DR’s Labor Day 2019 Message

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Greetings Brothers of the Mighty Third District,

I would like to take this time to honor the achievements of our Brothers in the workforce this Labor Day.  Labor Day is not one of the traditionally festive holidays celebrated in the U.S. However, it is one of the most anticipated because it means having a long holiday weekend of barbecue and pool parties with family and friends.

Though Labor Day was officially declared a national holiday on June 28, 1894, celebrations of the holiday began more than a decade before. It’s a day to honor the deep commitment each of us has to serve the children we teach, the families we heal and the communities we love. It’s a day to reflect on the values we hold dear that every Brother should have access to a good job that can support a family, with access to affordable healthcare; that every child should be able to attend a high-quality public school in their neighborhood; that college should not be a luxury for the few but should be affordable for all; and that we should be able to retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work, without worrying that we’ll be a burden to our loved ones.

We, the working people built this country.  We did it together, brick by brick, school by school, town by town. Through these collective efforts, we built the middle class, each generation did a little better than the one before, we advanced the ideals of equality and justice, and we expanded opportunity for all.  Dr. King stated that, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence”.

The work you do builds on this foundation...your work has value.  It should be respected and honored, not just on Labor Day but every day.  Each Brother contributes to the collective success of our organization. Although it may seem strange to celebrate the value of labor by taking time off from work, these leisurely pursuits have long been regarded as fitting for a holiday meant to honor the “contributions workers have made to the strength of prosperity, and the well-being of our country."

Our families have history of fighting for worker’s rights, so I understand it’s your labor that has built this country and that continues to make it great. Our ancestors journeyed far for the economic opportunity.  On this Labor Day weekend, I want you to know that you are in my family’s thoughts and prayers. We are thankful  and appreciate all that you do. Thanks for your work, dedication and commitment to the communities you serve.

In Friendship,
Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

DR’s Fourth of July 2019 Message

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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

DR’s Memorial Day 2019 Message

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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

DR’s Easter 2019 Message

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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

CALL TO ACTION: ASALH Luncheon Volunteers Needed

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Brothers,

Volunteers needed to support the ASALH Luncheon event on 2-16-19.

Brothers please serve as a volunteer at the 93rd Annual ASALH Luncheon on Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at the Washington Renaissance Hotel, 999  9th Street, NW, WDC.  Call time for volunteers is 9:30 AM for the Authors’ event at 10:00 AM and the luncheon at 12:00 noon until approx. 2:30 PM. Ticket not required to volunteer. 

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) Luncheon happens every February to celebrate the life, history and culture of African American achievement. We are in need of Brothers to volunteer for this event.

The assistance needed involves serving as host/greeters for the luncheon which includes securing the doors, crowd control, directional assistance for guests and other ways to facilitate logistics for the luncheon.
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER
Location:

The Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel

999 9Th St NW
Washington, DC 20001-4427
(202) 898-900
Attire:

Brothers are requested to wear their official Omega attire (Black Suit (no stripes or other designs on the suit), White Shirt, Purple Tie, Black Shoes and Black Socks) to the luncheon.

Purchase Tickets:

Tickets begin at $115 at ASALH.ORG (click on link for further information)

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/association-for-the-study-of-african-american-life-and-history-183042017

Fraternally,

Brother Dr. Steven G. Johnson
4-08-AΩ
Chairman, 3rd District Protocol Committee
Omega Liaison for ASALH
202-754-1390
sgjohnson65@gmail.com
Brother Kevin Brown
Third District Representative
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

DR’s MLK Jr. Day 2019 Message

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Greetings Brothers of the Third District,
Congress named MLK Jr. Day as a national day of service, and since then Americans have often celebrated the day through acts of service, dubbing the holiday “A Day On, Not a Day Off.”   Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a nation to revolt against discrimination, injustice, poverty and war. He believed that the most pressing challenges we face could be resolved through peaceful non-violent action. Dr. King also encouraged this country and the world to be relentless in defense of marginalized communities of our society. Believing that acts of service were the great equalizer, the good Doctor stated, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
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.  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” On MLK Jr. Day, Dr. King’s dream of a nation of freedom and justice for all becomes every American’s dream as people throughout the country come together to answer his question.
I am asking the Brotherhood to join the nation in remembering and celebrating the great American leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and recommit ourselves to realizing his dream of equality and justice for all. Please join us on Monday, January 21st at Legislative Lobby Day at the Pocohantas, 3th Floor, Room 300, 900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 at 8:00 a.m. Please RSVP at https://3rddistrictques.org/news/
Thank you for your service to your Chapter, to the Third District, and to our Fraternity.  God bless you all as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In Friendship,
Brother Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

DR’s Christmas Day 2018 Message

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Greetings and Merry Christmas my Brothers of the Third District,
It’s the time of year where many of us are spending time with family and friends over the Holidays and reflecting on life and looking ahead to the New Year. As I reflect over the past year of the District, I cannot help but feel very blessed. Blessed by the opportunity to serve as your District Representative and be able to reach out to the Brotherhood for support and cooperation. I continue to learn from the Former District Representatives about the business of Omega and the values that we uphold. I appreciate their mentorship and how it plays a vital part of our team dynamic. I am thankful and grateful for your support and friendship.
Our Fraternity values of honesty, integrity, teamwork, community involvement, empathy, personal growth, responsiveness, quality, accountability and communication is what makes us who we are, and I so proud to be surrounded by so many good Brothers and Friends that make us who we are. It is because of all of you, who help to keep the Third District the front runner of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and is the reason I will never take that for granted. We have a culture that continually tries to improve our Fraternity for the betterment of all our communities.
The knowledge and experience combined with our values and commitment of the Executive Council, Committee Chairs, and Chapter Leadership is truly what we believe is what allows us to serve exceptionally well and continue to grow and prosper.
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

DR’s Thanksgiving Day 2018 Message

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Greetings Brothers of the Mighty 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.
So, 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. The Executive  Council, for assisting me in maintaining good standards, order and discipline. The Former District Representatives for always providing me with excellent mentorship and guidance. The District Committee Chairmen, for making sure all our programs run smoothly. The Basili for guiding their perspective Chapters to success.
Additionally, I am also thankful for the support of our families and friends throughout the year. I hope you all enjoy the spending 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. Have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving and holiday season.
In Friendship,
Brother Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative

DR’s Veterans Day 2018 Message

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Greetings Brothers of the Mighty Third District,
On this Veterans Day let us remember the honor, the pride and the freedom that our veterans brought to our country by paying respect and homage to their great sacrifices. Lets honor them by sending well 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 also take a moment to recognize and honor the Brotherhood who have unselfishly answered the call to serve in our nation's military. In the most violent of times, our Brothers took an oath to protect and defend this country and to proudly wear the uniform. Our nation, founded on a promise of liberty, has been built upon a proud heritage of military service. 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. To all 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, I thank you. You are among the best of the best that our nation has to offer.
God bless you, your families and God bless the United States of America. Happy Veterans Day.
In Friendship,
Brother Kevin Brown
29th Third District Representative
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

DR’s Voter Registration 2018 Message

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Greetings Brothers of the Mighty Third District,
I pray that this message finds you well. As we approach the fall elections, I am asking each of you to pro-actively to participate in this year’s Mid-Term Election. I know that each of you understands the importance of voting and exercising your civic right to participate in each election. Our Founders and the early builders of our grand Fraternity also recognized this valuable civic catalyst for change and community development and improvement and consequently made it one of our mandated programs. Not voting can result in candidates being elected who do not represent the interests of our communities. Therefore, I am asking each Chapter to do the following in our service area:
1). Between now and Saturday, October 15, 2018, I am requesting EVERY CHAPTER to utilize social media and other methods to promote and conduct one final Voter Registration Drive. This Voter Registration Drive can be held singly or in partnership with a church, another Greek-Letter organization, a non-partisan organization such as the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, The Poor People’s Campaign, Voto Latino, or Rock The Vote, etc. The only stipulation is that the partnering organization must be non-partisan.
2). Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2018. If Brothers are able to work as volunteers at the polls, I encourage you to do so. As an example, the Brothers of Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter have given out water and snacks to voters standing in long lines as people waited to vote.
3). On Election Day, Chapters should try to partner with churches and other organizations to provide transportation to the polls. No Chapter should be liable for providing these services, but if your Chapter is available to assist with drivers to these organizations, please do so. Also, LYFT is providing free and discounted rides to the polls. DO NOT take on this responsibility. There is no need to put your Chapter and the Fraternity at risk, and finally
4). VOTE! If possible, VOTE EARLY, and take someone with you!
Fraternally,
Brother Kevin Brown
District Representative
(e-mail) kbomega@verizon.net