THE 4TH DISTRICT
Chronicle
April 30 2015
The official newsletter of the Mighty Fourth District
The 74th Annual 4th District Meeting and Conference to be
held in Fairborn, Ohio
“People are asking me about the race
problem.... I know of no race problem.
The great problem that confronts the
American people to-day is a national
problem -- whether this great nation of
ours is great enough to live up to its
own convictions, carry out its own
declaration of independence, and
execute the provisions of its own
constitution.”
– Frederick Douglass
The Brothers of Mu Chi Chapter
In This Issue

Home of Wright Patterson AFB
The Tuskegee Airman Exhibit
Shopping at The Greene
1
Achievement Week 2014

Mu Chi Chapter

Xi Iota Iota Chapter

Delta Alpha Chapter

Mu Iota Chapter

An Interview with Bro.
Christopher K. Welch

Bro. Damion Chapmon
and the Cleveland Cavs.
Mu Chi Chapter Achievement Week 2014
Submitted by Brother Brandon C. Smith, Xenia, Ohio
During the week of November 9, 2014, the Brothers of the Mu Chi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
Incorporated observed Achievement Week. The week began with church service at the United African Methodist
Episcopal Church located in Xenia, Ohio. The brothers of Mu Chi gave the church a donation to assist them in
working with the youth of the community. After the church service the brothers had a family brunch at Bob Evans
restaurant.
The Brothers fellowshipped at Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Beavercreek, Ohio on the following evening
and had the type fun only Brothers and friends can have together. On Friday, November 14, 2014, the brothers,
along with their wives and significant others, enjoyed a night of relaxation, good company, and delicious food at
Salar Restaurant and Lounge in Dayton, Ohio.
On Saturday, November 15, 2014, the brothers had their Achievement Week banquet at the Hope Hotel and
Conference Center located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. It was a very nice event with a very good turnout. The guest speaker was Walter Reynolds who is the Partner in Charge at Porter Wright Law Firm’s Dayton
Office. The Citizen of the Year was Dixie Allen who is a former Ohio State Representative and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The Educator of the Year was Marvin Jones who is the Director of Middle
Schools, Alternative Education, and Adult Education for Springfield City Schools. The Brotherhood Award was
given to Brothers Sam Jackson and Don Jones. The Founders award was given to Brother James Elam. The
Superior Service award was given to Brother Eric Smith and the Omega Man of the Year award was given to
Brother Anthony Scruse. The High School Essay Contest winner was Lauren Stone who is a senior at Stivers
School for the Arts. She presented her speech at the banquet and was given a scholarship for winning the contest.
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Delta Alpha Sponsors Annual Talent Hunt & Essay Contest
Dayton, Ohio– submitted by Brother Ferguson Johnson, Basileus
The Brothers of Dynamic Delta Alpha Chapter in Dayton, Ohio held their annual Talen Hunt
Demonstration in February 2015. This year, the chapter decided to combine the Essay Contest
with the Talent Hunt into one event. The result, a very special evening to recognize several of the
young musicians and aspiring authors in the community. All of the candidate were very good and
the chapter made sure to give an incentive to all who participated with their musical talents and
ability. The winner of this year’s Talent Hunt, Mr. Craig Jackson, is a junior at Stivers School for
the performing Arts. He and the jazz band recently opened for Smokey Robinson at an event at
the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Downtown Dayton. Mr. Jackson is a very good saxophone
player and he plans to attend college and pursue his love for his craft.
Essay Contest Winner Aliyah Allen
Talent Hunt Winner ,Craig Jackson
Talent onstage with Bro William Waters,
Talent Hunt Chairman and Basileus,
Bro. Ferguson Johnson
Bro. Emmett Orr with Essay Contestants
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Piqua, Ohio November 22, 2014 submitted by Brother Paul Lucas
1st Vice Grand Basileus Speaks at Xi Iota Iota Chapter
Piqua, Ohio November 22, 2014 submitted by Brother Paul Lucas
Pictured: Keynote Speaker 1st Vice Grand Basileus Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
Inc. Brother Dr. David Marion, Vice Basileus Xi Iota Iota Chapter Bro. Jarrett A.
Thomas.
Piqua, Ohio November 22, 2014 the Brothers of Xi Iota Iota held their 23rd
Annual Achievement Week Celebration Banquet at Edison Community College
and again the event was sold out with over 200 in attendance. The 2014 banquet theme was a commemoration of Omega Psi Phi’s 100 Years.
Vice Basileus Xi Iota Iota Chapter, Jarrett A. Thomas reads and presents a
token of appreciation to Keynote speaker 1st Vice Grand Basileus Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Brother Dr. David Marion.
Additional Photos
Brother Wendell Boyce, Xi Iota Iota Basileus; Brother Jarrett A. Thomas, Vice Basileus and Brother Paul Lucas, Director
of Publicity, receive The First Vice Grand Basileus Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Brother Dr. David Marion.
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Xi Iota Iota Chapter Awards Five Student Scholarships at 23rd
Annual Achievement Week Celebration Banquet
Piqua, Ohio November 22, 2014 submitted by Brother Paul Lucas
Each student from the quad city area of Troy, Piqua, Sidney, and Lima received a $1,000.00 scholarship for demonstrating
outstanding academic achievement and citizenship in 2014. Pictured from left to right: Darryl McNeal Jr. (Sidney Student);
Desmond Sprowl (Troy Student); Rashad Butler (Lima Student); 1st Vice Grand Basileus Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Brother Dr. David Marion; Sean C. Higgins (Piqua Student); Clayton Brown Jr. (Piqua Student)
Darryl McNeal Jr. is a junior at Sidney High School. He has a 3.1 cumulative grade point average. Darryl has been a member of
the Sidney High School varsity football, track and basketball teams for three years. Darryl would like to attend the University of
Toledo and major in Law Enforcement. He would like to become a member of the City of Sidney Police Department.
Desmond Sprowl is a senior at Troy High School. He has a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 and is ranked 106 out of 344
students with a composite ACT score of 30. Desmond has taken on challenging coursework in the form of dual enrollment courses, where he has the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit, alongside several Advanced Placement courses. With
Desmond’s academic interests in social studies he plans to attend college majoring in Political Science. He aspires to attend Ohio
State University, University of Wisconsin – Madison, or Miami University of Ohio.
Rashad Butler is a senior at Lima Senior High School where he has maintained a 3.8 GPA. Rashad is ranked 8th in his class out of
220 students, placing him in the top 5 percentile. He has been an honor student throughout his school career and now is a proud
member of the National Honor Society; Rashad is a member of an international business organization called DECA, where he is
Vice President of Marketing. Rashad plans on majoring in Sports Management, to one day become a National Basketball Association General Manager.
Sean Higgins is a senior at Piqua High School with a grade point average of 3.7. He is currently taking college level classes for credit
at Edison State Community College as well as maintaining his coursework at high school. Sean has been on the honor roll his entire
high school career and continues to excel in all of his classes. Sean has been in the Piqua High School Marching Band since his
freshman year of high school where he is a member of the drum line and excels at the snare drum. Sean has aspirations of joining
the medical field as a surgeon and hopes to achieve his goals through conventional college or the United States military. Sean has
been a blood donor in his community for the past 3 years.
Clayton Brown Jr. is a senior at Piqua High School. He has a cumulative grade point average of 4.3 and is ranked 11 out of 270
students. Clayton is the Senior Class President, PROD (Promoting Recognition of Diversity) Scholar, Link Crew Leader, a Representative of the Student Voice Committee, Student Council President, a representative for National Honor Society, and is currently
the Ohio District Governor for Key Club International. Clayton is undecided on his major but aspires to attend Vanderbilt, The
Ohio State University, or Miami University of Ohio.
5
Mu Iota Celebrates Achievement Week
Submitted by Brother Zachary Mitchell
Omega Man of the Year Award,
Bro. Christopher M. Cooper Esquire
L-R Bro. Larry Price, Basileus Bro. Anthony L. Perkins, Bro. Rev.
Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, and 26th Fourth District Representative
Bro. Christopher K. Welch
Columbus, OH – On November 15th, 2014, Mu Iota Chapter held their Founders’ Day Program at
The Boathouse at Confluence Park in Columbus, Ohio. After the official welcome by Mu Iota Chapter Basileus, Brother Anthony Perkins, Brother Michael Hudson, Vice Basileus served as the master
of ceremony. Bro., Rev., Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Pastor Emeritus, Trinity United Church of Christ,
Chicago, Illinois was the Keynote Speaker.
During the presentation of awards, several individuals were recognized for community service, fraternity service, and participation in the annual essay contest.
The annual essay contest winner was: Ms. Taren Boone, Senior attending Walnut Ridge High School,
Columbus, Ohio.
Achievement Week Awards winners were:
Superior Service Award: Br other Kunta J ackson
Founders’ Award: Br other Anthony S. Tr otman
Colonel Charles Young Military Leadership Award: Br other Colonel J ohn E. Shanklin, J r .
Omega Man of the Year: Br other Chr istopher M. Cooper , Sr .
Citizen of the Year: Mr s. Tr acy Maxwell Hear d, Democr atic Leader of the House of Repr esentatives for the 130th General Assembly of Ohio
Founders’ Day Award for Community Service: Impact Community Action, Bo Chilton
Founders’ Day Award for Community Support: Buckeye Health Plan
Brothers Thomas Hill, Brian Johnson, Chris Kennerly, Larry Price, Charles W. Sears, Mark C. Shaw,
and Eugene Williams, Jr. received Mu Iota Brotherhood awards.
The Founders’ Day Program held by Mu Iota Chapter was a distinguished affair enjoyed by all. The
event was well attended by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Quettes and guests.
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Mu Iota Achievement Week (Cont.)
Community Support Award, Buckeye
Health Plan, Artina McElroy
Community Service Award,
Impact Community Action,
Bo Chilton
2014 Essay Winner, Taren Boone
Citizen of the Year, Tracy Maxwell Heard
Superior Service Award, Bro. Kunta Jackson
Founder’s Award, Bro. Anthony S. Trotman
Colonel Charles Young Military Leadership
Award, Bro. Colonel John E. Shanklin, Jr.
7
An Interview with the 26th District
Representative
Written by Bro. Dr. Fred Aikens
Brother Christopher K. Welch was installed as the District Representative
in April of 2013. It hardly seems as though two years have passed since the
26th District Representative received the nod from the brothers of the district
and placed into the chief leadership position of the district to represent the brothers on the Supreme
Council of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.
When asked about his tenure of leadership and his effectiveness of administration, Brother Welch
remunerated about the lessons that were taught to him as he ascended to this office of leadership. He
spoke about his service as Southwest Ohio Area Representative, District Editor, District Keeper of Records and Seal, First-Vice District Representative, and subsequently, the District Representative. Brother
Welch mentioned how prepared he was for the position because the brothers of the 4th District had
groomed him for the position. He said that he was ready for the position because he stood on the shoulders of giants. Brother DR spoke about things that he learned from former District Representatives, the
distinguished group of purple jacket-wearing brothers that he would join on May 2, 2015. He spoke
fondly of the relationships that had been forged over the last 25-plus years in the Fraternity and the
friends that he has made in the process. Brother Welch said:
“As a servant leader, my role is to help others to be better able to accomplish their roles and responsibilities. Whether this means dealing with barriers, thinking through solutions, or developing new
strategies. I view myself as a forward thinking person who sees the “big picture” and is able to identify
strategies that can help the Fraternity or District to reach its goals. When I first came into office as the
D.R., the first order of business for the administration was to create a mission statement. This was the
most effective way to focus on our goals and achievements. Each of us are unique in our own special
way, and I believe having a mission statement will reflect that uniqueness both in content and form.”
Several questions were asked of Brother Welch. The first of which was about the legacy that he would
leave in the 4th District. His answer was simple. T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More. He
talked about his district and the team. Brother D.R. listed a few noteworthy accomplishments that were
achieved by the district under his leadership:
8
Ω
Developed and implemented a strategic management process resulting in a mission for the 4th
District
Ω
Implemented a “Consent Agenda” for efficient and effective meetings
Ω
Record number of delegates at the 2014 Conclave (90 registered brothers)
Ω
Reactivation of Alpha Alpha Alpha Chapter in Morgantown, WV
Ω
Reactivation of six UG Chapters Iota Psi, Nu Zeta, Psi Gamma, Sigma Psi, Theta Psi, and Zeta
Gamma Chapters
Ω
Membership Growth during the last two years 108 new members in the 4th District
Ω
Community Awareness – Monetary contributions to Fisher/Nightingale Houses (2014) and
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in (2015)
Ω
Dress for Success Program for Undergraduate brothers
Ω
4th District Honor Society
Ω
Improved District’s website with updated and current international, district, and chapter activities
Ω
Secured 2017 Leadership Conference to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio – Beta Iota Chapter (21 years
since the last international meeting in the district)
Ω
Received excellence on International level with numerous service awards at each international
meeting – (2013) Social Action Chapter of the Year, (2014) International Undergraduate Chapter
Advisor of the Year
When asked about some of the lessons learned from his administration, Brother D.R. stated, “Looking
back I wish I could’ve spent more time in assisting chapters and their leadership with their growth and
development by having more workshops and information sessions.” Brother Welch spoke about the
need for continuous development of our undergraduate brothers and new members to immerse them
into the culture of Omega that we as active members of the district enjoy. Brother Welch was asked
about the decisions he made as D.R.; would he change any of them? He said that he sought the advice
of his former District Representatives when important decisions needed to be made. He was glad that
he was able to solicit their counsel and advice when needed.
Brother Welch felt that the greatest challenge for him as the Fourth District Representative was to
make sure that all the chapters had registered delegates at the Conclave in 2014. There were 90 Brothers registered for the Grand Conclave, which was a record for the district. No votes were left behind
and the brothers supported the Cooper Campaign even though the outcome was not favorable.
Brother Welch said that he feels good about the direction of the 4th District. There is growth in the
district with over 72 new undergraduate brothers and nine undergraduate chapters. Brother Welch said
the new administration should continue to focus on that growth in order to keep the district moving in
the right direction. The key to maintaining this positive growth is constant mentoring and development of undergraduate chapters. Not just making Ques, but developing Omega Men, will help the
Fourth District to continue to flourish.
9
Brother Damion Chatmon, Director of Business Intelligence
for the Cleveland Cavaliers
Written by Niagara Gazette sports reporter Mike Meiler
(reproduced with permission)
Submitted by Bro. Ben Holbert (Zeta Omega Chapter)
A pre-game walk with him around Quicken Loans Arena is an epic meet-and-greet. Ushers, vendors, sales reps,
company vice presidents, even fans, Chatmon greets everyone with a handshake and a hello. Being affable and
outgoing set Chatmon up for success, and a Niagara County work ethic has helped him build a life any sports fan
can admire. Now 43 years old, the 1989 Niagara Falls High School graduate is the director of business intelligence for Cavaliers Operating Company, LLC, which owns the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, the AHL’s Lake Erie
Monsters, Quicken Loans Arena and a number of other sports-centric ventures.
Chatmon’s office is a players’ lounge. There’s a dart board and foosball table, fountain drinks and flat screens.
His cubicle is a shrine to jobs past and present. The top of his file cabinet is overloaded with bobble heads. A
stick from former Buffalo Sabre Jason Pominville stands against the back of his desk, and a shoe from former
Cav Tyler Zeller sits atop one of his walls.
The photo album on his phone is more impressive. Chatmon has spent time with Shaquille O’Neal, Janet Jackson
and Dave Matthews, among others.
Growing up on Memorial Parkway, Chatmon learned to work at an early age. He collected scrap metal with his
factory-working father, Paul, and his younger brother Pauley. He also delivered a number of local publications,
including the Gazette. He played football at Niagara Falls, though he forwent his senior season to take a job at
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center where his mother, Carolyn, worked in the dietary department.
After graduating high school, Chatmon attended Buffalo State through its educational opportunity program, intent
on studying criminal justice. He pledged Omega Psi Phi, one of the oldest and largest predominantly black fraternities in the world. Uninspired by law enforcement and penal codes, he began to question his major. He attended
an on-campus speech by Robert Russell, a city court judge in Buffalo. Outgoing even then, Chatmon approached
Russell after the speech for and asked what he should study to get into law school, and Russell advised him to get
into English literature.
“I was always reading,” Chatmon said. “At any time during my senior year I was reading five different books.
“My grandfather taught me when you read, you lead.... That’s how you get informed about things. That’s how
you get creative and come up with ideas.”
Chatmon finished his education at Buff State in 1995 after a semester abroad in Siena, Italy. He returned home
intent on getting into law school, but first he needed a job. He found out the Buffalo Sabres were hiring for sales
in preparation for the move out of the Memorial Auditorium and into brand new HSBC Arena.
Chatmon had no prior experience and wasn’t hired for a sales position. He did manage to land an internship in the
sales office, though, and he made the most of it. “I made myself indispensable,” he said. “I did all the little things
that no one else did, and when my internship was up they were like, ‘No, you can’t leave.’ The Sabres kept Chatmon around, making him an accounts services manager specializing in consumer compliance.
He still did the dirty work — he laughed as he remembered the number of shirts he lost to ink stains from attempting to fix an unruly copy machine. But his new job allowed him to gain experience working with customers.
10
Meanwhile, Chatmon’s personal life took an unexpected turn when his high school sweetheart, thengirlfriend and now-wife Phaedra Ward — also a Falls native — decided to move to Tampa, Florida, where
she had family.
Chatmon left the Sabres in 1998 to follow Ward south, still planning on attending law school. To pay the
bills, he took a job selling phone services door-to-door.
In Florida, Chatmon found religion. Raised Catholic, he started attending Idlewild Baptist Church with Ward
and her brothers. Chatmon was born again, something he credits in all his successes.
“It’s the focal point. Without Jesus Christ in my life I don’t know where I’d be,” Chatmon said. “He’s had
his hand on my career and on my life.”
Opportunity arose soon after in 1999 when Chatmon heard the Tampa Bay Lightning, just sold for the second
time in two years, were hiring an entirely new sales staff.
Chatmon had been instructed to send his information to Chad Estis, at the time VP of Sales for the Lightning.
Estis was based in Detroit, where new owner William Davidson also owned the Detroit Pistons.
Rather than simply sending his information and hoping, Chatmon called the Lightning and asked if Estis was
in town. He was, and Chatmon hatched a plan to get a meeting.
Chatmon gathered up a few of his old business cards from his time with the Sabres and headed to Tampa
Bay’s offices. He told Estis’ secretary he was with the Sabres looking for a meeting, which got him in the
door.
“That got me inside,” Chatmon said. “I wasn’t just a resume anymore.”
Estis appreciated Chatmon’s initiative, as well as his experience doing a little bit of everything around a sales
office. He decided to create a new position for Chatmon, and after running it by his bosses, Estis called to
offer Chatmon the title of director of database marketing.
While Chatmon began to establish himself in the field, Estis’ career started to take off. In 2001, he was offered a position as vice president of sales with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Estis rebuilt the staff in Cleveland,
and in 2002, he offered Chatmon his current position as director of business intelligence.
“He’s the Kevin Bacon of sports marketing,” Chatmon said. “Ask anyone, ‘Do you know Chad Estis?’
They’ll say, ‘Yeah, I know Chad.’ He established a lot of the best practices in sports ticket sales.”
In 2003, the Cavaliers won the NBA draft lottery and drafted Akron, Ohio native LeBron James, turning
around the long-struggling franchise. What’s more, in 2005, Dan Gilbert, founder of Detroit-based Quicken
Loans, purchased the franchise and started to pour his fortune into it. Estis continued to climb the corporate
ladder and was named the Cavs’ chief marketing officer in 2006. A year later, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry
Jones came calling. Estis has been executive vice president of business operations for the Cowboys since
2007.
Chatmon has established himself not only with the Cavaliers, but also in the Cleveland community and in his
field. His biggest current project involves building a data warehouse to store information gathered from a
vast consumer touch points.and products tailored to them.”
Chatmon is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons — just like his grandfather, Dallas, in Niagara Falls.
He remains active in Omega Psi Phi and is a founding member of Black Sports Professionals (BSP), where
he serves as Cleveland’s chapter development advisor.
He is also featured annually in the publication Who’s Who in Black Cleveland.
Chatmon and Ward have three daughters, Bella, Nina and Mia.
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Upcoming Events and Activities
Contact Us!
Dr. Fred Aikens, 4th District Director
of Public Relations
Share your ideas and concerns about this or previous
editions of The Fourth District Chronicle. Please email :
[email protected] or
[email protected]
By phone at:
(937) 241-8980
Visit us on the web at:
www.Omega4thdistrict.org or www.oppf.org
Our Mission:
“To unite a Brotherhood of college-educated men with like
ideas and commitment to service in Ohio and West Virginia
communities.”
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