Greetings Omega Men,
Thank you for helping to make positive history through last November’s historic mid-term election results across the United States. Your engagement in the 2018 mid-term elections made a tremendous difference.
On January 2, 2019, the 116th Congress convened in our nation’s capital. There were a historic number of women, African-American and people of color sworn-in. This would have not been possible without the hard work of Omega men.
Omega men across the United States played a pivotal role in registering new voters, sponsoring political forums, engaging in voter education, and more importantly helping get out the vote.
The following is a rundown of what our collective efforts accomplished:
- Registered a record number of new black voters in targeted communities;
- Engaged and expanded voter turnout among infrequent black voters;
- Worked across committee chairs to produce and distribute a “Get out the vote” video via social media and direct email;
- Identified a slate of African-American candidates and ballot initiatives that helped communities of color;
- Engaged and educated fraternity members, community partners and elected leaders about the injustices of voter suppression. Unfortunately, voter suppression played a significant role in statewide elections in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina;
- Participated in “souls to the polls,” providing rides to the voting polls for those in need;
- Helped increase large black voter turnout; resulting in nearly doubling voter turnout from 2014;
- Helped elect a historic number of black members in congress (56 including two United States Senators);
- Aided in electing a record number of blacks to local, state and federal offices;
- Encouraged members of the United States Senate to make a measured and methodical decision when considering the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court;
- Supported national civil rights organizations in their campaigns in support of voting rights;
- Devised strategies to aid in the ongoing struggle for racial and political justice.
However, our work is not done. During the first quarter of 2019, we will roll-out the infrastructure to encourage chapters and districts to participate in an Omega Day at their state capitals. Moreover, we will implement an Omega Day at the United States Capitol. As the late Shirley Chisholm once sagely opined, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” As Omega men – we will serve until the rent is paid in full.
Thank you again and have a blessed 2019.
Yours in Omega,
David Marion, Ph.D.
41st Grand Basileus
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
