Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Phi Upsilon Chapter honors brother Ermon K. Jones

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Eatontown, N.J. — The Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. celebrated its 60th Anniversary on October 20, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel.

Approximately 250 people attended the event that was full of :

• youth performances
• scholarship donations
• and the honoring of one of the chapter’s brightest stars, Brother Ermon K Jones.

Mr. Ermon K Jones is one of twelve men who founded Omega Phi Upsilon in 1952.

Jones tenure in the fraternity is legendary as he has been serving Omega for 65 years.

The Civil Rights Movement

Jones also earned recognition for his instrumental role in The Civil Rights Movement in the Jersey Shore area, in addition to his fraternal contributions.

He is responsible for assisting in desegregating:

• the public school system
• public housing system
• public work environments in Monmouth County.

He spoke briefly and passionately at his contributions civil rights movement. His motivation grew from a statement someone made to him after he returned from Morgan State University and Columbia Teachers College while seeking employment and housing.

Desegregation

Jones recalled someone telling him, “We do not allow Negros to live, teach, or work in certain public areas in Neptune.” That moment pushed him to become the change he wanted to see in the world.

As a result of sixty years of struggle and perseverance, Mr. Ermon K Jones was honored on a local, state and national level throughout the luncheon by the Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park, Township of Neptune, State Assembly and the Grand Basileus of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The Township of Neptune declared October 20 as Ermon K. Jones Day.

Performances

A phenomenal series of performances were conducted by drumming sensation by Malachi Samedy, the Second Baptist Church Praise Dance Team and Omega Psi Phi-Lambda Upsilon Chapter Step Team.

Frank’s Big and Tall Men’s Shop provided Phi Upsilon with two major donations as a part of an annual tradition and a new campaign.

For the past 20 years, Frank’s Big and Tall has provided approximately $100,000 in scholarship funds to help Monmouth County youth attend college.

Scholarship donations

They were joined by a new set of scholarship donors that included:

• The Presidents of Noble Strategy A Construction Management Firm
• Intelligent Influence Inc.
• Extended Learning LLC

Each firm donated $1000 and will be working with Phi Upsilon to provide reading material and staff training.

The Basileus Challenge

The day concluded with The Basileus Challenge brought forth by Chapter President, Matthew P. Stevens. The Basileus Challenge grew from a stipend the Bloomfield College Mentor Program for Black Males awarded.

This challenge asked attendees to donate 1% ($20) of what Stevens donated through his paid work with the mentor program.

Stevens also encouraged the audience to take a more active role in engaging young Black males, their families and community in his closing statements. He ended with a quote by David Miller, Author of Khalil’s Way and President of the Urban Leadership Institute, which insist that, “no one is coming to save us.” Stevens went on to say that the men of Omega are looking forward to the “challenge that lies ahead.”

About Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi

The Phi Upsilon Chapter is dedicated to:

• working with local districts to coordinate mentor activities
• developing training programs for educators that will teach them how to effectively teach black boys
• providing resources for single mothers.

Be on the lookout for the Phi Upsilon Chapter.

Their efforts have set the stagebring forth positive change the lives of those in need.