Sixth District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Hosts Transformative 2025 Boys Leadership Camp
By Dr. Melvin T. Miller
From July 13–18, 2025, Winston-Salem State University became the site of transformation and empowerment as 260 African American boys, ages 8 to 14, gathered for the Sixth District Boys Leadership Camp of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The free, weeklong program brought together youth from across North and South Carolina for a powerful experience centered on leadership, self-development, and service to community.
Since its founding in 1986, the Boys Leadership Camp has stood as a cornerstone initiative for the Sixth District, helping to shape future leaders in the Carolinas. This year’s camp honored that legacy with a comprehensive program of workshops and activities designed to instill values of perseverance, discipline, and responsibility.
Campers engaged in dynamic, hands-on sessions on conflict resolution, African American history, financial literacy, goal setting, problem solving, team building, public speaking, and college readiness. Each session emphasized real-world skills the boys could carry back into their schools, families, and communities. The camp also highlighted STEM education, with Bee Geek, Inc. leading interactive labs where boys dismantled and rebuilt computers to understand their inner workings. They also immersed themselves in virtual reality, constructing and interacting with digital spaces that demonstrated how VR is shaping education, gaming, and careers of the future.
Balanced with academics and leadership training, campers enjoyed recreational outlets such as basketball, football, soccer, golf, and pickleball. Many also experienced lacrosse for the first time through a special clinic sponsored by USA Lacrosse and the Uplift Project, Inc.
One of the most memorable moments came from a surprise guest, Calvin Brown Jr., a television writer and producer known for The Proud Family, Moesha, and My Brother and Me. Brown encouraged the boys to embrace creativity, persistence, and the power of representation in media. Local first responders also played a key role, with the Winston-Salem Police Department, SWAT Team, and Fire Department providing live demonstrations that inspired curiosity and respect for public service careers.
The success of the camp was fueled by the tireless efforts of undergraduate and graduate members of Omega Psi Phi’s Sixth District, which spans both Carolinas. Their service reflects the fraternity’s mission of uplifting youth through mentorship, education, and community commitment.
Founded in 1911 at Howard University, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has grown into an international organization with more than 700 chapters. Its members are leaders in education, government, civil rights, science, and the arts. For nearly 40 years, the Sixth District Boys Leadership Camp has embodied that mission, offering guidance and hope to young African American males. In 2025, the tradition not only endured—it thrived, continuing to transform lives and prepare the next generation of leaders.
—Dr. Melvin T. Miller, Sixth District Social Action Chair & Camp Director
