Greetings Brothers of the Third District,

Today, I am asking the District to pause to join the nation in remembering and celebrating the great American leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his immeasurable contributions to the character of our country. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of deep and abiding faith, compassion, and dedication. He reminded us all that “human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability,” and that “the time is always ripe to do right.” He challenged us all to live up to the ideals enshrined in our founding documents – that we are all created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

In his eloquent words and in the peaceful, compassionate life he lived, Dr. King gave our nation an inspired and inspiring vision. He had a clear purpose for his life, and it guided how he lived and treated others. We would all do well to think about and learn from his powerful example of a life driven by purpose. Though many years have passed, Dr. King’s lesson is relevant to the way we conduct our own lives. It encourages kindness and patience in how we treat one another. It shapes how we might consider the unique and often unspoken personal experiences and challenges of our friends, families, colleagues, fellow citizens, and the Brothers we serve—and to whom we are devoted. And it reinforces the virtue of our own cardinal principles, values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence.

We are committed to honoring Dr. King’s legacy. That means recognizing the human dignity in all the people we serve. It means protecting the right to vote for all our communities. It means ensuring that those who serve are judged not based on who they are or where they come from, but rather what they have to offer to help defend this country.

We remember that MLK Day is a Day of Service and is observed as a “day on, not a day off.” MLK Day of Service is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King's vision of a “Beloved Community”.

Thank you for your service to your Chapter, to the District, to our Fraternity. May God bless you all as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

In Friendship,
Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

Greetings Brothers of the Third District,

Christmas is not a time, nor it is a season, but it is a state of mind. Christmas is a time to cherish peace and goodwill. It is a time to be plenteous in mercy and it is a time to have the real spirit of Christmas. This holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the past year, celebrate our success, and plan for the future. This has been quite an extraordinary year for us. We take pride in the impact of our collective efforts that we have had across the District.

We supported some great programs, ASALAH, Carter G. Woodson Celebration, Congressional Black Caucus, St. Jude’s Project Giveback, just to name a few. The importance of Omega’s work – serving as a trusted platform, framing issues, and producing actionable ideas and solutions – is highly regarded in our communities.

We only ask that you continue to provide our “5th Cardinal Principle of Service” in 2020 which is critical to our success. Too often, in the course of our busy work days, we forget to say "Thank You" to those who have helped to shoulder our burdens. It is truly a privilege to serve as your District Representative for the best District in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and I humbly ask that you give me this opportunity to thank all of you for being a part of the team and sharing this year with me.

Additionally, I am also thankful for the support of our families and friends throughout the year. I hope you all enjoy the spending this special time with your love ones over the holiday season. Please know that I deeply appreciate your dedicated service to our Fraternity and uplifting our communities. Long-live the Third District and long-live The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Thank you all once again and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

In Friendship,
Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

 

Greetings Brothers of the Third District,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow, we should pause and reflect on the
many blessings that we enjoy with our loved ones, our freedoms as Americans, and the privilege
of serving our great Fraternity.

A celebration rooted in history, this American holiday began with a proclamation from George
Washington in 1789. Thanksgiving recalls the humble gratitude of our ancestors for the freedom
and abundance of a new world at a time when their very survival was anything but certain. We
give our thanks for their courage and perseverance in building the strongest and most generous
democracy the world has ever seen.

At a time when we traditionally give thanks, allow me to thank you all for your hard work in
helping to keep our District functioning effectively and efficiently. I, for one, am thankful for
our District Leadership. I am also thankful for the support of our families and friends throughout
the year. I hope you enjoy special time spent with your loved ones and please know that I deeply
appreciate your dedicated service to our Fraternity.

As you prepare to break bread with your family and friends, let us all remain focused not only on
giving thanks for the blessings of what we have, but also the ability to work through fraternal
committees and commissions in order to contribute to the betterment of our families and
communities, the Third District, and most all Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Have a blessed and
safe Thanksgiving.

In Friendship,
Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

Greetings Brothers of the Mighty Third District,

On Monday, November 11, 2019, we pause to remember the brave men and women who serve or have served in our Armed Forces. Millions of Americans give tirelessly all over the world and put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom and way of life. Let us remember honor, pride, and freedom our veterans brought to our country by paying respect and homage to their great sacrifices and also by sending wishes and messages that will show them how grateful and honored we are for having them in our lives and in our communities.

Let us take a moment to recognize and honor the Brotherhood who has unselfishly answered the call to serve in our nation's military. In the most violent of times, our Brothers took an oath to protect this country and proudly wear a uniform. Our nation, founded on a promise of liberty, has been built upon a proud heritage of military service. Even amidst a civil war pitting family against one another, there have always been the bravest among us dedicated to protecting our way of life and the liberties we hold dear. From the beaches of Normandy, to the deserts of the Middle East when our nation's security was under assault, it was our Brothers that answered the call to defend our great nation. These sacrifices too often paid in blood, sweat and tears; must not be forgotten.

On this day, let us commit to never forget the service and sacrifice made by those who have served, and continue to serve, to ensure our nation remains free. My fellow Veterans, I salute you for giving up everything, so that we can have everything. To the entire Brotherhood who served and are still serving – thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for our country. You are among the “best of the best” our nation has to offer. God bless you and your families, and happy Veterans Day.

In Friendship,
Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

 

On this day, we celebrate the birth of our nation by spending time with Good Brothers, Friends, & Family at cookouts, going to parades, and watching fireworks. It’s also important to reflect on the significance of this day, when we declared Independence and stood up for the dignity and Freedom of Man. This is a day for us to relax, but it’s also a day to reflect on those brave Americans that helped shape our nation…it’s a day for us to reflect on how we can best uphold the same ideals of life, liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness that drove our founding fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.Greetings Brothers of the Third District,

On July 5, 1852, the great orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass delivered an electrifying speech where he posed what was possibly the most significant question of his time; “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” He received a thunderous round of applause.  I posed a similar question, “Why do Black people celebrate Independence Day anyway?” The issue of whether African Americans should celebrate the Fourth of July is one of those eternal questions that is often asked this time of year but never receives a valid answer. Why do Black folks feel obligated to dress up in red, white and blue top hats and sing the Star-Spangled Banner to commemorate a day when our ancestors were picking tobacco in the hot Carolina sun? This may come as a shock for some, but Black folks weren’t free in 1776. Matter of fact, it wasn’t until four score and five years later that Abe Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation. Just a thought I wanted to share.

As much as we each enjoy the traditions, Independence Day is, most of all, an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of our citizenship. The Declaration of Independence makes it clear. To be American, is about much more than the place we call home. To be an Omega Man, it’s a deeply felt commitment to higher principles: liberty, equality, opportunity, and self-governance.  I am honored and humbled to serve with you all. Your service allows us to uphold the values we cherish to ensure all Americans enjoy the freedoms our founding fathers envisioned.

The District Council wishes you all a happy and safe Fourth of July. Enjoy your celebrations and be safe, but also remember the reason we celebrate. Let us remind ourselves that we must cherish and protect our freedom. And let us thank and remember those who have sacrificed to defend our liberty and our rights as human beings—our veterans and service members. That essence has permeated our land and inspired generations of Americans to explore, discover, and redefine the outer reaches of our infinite potential.  It has become the foundation of the Omega Dream.

In Friendship,
Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

Greetings my Brothers,

On this Memorial Day, we are reminded of what veterans have given to this country. When I think of Memorial Day, I think of the countless men and women who have paid the ultimate price in order to ensure our freedom, and to grant it to others. I think about the men and women who have yet to return home: our prisoner of wars, our missing in action, and those killed in action whose bodies have yet to be returned.

“We owe them all our deepest gratitude.”

Let’s take this moment to show our appreciation and “REMEMBER.” May God bless our Fraternity, the Third District, and our Veterans.

In Friendship,
Brother Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

Greetings my Brothers,

Easter is a time for hope, renewal of spirit, rekindling of faith and rejoicing in the triumph of the Lord. It is also the time to reach out to our loved ones and come together in prayer and celebrations and glorying in the miracle of Easter.

During this Easter Break, I encourage you to take time to rest, visit with friends and family and rejoice in the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection.

We should be reminded that “Jesus, Love incarnate, died on the cross for our sins, but God, Our Father, raised him and made him the Lord of life and death. In Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death.”

I pray for all of us, that, with the grace of this Lenten journey, to the renewing of our Baptismal promises and the rising with Christ on Easter Sunday, we may be strengthened in our souls and so be able to bear our burdens and those of one another with the spirit of a missionary disciple of The Risen Lord Jesus.

The Third District Executive Council sends Easter blessings and peace come to you and your loved ones.

In Friendship,
Brother Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative