers pay dues beyond their Initiation fees?  Many Brothers claim to love our Fraternity, still participate in social Omega activities, and "represent" Omega through paraphernalia, friendships, etc. yet are not active and financial with their local chapter.  Essentially these Brothers are pulling out all of the things that they like about Omega and abandoning the rest.  Why not take advantage of your FULL Omega?

Is this what you promised Omega when you took the Oath?
When you sought out Omega your letter of intent had a list of all of the things you would BRING to the fraternity and the value you would ADD. . .

Doesn’t Omega deserve your best?
No Brother can go back and change what their Omega has been but all of us can start today and determine what our Omega experience will be.  An organization that has survived for more than 100 years doesn’t happen by accident . . .

Are you Done Already?
I implore you, my Brothers to use the same enthusiasm exhibited to join this great fraternity to maintain and grow it.  The way to "fix" all that is wrong with Omega is to get involved.  Remember "Running from it will not save you!!"

Omega has kept its promise, will you?
We are excited to provide additional tools and resources for you to use to engage the Brotherhood and make Omega better for all of us.  We don’t have all of the ideas, so please continue to share with our committee so we can get the word out.  You have the opportunity to lay the foundation for our next 100 Century of achievement. . .

In Friendship and Fraternity,

Reginald Parker
3rd District Reclamation Chair
3rddistrictreclamation@gmail.com

Third District History and Archives Monday Pearl 4/8/19 – Those 8 Pages

Posted on by Third District Automation

Greetings Brothers,

While meandering, the History and Archives Committee came across the attached 8 pages in the Spring 1967 Oracle. If Brother Mazyck were around at the time, he might refer to them as "8 pages thoroughly indicative of the true Omega Spirit." The initiated would do well to reflect upon and/or familiarize themselves with the history recorded thereon. From Pi Gamma's promise to the Pettis example; from the first Black mayor of the City of Petersburg who received the first Scroll of Honor to Presidential appointments; from Maggie L. Walker to the Leigh Street YMCA; from winning homecoming floats to Brother Blue, the indefatigable traveling representative who  would surely have been there to witness how good and how pleasant it is. It's all in there, and more. (Note: Content begins at the bottom of the first page).

Make it a great week Brothers. Travel safe to the 86th District Meeting. Be noble!

Read More - Those8Pages

F.I.E.T.T.S.

3rd District History and Archives Committee

___________________________________

The Monday Pearl is provided by the Third District History and Archives Committee and is a weekly sharing of fraternity content, commentary, and research of historical value we hope Brothers will enjoy and from which Brothers will draw inspiration. Previous "Pearls" can be found at http://3rddistrictques.org/about-us/overview/monday-pearl/. The Committee encourages your feedback. Should you have reactions, comments, information, anecdotes, documents, and the like, related to any of the content we share, we'd very much like to hear from you. Please send all communication to 3dhistoryandarchives@gmail.com.

Third District History and Archives Monday Pearl 4/1/19 – Felled Trees

Posted on by Third District Automation

Greetings Brothers,

In early April 1950 as the chlorophyll enlivened nature's rhythm section and the cherry blossoms articulated the melody of the Washington cosmos, two of history's virtuosos, whose contributions filled the space between notes, played their last gig this side of the silk. On Saturday, April 1, 1950 and Monday, April 3, 1950, Charles Richard Drew and Carter Godwin Woodson debuted their tablature in the Elysian Fields. It is there where these two mighty sequoias continue to photosynthesize. Theirs is a familiar call looking for a perennial response. Let us not retire to the shade of their crown, but be fueled by the light in their refrain.

The History and Archives Committee recently came across the attached letters from February and May of 1950, which seemed to serve as contemporaneous accounts of extraordinary men in the ordinary ranks of Omega. We can only speculate that the Founders, although saddened by the loss of Brothers Woodson and Drew, must have been pleased with the fraternal and brotherly association they shared.

Make it a great week Brothers. Be noble!

Read More - DrewDuesRcpt1950

Read More - FelledTrees1950

F.I.E.T.T.S.
3rd District History and Archives Committee
___________________________________

The Monday Pearl is provided by the Third District History and Archives Committee and is a weekly sharing of fraternity content, commentary, and research of historical value we hope Brothers will enjoy and from which Brothers will draw inspiration. Previous "Pearls" can be found at http://3rddistrictques.org/about-us/overview/monday-pearl/. The Committee encourages your feedback. Should you have reactions, comments, information, anecdotes, documents, and the like, related to any of the content we share, we'd very much like to hear from you. Please send all communication to 3dhistoryandarchives@gmail.com.

2019 Quette Registration for 3rd District Meeting

Posted on by Third District Automation 


Greetings on behalf of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Mu Mu Chapter Quette Planning Committee!

It is with excitement and anticipation that I reach out to you regarding the upcoming Omega Third District Meeting in northern VA.  Our committee looks forward to hosting the Quettes from April 11-14, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Dulles Hotel in Herndon, VA.  Please share this information as well as the attachments with your significant others.  If your ladies have not yet registered, we hope that they will, and encourage them to do so as soon as possible; this will allow us to better estimate the expected headcount and plan accordingly.

To register Quettes online, please visit https://3rddistrictques.org/quette-registration-form/.  To register by mail, please complete the attached Quette registration form and mail it with a check (made payable to "Third District Planning Committee") to:

Third District Planning Committee
P.O. Box 2165
Centreville, VA 20122

An exciting Quette agenda is planned which includes a Washington, D.C. excursion and a Nordstrom Rack Private Opening, among other fun activities. Please take a moment to view the attachments for activity highlights and a complete agenda. The ladies should make reservations now - they won’t want to miss out!  I'm happy to answer any questions so don't hesitate to ask by contacting me at jhnsns20@aol.com.

Click See Quette Agenda

Have a great day!

Regards,
Fern Johnson
Chair, Sigma Mu Mu Quette Planning Committee

Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter: Scholarship 2019 NCAA Final Four

Posted on by Third District Automation

On March 15, 2019, the men of Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. combined their staple reclamation and retention gathering with the chapter’s biggest fundraiser. Every quarter Psi Alpha Alpha hosts its Third Fridays Event as a means to reconnect and reclaim fraternity members who may not be affiliated with a chapter or have been away from the fold. The event attracted 10 potential brothers to add to the chapter’s roles with one brother becoming financial at the event. Additionally, with the 50 current chapter members and the 150 patrons in attendance made the event a tremendous success. The NCAA raffle committee changed the format of choosing the winning tickets by utilizing a wind machine to scramble the loose ticket stubs. Four patrons were chosen and graciously agreed to enter the machine to grab the winning ticket stubs. This new format was of great enjoyment to all in attendance and helped make the event a huge success.

Tickets for the NCAA Final Four Raffle went on sale in October 2018 with the last ticket sold just minutes prior to the drawing. The money raised from ticket sales routinely exceeds $20,000 with 2019 following form. Proceeds from the raffle are awarded as scholarships for college-bound high school seniors and provide financial support for activities designed to improve the community.

This year’s raffle winners are:

Grand Prize – Mr. Brandon Northington

  • Round trip airfare for two
  • Hotel accommodations for four nights
  • 2 tickets to both NCAA Final Four semi-final games
  • 2 tickets to the NCAA Final Four Championship game
  • Rental car (less taxes)
  • $400

2nd Place – Mr. Marvin Chisolm, $500

3rd Place – Ms. Giavonna Richardson, $250

4th Place – Ms. Shennah Alleyne, $150

Stay tuned for the 2020 NCAA Final Four Raffle.  The Grand Prize winner will head to Atlanta, GA!

Psi Alpha Alpha ManUP mentoring Program

Posted on by Third District Automation

On March 27, 2019, the men of Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. conducted their ManUP mentoring program by speaking to 25 students from Mt. Vernon High School in Fairfax Virginia about military, college, goal setting, aerospace, and pursuit of excellence. Speakers of this lecture series had various backgrounds and military experience that they used to engage, empower, educate, and exposed the students to different strategies for success. The speakers included Bro. LTC. Chester Keller, LTC. Louis P. Hawkins, Bro. MAJ Melake Whyte, MAJ Herbert Gamble. The ManUP mentoring program is a male mentoring program sponsored by the men of Psi Alpha Alpha of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. The MANUP program partners with Mt. Vernon High School, West Potomac High School, and Gum Springs in Fairfax Virginia and has over 60 students ranging from 6th grade to graduating seniors in their program. The program consists of mentoring students thru exposure to various careers and pre-college initiatives by way of lecture series and field trips throughout the scholastic calendar year.

Bro. LTC Chester Keller spoke to students about his humble beginnings and the level of perseverance needed to excel in life. LTC Keller is a Program Manager Acquisitions officer in the United States Army. His message to the students was centered on meeting the daily challenges and pursuit of excellence in all matters with consistent effort.  LTC Keller read two poems, ‘See It Through” by author Edgar Albert Guest and “If” by Rudyard Kipling.

Aviation and Acquisition Officer LTC Louis P. Hawkins gave an empowering oration on setting goals, dreaming big, taking action, and never giving up. He gave a personal testimony and journey of being an Aviation Officer in flying helicopters for search and rescue missions. In addition, he focused on careers in the aerospace industry and the need for more diversity for African American and Latino men and women.

Maj. Herbert Gamble spoke to students about performing, image, and exposure (PIE). His focus examined the concepts of PIE and putting forth the right energy and effort to obtain goals. In addition, Maj. Gamble spoke to students about having more than 1 goal – as life often does not work out as originally planned. Maj. Gamble serves as a Program Management Acquisitions Officer for the United States Army.

Maj. Melake Whyte currently serves as a Human Resource Officer for the United States Army. He connected to the students by using his unique background of being a first-generation American. Maj. Whyte ran track collegiately at Oregon University and later joined the military. He challenged the students to not settle on being a product from their community, but to shape their community by being leaders and doers. In addition, he also urged students to not waste their talents and to live up to all their potential in all avenues they pursue.

Psi Alpha Alpha – Talent Hunt 2019

Posted on by Third District Automation

On March 16, 2019, the men of Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held an extraordinary Talent Hunt program in the beautiful auditorium of Lee High School in Springfield, VA. The curtains opened and the program began at 10am in front of a supportive audience of Brothers, family, friends, and other residents of the community eager to support a great group of enthusiastic youth displaying their talents in the performing arts.  Thanks to the Men of Psi Alpha Alpha, assisted by civic student organizations like the Beautiful and Progressive Educated Sisters (BAPES) and Powerful African-American Males about Success (PAAMAS), our collective efforts resulted in another magnificent Talent Hunt Competition.

We were privileged to have 9 great performers this year with acts ranging from vocalists, percussionist, cello player, saxophonist, and instrumentation to dance.  All of the student participants performed extremely well pleasing the crowd of newly-minted fans and “wowing” the event judges.

Our Master of Ceremony was Bro. Adimu Colón.  A graduate of Hampton University, he is an accomplished content producer, television host, radio personality, executive, philanthropist and entrepreneur.  Bro. Colón is a Spring ‘93 initiate of our great Fraternity by way of the Gamma Epsilon chapter.  As a personality, he’s hosted his own #1 rated radio shows in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New York.  He is the former host of the Emmy Award-winning TV show Teen Summit on BET and the recipient of two NAACP Image Awards. The WPGC weekly music radio host did an outstanding job encouraging the performers while also engaging the audience by informing them of the community activities that our chapter conducts or participates in throughout the year, general facts about our Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and our chapter as a whole.

With an extremely close competition this year, the judges had an arduous task selecting a winner.  Unfortunately, as with every year, one winner had to be selected. Out of our talented group of young performers, Ms. Sydney Pollard took the first place honors.

Sydney hails from Dumfries, VA and is a junior at Charles J. Colgan High School. Her hobbies include cooking, traveling, and of course her passion for dancing.  Dancing since she was only 8 years old, her moves have caught the attention of many famous dancers including Debbie Allen, Eartha Kitt, and Darrell Moultrie.  She attended the Debbie Allen Summer Intensive Program in Atlanta, GA and has been recently invited to attend the Summer Intensive Program again this year in Los Angeles, CA.  After graduating from high school, she hopes to attend Virginia Commonwealth University to study Dance.  Along with her hobbies, Sydney has also been a high achiever in academics maintaining a 3.5 GPA as an ‘A’ Honor Roll student.  She gracefully captivated the judges and everyone else in attendance at our program this year with her classical dance to the music of Andra Day’s song "Rise Up”.

Sydney will represent Psi Alpha Alpha in the District Talent Hunt during the 86th annual 3rd District Meeting on Saturday, April 13th in Herndon, VA.

The other participants were:

  • Jordyn Strange – Soloist (2nd place)
  • Nicholas MaCatty – Soloist (3rd place)
  • Jonathan Canamaso – Bassist
  • Caleb Wallace – Saxophonist
  • Elaine Ramson – Soloist
  • Jada Appiah – Dance
  • Chris Love – Soloist
  • Cameron Jackson – Drummer

LAMBDA OMEGA / PI GAMMA 2019 TALENT HUNT PROGRAM

Posted on by Third District Automation
(L-R) Lambda Omega’s Talent Hunt coordinator Bro. Jerome Bynum, Lambda Omega’s Basileus Bro. Renaldo Dwayne Barber, first place winner violinist Eden Crumbly, second place winner guitarist Patrick Stockton, third place winter vocalist Kurt Lannetti, and Pi Gamma’s Basileus Bro. Forrest Hinton
(L-R) Lambda Omega’s Talent Hunt coordinator Bro. Jerome Bynum, Lambda Omega’s Basileus Bro. Renaldo Dwayne Barber, first place winner violinist Eden Crumbly, second place winner guitarist Patrick Stockton, third place winter vocalist Kurt Lannetti, and Pi Gamma’s Basileus Bro. Forrest Hinton

Lambda Omega Chapter and Pi Gamma Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held their annual talent hunt program on Sunday, March 17, 2019. The event was held at Second Calvary Baptist Church located in Norfolk, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Guns serves as the senior pastor.

The program consisted of seven contestants. The three winners were as follows: 1st Place - Eden Crumbly - Violinist, 2nd Place - Patrick Stockton - Guitarist, and 3rd Place - Kurt Lannetti - Vocalist. The judges’ panel for the program consisted of Ms. DeVaughn Scott-Smith, Mr. Gregory Gardner, and Ms. Jennifer Scott.

Ms. Eden Crumbly swept the competition with her rendition of the “24th Caprice” composed by Paganini. Eden is a home schooled 9th grader from Chesapeake, Virginia has been playing violin for 11 years. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk. Her list of honors and achievements include first place in York River Symphony Orchestra concerto competition, honorable mention in Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and second place in Chesapeake Arts Alive competition.

Due to a conflict with her schedule, Ms. Eden Crumbly will not be able to represent Lambda Omega and Pi Gamma at the Eighty-Sixth Annual Third District Meeting. Mr. Patrick Stockton will represent both chapters at the meeting scheduled for April 11-14, 2019 in Herndon, Virginia.

Bro. Forrest Hinton and Bro. Renaldo Dwayne Barber who currently serve as the Basileus of Pi Gamma and Lambda Omega chapters respectively, were in attendance showing their support for the event organizers and participants. Bro. Theodore Wilder accompanied the judges on their panel serving as the score tabulator. Bro. Jerome Bynum who serves as the talent hunt chairman for Lambda Omega Chapter did a great job organizing another successful event. Brothers look forward to another strong performance from Mr. Stockton at this year’s Third District meeting.

Kappa Iota Iota Supports Habitat for Humanity

Posted on by Third District Automation

Newport News, VA- On March 9, 2019, the brothers of Kappa Iota Iota Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., volunteered to offer support for the Habitat for Humanity ReStore Program.  The brothers were able to put their knowledge, skills, and abilities to the task by providing customer service, furniture repair, unloading trucks, stocking store shelves, and carefully metal scrapping/recycling as well as organizing the ReStore warehouse.  This opportunity also gave the brothers an opportunity to collaborate and fellowship with Zem Temple #122 and Court #98 of AEAONMS Shriners PHA located in Hampton, VA.  This service opportunity is one that KII, the Service Chapter, takes pride in as we witness homes being restored in our cities.

Submitted by:

Brother Derrick Durham