48th Annual Mardi Gras Booklet

48th Annual M ardi Gras Program

Welcome Bro. Bryan Patton, Mardi Gras Chairman

Purpose Bro. Kumani Simmons, Basileus Beta Phi Chapter

Bro. Brian Beverly, Esq. President, Uplift Project Inc. Board of Directors

Blessing of Meal Bro. Cory Rawlinson

Dinner

Music By EnVision Band

Recognizing Special Guests Raffle Winner Announcement

Music By EnVision Band

February 24, 2024

Good evening,

I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who continues to be the source of my strength. On behalf of the Brothers of the Star-Studded Beta Phi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., I would like to welcome each & every one of you to our 48th Annual Centennial Mardi Gras fundraising event.

Your participation and support in this year’s event will assist us in providing multiple scholarships for deserving college-bound high school students in the Durham, Person, Chatham, and Chapel Hill counties. In addition to funding scholarships, this event helps support our Fraternal Mandated Programs, one being our Talent Hunt program. We also provide annually to multiple Thanksgiving and Christmas charities designed to assist those in need during the holiday season. We also partner with Urban Ministries and Mobile Market to nourish and assist those in need.

Beta Phi was charted on December 15, 1924. This being our Centennial year, we have vowed to continue our long-lasting tradition of service and duty to the community & brotherhood by incorporating the Fraternity’s Four Cardinal Principles of MANHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, PERSEVERANCE, and UPLIFT in our daily work and lives. Every Omega Man aims to make positive contributions through our Social Action initiatives that will impact our communities throughout Durham, Person, Chatham, & Chapel Hill counties. The Brothers of Beta Phi continue to develop innovative ideas to ensure that we are delivering programs and projects that will make a difference in the lives we touch.

Special thanks to this year’s Centennial Mardi Gras Chairman, Bro. Bryan “Petey” Patton and his committee for their hard work & commitment in making this event a success. As you eat, dance, and fellowship, please keep in mind that your presence and contribution at this evening’s gala will make a difference in the lives & well-being of others.

We hope that you continue to support the Beta Phi Chapter in future endeavors. God bless each of you and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kumani J. Simmons

Bro. Kumani J. Simmons 47th Basileus

Beta Phi Chapter

February24,2024

GreatEvening!

IgreetyouallinthenameoftheSupremeBasileusoftheUniverse. Onbehalfofthe48thAnnualMardiGrasCommittee,Iwanttobe thefirsttowelcomeyouandsaythankyouforyoursupportand makingtheMardiGrasMasQUEradeagreatsuccess!

Foroverfourdecades,theStarStuddedBetaPhiChapterhashosted anannualMardiGraseventtoraisemoneyforthingssuchas scholarshipsforgraduatinghighschoolseniorswhoarecontinuing theirstudiesatacollegeoruniversityandsocialactionprograms suchassendingyoungmalestothe6thDistrictBoyscamp.

Everyyearthatwehavehostedthisevent,oursupportershave shownupandshownout!Forthatwecan’tthankyouenough.

AswecelebrateBetaPhi’sCentennialYear,Iwanttotaketimetothankthemanysupportersthathave helpedBetaPhiservetheDurhamcommunityfor100years.AsaDurhamnative,Icanattesttothegreat impactthatBetaPhihashadontheDurhamcommunity,asevidencedbythenumberofgreatleadersthat havebeenmembersofBetaPhi.

AgainIwanttothankyouallforattendingandmakingthis48thAnnualMardiGrasahugesuccess!

HumblySubmitted,

Bro.BryanPatton

2ndViceBasileus/MardiGrasChairman BetaPhiChapter

UPLIFT PROJECT, INC

P.O. BOX 2091

Durham, NC 27702-2091

February 8, 2024

Beta Phi Chapter

Attn: Mardi Gras Committee

P.O. Box 2091

Durham, NC 27702

Re: 48th Annual Mardi Gras

On behalf of Uplift Project, Inc., please accept our congratulations on your 48th Annual Mardi Gras. The Board of Directors, committees, volunteers, contributors and community partners of Uplift Project, Inc. are committed to making a difference in the lives of Durham’s citizens. We know that Beta Phi Chapter shares that commitment, and that your Mardi Gras is specifically designed to further that mission through raising funds earmarked for college scholarships.

It is my humble privilege to serve as President of Uplift Project Inc. (“UPI”), a 501(c)(3) organization that was formed in 2002. UPI’s mission is to prepare today for tomorrow’s success through social action and youth initiatives involving education and character improvement; public awareness forums on social, economic, and health related issues; and minority community development. As you know, in partnership with Beta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, we have endeavored since our formation to champion the Fraternity’s Cardinal Principle of “Uplift” in the Durham community.

The centerpiece of our outreach is the Uplift Community Center (“UCC”), located at 1811 Palmer Street in the heart of the West End community. We are blessed to have Beta Phi Chapter on board as our anchor tenant at the UCC. The Uplift Project, Inc. Board of Directors (which is comprised of stalwart leaders in the Durham Community and includes learned professionals, business leaders, educators and elected officials) is particularly keen on impacting citizens of color who live in the shadow of the UCC. UPI has been intentional in its efforts to partner with like-minded organizations including the West End Community Foundation, Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park, and others. The Uplift Community Center is in the hub of the West End – directly across the street from Lakewood Shopping Center.

Uplift Project, Inc. (“UPI”) has served the West End Community for many years. We enhanced our operations in 2011 through the acquisition of the UCC. We have renovated the facility since our purchase, and it now boasts 4500 square feet of activity space, including a kitchen, WiFi accessibility, and space for outdoor activities. Through our partnership, Beta Phi has hosted many of its Fraternity mandated programs and other initiatives at the UCC.

UPI has also endeavored to be a good neighbor to West End residents. Examples of outreach spearheaded by UPI and Beta Phi have included:

Partnering on the very first Bull City 5k Run for Diabetes Awareness

Serving meals to low-income students ages 3 to 19 twice a day during the summer while school is out and food insecurity concerns spike

Hosting financial literacy workshops and health initiatives to close the health gap

Hosting the yearly “National Night Out” public safety awareness event in the West End

Food distribution efforts through partnership with Zaxby’s

Partnering with Urban Ministries of Durham to feed the homeless at the Urban Ministries facility located at 410 Liberty Street

Providing manpower support for Durham’s “mobile market” food distribution

Awarding college scholarships to deserving low-income high school seniors

Partnering with Lakewood Elementary School Reading Program and Career Day to promote literacy and career exposure

Free mask giveaways during the pandemic at the Uplift Community Center and Lakewood Shopping Center

As we look to the future, our vision for further collaboration with Beta Phi would specifically entail:

Furthering our existing partnerships with Lakewood Elementary School through the “Lakewood Reading Program” with the purchase of additional books and program rewards for students who complete the reading assignments

Forging a partnership with Eastway Elementary School to construct similar support mechanisms

Hosting health fairs at the UCC to provide accurate health information, screenings, and opportunities for clinical trials

Continuing to host the yearly “National Night Out” public safety awareness event in the West End

Once again, congratulations on your 48th Annual Mardi Gras. We look forward to our further collaboration to improve the lives of citizens in the West End, Durham and beyond.

Sincerely,

Brian O. Beverly

Brian Beverly, President

B as il eu s- Kum ani S imm ons

1 st V ic e- Bas ileu s- A nto nio Jo nes

2 nd V ic e- Bas il eus - Bryan Pat to n

K ee per of Re cords and S e al- D arrell S pel ls

A ss is t ant KRS - Roderick Bal l ar d

K ee per of F inanc e-Th om as T ayl or

A ss is t ant K ee per of F inanc e-W il l Dixon

Ch apl ain-D aniel Samu el

A ss is t ant Ch apl ai n-L ou is Thre att

E dit or- Phil l ip H arring ton

A ss is tant E ditor-J oh n E rvi n

K ee per of Pe ace-J os iah Th om as

A ss is tant KP- Carl to n Will i am s

Parl iam e ntar ian-Ph ill i p Powel l

2024 Mardi Gras Committee

Bro. Paul Anderson

Bro. Colonel Bracy

Bro. Jerry Fulmer

Bro. Phil Harrington

Bro. Delqwan Jackson

Bro. Antonio Jones

Bro. Allen Little

Bro. Ron Peterson

Bro. Cory Rawlinson

Bro. John Scott

Bro. Louis Threatt

Bro. Tyrone Baines

Bro. Victor Cooper

Bro. Godfrey Fulmore

Bro. Marlon Headen

Bro. Clifton Johnson

Bro. Darren Jones

Bro. Ty Littles

Bro. Phillip Powell

Bro. Jason Redmond

Bro. Kumani Simmons

Bro. Brandon Bannister

Bro. Will Dixon

Bro. Thomas Hardin

Bro. Chuck Hennessee

Bro. Jerome Johnson

Bro. D. Curtis Lawson

Bro. Bryan Patton

Bro. Chris Rawlinson

Bro. Greg Rouse

Bro. Phil Terry

Bro. Bro. Terrance White Bro. Quan Williams

Pictured: Seated L-R: Bro. Thomas Hardin; Bro. Kumani Simmons, Basileus; Bro. Bryan Patton, Chairman; Bro. John Scott; Bro. Allen Little. Standing L-R: Bro. Phillip Powell, Bro. Paul Anderson, Bro. Ty Littles, Bro. Phil Harrington

Beta Phi Members

Abdellatif, Amandla Bynum, Joshua Glymph, Derrick

Alexander, Lovest Bynum, Vincent Graham, Dion

Alexander, Jamaul Campbell, Kendrick Graham, Phillip

Ali, Farad Carter, James Graves, Akil

Allison III, Ferdinand Carver, Melvin Green, Issac

Alston, David Childs, Randal Gregory, Derric

Anderson, Paul Clark, Douglas Guthrie, Greg

Anderson, Noah Clark, Dwanson Hackney, David

Anthony, Vincent Clarke, Christopher Hardin, Thomas

Archer, Mitchell Cooper, Victor Hardy, Ralph

Asare, Kwasi Covington, William Hardy Jr., Elton

Atkinson, Justin Cox, Donnie Hargrove, Prentice

Bagby, Bill Crenshaw, Harlan Harper, Donovan

Bagley, Jacob Curry Jr., Charles Harper, Stephon

Bailey, Evester Daniel, Donald Harper II, Jim

Baines, Tyrone Davis, Barry Harrington, Phillip

Baker, Donald Davis, Crasten Harris, Kenneth

Ballard, Roderick Daye, Jeffrey Harris, Robert

Bannister, Brandon DeBerry, Craig Harris, Warren

Barnes, Barry Dixon III, William Harris II, Charles

Barnes, Kenneth Dockery, Greg Harrison, Samuel

Beasley, Omar Dubose, Robert Hawkins, Zack

Belle, Kelvin Eddleman, Caleb Headen, Marlon

Best, Moses Edwards, Sterling Heath, Roderick

Best, Stacey Ellerbe, Kenneth Hennessee, Chuck

Beverly, Brian Ellis, Derek Hernandez, Bryant

Biggs Jr., Joseph Ervin, John Hester, Toryeon

Billups, William Evans, Jason Hewitt, Clinton

Black, James Fairbanks, Cedric Heyward, Lester

Bly, Dre Ferebee, Floyd Hilliard, Richard

Bowditch, Preston Ferguson, Neill Hinton, Richard

Bracy, Colonel Fitts, David Holland, Shawn

Brandon, John Fitts, Howard Hoover, Robert

Brooks, Nowell Fleming, Sundar Horton, John

Brown, Carl France, Ralph Hughley Jr., Carey

Brown, Darrell Fulmer, Jerry Ingram, Delmous

Brown, Frederick Fulmore, Godfrey Irion, Nicholas

Brown, Kenneth Furtick, Edward Jackson, Delqwan

Burke, Clarence Gaddy Jr., Robert Jacobs Jr., Willie

Burns, Khayri Garrett, Michael Jemmott, William

Burthey Jr., Grover Gatling, Earl Johnson, Brodrick

Burwell, Henry Gilmore III, Exter Johnson, Clifton

Beta Phi Members

Johnson, Jerome Palmer, Jerry Smith, Cory

Johnson, Oliver Parker, Allen Smith, DeTrea

Johnson, Thomas Patterson, Jamie Smith, Joel

Jones, Antonio Patton, Bryan Smith, Sherwood

Jones, Darren Payton, Daryl Speaker, Nicholas

Jones, Russell Peace, Jason Speller, Hank

Jones Jr., Clayton Perkins, Ni-Eric Spells, Darrell

Joyner, Charles Perry, Dwight Spence, Jerry

Kelly, James Peterson, Ronald Spence, Trevon

Kelly, Joseph Pittman, Timothy Stanback, A. Leon

Kennedy IV, William Ponton, Curtis Stewart, James

King, Wesley Porter, Tommie Street, Jeffrey

Lane, Fleenoil Porter, Whitney Sullivan, Rashad

Laster, Terrance Powell, Phillip Taylor, Matthew

Lawson, D. Curtis Pugh, Phillip Taylor, Thomas

Leach, James Putney Jr., Freddie Taylor, Tyrone

Lewis, Kenneth Quiett, Vincent Terry, Phillip

Little, Allen Ratliff, James Thomas Jr., Josiah

Littles, Ty Ratliff, Justin Thornton, Kevin

Lofton, Eugene Rawlinson, Christopher Threatt, Louis

Love, Christopher Rawlinson, Cory Tillery, Alik

Lowery, Kedrick Rawls, David Totten, Jerry

Lucas, John Redmond, Jason Valentine, Stephen

Marshall, Andre Reid, Marc Vaughan, Victor

McCall, Carlos Ricks, Cory Vines, Derrick

McClymont, Enrique Riley, Calvin Ward, Adrian

McDuffie, James Riley, Herbert Ward, Gregory

McEachin Jr., Lucious Rivers, Louie Watkins Jr., Larry

McGhee, Ricky Roberts, Willie White, Terrance

McLean, Sean Roberts Jr., Francis White III, Eddie

McMillon, Lewis Robinson, Ashanti Wigfall Jr., Switzon

McNeill, Marshall Rollins, Courtney Wilks, Brian

McNeill Jr., Robert Roseborough, Ronnie Williams, Carlton

Milliken, Edward Rouse, Greg Williams, Rickey

Mills, Randolph Samuel, Daniel Williams, Robert

Murphy, Edgar Sanders, Lance Williams, Quantella

Neal, Tyrone Sanders Jr., James Wise II, Carson

Neville, Shea Sawyer, Tony Wood Jr., Gary

Nwogalanya, Martine Scott, Dennis Woods, Robert

O’Neal, Elton Scott, John H. Yancey, James

Pagan Jr., Bruce Seymore, Avon Yongue, Joseph

Page, Robert Simmons, Kumani Young, Dominique

Past Basilei

Rencher Nicholas Harris* Charles Blackmon (1993-1995)*

Lawrence Oxley*+ A. Leon Stanback (1995-1997)

G. W. Cox* Samuel Harrison (1997-1999)

W. D. Hill* David L. Fitts, Sr. (1999-2001)

John "Shag" Stewart* Randal V. Childs (2001-2003)

I. Gregory Newton*+ Ron Peterson (2003-2005)

Howard Wright* Allen Little (2005-2007)

Gerald Underwood (1965-1967)* Derrick Vines (2007-2009)

W. G. Pearson, II (1967-1969)* Brian Beverly (2009-2011)^

Lindsey A. Merritt (1969-1971)* Jim Harper II (2011-2013)

William A. Marsh, Jr. (1971-1973)* Derek Ellis (2013-2015)

Robert T. Lewis, Jr. (1973-1975) * Carlos McCall (2015-2017)

Fred D. McNeill, Jr. (1975-1977) * Russell Jones (2017-2018)

James E. Hayslett (1977-1978) * David L. Fitts, Sr. (2018-2019)

John H. Scott (1978-1978)#^ Clayton Jones Jr. (2019-2021)

George Quiett (1979-1980)* Phillip Terry (2021-2023)

Darryl Smith (1980-1981)

Elton O'Neal (1981-1983)

Tyrone Baines (1983-1985)

John H. Scott (1985-1987)#^

Evester Bailey (1987-1989)

Aubrey Kearney (1989-1991)*

Quantella Williams (1991-1993)

*denotes Omega Chapter

+denotes former Grand Basileus

#denotes former 1st Vice Grand Basileus

^denotes former District Representative

BROTHERS WITH 50 YEARS PLUS OF SERVICE TO OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.

Initiation Year Initiation Chapter Name of Brother

1937 Delta Psi John H. Lucas

1957 Mu Psi Donovan Harper

1960 Upsilon Omicron Joel Smith

1962 Pi Tyrone Baines

1962 Tau Psi A.Leon Stanback

1963 Tau Psi Thomas Hardin

1963 Xi Psi Robert Dubose

1963 Tau Psi Floyd Ferebee

1964 Mu Epsilon Robert Hoover

1966 Tau Psi James Sanders Jr.

1966 Tau Psi Owen Williams

1966 Tau Psi Robert Woods

1967 Mu Omicron Oliver Johnson

1967 Mu Omicron Charles Joyner

1967 Xi Psi Louie Rivers

1967 Beta Sigma Dan Snedecor

1967 Tau Psi Evester Bailey

1968 Nu Epsilon John H. Scott

1968 Gamma Epsilon Switzon Wigfall Jr.

1968 Mu Epsilon Randolph Mills

1969 Iota Psi Lester Heyward

1969 Pi Gamma William A. Bagby

1969 Tau Psi Donald Daniel

1969 Lambda Psi Donnie Cox

1970 Zeta Omicron Carey Hughley Jr.

1970 Beta Epsilon Ronald Peterson

1970 Tau Psi Elton O`Neal

1971 Tau Psi William Covington

1971 Psi Omega William J. Kennedy IV

1972 Upsilon Phi Colonel Bracy

1972 Mu Epsilon Allen Parker

1972 Eta Omega Robert Page

1973 Gamma Sigma Phillip Pugh

1973 Tau Psi Dwight Perry

MANHOOD SCHOLARSHIP PERSEVERANCE

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ProudlySupports

TheBetaPhiChapterofOmegaPsiPhi

48thAnnualMardiGrasScholarship Fundraiser

Doric Lodge #28 would like to congratulate the Beta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on a successful 48th Mardi Gras Event!

- Hon. Clayton Jones Jr., Worshipful Master

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History of CMI

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Congratulations Beta Phi Chapter Mardi Gras Committee for a successfull event.

Brother Allen M. Little Team CMI

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We focus on one thing family law. In doing so, we are empathetic advocates for our clients and relentless in our pursuit of the most favorable outcome on their behalf.

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Brother Zack Hawkins is fighting for your progressive values towards building A Better North Carolina for everyone.

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I’mhonoredtosupportthescholarshipfundandlook forwardtoseeingtheimpactyourcontinuedwork hasonDurham’syouth!

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Lawson Charity Golf Classic (LCGC)

Date:Aug 17, 2024

Location: Hillandale Golf Course,1600 Hillandale Rd, Durham, NC 27705

Time:8am Shotgun,Individual Stoke PlayOpen Div / Senior Div (65+)

Entry Fee: $125 Hole Sponsorship: $250 Prizes & Giveaways

“Food, Fun, and Fellowship with proceeds donated to deserving Charities”

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

Darrell Brown, Kumani Simmons, Wesley King, Bryan Patton, Greg Guthrie, Darrell Spells, Tory Hester, D. Curtis Lawson Jr

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

D. Curtis Lawson Sr, 919-606-1026, admin@dclconsulting.com

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

www.dclconsulting.com/LCGC