The Zeta Omega Foundation
Events and Supported Activities
2024 Calvin H. Thomas
Talent Hunt
The Zeta Omega Foundation is a proud contributor to the 2024 Zeta Omega Chapter’s Calvin H. Thomas Talent Hunt program. Students from the Greater Cleveland Community were invited to display their talents for prize money. Cash prizes of $100, $250 and $500, respectively, were given to the top three finalists. Marianne Chang, from Solon High School placed third with a beautiful violin performance. Second place went to Autumn Spencer from Lutheran East who gave a stirring spoken word performance, titled, “Why Did You Change”. The Finalist, Rameer Askew from Ginn Academy, commanded the audience with his spoken word piece, “Cognitive Dissonance”. Rameer (or Poe.Gucci as he is known on Instagram) will now represent Zeta Omega Chapter at the Omega Psi Phi 4th District Talent Hunt competition in Cincinnati in April 2024. Thank you to the Competition Judges, Jonea Patterson, George Granville and Brother Darryl Moore, Sr., M. Ed. Zeta Omega Chapter Brothers Alvin Smith and Austin Hood were the co-chairman for this event. Brother Hood did an excellent job as the MC, despite his (alleged) reluctance to engage in Public Speaking. The Zeta Omega Scholarship provided the students with their prizes at the conclusion of the event. The Scholarship Fund was represented by the Esteemed Former 4th District Representative, Brother Rufus Heard. A special thanks is owed to the “Bro. Rudolph V. Boone Sr. and Quette Sarah J. Boone Charitable Trust”. Brother Boone’s estate donated funds that be used to support the efforts of Zeta Omega Chapter. Continue to Rest in Peace Brother and Mrs. Boone, we appreciate you.
Russell T. Adrine
Achievement Week Luncheon
The Zeta Omega Foundation was a sponsor for the 2023 Russell T. Adrine Achievement Week Luncheon. Achievement Week is an internationally mandated program of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., having been inspired by Omega Brother Carter G. Woodson – known to many as the father of Negro History Week, which evolved into Black History Month. In 2002, Zeta Omega Chapter honored the late Brother Russell T. Adrine, a longtime Chapter member and distinguished attorney in Cleveland, by naming the annual event after him. During their 2023 event, Zeta Omega honored members of the Chapter and members of the community who provide extraordinary service throughout Greater Cleveland. Dr. Airica Steed, CEO and President of Metro Health Hospital, was announced as the Citizen of the Year. Also, a scholarship was awarded to Zeta Omega High School Essay Competition winner, Ta'Naejah Gibson, from East Tech High School.
Zeta Omega Chapter
Annual Food Basket Giveaway
The Zeta Omega Foundation supported the Annual Zeta Omega Food Basket giveaway. This event has taken place since 1981. In its humble beginnings, the Chapter gave away 5 food baskets. In December 2023, approximately 50 chapter members, family and friends helped unload groceries, packed boxes and distributed over 500 food baskets comprised of turkey, dressing, vegetables and all of the common holiday “fixings”. Each box feeds a family of five for, at least, two (2) days (totaling 5,000 meals). This event is supported through the generous donations of chapter members, their various businesses and/or employers. Also, Zeta Omega supports itself through use of profits remaining from events held throughout the year, such as the annual Zeta Omega Golf Outing or the Centennial Celebration and Gala. A special thank you goes to the Cuyahoga County Council who awarded the Foundation with a $20,000 grant to support the Food Basket Giveaway.
Zeta Omega Chapter
Centennial Weekend
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on Nov. 17, 1911 at the Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Howard University, in Washington, DC. The Fraternity's Motto is "Frienship is Essential to the Soul" and its Cardinal Principles are "Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift". The Zeta Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on March 6. 1923. The chapter was chartered by Brother Nathaniel Bowen, a young student from Morehouse College, who connected with 11 other likeminded fraternity brothers. Zeta Omega has served the Greater Cleveland Area by making a positive impact on the community for 100 years. The Zeta Omega Chapter honored its centennial milestone with hosting a celebratory weekend at the Marriot Hotel in Warrensville, OH. The weekend included a meet and greet, a cook out, and a formal gala. Evening highlights included 14 Past Basilei (Presidents) of the Chapter being present and recognized and the Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Brother Ricky Lewis being in attendance. The weekend concluded with members and guests attending a Sunday morning church service at East Mount Zion Church.
Toys for Tots
Zeta Omega Chapter has supported the Brookpark Ohio's United States Marine Corps Reserve Unit's Toys for Tots Campaign. Anthony Scott, Esq, a member of Zeta Omega Chapter and a former United States Marine initiated the collaboration between the City of Cleveland and Zeta Omega in 2018. In 2019, Zeta Omega Foundation began collecting donations used towards the purchase of toys for the campaign. In recent years, a collaboration with Greater Regional Outreach Work, LLC (G.R.O.W.), owned and operated by Zeta Omega Chapter member Jeff Rivers and his spouse Mea Rivers, has generated substantial growth in these donations. In addition to supporting Toys for Tots, toys are donated to local community based organizations that assist Cleveland families.
Zeta Omega Chapter's Bookbag Giveaway
Zeta Omega Chapter has provided Uplift to the community by hosting multiple book bag and school supply giveaways to the children living in the Collinwood neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to the book bags and supplies, grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas and chips were passed out to the students and their parents in attendance. Finally, "Cut The Game" barbershop provided many students with a free haircut to prepare them for their upcoming school year.
Norman S. Minor Bar Association:
2023 Trailblazer Gala
The Zeta Omega Foundation supported the Norman S. Minor Bar Association's (NSMBA) 2023 Trailblazer Awards. NSMBA is the premier organization for black attorneys and legal professionals in Northeast Ohio. For over 40 years, NSMBA has been dedicated to the administration of justice, increasing diversity in the legal profession, and protecting our community. Proceeds from this event aid NSMBA in accomplishing their stated mission as well as an active mentorship of students at Cleveland State College of Law and Case Western Reserve College of Law. NSMBA runs a city-wide mentoring program, provides relevant legal programming and networking opportunities. Other NSMBA hosted events include the "Judge for Yourself" Judicial Candidate forum, hosting continuing legal education for practitioners and the public, and publishing press releases regarding relevant legal matters. The 2023 Trailblazer Award Recipients were Teresa Metcalf Beasley and Terry M. Billups. Mrs. Metcalf Beasley, a Partner with McDonald Hopkins LLC, is a seasoned lawyer with over 29 years of experience in public finance, real estate, corporate, construction, and government relations. She serves on multiple nonprofit boards in various leadership roles and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Mr. Billups serves as Chief General Counsel of Legal Affairs & Risk Management for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). Chief Billups serves on a multitude of non-profit Boards and has received numerous accolades for his community service. Most recently was was inducted into the Cleveland State College of Law's 2023 Hall of Fame. Prior to attending law school, he played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins, and the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the inaugural season of the XFL for the World Champion Los Angeles Xtreme.
Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation:
Black Professional of the Year
The Zeta Omega Foundation supported the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF) during their annual Black Professional of the Year (BPOY) Gala. Created in 1977, the Black Professionals Association (BPA) was an organization dedicated to networking, professional growth and development in Greater Cleveland’s African American community. BPACF continues that tradition through scholarship, networking, leadership development of young high school and college students. Annually, BPACF selects a BPOY that is an engaged member of the Greater Northeast Ohio community. Specifically, they must be committed to excellence and demonstrate outstanding qualities in their professional and civic contributions; personal Standards; and, engagement in Northeast Ohio business, government, civic, educationnaly and/or religious community. This year's BPOY was Ariane B. Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of The AKA Team, Harvest of OH and The Jabali Development Group.
