On Sunday, July 28, 2023, the Eta Nu Educational Foundation hosted its annual Benefit Gala and Fundraiser sponsored by Corporate Partner, Global Wealth Management. Held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott, Coral Springs, the black tie affair supports STEM promotion, Gentlemen of Influence/Q’ Unit mentoring programs and scholarship initiatives.

This year’s honoree, retired Circuit Court Judge Ilona Holmes, is the recipient of the James L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in honor of Eta Nu founder, philanthropist, Broward educator and former principal of Blanche Ely High School, Mr. James L. Jones.

Introduced by Eta Nu Basileus and Assistant U. S. Attorney Bruce Terry Brown, Judge Holmes’ selection recognized her impeccable, accomplished career as an attorney, proponent of equal justice and opportunity for all under the law, law professor, administrator and jurist. Event MC and Eta Nu Foundation Chairman Brother Harry Harrell welcomed all in attendance, including Mr. John Thomas, Global Wealth Management CIO; South Plantation High graduate and South Florida University enrollee Jahshai Reid, whose candid, impassioned remarks as a beneficiary of Eta Nu’s GOI mentoring program, acknowledging particularly the advice, encouragement and support of Brothers Rodney Hankins and Broderick Henry, left the audience spellbound; Delta Sigma Theta sisters who came in support of Judge Holmes; and the wives, sweethearts and loyal Eta Nu brothers in attendance…

The Eta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in coordination with the Quettes (a supportive, auxiliary organization composed of wives and significant others) held a combined celebration on Friday,  October 7, 2022, in recognition of the victims and survivors of cancer. Under the auspices of the Social Action committee chaired by Brother Melvin Davis, Quettes, Omega men, and the community at large joined forces to highlight and honor those who lost their lives in the battle against cancer and to celebrate the myriad victories. In doing so participants shared their stories and testimonies, offering vital information about treatment, relationships with doctors and other medical experts and the undeniable hope inherent in the human spirit.

Originally conceived by Quettes Babette Davis and Sonia Henry-Robinson, both breast cancer survivors, the concept quickly and seamlessly became a reality. After an inspirational word and opening prayer by Brother William “Bill” Lyons, accompanied by Quette Ann Hugley, Quette Cynthia Burroughs-Wimberly gave the purpose,  then shared her personal experience which led to heartfelt testimonies about their battle with cancer from several in attendance including Veronica Hammond, Michelle Robinson, Latrisha Greaves, Grace King, Sonia Henry-Robinson and Babette Davis. Following the testimonies and led by Babette Davis, each attendee gave a toast of hope and inspiration. Quette Lorita Wimberly-Jones provided gift boxes to all survivors/guests and read a poem of encouragement titled “ I Wear a Pink Ribbon.“ “Quette Shirley Wimberly passed out pink wrist bands to each attendee , gave a closing prayer, and Veronica Hammond gave closing remarks. Refreshments were provided by members of the Social Action committee. Realizing that the cure for cancer is an incessant, arduous struggle, the Quettes and Eta Nu brothers will wage a continuous battle to overcome and defeat this dreadful enemy. There were well over 50 persons in attendance including children…

A contingent of Eta Nu brothers numbering in the thirties  traveled to Charlotte, NC to attend the 83rd Grand Conclave of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Led by Basileus Terry Bruce Brown,  for the very first time since the chapter’s chartering in 1969, Eta Nu was named National Social Action Chapter of the Year, an honor, though long in coming, was accepted on behalf of the chapter and more specifically chapter and 7th District Social Action Chair Brother Melvin Davis by Region II Representative Lennox George with palpable, heartfelt humility. Having won the award numerous times on the state and district level, winning nationally places the chapter in a different stratosphere fraternally. You see, Social Action, one of Omega’s nationally mandated programs, has been a significant, meaningful and effective tool in Eta Nu’s impact on the citizens of Pompano Beach and Broward County. Programs like the Adoption Party in collaboration with Child Net, Diabetes and Sickle Cell Foundations, Christmas and Thanksgiving Basket giveaways, Voter Registration/Education initiative, Feeding the Homeless, Breast Cancer Awareness and Youth Mentoring/STEM Empowerment programs – among others – have propelled its community successes.

Additionally, Eta Nu under the leadership of Brother Wayne Comer, finished a distant second nationally in the fraternity’s partnership with St. Jude raising nearly $12,000. The following brothers received their Years of Service Award: Eddie Moise, Jr., Robert Smith, and Marvin Whitfield- 25 years; Anthony Reyes – 40 years; Larry Barnswell, Kenneth Ivory, and Tommie Robinson – 45 years; Thomas Flowers, Wilfred Thompson, and Gregory Walker – 50 years; Clarence Grisham and William Lyons – 55 years. We, the brothers, wives and significant others, salute you and thank you for your years of dedicated service to our beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

On Saturday July 16, 2022, the Mighty Eta Nu Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in coordination with the Eta Nu Education Foundation,  held its fourth annual Benefit Gala and Fundraiser at the Parkland Golf and Country Club in Parkland, Florida. This year’s scholarship gala, sponsored by Global Wealth Management, had a primary purpose of raising funds to assist qualified high school graduates achieve their educational and professional goals. Eta Nu’s highly acclaimed mentoring program- Q-Unit and Gentlemen of Influence- saw one of its mentees, Dkyle McKinnis, receive a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of Debonair Enterprises owned by Eta Nu’s Johnny Williams. Dkyle plans to attend Broward College in the fall. Ari Christine Rozier, our Scholarship of the Year winner, received a $5,000 stipend sponsored by Global Wealth Management. Ari will attend North Carolina A & T University, fall 2022.

Although designed as a scholarship fundraiser, Eta Nu Educational Foundation chair, Harry Harrell, stated that our organization understood that a nobler cause other than fundraising was of vital importance in realizing our overall objective, thus the creation of The James L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award. “We realized that we had a pioneer amongst us – Brother Jones – Eta Nu’s last surviving founder, former Blanche Ely High School principal and the ideal person to be honored and modeled,” stated Brother Harrell.