Community Teaches Asbury Park Boys How To Tie A Tie

It is nothing like the community coming together for a great cause and every year the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brings together students for that reason.

The Phi Upsilon Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity hosted its annual Dress For Success Event this year at Asbury Park Middle School, which aims to bridge the gap between the community and students.

Dress For Success Event

Unheard Voices had the chance to be a part of the event which aims to teach young men and boys social skills, to think critically, dress for success, and teach them how to brand themselves.

Educator and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity member Gerald Glisson teaches an Asbury Park Middle School student how to tie a tie

The fraternity, along with Asbury Park High School football players, Asbury Park Schools Superindentent, and other male figures from the community, sat with Asbury Park Middle school boys to teach them how to tie a tie. Fraternity members said they want the boys to be prepared for the real world, whether they have a job interview or meeting with a college scout.

Led by the Asbury Park High School football team, the students broke up into groups to learn how to tie a tie.

It is a great event for the Asbury Park community as unfortunately many of the students lack father figures at home. Even if they do have that parental figure, it gives them a chance to connect with influential male figures in the community.

8th grade student Lydell R. said he thinks the program is great and helps “students learn and do better things in life”. Lydell says what he most likes about the program is that the group gets to go on tours and trips being able to see things outside of his community of Asbury Park.

Rev. Johnson, who is the pastor at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, NJ, said he sees the program as beneficial and looks forward to participating in future events with the organization.

Judge Lawson, a retired assignment judge for Monmouth County Superior Court, says the program brings students along showing them others have made it and that there are other ways to life than gang banging.

The event is one of the many successful mentoring conferences organized by the fraternity that is held at Asbury Park Middle School. The chapter has upcoming events in the community including Toys for Tots, Assault on Illiteracy, and a Daddy & Daughter Basketball clinic.

Asbury Park Schools Superindent Lamont Repllot says this year schools have integrated grade level themes of character, service and leadership. He furthered emphasized the program is a great teaching mechanism for the boys to learn that how you dress is part of branding yourself.

To learn more about Phi Upilson Chapter please visit their website.