omega psi phi fraternity international high school essay contest

Gamma Chapter | Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

2022 international high school essay contest.

Gamma Chapter of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., is pleased to announce its 2022 International High School Essay Contest . As a mandated element of our Annual International Achievement Week Observance, Gamma Chapter will be awarding an up to $1,000 1st Place Scholarship to our Chapter Essay Contest winner.

2022 Essay Title: A world crisis has caused a paradigm shift for health disparities and social justice; what are your suggestions for positive change?

Eligibility & Rules: The Contest is open to all college-bound, high school seniors in Greater Boston who submit an essay application to Gamma Chapter.

• The essay must be original and neither previously published nor secured by copyright.
• The essay must be between 700 and  words, but should not exceed 750 in length.
• The type-written, double-spaced essay must be submitted via email in Microsoft Word.

Please submit all essays to [email protected] by 11:59 PM on October 21, 2022 . Late submissions will not be accepted. Do not change or shorten the Essay Topic.

Gamma Chapter will assemble a review panel to assess submitted essays based on the following criteria. Essays may earn a maximum rating of 100 points.

• Development of Topic/Thesis: (30 possible points)  Topic is well-developed (covers and develops major points, supplying enough information for understanding)
• Progression: (20 possible points)  Composition progresses from beginning to end in a logical flow of information
• Readability: (25 possible points)  Concise prose that sticks to the point and does not ramble (holds reader’s attention)
• Grammar: (15 possible points)  Agreement of subject and verb; proper tense; correct sentence construction; paragraphing, including transitional phrases linking same
• Spelling: (5 possible points)
• Punctuation: (5 possible points)

The Winner will be announced via the Gamma Chapter Instagram and website during Achievement Week, November 14th – 18th, 2022 . Thank you for your interest and best of luck!

Gamma Chapter Executive Board

Instagram: @gammachapter_ques 

Website: http://gamma1916.com/  

2023 Essay Title:

With Politics gaining the bulk of discussion, what can the younger generation do to ensure that elected leaders understand the impact of gaining their vote?

The Contest is open to all college-bound, high school seniors who submit an essay application through a Chapter of the Fraternity.

The essay must be original and neither previously published nor secured by copyright. The essay must be between 700 and 750 words in length.  The type-written, double-spaced essay may be submitted via postal service or email in Microsoft Word.

Download Application

All submissions will be reviewed by your local Chapter (determined by your high school/home address).  Submissions will not be accepted after October 20, 2023. Do not change or shorten the Essay Topic.

All local Chapters will assemble a review panel to assess submitted essays based on the following criteria. Essays may earn a maximum rating of 100 points:

1. Development of Topic/Thesis: (30 possible points) 2. Progression: (20 possible points) 3. Readability: (25 possible points) 4. Grammar: (15 possible points) 5. Spelling: (5 possible points) 6. Punctuation: (5 possible points)

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Achievement Week Essay Contest

International High School Essay Topic for 2023 "With Politics gaining the bulk of discussion, what can the younger generation do to ensure that elected leaders understand the impact of gaining their vote? ”

INFORMATION

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. offers an annual International High School Essay Contest and awards scholarship assistance in the form of monies awarded to eligible high school seniors who are selected during a competitive process at the chapter, district and international levels.   The Essay Content is presented as a mandated element of the annual International Achievement Week Observance that the Fraternity hosts to commemorate its member, Bro. Dr. Carter G. Woodson (OMEGA Chapter).   

In 1927, at the urging of Bro. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Fraternity made National Negro Achievement Week an annual observance.  Today we recognize that week as Black History Month , which is observed annually in February.  Originally designed to promote the study of Negro life and history, the Fraternity’s Achievement Week observance occurs annually in November -- the month the Fraternity was founded -- and it is designed to seek out and give due recognition to individuals at the local, district, and international levels who have made noteworthy contributions toward improving the quality of life for Black Americans.

The 2023 observance period occurred November 13 through 19, 2023, which, as is customary spanned the Fraternity's Founders' Day which occurs annually on November 17.  The 2023 observance period has not been announced , but it will occur in November 2023 and is again expected to span November 17.

The Essay Contest is annually open to all college-bound, high school seniors who submit an essay application through a Chapter of the Fraternity.  Chapter scholarship award amounts vary by chapter, so contacts your local chapter directly. 

Chapter Essay Contest winners may compete for a Second District scholarship award, and the Second District Essay Contest winner (1st Scholarship) may compete for and receive an International scholarship award to be awarded in 2023 following proof of college enrollment.  The Fraternity's "Second District" is made up of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.  The scholarship awards for the 2022 essay contest candidates were:

Second District Scholarship Awards

1st Scholarship | $1,000 *

2nd Scholarship | $500

3rd Scholarship | $250

International Scholarship Awards **

1st Scholarship | $5,000

2nd Scholarship | $3,000

3rd Scholarship | $2,000

4th Scholarship | $1,000

* Winner may compete for the International Scholarship Award

** Must provide proof of college enrollment to receive scholarship award.

2023  SUBMISSION DUE DATES

October 21, 2023  | Students' essay submissions are due to appropriate Chapter.

NOTE:  Eligible high school students' essays MUST be submitted to a local chapter in the students' respective community or area. (e.g., an Undergraduate chapter in their area, or a Graduate chapter in their city, county or similar).  See the Resources section below for additional guidance.  Students should locate and contact the respective Chapter directly for additional details.

November 20, 2023  | Chapters' winning essay submissions are due to Achievement Week Committee.

Each Chapter may submit ONLY one (1) winning essay for consideration.  Decide any tie breakers at the Chapter level.

January 2024  | Select District winners of International High School Essay Contest and forward to International Achievement Week Committee.

The Achievement Week Committee will submit the District winner for consideration among all other  districts' submissions for International awards -- 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places.

NOTE:  The Second District's winner in 2021 also placed 1st at the International level in 2021. (see below)

2022 AWARD WINNERS

For assistance locating an appropriate local chapter to submit an essay, reference the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. website at www.oppf.org and select About and then  Find A Chapter from the drop down.  For best use, enter your state where indicated and review all listed chapters to identify one or more whose contact address corresponds with either your home address or your high school's address, then contact the chapter directly for related information and guidance.

Click the PDF link provided below to access the Essay Contest application, eligibility rules, submission process, rating criteria and other information. 

Direct questions to the Achievement Week Committee Chairman via [email protected] .

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The Historical Legacy of the Divine Nine

Black Greek-letter organizations (BGLOs) emerged during a period that is characterized as a low point in American race relations. These associations were established on the principles of personal excellence, racial uplift, community service, civic action and kinship. Their emergence coincided with significant national developments, including the rise of Jim Crow laws, the popularity of scientific racism, and widespread racial violence and prejudice.

Black students, whether studying at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) or predominantly white institutions, came together to create these organizations, forging familial ties to one another and outreach within the larger Black community. Those kinships and ties endure to this day. BGLOs formed at a time when Greek life at predominantly white institutions excluded Black students. 

Today, the nine BGLOs that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council, known as the Divine Nine, have an impact on community service and civic engagement, through outreach programs that include literacy, professional development and voter registration.   

Alpha Phi Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha stands as the sole Black Greek-letter organization founded at an Ivy League institution—Cornell University. Amidst a campus marked by segregation and social isolation for Black students, a troublingly low retention rate prompted the remaining individuals to form a support and study group. 

On December 4, 1906, seven young Black men, aspiring to foster a brotherhood, laid the foundation for the fraternity. Their founding principles encompassed personal excellence, kinship, racial uplift via community service, civic engagement and philanthropy. Operating without precedent for Black students on campus, they forged an organization using secret societies as a support framework. 

An index card of dues paid by Thurgood Marshall's to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Referred to as the "Seven Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,” this group of founders included the influential intellectual and activist W.E.B. Du Bois. The fraternity expanded, establishing a second chapter at Howard University. Its official journal, The Sphinx, served as a means to connect chapters, share information on business and social activities, and publish essays on contemporary issues. The fraternity also organized annual conventions to bridge communication gaps. 

During an era when most Black teenagers did not graduate high school or pursue college education, Alpha Phi Alpha intervened. It devised programs offering tutoring, financial aid, and heightened educational opportunities for Black youth. Notably, it initiated a national community service agenda, featuring initiatives such as the Go-To-High School, Go-To-College program and the Voting Rights Program, which engaged in voter registration drives.

Alpha Phi Alpha 33rd Convention Program. The program contains photos, an agenda, and advertisements all related to the 33rd Alpha Phi Alpha Conference held in Tulsa, OK. 

Alpha Phi Alpha’s dedication to community service became reflective of numerous other Black Greek-letter organizations emerging throughout the twentieth century’s early and latter halves. 

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Established on January 15, 1908, at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha emerged as the first Greek-letter organization founded by Black college women. Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, a Howard student, aspired to create a supportive network for women sharing similar goals—to uplift one another and leverage their talents for the greater good. Collaborating with several other women, Lyle initiated the drafting of a constitution and finalized the official name, motto and colors. Unlike prior challenges with campus administrators, the group’s acceptance as a recognized campus organization encountered no delays, leading to the group's official formation in 1908.

Flag for Alpha Kappa Alpha 

The subsequent year marked the beginning of a tradition within the organization—the planting of Ivy, symbolizing the sorority's aims and ideals. This practice unfolded across various locations on campus, eventually culminating in the Ivy Leaf becoming a significant symbol. New chapters continued to sprout from 1913 onwards, a trend that persisted well into the present day. 

Member badge for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

On the activism front, the founders assumed leadership roles within the YWCA and engaged in activities within the campus chapter of the NAACP. Additionally, the group aided Southern migrants in adapting to Northern life during the Great Migration. It advocated for women's suffrage, and the sorority also dedicated efforts to dressing dolls for underprivileged children at the Freedman’s Hospital. Notably, it established funds catering to students in need and those aspiring to pursue studies abroad. 

Alpha Kappa Alpha jacket worn during the Women's March on Washington

Kappa Alpha Psi

This black and white photograph depicts members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in front of the Alpha Chapter house during the North Central Province regional meeting.

Most Black Greek-letter fraternities trace their origins to Howard University. However, Kappa Alpha Psi is one of a few BGLOs that emerged among Black students at predominantly white universities.  Elder Watson Diggs and Byron Kenneth Armstrong, who had forged a friendship at Howard, found themselves at Indiana University, where they confronted the stark realities of Black life. Discrimination, inadequate social services and meager representation left Black students socially isolated within a campus environment. They were denied access to recreational and entertainment facilities. 

Diggs rallied nine fellow Black men and established Alpha Omega as an interim fraternity, a precursor to a permanent organization. On January 5, 1911, this group birthed a new fraternity on campus, called Kappa Alpha Nu, which attained national recognition on May 15, 1911. 

A wooden, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity cane wrapped in red plastic tape and decorated with white stripe and white and red stripe decals wrapped along the body of the cane, forming red, diamond shapes.

Similar to other fraternities, this collective crafted a constitution, rituals, an initiation ceremony and a coat of arms. Their activities extended to hosting social events and annual “house parties” that drew Black students from across the state. By 1914, they officially adopted the name Kappa Alpha Psi. It expanded to multiple campuses and inaugurated a monthly publication in 1921 called the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal. Its initiatives included programs aiding high school students, and some members, notably Ralph Abernathy and Tom Bradley, emerged as prominent figures in the civil rights movement. 

Omega Psi Phi

With the formation of the first Black fraternity in 1906 at Cornell University, three students wanted to create something that Howard University could have of its own. At Howard, three students - Edgar Love, Frank Coleman, and Oscar Cooper - along with the assistance of biology Professor Ernest Just, established a new fraternity called Omega Psi Phi on November 17, 1911.

Miniature Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Paddle

Initially, Howard University administrators opposed the formation of this group, reflecting the attitudes of many colleges nationwide, which were concerned that secret societies could erode trust among students and lead to immoral behavior. Initially denied recognition by the university, Omega Psi Phi members initiated a public relations campaign by placing index cards around the campus on trees, fences, bulletin boards and other visible locations.  

President Wilbur P. Thirkield publicly denied the existence of Omega Psi Phi on campus, prompting members to personally lobby the faculty. After negotiations with the faculty, Omega Psi Phi transitioned from a local fraternity to a nationally recognized organization and was officially incorporated in 1924. Its chapters expanded across the country after World War I. In 1918, there were three chapters, and by 1923, there were 47 active chapters.

Ring of the Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi fraternity with storage pouch 

In 1926, Omega Psi Phi became a life member of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, a group founded by member Carter G. Woodson, a historian and founder of Negro history week which later became Black History Month.  

During the Great Depression, the fraternity supported lawyer and civil rights activist John P. Davis, chairman of the Joint Committee on National Recovery, a coalition of 20 civil rights groups, in his efforts to secure fair employment for Black people. The fraternity also contributed to organizations such as the Southern Negro Congress, the National Urban League, the International Brotherhood of Red Caps and held a life membership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Omega Psi Phi Colonel Charles E. Young Service medal and bracelet 

Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Sigma Theta emerged from a division within Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) as members expressed dissatisfaction with the organization's limited focus on campus affairs. Some members wanted to pivot towards addressing broader issues like public service and women's advancement. This desire to reform extended to establishing a national organization and altering the society's activities, accompanied by a name change that reflected their purpose. They also aimed to modify symbols, colors and adopt a more politically-oriented stance. 

Quilt with the Delta Sigma Theta logo 

In 1912, at Howard University, these members voted to transition from AKA to Delta Sigma Theta. The move sparked discord between graduate members, who favored maintaining the status quo, and new Alpha chapter members advocating for change. When a deadline imposed by a graduate member to cease reorganization efforts was ignored, 22 women parted ways from AKA and established Delta Sigma Theta on January 13, 1913. 

The turning point arrived in January 1930 when the organization’s Grand Chapter attained national incorporation. This action marked the Deltas as the first sorority predominantly composed of undergraduates to petition any university trustee to become an incorporated entity. 

A gold-toned gavel used by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

The organization became active politically. In 1913, Delta members marched side by side with white women in the 1913 Women’s Suffragette March, which featured 10,000 participants. It lobbied the federal government on various matters, including standing against injustice, particularly in the Scottsboro Boys case, anti-lynching laws and U.S. involvement in in Haiti. 

It also sponsored various social programs for Black people. It created the National Library Project in 1937, which sought to bring literacy to a population with limited resources. Furthermore, it created one of the nation’s first bookmobiles, where it filled busses with books and traveled to various areas in the American South. It served Black people in some of the most isolated parts of the country. 

Presently, the group boasts a membership exceeding 300,000 initiates and boasts over 1,000 chartered chapters worldwide. Its sisterhood predominantly comprises of Black college-educated women. Some of its notable members include former congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and civil rights activist Dorothy Height. 

Phi Beta Sigma

While Phi Beta Sigma originated at Howard University, its conception sprouted in Memphis, Tennessee. In the summer of 1910, A. Langston Taylor, a high school student, encountered a Howard alum who not only regaled him with tales of campus life, but also shared insights about Greek fraternities. This encounter seeded the idea of forming a new organization. Taylor, along with his former college roommate Leonard Morse and fellow Howard student Charles I. Brown, convened to establish the official organization in a Washington, D.C. YMCA, with Taylor assuming the inaugural role of national president. It took university deans three months to grant recognition to this nascent fraternity, which was founded on January 9, 1914.

During the 1920s, Phi Beta Sigma actively engaged in advocacy efforts, notably supporting anti-lynching legislation. Moreover, it launched the Bigger and Better Business national program, aiming to address the imperative for Black economic empowerment. On the global stage, the fraternity opposed U.S. military intervention in Haiti, marking its involvement in international affairs. During this period, Sigma grew to have 45 chapters in 25 different cities. 

Phi Beta Sigma fraternity pin from the Epsilon Alpha Chapter at Dillard University, New Orleans

Notable Sigma brothers went on to make a significant impact in the Harlem Renaissance. Rhodes scholar and writer Alain Locke produced "The New Negro" in 1925, an anthology that featured fiction, poetry, and essays on Black art and literature. Another notable Sigma member during this period, musician James Weldon Johnson, authored "Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing," also known as “The Negro National Anthem.”

The Great Depression represented a nadir in recruitment. Some members had to leave schools and some chapters became inactive. The Sigma treasury became low on funds. Yet, the economic downturn allowed the organization to assist other chapters. It provided scholarships for financially struggling members and chapters, even though it rarely was enough at times. 

Today, Phi Beta Sigma is an international organization, with nearly 600 chapters and 225,000 members since its founding in 1914. 

Phi Beta Sigma cardigan sweater from the Alpha Epsilon Chapter at Johnson C. Smith University

Zeta Phi Beta

Charles Taylor, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, approached Howard student Arizona Cleaver about her interest in forming a sister organization. Despite the presence of two sororities on Howard's campus, Cleaver believed there was room for another one. Following discussions, a meeting convened with 14 individuals, resulting in five members venturing to establish a new organization. Zeta Phi Beta swiftly obtained approval for Howard, marking the campus’ third Black sorority on January 16, 1920.

The founders promptly crafted a constitution mirroring Phi Beta Sigma’s structure, marking the birth of the first brother-sister organization. This constitution emphasized advancing education among college women, fostering uplifting projects, embodying the spirit of sisterly love, and promoting the ideals of finer womanhood. 

Pennant for the Zeta Phi Beta sorority's 45th Boulé 

Expanding beyond Howard, Zeta Phi Beta established chapters in New York City and Atlanta. It began a publication called Archon, initially titled X-Ray, and instituted the tradition of Finer Womanhood Week. The organization aligned itself with the NAACP and the National Negro Congress. Notably, Zeta embarked on the Zeta Housing Project of 1943, identifying housing vacancies and registering them with the National Housing Association. Many of these homes sheltered numerous war workers during World War II. 

Zeta Phi Beta members photographed on the campus of Claflin University

Sigma Gamma Rho

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., was founded on November 12, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven educators: Mary Lou Allison Gardner Little, Dorothy Hanley Whiteside, Vivian White Marbury, Nannie Mae Gahn Johnson, Hattie Mae Annette Dulin Redford, Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin and Cubena McClure. 

Sigma Gamma Rho's Sorority plot at Fisk University

In the 1920s, Indiana was a hostile climate for Black people, with the reemergence of the Ku Klux Klan fueled by the 1915 film "The Birth of a Nation." Indiana was a hub of Klan activity, with over 250,000 Klansmen in the state, including individuals in powerful political positions. In fact, the Grand Dragon of the Klan lived half a block away from the Butler University campus.  

The university originally accepted Black students in its inaugural year of 1855, but in 1927, it established a quota system by admitting only 10 Black students annually. Sigma Gamma Rho still managed to thrive in this environment. The organization held its first national convention in 1925 and was nationally incorporated in 1929. It actively supported civil rights and worked to empower families in areas such as education and health. 

Customized Sigma Gamma Rho Converse sneakers for member MC Lyte 

During the Great Depression, the sorority organized literary contests to provide books to young Black students and established the National Vocational Guidance program to help them launch their careers. They also created the Sigma Gamma Rho Employment Aid Bureau to assist members in finding employment. In the war years, they established Sigma Teen Town to address juvenile delinquency, as societal concerns about absent fathers, stirred by the war, and mothers working in local factories, loomed large. 

Members of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority during a Founders Day celebration, Baltimore, Maryland, November 13, 1993

During the civil rights era, members of both organizations actively participated in public demonstrations and supported civil rights organizations. As of 2021, both groups continue to thrive, with Sigma Gamma Rho boasting over 500 chapters and Omega Psi Phi having over 700 chapters. 

Iota Phi Theta

Iota Phi Theta was established on September 19, 1963, at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, marking the final addition to the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Founded amidst the civil rights movement by twelve men, most of whom were non-traditional students, the group dedicated itself to social service. These founding members had long friendships and associations, However, due to their advanced ages, recruiting undergraduates as members posed a challenge. 

Letterman sweater for Iota Phi Theta Fraternity 

Aligned with the civil rights ethos, its members actively supported the boycott of a segregated shopping mall in Baltimore and collaborated on community service projects with organizations such as the NAACP, United Negro College Funds and the Southern Christian Leadership Council. 

In 1967, the group expanded its outreach through the Pied Pipers. Over time, membership surged, and by the early 1980s, it extended its presence to the West Coast, inaugurating a chapter at San Francisco State University in 1983. In 1993, it established the National Iota Foundation, which granted scholarships, funding and spearheaded the annual Iota Black College Tour. 

Founders paddle for Iota Phi Theta fraternity at Morgan State College 

Despite its later inception compared to other Black fraternities and sororities, Iota Phi Theta boasts notable members such as Bobby L. Rush, Dr. J. Keith Motley, Elvin Hayes, T.C. Carson and others. 

Black Letter Greek Organizations Homepages

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

References: 

“Iota Phi Theta,” 125th Anniversary of UMES, University of Maryland Easter Shore. https://wwwcp.umes.edu/125/iota-phi-theta/   

Ross Jr., Lawrence C. The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. New York: Kensington Publishing Corp., 2000. 

Parks, Gregory S. and Stefan M. Bradley, Alpha Phi Alpha: A Legacy of Greatness, the Demands of Transcendence. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2012. 

Resurgence of the KKK in Indiana,” Digital Civil Rights Museum, accessed October 16, 2023, https://www.digitalresearch.bsu.edu/digitalcivilrightsmuseum/items/show/112  

“Sigma Gamma Rho,” 125th Anniversary of UMES, University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

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Tampa Bay preps for Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclave

TAMPA, Fla. — On June 26, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., will be holding its 84th Grand Conclave in Tampa.

It will be the first time the group has hosted the event in Tampa, and more than 50,000 of its members from around the world are expected to attend.

What You Need To Know

Omega psi phi fraternity, inc. will host members from across the world at its 84th grand conclave in tampa sherri brown, president of multicultural sales and development at visit tampa bay , says the conventions of the divine nine/black greek letter organizations in tampa will significantly boost the economy. grand marshal anthony perkins says the fraternity plans to make a lasting impact on the city, not only through its financial contributions, but also through its youth leadership symposium and stem program. the convention starts on june 26, and the full agenda is available on  the grand conclave website ..

In February, the Hillsborough County School District announced plans to rebuild and re-open Ernest Everest Just and Garland V. Stewart elementary schools in West Tampa by 2027. 

Both of the school’s namesakes were members of  Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc . G.V. Stewart is also one of the founding members of the  Tampa Chapter, Pi Iota .

Just Elementary is a STEM academy that was shut down more than a year ago — it was a controversial decision that faced pushback from the local community.

“Ernest Everest Just was the first valedictorian at Dartmouth of color, but wasn't allowed to walk those stages as valedictorian, class president,” said Pi Iota Chapter Basileus Al Sheriff.  "So, the historical context of that, NAACP’s first Spingarn Medal winner, he was a biologist.

"As you think through that, Garland V. Stewart was an educator and first deputy superintendent in Hillsborough County. As you think about those things, those buildings have significant impact, not just to Omega, but to the Tampa community."

@OfficialOPPF will be hosting members from across the world at its 84th grand conclave in #Tampa . Leadership met with local businesses to plan for its conclave & youth symposium. The fraternity played a vital role in saving 2 schools named after members Just & Stewart. @bn9 pic.twitter.com/aDaoZRMezY — Fadia Mayté Patterson, M.S. (@FadiaTVNews) May 20, 2024

Members of the fraternity said they hope the even will have a far-reaching impact.

Sherri Brown, the president of Multicultural Sales and Development at Visit Tampa Bay, said the conventions of the Divine Nine/Black Greek Letter Organizations in Tampa will significantly boost tourism, economic development, and help small businesses — especially minority-owned businesses.

“Every hotel is sold out in the downtown area, in the Ybor area," Brown said. "We're looking at hotels in the West Shore area now. We're looking at an economic impact of probably about $30 million."

The executive leadership and Supreme Council Grand Marshal Anthony Perkins say they are meeting with local businesses and making plans.

“This event will be something that Tampa has never seen before," Perkins said.

"We want to make sure that we work with the city of Tampa, that it’s going to be a huge success,” he added. “You’re going to see a lot of purple and gold, a lot of educated men all over the city, and we want to provide them with excellent customer service.” 

“This is big for us," said restaurant owner Khalila McDuffie. "This is our take on a Super Bowl."

Perkins said the fraternity plans to make a lasting impact on the city not only through its financial contributions but also through its youth leadership symposium and STEM program.

“We're going to offer financial literacy,” said Perkins. “We're going to hand out books. We're going to do symposiums. We're going to have a silent march. We're going to do all kinds of things, and we're going to infuse the city in those activities as well.”

The fraternity will have a long-awaited “family reunion” during the upcoming conclave, which was missed in 2020. Organizers say they are determined to make the event memorable.

The convention starts on June 26, and the full agenda is available on the Grand Conclave website .

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

• Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
• Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start. 

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