EAST ORANGE, NJ — The Community Q’s of the Eta Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity 2nd District, based in East Orange, have teamed up with journalist Karen Hunter of the nationally syndicated “Karen Hunter Show” on Sirius XM satellite radio to host the two-day James S. Avery Memorial Shirt Sleeve Conference and Undergraduate Summit, from Friday, Sept. 21, through Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark.
The event will also serve as the official launch of the Omega Psi Phi 2nd District “Boots on the Ground” voter registration drive. The 2nd District is composed of five states: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland.
“The Shirt Sleeve Conference and Undergraduate Summit will begin Friday, Sept. 21, and conclude Saturday, Sept. 22,” confirmed Keith Pressey, Orange Recreation Department supervisor and a member of the Omega Pi chapter on Tuesday, Sept. 18. “Activities will include a jazz reception with local musicians, comedy show fundraiser on Friday evening with the public forum and organization meetings on Saturday. The James S. Avery Memorial Shirt Sleeve Conference was created by the late New Jersey resident, Exxon Corporation retiree and past 28th Grand Basileus or President of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. James S. Avery Sr. Originally created in 1963, the Shirtsleeve Conference created a forum for fraternity members to plan and strategize the execution of the fraternity’s mandated programs and other social action initiatives to improve the communities the organization serves.”
Pressey is a past president of the Eta Pi fraternity chapter, and this year is serving as conference chairman for the annual conference and summit.
“While the Eta Pi Chapter was chartered in Montclair in 1973, its philanthropy and service has extended throughout Essex County, with some of their efforts in the Newark community having included hosting blood drives in conjunction with New Jersey Medical School; toy and gift donations for University Hospital; and backpack and school supply donations for St. James AME Church,” Pressey said.
Pressey said the Community Q’s have always been dedicated to service and serving the communities they are operate in and has decided to join forces with Hunter, in order to make this year’s conference and summit the best it can possibly be.
“This year, as part of the Shirtsleeve Conference, they are partnering with award-winning journalist and nationally syndicated talk show host Karen Hunter to host a public forum, where a five-state voter registration drive will be launched by the members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., 2nd District,” Pressey said.
“Many state and locally elected political officials have been invited to participate in the public forum on voter registration and voter rights. Guests invited to the panel include Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, East Orange Mayor Ted Green and … Orange … municipal clerk Joyce L. Lanier. Karen Hunter will serve as guest keynote speaker.”
Omega Psi Phi fraternity is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of Howard University, a historically black college. It is made up of undergraduate and graduate chapters on college campuses and in communities across the United States and abroad.
For more information about the two-day annual James S. Avery Memorial Shirt Sleeve Conference and Undergraduate Summit, call Pressey at 973-985-1870.
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