Volume 8, Issue 5
www.betapsisigma.com
May, 2014
PO Box 8312, White Plains, NY 10602
B e t a P s i S i g m a Ti m e s
$12,528.15
and counting..
BETA PSI SIGMA – ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING MARCH!
On April 27, 2014, Beta Psi Sigma – represented by
16 chapter members – proudly joined thousands in the
annual March for Babies walk in White Plains, New
York to benefit the March of Dimes (MOD). Based
on last year's successful campaign of $6,238.00, a
2014 goal of $10,000.00 was established which the
chapter has surpassed by raising a record and fraternity-leading $12,528.15 and counting through May 15,
2014! This accomplishment – achieved through the
collectively strength of the membership – was sparked
by Bro. Andrew Jones' efforts via his colleagues at the NYPD through which he raised
Continued on Page 4
Beta Psi Sigma with CBS Meteorologist Elise Finch
Chapter Meeting
Sunday, May 18th
4:30 pm
Remington Boys Club
116 Guion Street
New Rochelle, NY
Scholarship Bowling Tournament
Saturday, June 7th
1:00pm
Homefield Lanes
938 Saw Mill River Road
Yonkers, NY
Beta Psi Sigma Times
May 2014 Page 2
Beta Psi Sigma Initiates Four New Members!!!
On Friday, April 18, 2014, Beta Psi Sigma welcomed its Spring Centennial initiates. Bros. Ozzie Sykes,
Christopher Thompson, Talib Hester and Shomar Lowe became members of our wonderous band at a
ceremony held at the historic Epsilon Sigma House in Harlem, NY. The ceremony was presided over by
the Honorable Bro. Greville French.
After the ceremony, the party moved a few blocks up Lenox Avenue to The Cove. Beta Psi Sigma looks
forward to the contributions of our new brothers
We also welcome Bro. Phillip Harris via transfer and we welcome back Bro. Earl Burgess via
reinstatement.
Brothers, 2014 dues are now late. Everyone wants to be financial for
our Centennial! Please add 10% to the regional and national portion. All
checks should be made out to the chapter and mailed to the chapter at
PO Box 8312, White Plains, NY 10602 Attn: Bro. Tim Umstead. You
can also pay at the meeting, request a PayPal invoice or pay on the
national website. We thank you for your support. BE A PART OF IT,
NOT APART FROM IT!!
Beta Psi Sigma Times
May 2014 Page 3
Chapter Sponsors
Father/Son Day at PS 47
On Saturday, April 26, 2014, PS 47 in collaboration with the
Brothers of THE Beta Psi Sigma Chapter hosted it's first Annual Father and Son Day Event. None of us could have
imagined the impact we were going to make on the father
and son participants that day. Many of the fathers appeared
to have reservations in the beginning. However, at the end
we were taken aback by the outpouring of emotions from many of the fathers during our Real Talk session. One
child stood up and said, "This was the best day of my life!" We had close to 70 participants and the day was filled
with various activities such as Physical Fitness and Relay Games, Health and Hygiene, Dress and Appearance, Education and Real-Life experiences. Every participant left with a Victory Medal for participation and all fathers were
given gift bags for attending. Special thanks goes out to all the Brothers in attendance but especially to Brothers
Kevin McGee and Dave Vandiver for spending the time and effort behind the scenes to help me make this event
happen. Finally, PS 47 was recently visited by the District 12 Superintendent, Myrna Rodriguez. She was so impressed with our program, that she mentioned having a similar program in all District 12 schools. On Saturday,
May 10, 2014, she mentioned and discussed our program at her District-Wide community meeting and she will
be mentioning our program at her next meeting with the District 12 School Principals.
Thank you to the following brothers for participating in this event - Richard Peay, Assistant Principal of PS47,
Kevin McGee, Dave Vandiver, John Campbell, Dave Roper, Tyrell Foster, Donell Lowe, Michael Bushrod,
Deryk Hammett, and Talib Hester.
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May 2014 Page 4
MOD Continued from Page 1
$1,767.00 in cash donations. This individual show of commitment not only earned him the name of "Aloe
Blacc" (author of 'The Man') but also energized others to exceed the suggested minimum of $250.00 per chapter member. The chapter's unprecedented fundraising performance and uniquely designed "STOP Premature
Births" t-shirts generated significant attention from local MOD officials and various media outlets (both print
and online). Having set new records with just over 50% membership participation, Beta Psi Sigma is expected
to raise its goal next year to $15,000.00, a target that is reachable with well-coordinated execution.
This picture was featured in the local newspaper
Call him Major Williams
Bro. John Williams and his family were able to celebrate his promotion to the Rank of Major. The promotion comes at the 10 year mark in MAJ Williams
Army career. While the ceremony was mostly MAJ
Williams’ Students at USMA, MAJ Marquese Bruce
and CPT Al Elam, Both Beta Psi Sigma Alumni,
were able to make the trip from Washington DC.
The Williams family is extremely grateful for all of
the support they have receive throughout their military career, and recognized the role Phi Beta Sigma
has played during this ceremony.
Beta Psi Sigma Times
May 2014 Page 5
Beta Psi Sigma Times
Pan-Hel
Corner
May 2014 Page 6
BETA PSI SIGMA STEALS
THE SHOW........AGAIN!!!
The date was Friday, May 9, 2014. The place was the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. The event was the 22nd
Annual Westchester Pan Hel Mixer/Stepshow. The accomplishment was Beta Psi Sigma Chapter once again
showed Westchester County what stepping is all about! As Bro. John Campbell said in his intro “Someone
said it was cold in here but its about to heat up....it’s about that time!” And when the time came, the brothers
took the stage dressed in white shirts, black pants accented with royal blue suspenders and bowties. The show
displayed how different generations of Sigma men can come together. This was demonstrated by doing
versions of the world renowned nutcracker from the 80s, 90s and today.
Thanx to Bros. Fermin Espinosa, Mike Barbosa, Greg Adegbola, Erroll Davidson, Corey Williams, Kevon
Bruce, Shomar Lowe and hype man John Campbell.
BETA PSI SIGMA PARTNERS WITH BUILDING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Represented by Bro. Fermin Espinosa, Beta Psi Sigma participated in Building Young Professionals' (BYP) second annual Career Day held at The George Meany School (PS 90) in the Bronx, New York. Keynoted by Councilwoman Vanessa L. Gibson, the program showcased professionals from a diverse array of occupations in both
private/public sectors, and featured a 'speed-dating' format in which students and parents rotated through seven
"themed" classrooms such as 'Law Enforcement and Military,' 'Banking and Finance,' and 'Community Services'
(just to name a few). At each rotation presenters shared the personal paths leading to their respective careers as
well as the skills required to excel in the same. The day began with series of theatrical performances by the
younger members of BYP and – after the Career Day rotations were complete – ended with an energetic lunchparty during which students, parents and presenters were able to engage and connect on a more personal level. The
impact of the program was palpable as evidenced by the level of interaction from all involved throughout the day.
BYP is a non-profit organization that delivers after-school programming at selects schools in the Bronx, New York
and their model is designed to ensure children have fun while exploring various career options, based upon their
interests. In so doing, children learn to set goals and develop leadership skills through stimulating and confidence-building vocational club activities.
Beta Psi Sigma Times
May 2014 Page 7
Congratulations to the Millers!!!
Rev. Bro. Kevin Miller & Soror Myra
Miller welcomed a new future Zeta into
the world. Makyyla Sarai was born on
Saturday. May 10, 2014. She weighed in
at seven pounds, ten ounces. Mother and
baby are doing fine. Bro. Miller isn’t
doing too bad either.
Honors Abound For Brother Granby!!
Congratulations to our own Reverend Brother
Lamont S. Granby for being elected to the office of
the President of the Clergy Coalition of the 47th
Precinct, Bronx, New York.
Bro. Granby has also received the following honors
over the past few weeks:
Fellowship Covenant Church Award
Faithful Service Award
Negro Business and Professional Woman's Club
MAN OF THE YEAR
Butler Memorial United Methodist Church
Community Service Award
Reverend Granby is the Pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Bronxville and the General Manager of
Granby's Funeral Service, Inc.
Beta Psi Sigma Times
May 2014 Page 8
Week at SUNY Purchase a HUGE Success!!
The week of April 27 through May 2 was BluMen Week at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY. Bro. Kevon
Bruce, and two of the newest members of Beta Psi Sigma Chapter, Bros. Ozzie Sykes & Shomar Lowe, celebrated their crossing with a coming out week on campus grounds.
The week started with the March of Dimes walk held in White Plains. Monday was the Blue Bake Sale, where
cookies, cupcakes, donuts, and other items were sold to Purchase students. The money raised went toward the
chapter’s March of Dimes goal. $161.15 was raised from this event. Tuesday was the Safe Sex Seminar, where
attendees were presented with a wealth of information regarding how to stay safe and some common misconceptions and facts. Wednesday was Sundaes with the Sigmas, where students and faculty got to enjoy ice cream cones
before or after their classes and during their lunch breaks. Thursday was Sigma Service, where we cleaned up
around campus. A little less glamorous than the other events, but still something we wanted to fulfill, as Service
is a part of our motto! The final day of BluMen Week was Friday's Blue BBQ, where we gave out hot dogs, ribs,
chicken, vegetables and macaroni & cheese in the school plaza, feeding about 75 students as a gesture of appreciation.
Overall, the week was great, and we garnered a lot of interest and admiration for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
The campus received us very well in fact, better than originally expected! We were congratulated after every
event, which was truly appreciated.
Beta Psi Sigma Times
May 2014 Page 9
IN THE COMMUNITY
Saturday, May 17th 8pm - 11pm Kappa Beta Sigma Bowling for Scholars Melody Lanes 461 37th
St, Brooklyn, NY $30 Contact Ben Alston 347-262-3812
Saturday, May 24th 11am - 3pm Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delta Beta Zeta Chapter 3rd Tea at
Zora’s: An Elegant Affair with a 1920’s Flair. Villa Russo 101-12 Lefferts Blvd, Richmond Hill, NY
11419. Tickets are $65. Please contact Soror Vanessa Dumont Cole at [email protected].
Sunday, June 1st 3:00pm Black Scholars Community Partnership Student Recognition Luncheon
Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY. Admission is Free!
Saturday, June 7th Scholarship Bowling Tournament, Homefield Lanes Yonkers NY. See flyer
for details.
Saturday, June 14th 11am Juneteenth Parade White Plains, NY. We want to get 100 brothers to
march in this parade in recognition of our Centennial. Please reach out to ALL brothers that you
know. This is a family event.
Saturday, June 14th 5pm - 9pm Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Westchester Alumnae ~ An
Evening of Jazz @Lusiadas, 6 Gramatan Ave. Mt Vernon. $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Contact
Shaneyle Tucker 914-224-6661
Sunday, June 22nd African American Day Festival Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla, NY. Once again
we want a huge turnout for this family event.
July 16-20, 2014 Centennial Celebration Washington, DC.
Saturday, September 20 TAILGATE PARTY MetLife Stadium
There is Something Special Going on in
BETA PSI SIGMA CHAPTER!!!