On Saturday, September 15, 2012, The Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. hosted a leadership breakfast and professional development workshop for teachers, coaches and counselors that work with African American male students entitled “Educating Black Boys”. The workshop was in partnership with the Long Branch Housing Authority and conducted at the Adam “Bucky” James Community Center.
Omega Psi Phi Leadership Breakfast
Matthew P. Stevens, president of the Phi Upsilon Chapter, presented a brief outline of proposed mentor activities for male students and pledged the full support of the fraternity to assist the Monmouth County community.
A number of educational professionals were invited to the breakfast to meet with Dr. Denise Lowe, Superintendent for Asbury Park Public Schools. The network represented resources in the following areas: Extended School Day Programming (Dr. Elnardo Webster, Expanded Learning LLC), Superintendent Training (Dr. Michael Rush, Rush Educational Consultants LLC), Community Development (Mr. James Harris, NAACP), Teacher Training (Principal Baruti Kafele), Africana Studies and Student Services (Dr. Akil Khalfani and Dr. Stephanie Johnson, Essex County College), Adolescent Psychology (Dr. Denise Dennis, Bloomfield College), Counselor Education (Maretta Hodges, NJ EOF Professional Association), Board of Education Member Training (Dale Caldwell, Intelligent Influence, LLC) and Career Exploration (Alfred E Forsythe Black Pilots of America). The Omega Education Resource Network will assist Dr. Lowe, and other local districts, in these areas by providing access to available resources.
Professional Development Workshop
Approximately 50 educators and community development personnel attended the professional development workshop facilitated by Principal Baruti Kafele. An interactive Q&A session focused on his present and upcoming books, “How To Motivate Black Males To Succeed In School And Life” and “Narrowing The Attitude Gap”. The focus of the workshop was to re-examine the dilemma we are currently experiencing with black male students. principal Kafele asserted that the current focus on achievement should be amended to concentrate on attitude. He provided convincing evidence based on his research and practical experience as a principal, that by addressing the attitude gap educators are far more likely to improve student achievement. The audience was provided with the opportunity to purchase the book and invite Principal Kafele for in-service staff training in their school districts.
Next Steps
The Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi will be hosting it’s 60th Year Anniversary Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel in Eatontown, New Jersey from 11am-3pm. This year’s event will pay special tribute to a founding chapter member, Brother Ermon K. Jones. Dr. Andrew A. Ray, the Grand Basileus (National President) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated will serve as the key-note speaker. Neptune Township is scheduled to make a proclamation to name October 20th, Ermon K. Jones Day. Phi Upsilon has also renamed their scholarship fund, The Ermon K. Jones Scholarship.
The next “Educating Black Boys” workshop will be held in Neptune, New Jersey in partnership with the Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC) on Saturday, February 23, 2013. It will be conducted as part of MURC’s Black History Month calendar and concentrate on “Teaching African History To Black Boys”. The presenter is nationally acclaimed historian, Dr. Lenworth Gunther. This workshop will focus on helping teachers and parents address the “Attitude Gap” that Principal Kafele previously discussed.
Lastly, Phi Upsilon will participate in Annual Aviation Day with the Alfred E. Forsythe Chapter of the Black Pilots of America on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Monmouth Executive Airport. For more information on programs hosted by The Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, please visit, http://www.jerseyshoreques.com
