JOB CORPS POTOMAC JOB CORPS MEDIA INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY, 2011
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, one of the nation’s oldest African American fraternities, celebrated its 100 anniversary in Washington, D.C. by sponsoring a leadership conference during the week of July 26th through the 30th . The city’s largest newspaper, Washington Post, called it the most well- attended development leadership conference this summer.
City residents, tourists, and yes, even our congressional legislators for five days saw a sea of purple and gold as they drove and walked by the Verizon Center, the conference location for this festivity. These powerful colors were strutted by thousands of Omega brothers, including the popular basketball player Shak O’Neal and the well-known comedian, Bill Cosby along with a host of professionals from all walks of life plus our own Steven Belk, Center Director for Potomac Job Corps. The ultimate aimed of the conference was to be a strategic platform to discuss the critical issues of leadership, particularly in the area of youth development, fatherhood and family unity. The conference was preceded by a montage of family and youth service programs held in a number of cities and counties across the nation leading up and in support of this special event.
The 2011 conference focus ” Founders, Legacy and Future” are stratagems to consider when working to improve our communities”, stated the Grand Basileus, Dr. Andrew Ray. “We will continue the tradition of quality community service, youth development and professional advancement by presenting outstanding programs and community service events” stated the Conference Grand Marshall Kenneth A. Brown.
Utilizing the volunteer services of the Potomac Job Corps trade programs to assist the Omega conference planning committee was a prime example of how the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is reaching out to address its youth development goal. Twenty two Potomac Job Corps Students volunteered in a variety of capacities at the Omega Leadership Conference. Students also took advantage of the wealth of employers at the conference and handed out their business cards, telephone numbers, shared their trade experiences and gave two minute speeches on how their Job Corps experiences would best benefit their companies. The students’ persistence and hard work paid off. Many of the Job Corps volunteers are now preparing for interviews for employment, Work Based Learning and shadowing opportunities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with several Omega brothers who are willing to give back in a big way. “Opportunities can be discovered around every corner. Job Corps gave these young adults the skills to inquire and the ability to perform. This centennial provided a variety of corners to practice what we have taught them— be persistent and you will succeed”, shared Center Director, Steven Belk.