A History of Sigma Gamma Gamma - Okinawa, Japan

The History of Sigma Gamma Gamma

Submitted by Brother Ollie Brown

The conception of Sigma Gamma Gamma chapter started developing the spring of 1984 at that time the number of brothers associated with what we now called Sigma Gamma Gamma was approximately 15 brothers. The brothers had crossed the burning sands from throughout the United States. The future members of the chapter could not be determined due to the many rotations required of the military community. However, the nucleus of the brotherhood stood fast on the four cards and persevered through the changing of the guards.

After many hours of meetings the brothers still could not formulate a plan to satisfy the requirement for a graduate chapter. The body continued to meet and became instrumental in the development of a local Pan-Hellenic Council in the spring of 1985. The brothers work with the Pan-Hellenic to plan and co-ordinate the first ever Martin Luther King inaugural banquet at the Kadena NCO club in January 1986. The event's success truly reflected the hard work put into the function by the brothers. After such a successful event, the brothers with assistant of the Pan-Hellenic Council planned the first ever Greek picnic held at the 18th civil engineer picnic area.

While continuing to support the local community, the brothers never lost sight of having a chapter on Okinawa. By the spring of 1986, the faithful few that remained on Okinawa were once again looking for the opportunity to carry out the goal of starting a chapter. Even though the number of brothers had reached approximately 30 in total, none of them were financial with Nationals; this within itself posed a sufficient problem for the body.

Reaching back and remembering "See it Through" the brothers decided the best way to solve this problem was to meet it head on. With this in mind, one of many calls were made to Dr. John Epps at the National Office and, under his guidance, the brothers received a clearer path on the process to becoming the second international chapter located in the land of the far east.

The initial question that had to be answered was if there had been a chapter on Okinawa before. After Nationals completed its research, Brother Harold B. Smith, Committee Chairman was notified that no chapter had existed on the island of Okinawa. Now having a clear vision, the brothers began soliciting the aid of other brothers to be a part of putting the corner stone of Omega Psi Phi in the land of Okinawa. The call was answered by:

Olie L. Brown	Iota Zeta
Joseph A. Grice	Gamma Epsilon
Harold B. Smith	Beta Gamma
Darrell R. Sims	Gamma Delta
Eric A. Lewis	Iota Gamma
Isaiah Heyward III	Lambda Zeta
Michael Finnie	Sigma Gamma
John I. Hawthorne III	Beta Beta
John W. Starks

The chapter was officially recognized on February 28, 1987. After this historic occasion the brother put into motion the events that would make Sigma Gamma Gamma a vital part of the Okinawa community.

The first steps taken by the new chapter was to develop an annual scholarship drive to support the two local high schools. Their efforts paid great dividends and the chapter award its first $500.⁰⁰ Scholarship in 1989.

Keeping with our nationally mandated programs, 20 brothers were reclaimed within the first two years. In addition, Loyd Bryant became the first member to be initiated into the fraternity through Sigma Gamma Gamma in 1988.

The chapter has served the community through years of dedication, often leading the way in the preservation of the human race. The brothers have participated in all aspects of the community; from raising money for scholarships to cleaning local Orphanages. The commitment of Sigma Gamma Gamma members has always been to keep the great light of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity burning brightly throughout its military community.

Since its inception, (12 years strong) the chapter has had to deal with the constant rotation of brothers and yet maintain the strength to provide for the well being of the community. This effort has been helped through the initiation of a line of four in 1992. From 1992 until the present the chapter donated over 300 hours to a variety of Organizations and provided $7,500.⁰⁰ in financial assistant for high school students.

The Chapter's future goals are to adopt a local orphanage, a DOD middle school, and in addition, provide a Scholarship Endowment Fund. This plan will ensure that Sigma Gamma Gamma's Scholarships will be rewarded forever, regardless of the Chapter's membership.

Significant Accomplishments:

• 1993 Basileus B.J. Boykin.(Xi Pi 19--)
• Start the tradition of an annual Spouse Appreciation Day/Dinner for the Quettes.
• Basileus Kim T. Brown (Upsilon Epsilon 1979)
• Provided financial assistant to the National Naval Officers Association for guest speaker Dr. Na'im Akbar, a noted public Speaker and author.
• First ever African American Fashion Show title "Journey to Kambe Be Longo" held at Kadena Air Base Officer club. The event raised over $3,500.⁰⁰ for the Scholarship Fund Many thanks goes to the show producers Quettes Toni Brown and Victoria Sutherland- Moore
• Developed a plan to obtain a Charter for Kadena Air Base. Spearhead by Brother Aubrey Parker; all paperwork were submitted - approval pending
• First steps in obtaining Intake certification began with a trip to Washington, D.C., by Brother Michael A. Wright to discuss the possibility of intake for Sigma Gamma Gamma. This meeting was very instrumental in setting up the chapter for a future Intake Chairman
• Basileus Kim T. Brown (Upsilon Epsilon 1979)
• The chapter assisted the Lester Middle School culture day celebration by performing a skit called " I know why I stay in school". Brother Olie L. Brown and Quette Toni Brown wrote and produced the play. Basileus Kim T. Brown provided logistical support in addition to playing the lead role
• The brothers, under the leadership of the Basileus, helped create the Minority Coalition. Its purpose is to increase cross communication and group social awareness through education. It also established a new network structure for minority groups.
• Became the first and only Greek organization charter on a military installation on Okinawa by accepting a charter from the 18th MWRS on Kadena Air Base
• The first Greek organization to participate in the 18th Wing open house called "Americafeast"
• Thanks to Basileus Kim T. Brown and Illustrious Potentate James D. Richardson, the Chapter participated in its first joint function with Obelisk Temple No. 187. Both groups organized and presented a Mother's Day Tribute for the women of Okinawa
• Basileus Michael A. Wright (Beta 1973)
• Help to African American Culture Association develop a new scholarship package
• Provided support to the Special Olympic games held at Camp Foster Field house
• Assisted the Black History program by reading at Bob Hope Elementary school
• Assisted in logistical support, setup and planing of the "Soul Stone Picnic" sponsored by the African American Culture Association
• Brother Olie L. Brown attend the 69th Grand Conclave and became Intake certified for the chapter
• The successful initiation of "The Eight Descendants of Zion". The brothers ceremoniously crossed into the folds of Omega Psi Phi Inc. The new addition brought much needed life to the chapter. The youth and enthusiasm they carry will keep the omega lamps full of oil. Their dedication will make sure the burning fire of Omega will not go out on Okinawa. Many thanks to Brothers Darryl Edwards & Keith Major 1997 Basileus Olie L. Brown (Iota Zeta 1979)
• The chapter participated in its first ever summit held at White Beach Naval Station. The two day business meeting shaped the organization internal structural and outlined the path for increasing community involvement
• Provided financial assistant to the African American Culture Association for motivational speaker and poet, Detroit T. Flanagan
• Celebrated tenth anniversary of the chapter at the Kadena Officer Club
• Organized and presented the first multi-culture fashion show on Kadena Air Base. The show generated over $4,000 for the scholarship fund Thanks to the show producers Quette Toni Brown, Sachiko Nakasone and Victoria Sutherland-Moore
• Hospital visit on Veteran's Day paid homage to the many who have served in the military also visited the newborn of the month Both veterans and babies received gifts from the chapter
• Thanks to brothers Roger House and John Greene for putting together the chapters first Achievement Week celebration It was an outstanding success
• Thanks to Brother Darryl Edwards for time effort spent on developing a new reclamation program and developing the summit packages both contribute greatly in the success of the chapter's goal
• First ever Quette social held at the Kadena Officers Club. Brother's wives shared experience as Quettes and welcomed five new Quettes into Sigma Gamma Gamma's family. Thanks to Quette Toni Brown for her efforts
• 1998
• First visit to Okinawa Orphanage to clean and paint facility
• First dinner theater play title "Who Killed the Church" a very successful event that raised $xxxx from each presentation

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