Black Greek Network

Principal, assistant chosen as district's top administrators by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

LDockery — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:58:24 -0400

Wayne County Public Schools announced its principal and assistant principal of the year Monday during the Board of Education meeting.

Patsy Faison, Tommy's Road Elementary School's only principal since it opened in 2000, was named Wachovia Principal of the Year for 2008-09. Diane Watts, assistant principal at Norwayne Middle School, was recognized as WCPS assistant principal of the year.

Mrs. Faison has more than 42 years experience in education, 30 of those in Wayne County. She started her career as a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools in 1966.

She came to Wayne County in 1978 as a teacher at Eastern Wayne Elementary School.

Her role as an administrator began in 1987, when she was named assistant principal at Meadow Lane Elementary. Six years later, in 1993, she became Meadow Lane's principal, where she served for two years before becoming principal at North Drive Elementary.

Omega becomes 33rd Chief for St. Louis Police Department

LDockery — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:39:56 -0400

Before a press conference made the official announcement, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department had already updated their website naming Colonel Daniel Isom as its new chief.

Isom joined the Metropolitan Police Department on August 29, 1988 and after twenty years of service, he was appointed Chief of Police today (October 6, 2008) to become the city’s 33rd Chief of Police.

“Col. Isom’s experience in the field of law enforcement and his lifelong dedication to this department has prepared him for the position of chief,” said Col. Chris Goodson, president Board of Police Commissioners for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. “The board believes that in this new role, Col. Isom will continue to provide the level of leadership that the St. Louis residents have come to expect.”

Colonel Isom has served in patrol, investigative, training and administrative assignments during his tenure on the police department. He was recently the Special Projects Assistant to the Chief of Police, responsible for the planning and implementation of all Department community-based initiatives.

Last of Omega trees cut down

LDockery — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:28:36 -0400

On Monday, members of the Florida A&M University Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. looked on as maintenance workers chopped down the organization's lone tree, in front of Jackson Davis Hall. Bearing the words "Omega Psi Phi," the tree was cut down due to the damage from recent weather. This is the second time in less than a year that the fraternity has endured such a blow.

In Sept. 2007 the first tree had the shield of the fraternity painted on it, and was cut down after lightening struck it. This September's rainy weather damaged the remaining tree as well.

"The tree was dead and began to lean," said Felicia Barnes, Coordinator of Clubs and Organizations. "It had to get cut down before it fell."

Royle King, 22, a fourth year broadcast journalism student from Dallas and current Chapter President, said members of the fraternity noticed yellow caution tape around the tree, but officials told them it may or may not be cut down.

Omega Psi Phi Sponsors Successful Rites of Passage Ceremony

LDockery — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:28:30 -0400

The brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Psi Xi chapter of Ventura County completed their 2008 mentoring and Rites of Passage ceremony for young men with 20 students in grades 9th through 12th.

The program, which was called Dont Call Me Boy, took place over a three-month period and included workshops on career objectives and finances, the importance of education, African history, leadership and community service, and relationships. In addition, the young men served food to the homeless and attended the 2008 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., 12th District Youth Leadership Conference. The conference was held in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The closing session was an uplifting graduation dinner that included a special recognition and awards ceremony. The goal of the program is to prepare young men to take their place in society and to encourage the participants to make a positive contribution to society.

‘Omega Idol’ contest sponsored by fraternity

LDockery — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:49:05 -0400

Nicola McClain captivated the audience on Sunday, singing her way to the No. 1 spot in the ‘‘Omega Idol” countywide youth talent competition.

‘‘I’m really excited,” she said. ‘‘I’ve never really won a competition before.”

The Gaithersburg High School senior, who performed ‘‘I Am Changing” from the ‘‘Dreamgirls” soundtrack, impressed the judges with her stage presence and her big voice at the competition sponsored by the Mu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

‘‘She was the most comfortable on the stage,” said Godfrey E. Maynor, a competition judge and member of the fraternity, also noting McClain’s expressions and voice control.

Eight high school students from around the county competed for a $50 prize and a chance to advance to the District level competition in Atlantic City, N.J., during the event held Sunday at the East County Community Center in Silver Spring. Contestants sang, played violin, saxophone, piano and bass guitar, displaying a variety of musical talent.

Phila. clergy respond to Omega

LDockery — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:09:00 -0400

Some people mellow with age. Others grow more passionate.
If the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.'s weekly sermons seem overly zealous, Barak Obama's outspoken minister has earned his outrage over decades of social injustice, a longtime friend said yesterday.

"I look at Rev. White as controversial but prophetic," the Rev. G. Daniel Jones said. "He is informed and he informs. He is a religious analyst coming out of the biblical tradition who denounces social ills and warns people on how to become more just and more humane."

Jones is pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, Wright's spiritual home when he was growing up in Philadelphia.

Wright's father served as pastor there from 1938 to 1980. His portrait hangs in the entryway, above a plaque commemorating the church's centennial in 1992. The family was

Check out this Omega!

LDockery — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:43:49 -0500

Bill serves as the Chief Executive Officer for The Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce. Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce is Florida’s oldest Chamber of Commerce that has as its primary mission the growth and retention of minority businesses. The Miami-Dade Chamber recognizes that its primary purpose is to serve the black business community through its membership. Therefore, increasing membership, retaining current members and attracting new members is a priority for Bill. While Bill manages the day to day operations of his staff, he is over all aspects including financial, programming and development. The chamber has over 400 + members whom Bill consults with elected officials as well as public and privately held corporations CEO’s in order to insure that the minority vendor community in Miami Dade can thrive.

Omega sets his 1st New Year's resolution

LDockery — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:58:58 -0500

Today's the last day of 2007, and many Tallahasseeans are setting new goals for 2008.

"My New Year's resolution is to get back in the gym," said Don Drew, as he trimmed up a Yorkie at Pet Smart. "I've been slacking off for two years. I would say quit smoking, but I like it."

Jim Burgin, fitness director of Gold's Gym downtown, said the No. 1 New Year's resolution is to lose weight. The gym has already started to get an influx of people who are signing up early to reach their new goals.

"Anyone who is trying to get fit without a plan is like shooting at a target with a blindfold," he said.

Stephanie Cimmino, a sophomore at Tallahassee Community College, has set her fitness goals for next year low.

"I want to exercise more," she said. "Any (exercise) is my goal."

Those who want to stop drinking, smoking cigarettes or doing drugs should be ready for a struggle, said Robin Staton, drug-court coordinator for A Life Recovery Center.

Omegas Give the Gift of Mentoring

LDockery — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0500

In this season of giving, we find ourselves buying extra boxes of pasta to tuck into a shopping bag full of nonperishables headed to the People to People feeding program.

We search our closets for the winter coat our children barely wore as they shot up six inches over the season, nurtured by good nutrition and a solid home environment. We clean it and give it to such groups as Nyack Homeless Project, hoping to warm a child from winter's cold.

We search for safe toys to give as agencies worry about lead content and safety recalls.

Omega earns Dalton award

LDockery — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:00:00 -0500

The Rev. Thurman O. Echols Jr., longtime pastor and community activist, received the 2007 Jack Dalton Community Service Award on Tuesday.

“I’m grateful, I’m honored,” said Echols as he was presented the award.

Echols said Dalton, a former chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors who died in 2000, was good friend who gave “so much” to the community. He recalled how Dalton used to bring Echols vegetables from his garden.

“This will mean so much to me,” Echols told Dalton’s wife, Lois, who helped present the award.

Echols was nominated for the award by the Axton Life Saving Crew board of directors.