Page 26 - Florida Sentinel 10-8-21

Feature
Local Chapter Of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. Celebrates 75 Years Of Service
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated has a long and storied history.
On the evening of No- vember 17, 1911, Omega Psi Phi was founded inside the Science Building (later re- named Thirkield Hall) at Howard University, located in Washington, D.C.
Thirty-five years later (1946), Dr. R. R. Williams, Jr., opened his home to his fraternity broth- ers to establish a graduate chapter in Tampa. Attendees of that exploratory meeting were G. B. Brinson, John Henry Evans, James T. Hargrett, Sr., Dr. Allen Lester, Lucious Mills, Garland V. Stewart, and Dr. R. Reche Williams. The Pi Iota chapter was char- tered.
On October 2, 2021, the Pi Iota chapter celebrated 75 years of service and brother- hood at the Renaissance Hotel downtown.
The chapter celebrated its many years of brother- hood, but more importantly, the brothers celebrated their programming and service to the community.
Al Sheriff, Basileus of Pi Iota states that ‘the brothers really want the community to know who they are as a chap- ter, and what they are doing.’
Tchecoy Blount, Sr., the Vice-Basileus of Pi Iota emphasized the chapter’s K-
The Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Pi Iota Chapter
for Thanksgiving and a toy drive for Christmas are also planned for the holidays along with Achievement week. On November 15, the chapter will host their mentees for bowling and other fun activities.
Other social programs in- clude voter registration, edu- cation and “getting out the vote;” Assault on Illiteracy; Habitat for Humanity; and participation in fundraisers for charities such as Ameri- can Diabetes Association, United Way, Sickle Cell Ane- mia, March of Dimes, Breast Cancer research, Francis House, and the Great Ameri- can Teach-In.
Upcoming for the chapter is a Tampa Bay Job Fair. They are targeting employers that will provide a living wage for the newly hired em- ployees.
12 scholarship opportunities as its priority to the commu- nity service efforts. Cur- rently, the chapter is hosting a Black Lives Matter Essay contest for elementary stu- dents, as well as essay con- tests for college-bound students.
Every year the Omegas have a Talent Hunt to high- light the talent in the com- munity. Winners also receive a scholarship. For more in- formation, visit https://pi- iota.org.
The Pi Iota Foundation is the chapter’s 503(c)(3) arm. The Brothers next big move through their foundation will be an after-school mentoring program for the community’s high school and middle school children. The chap- ter’s educators will work on this initiative.
The Omega men sponsor an annual blood drive named after blood transfusion pio- neer Dr. Charles Drew, the first director of Red Cross Blood Bank and noted
Omega Man.
They also host a yearly
golf tournament named for founder Dr. R. R. Williams, Jr.
Turkey baskets giveaways
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 13-A