November 2018 - Fairfaxcountyques

Bro. John L. Peoples Jr.

Posted on November 30, 2018December 4, 2018 by Chapter Reporter

On November 30, 2018, the Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) chapter honored the life and conducted the memorial service for one of its own Charter members Brother John L. Peoples Jr. was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at South Carolina State College (Now University) (Xi Psi Chapter) on December 11, 1953. Brother Peoples served his church, family, fraternity, and community with excellence in the true Omega spirit. The PsiAA chapter recognized brother Peoples for 65 years of service on November 17, 2018. Bro. Peoples was a proud member of 13 friends with aspirations and the perseverance that lead to great PsiAA chapter being chartered on December 26, 1980. In January 1981, he was elected to the position of the chapter’s first Keeper of Records and Seal. Bro. Peoples was a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Bro. Peoples’ towering legacy will endure for as long as there is a PsiAA Chapter. He was a leader, teacher, mentor, and exemplar 24/7.

Bro. Peoples was a high school teacher until he was received orders to active military duty in June 1957. He served continuously on active duty in the Army for over 26 years until he retired in November 1983 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Lieutenant Colonel Peoples’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Ribbon with Two Bronze Stars, Army Reserve Ribbon, and German Air Force Gold Badge.

The passion he served with in the Army, carried over to the activities he pursued as a civilian. He worked for Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for over fifteen years. He served as the treasurer on the Howard County Executive Council with Vernon Gray. He chaired the Thunder Hill Elementary Student Improvement Team where he established communication and liaison teams between parents, grandparents, students and teachers to improve academic excellence at the elementary school level. An avid educator, he taught in the Howard County School System. He chaired the Howard County Liquor Board and was a Certified Notary Public for the State of Maryland, Howard County.

He was a loving son, husband, father, granddad, brother and friend and will be deeply missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Delores A. Peoples of Columbia, MD; four adult children, Gerald K. Peoples of San Diego, CA, Carmen P. Peoples of Severn, MD, Dr. Alden G. Peoples of Baltimore, MD and Michelle P. Simpson of Hanover, MD., a brother, Rev Henry B. Peoples (Beatrice), two sisters, Patricia Solomon and Nora B. Green, an Aunt, Rachael Allen, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Brother Peoples Viewing, Omega, and Funeral Service Details below:

Date: Friday, 30 Nov 2018

Address for viewing (6pm-9pm) and Omega service (7pm)

Howell Funeral Home

10220 Guilford Rd.

Jessup, MD 20794

301-604-0101

Date: Saturday, 1 December 2018

Address of funeral service

First Baptist Church of Guilford

7504 Oakland Mills Road

Columbia, MD 21046

Viewing 10AM-11AM

Service 11AM

410-792-7096

PsiAA Annual Thanksgiving Basket Donations 2018

Posted on November 25, 2018November 26, 2018 by Chapter Reporter

~ Bro. Younger and Barnwell & Ms. Kennedy

As the Brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., prepared for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we again committed to uplifting two important communities in Fairfax County. The two communities we support annually are South Fairfax County Senior Citizens and Soldiers at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

For over 20 years, Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter’s Social Action Committee has provided Thanksgiving baskets in the form of gift cards to senior citizens selected by the South Fairfax County Program Director, Neighborhood and Community Services, and Fort Belvoir families selected by the Chaplaincy. This year’s project involved providing $240 in gift cards for food to Fairfax County and $300 in gift cards for food to the Fort Belvoir Chapel – for a total donation of $540.

On November 19, 2018, our Basileus, Eric Kelly, Sr., and Basileus Emeritus Marion “Barney” Barnwell made the first presentation to U.S. Army Chaplain (Major) Douglas Weaver, the Resource Manager; and to Chaplain’s Assistant Specialist Levine, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Chaplain Weaver will ensure deserving military families receive the $300.00 in gift cards through the chaplaincy so that they, too, can enjoy a well-deserved Thanksgiving dinner.

On November 20, 2018, at the Gum Springs Community Center, Ms. Cynthia Kennedy, Program Director, Senior’s Program, Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, received our gifts. Present at the donation was Basileus Emeritus Marion “Barney” Barnwell and Brother Kenneth M. Younger, Social Action Coordinator. Mrs. Kennedy was happy to receive our support again this year and will ensure that deserving senior citizens receive our donation of $240 in gift cards for food.

The Brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter are humbled as we support those less fortunate with $540 in food gift cards for Thanksgiving. We will also be giving another $540 donation to these same organizations for Christmas.

~ Bro. Kelly & Specialist Levine

~ Bro. Barnwell and Ms. Kennedy

~ Bro. Barnwell and Major Weaver

PsiAA – 2018 Achievement Week Banquet

Posted on November 20, 2018November 26, 2018 by Chapter Reporter

~2018 Achievement Week Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter

On November 17, 2018 the brothers of the Psi Alpha Alpha (PsiAA) chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in conjunction with the Bernie L. Bates Foundation gathered to celebrate our individual and collective accomplishments from the 2017 to 2018 Omega Year. The banquet was held at the elegant Waterford at Springfield where two hundred and ten brothers, family members, guests and friends were treated to an afternoon of elegance, fine dining and the acknowledgement of excellence. Brother Marvin Chisolm served as the Achievement Week Committee Chairman and coordinated an afternoon of elegance and excellence. As his last official event the PsiAA Immediate Past Basileus, Brother Craig M. Spraggins hosted the lunch banquet. The current PsiAA Basileus Brother Eric W. Kelly, Sr. closed out the banquet with words of thanks and an empationed-plea for continued financial support of the Bernie L. Bates Foundation. Brother James Cherry expertly served as the Master of Ceremonies and Brother (Major General-Retired) Barrye L. Price treated the audience with inspiring words on the Achievement Week theme: “Omega Men: Effecting Positive Change In Communities Worldwide”.

The lunch event gave all in attendance the opportunity to formally recognize and celebrate the following awardees: Omega Man of the Year, Brother Tony A. Wells; The Founders Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Brother Marion L. Barnwell; The Superior Service Awardee, Brother Hector Sheppard Jr.; the Colonel Charles Young Military Leadership Awardee, Brother Chester B. Keller and the Citizen of the year Mr. Roane Harris. Special recognition was also afforded to several brothers celebrating a fraternity service anniversary:

Years	Name
65	Brother John L. Peoples, Sr.
60	Brother James T. George
50	Brother Joe D. Howze
35	Brother Gilbert McManus
35	Brother Norris Middleton
35	Brother James C. Smith
25	Brother Gene A. Hudson

As always, we used this elegant opportunity to highlight the youth in our community. The audience was treated to a piano recital from our 2018 Talent Hunt winner Miss Kayla Anthony. As a special treat, our high school essay contest winner Miss Taveona Rosemond-Francis presented her thought-provoking and winning essay.

The Fairfax County Ques kicked off our Achievement Week activities on Election Day by supporting the Grand Basileus’ voter registration, education and mobilization call to duty by supporting the polling station at the Walt Whitman Middle school in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria (click here). On November 9^th, the chapter co-hosted the 2^nd annual Northern Virginia and DC area Ques Pre-Achievement Week happy hour with the Brothers of the Kappa Psi, Omicron Kappa Kappa and Pi Lambda Lambda chapters (click here). On November 11^th, we continued to fellowship by worshiping together and supporting the Mount Calvary Baptist Church’s Veterans Day Program. We also conducted our first “Reading for Success” program event of the year at the Riverside elementary school; reading one book and providing twenty-five books to every 3^rd grade student (click here). After the banquet more than thirty brothers car pooled down to Howard University to participate in the annual rededication ceremony. The 2018 PsiAA Chapter Achievement Week events were a resounding success due to the effort of the committee and but more important due to the participation from the Fairfax County Ques, their families and friends.

~ PsiAA Executive Council and Third District District Representative

~2018 Achievement Week Awards

~2018 Founders Table

~PsiAA 2017 with the International and Third District Large Chapter of the year awards

~2018 AW Superior Service winner (Bro. Hector Sheppard Jr.)

~2018 AW Omega Man of the Year winner (Bro. Tony A. Wells)

~2018 AW Keynote speaker (Bro. (MG-Ret) Barrye Price

~2018 AW High School Essay Contest winner (Miss Taveona Rosemond-Francis)

~2018 AW Founders Lifetime Achievement winner (Bro. Marion (Barney) Barnwell)

~2018 AW Col Charles D. Young Military Leadership winner (Bro. Chester B. Keller)

~2018 AW Citizen of the Year winner (Mr. Roane Harris)

~2018 AW Basileus Award winner (Bro. IPB Craig Spraggins)

PsiAA Get Out and Vote – Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization (VREM)

Posted on November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 by Chapter Reporter

The Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on the 6th of November 2018 participated in the mandated program of Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization. This mission was to ensure that the community were fully engaged in the critical areas of civic responsibility by assisting at the Walt Whitman Middle School (election polls) from 3pm to 7pm. The chapter's primary objective was to increase Fairfax County minority voters and increase voter turnout effort, comply with National and District Voter Registration Education and Mobilization (VREM) guidelines plus highlight actions and voter suppression tactics and policies that adversely impact the African American or minority community. While doing this great service, it provided the brothers an opportunity to fellowship with each other and distributed bottle water and snacks as the voters entered and exited the polling place.

There were several Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter brothers who participated in making this a tremendous event a success, to include a visit from Brother Harvey L. Woodson Jr. (Chairman, Third District Social Action Committee). The Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter continue to look forward to engaging in uplifting and providing scholarship to the community regarding VREM.

PsiAA Chapter’s “Reading For Success” Program

Posted on November 19, 2018November 26, 2018 by Chapter Reporter

~Bro. Jerome "Duke" Haggins & Bro. James George

With great “enthusiasm,” Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, THIRD District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity began its fifth year of the “Reading for Success” program at Riverside Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia.

On November 14, 2018, the Brothers, known affectionately as “The Sirs,” supported six third-grade classes with a total of 125 eager students. The program consisted of the Kickoff and First Read Aloud session. Again, we were welcomed by Reading Program Coordinator, Third-Grade Teachers, and especially the Third-Grade Students.

The chapter’s Bernie L. Bates Foundation, Inc., provided 125 Royal Purple and Old Gold Backpacks filled with 27 books on various subjects to encourage reading and provide the students an individual reading library. We chose “The Last Minute” by Sasha Griffin, for the first reading session and this book was added to their library. The book tells the story of a girl name Katy who put off completing a homework assignment until, you guessed it, the last minute.

Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter was represented by nine brothers who served as reading mentors. Brothers Bradford Caldwell, Marvin Chisolm, James George, Joe Howze, Sr., Jerome “Duke” Haggins; Jerry Hubbard, Sr., Chester Keller, Frank Matthews, Richard Morris, Jeffrey Owens, and coordinating this program was the chapter’s Social Action Coordinator, Brother Kenneth M. Younger.

“The Sirs” are proud of the fact that we have donated “3,375 books” during our “Kickoff” and first reading session of this school year. The brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter will continue to do their part to inspire these young readers and we look forward to the second of our four Read Aloud sessions in January 2019.

~Bag provided to students

~Books and Bag provided to students

~Bro. Jeffery Owens & Bro. Frank Matthews

~Bro. Chester Keller & Bro. Jerry Hubbard, Sr

PsiAA Achievement Week Joint Happy Hour and QFL

Posted on November 19, 2018November 20, 2018 by Chapter Reporter

Fairfax County, VA. 2018 has been and continues to be a great year for the Progressive Psi Alpha Alpha Fairfax County Ques.

The Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Third District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on the 9th of November 2018, in conjunction with three other local chapters (Kappa Psi, Omicron Kappa Kappa, and Pi Lambda Lambda) kicked off the 2018 Achievement Week festivities. The brothers of Psi Alpha Alpha, conducted a joint happy hour at Jolley’s Restaurant and Lounge in Alexandria, Va. It was a great success, as over 100 people attended. Short speeches of gratitude by each chapter’s representative were given. Hors d’oeuvres and cake displaying all the participating chapter names were provided. The goal of the joint happy hour was to help energize the brothers and give a great kickoff event for all the planned activities of the week as well as have the brother’s network and discuss ideas.

The Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter followed the Joint Happy Hour with another spectacular event on 15 November. The Psi Alpha Alpha Ques attended a joint QFL event. As usual, Psi Alpha Alpha showed up and helped make the event a great success. The event provided another opportunity for the brothers to come together and fellowship.

There were over thirty brothers in attendance at the local Buffalo Wild Wings. Hors d’oeuvres were served while we watched the Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay packers in a thriller.

SUCCESS!
Moving forward, due to the great turnout, popularity, and enthusiastic reviews of the event, we recommend we continue this effort.