TLL holds Founders’ Banquet

The Tau Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. celebrated its seventh annual achievement week, which culminated with a founders' banquet on Nov. 19. The celebration was also a commemoration of the fraternity’s centennial anniversary Nov. 17.

The fraternity was established on Nov. 17, 1911, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., to bring together men of similar ideas and purpose. Achievement week, inspired by fraternity member Carter G. Woodson in 1920, promotes the study of African-American life and history. TLL uses the week to recognize individuals locally and nationally for improving the quality of life for African-Americans in Southern Maryland and beyond.

The founders’ banquet recognized three individuals from Southern Maryland for their achievements and service to the local community by awarding the Citizen of the Year Award.  Pastor Dante King, founder of Greater Mount Zion Church, was honored with the award for Calvert County. King’s church started with 15 members in 2000 and has grown to more than 1,000 members. In addition to his church services, King also hosts a weekly radio show where he ministers and teaches.Col. Donald M. Wade, a native of Hughesville, was the Charles County award recipient. During his career, he was an assistant professor of aerospace studies at North Carolina A&T State University and worked for the U.S. Air Force headquarters at the Pentagon. In 1990, Wade retired from active duty and was hired by the Prince George’s County school district to establish a Junior ROTC program at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt. Currently, Wade serves on the Charles County Board of Education and is a member of the Archdiocesan Board of Education of Washington, D.C. The St. Mary's County award winner was Elmer Brown of Drayden. Brown served on the St. Mary’s County Housing Board and was instrumental in starting the sail-to-life program. In addition, Brown has helped start organizations such as the Unified Committee for African-American Contributions, the Minority Business Alliance of St. Mary’s County and LOTT Inc., a black investment group. He is the first African-American board member of the First National Bank of St. Mary’s County. Currently, Brown is the owner and operator of Brown’s Maintenance Services in St. Mary’s County.

TLL Chapter also gave awards for the Omega Man of the Year, the chapter's highest honor, to brothers W. Cecil Short and Harold P. Fagan; the Founders Award to brother Anthony J. Zanfordino, IV; the Basileus Award to brother Warren E. Leggett; the National Superior Service Award to brother Harrell Watts; and the Col. Charles Young Award to brother Tramayne Jenkins.

For more information on the programs and events of Tau Lambda Lambda Chapter, go to www.southernmdques.org

Article by Brother Garrett James

Published in SoMdNews.com

http://www.somdnews.com/article/20111202/UNKNOWN/712029909&template=southernMaryland