Eta Nu’s Exhilarating 3 Days of Excellence

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

ON THURSDAY June 8, 2023, the Eta Nu Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held its annual Talent Hunt Program, one of the fraternity’s mandated observances. Parents, community partners, friends, and chapter members converged at the E. Pat Larkins Complex to celebrate and observe the extraordinarily, talented contestants, many of whom attend Dillard High’s School of the Performing Arts: Va ‘Kiel Harris (Piano Solo),  Manasseh Etienne (Violin Solo), and Isaac Delva (Piano Solo). A fourth contestant, Talia Mitchell, performed also. We were treated with a guest performance by past talent contest winner,  Florida State University graduate, and aspiring opera singer Anielya Wells-Miller, who sang “ O mio babbino Cato, a composition of Giacomo Puccini from the opera Gianni Schicchi. Additionally, she has been accepted into an immersive 5 week young artist program in 2023 with the Festival of International Opera in Urbania, Italy.  See her contact info below to donate.

  • GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/38779529
  • Zelle: Awellsmiller11@gmail.com
  • Paypal: @Anielyawm
  • Venmo: @Anielya, and
  • Cash App: $Princessanielya.

Talent Hunt Judges were Randy Corinthian, Michael Littlejohn and Kenneth Howard, all professional music experts in their chosen fields of study. The Talent winner, Manasseh Etienne, will represent Eta Nu at the Florida Statewide Organization Talent Hunt Program chaired by Eta Nu’s very own Antonio Womack. Vakeill Harris finished second while Talia Mitchell was the third place recipient…

Brother James L. Jones is Honored for 70 Years of Service

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

On Saturday June, 10, 2023, in celebration of Eta Nu chapter’s 54th Charter Anniversary, a formal meeting of Eta Nu, with Basileus Bruce “Terry“ Brown presiding, was convened specifically to honor our last surviving charter founder, former Blanche Ely High School principal, Broward educator, philanthropist and champion of student achievement, Brother James L. Jones, who on this very auspicious occasion, celebrated his 70th year as a member of our illustrious fraternity.

The formal meeting was arguably, numerically the most highly attended formal meeting in Eta Nu history. Gracing us with his presence was Grand Basileus Ricky Lawrence Lewis, who traveled all the way from Los Angeles, Grand Keeper of Finance Johnnie Smith, and Florida Statewide Organization State Representative Darren Toston – all of who rendered congratulatory remarks, in addition to Brother Jones being pinned by Grand Basileus Lewis. Former Grand Basileus Dr. Dorsey C. Miller was scheduled to attend in person, but a medical setback prevented that inevitability. However, Dr. Miller was able to offer congratulatory remarks via phone.

Brother Jones is a 1953 initiate of Omega via the Omicron Epsilon Chapter at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. He has been an active, financial member for 70 years. I’m assured that I speak for all of Omegadom when I say: “Brother Jimmy, we thank you for your service and we love you.”

Eta Nu Achievement Week

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

To celebrate Omega’s founding, chapters around the country and internationally hold weekly activities highlighting achievements of individual brothers and collective accomplishments with the intended purpose of enhancing the quality of life of citizens and cities in which they reside and serve. Eta Nu began its Achievement Week activities with a virtual book club discussion of a novel titled White Lies, the mid-term elections and other current events impacting our world. On Sunday, November 13, 2022,  the chapter held its formal Achievement Week program at the Mt. Hermon AME Church Family Life Center to honor, recognize and  acknowledge the myriad contributions of the chapter and individual brothers during the past fiscal year. Hosted by Master of Ceremony Brother Rufus Curry, the program began with a salute to Eta Nu brothers who had served honorably  in the military, appropriate and especially relevant since veterans were being honored around the country and the chapter’s representation was impressive. The following Eta Nu brothers served : Army – Founders James L. Jones and Joseph A. Smith, John Wimberly, Lennox George, Moses Barnes, Anthony Reyes, Rodney Hankins, Jr., Kenneth Pace, Rufus Curry, Phillip Reese, Jerry Dinkins, David Gayle, Ken Riley, and Eric Rucker; Air Force – Larry Leverett, Melvin Brooks, Carlos Sampson  and Feirmon Johnson; USMC – James St. Louis; and USCG – James Stuart. Awards were presented in the following categories: Citizen of the Year – Desorae Giles-Smith; Superior Service Award- Aaron Whitfield; Brigadier General Charles Young Award- Carlos Sampson; Lifetime Achievement Award- Lennox George; and Omega Man of the Year- Harrison Jones. Our visionary Basileus Bruce Terry Brown acknowledged the tireless efforts of newly inducted members from 3 distinct lines, fraternally unprecedented, during his tenure naming the 2021 line “12 Righteous Sons of Thunder” most outstanding…

Eta Nu/Quettes Celebrate Cancer Awareness Month

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

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…

Eta Nu Wins National Award

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

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.

Eta Nu Honors Broward Commissioner and Former Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

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.

Eta Nu’s Founding Fathers

Eta Nu Charter Founders

by Bro. Sylvester Robinson

On June 11, 1969, the Eta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was established as the first Greek letter organization in Pompano Beach, Florida. The founders were Brothers Clifford Dudley, Edgar P. Mills, James L. Jones, and Joseph A. Smith. Although Brothers Dudley and Mills have entered Omega Chapter, the success, longevity and esteem with which Eta Nu is held in fraternal circles can be directly attributed to our founders.
Eta Nu Charter Founders

Brothers Smith and Jones, having shared many common experiences, have forged a unique bond that spans six decades. The native Floridians both attended Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, chose professional careers in education, served their country in the U.S. Army during WW II, decided to make Pompano Beach their permanent residence and became members of our beloved fraternity at Omicron Epsilon (OE) in Daytona Beach, Brother Smith in 1948 and Brother Jones in 1953.

Founding or chartering chapters is old hat for Brother Smith who is also credited with having founded or chartered Omicron Epsilon in 1948 and Zeta Chi in 1954, the Ft. Lauderdale graduate chapter.

Born in Miami, Florida, Brother Smith attended Booker T. Washington High school, excelling academically and athletically. After graduating from Bethune-Cookman, he began his professional career as a math teacher, quickly ascending to the position of assistant principal at Blanche Ely and Pompano Beach High Schools. His professional career was interrupted by a two-year stint in the army during WW II in North Africa with a chemical warfare company whose primary function entailed laying smoke screens for incoming infantry. If gas had been employed, his company was responsible for neutralizing the chemical’s impact to protect the troops.

Brother Smith is highly thought of, respected and admired by so many in Omega because his unquestioned devotion for our fraternity has never waned, even after 60 years of continuous service. Eta Nu’s own Harry Harrell, a distinguished Omega man who was recently elected Seventh District Keeper of Finance, marvels at Brother Smith’s longevity stating, “I trust that I am fortunate or blessed to enjoy a similar Omega journey”.

Born in Fernandina Beach, Fl., Brother James “Jimmy” Jones, after completing his undergraduate degree in mathematics, began an extremely successful educational career in the Broward County School System as a teacher, counselor, administrator and principal. During his tenure as principal of Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fl., Brother Jones touched the lives of myriad students, teachers, and parents. The love and respect that he demonstrated for his constituents was reciprocal. A visit to his home reveals the esteem with which he is held in the Pompano community, evidenced by the numerous plaques, trophies and certificates adorning his Florida room walls. Coming from various entities – school board members, parents, teachers, students and athletes – they are a testament to a career fervently devoted to those who benefited the most from his honest, integral and steadfast leadership.

Retirement for him has been anything but as he is constantly barraged with requests to serve on various committees, support political candidates or simply use his sagacious instincts to advise those seeking counsel.

A communications specialist in the army, he was on duty when the message came across the Teletype announcing President Truman’s decision to terminate General McArthur as commander of the European forces, replacing him in 1951 with General Ridgeway. Brother Jones was responsible for ensuring that the message was given to the commanding officer by following protocol. It is a proud moment in his military career that he remembers with great nostalgia.

Today, our great fraternity and Eta Nu continue to be the beneficiaries of the talents, contributions, experiences and beacons of excellence that embody their long and extraordinary journeys.

Originally published June 2010, all four founding charter members have entered Omega Chapter.