When We Wear the Gloves by Bro. Dr. Carver A Portlock
When we wear the gloves, a Brother has gone from our midst and sailed to golden shores. When we wear the gloves, a Friend has passed the final test and walks through purple doors.The circle has an empty place, a Voice will raise no more. The song of fellowship and love, uplift forevermore. When we wear the gloves.
When we wear the gloves,a light goes from this earthly life, the visor closed again, yet all the heavens open wide to let a new star in. When we wear the gloves, a Brother leaves the chapter rolls and moves to other worlds. For when we say our last goodbye, he walks on streets of Pearl. WHEN WE WEAR THE GLOVES.
Brothers who have been Initiated in CHI RHO or have made CHI RHO their Home Chapter. They may be gone but never forgotten.
Carnell Adams, William Brazier, William Harris, Peter Newman,
11-21- 1969
James Wallace
10-16- 1976
Herman Austin, Walter Bailey, Henry Goady
03-23- 1979
Marvin Colson, David Hammie, Clarence Johnson, Milton Merritt, William Partee
05-16 – 1981
Michael Brevner, Vincent Brothers, Andre Buchanan, Kevin Canon, Ian Cato, William Coleman, Dana Porter, Frank Shervington, Michael Smith, Kenneth Thomas, Carl White, Earl Williams, Kevin Williams, Edward Bell
01-14- 1983
William Hawkins, Robert Howell
04-22- 1984
Howard Dowd, James Watson,
04-28- 1984
Bernard Eyssalenne
05-17- 1985
Clayton Hudson, Godfrey Maynor, Gerald Vaughan
04-11 – 1987
Bernard Davis, Carl Smith
05-12 – 1989
Vincent Peacock, William Powell
05-26- 1990
Craig Bedford, William Tyson
10-24- 1992
Ray Bailey, Benjamin Kizer, Harold Smith
11-25- 1995
Donald Bentley, Lee Isabell Sr, Lee Isabell Jr
11-16- 1996
Christopher Plummer
08-11- 2001
Victor Lewis
06-21- 2003
Arthur Goff, Marc Riley, Allan Woodward
03-24- 2007
Leroy Grant, Aden Smith, Michael Winfield
03-22- 2008
Jason Callahan, Donald Daal, Donte Grant, Sheldon Wallace
04-26- 2009
Richard Chounoune, Jayquan McNeil, Leonard Wright
04-03- 2010
Noah Andre, Bilal Brown, Benjamin Clements, Charles Obijuru
Chi Rho Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was founded to afford an opportunity for all unaffiliated Omega men of Long Island to meet. On August 11, 1965, the Chapter Charter for CHI RHO Chapter was signed by the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. CHI RHO is the first chapter chartered and founded on Long Island and is known as the Pearl of Long Island. Chi Rho oversees all of Suffolk County, NY.
The ten charter members of Chi Rho Chapter were:
Frank Nichols*
– Basileus
Harrison Smith*
–Vice Basileus
Daniel Henderson*
– Keeper of Records and Seal
James Lewis*
– Keeper of Finance
Charles Belfield*
– Keeper of Peace
Clarence Johnson*
– Chaplain
Ercelle Williams*
– Editor to the Oracle
Walter Bailey*
– Dean of Pledges
Aubrey Greene*
John Van Buren*
* Deceased – Omega Chapter
The officers of Chi Rho Chapter were officially installed on October 29, 1965 at the home of Bro. Harrison Smith, 58 Wright Street, North Babylon , New York . The National and District Officers that officiated were:
George Meares*
Grand Basileus
James Avery*
Second District Representative
James Murray*
District Keeper of Records and Seal
Rudy Powell*
Past First Vice District Representative
Nathaniel Burrell*
Past District Keeper of Records and Seal
The Chapter Motto is:
Challenge
Rededication
Hope
Happiness
Initiative
Optimism
Since it’s inception, Chi Rho Chapter has been involved in community activities which embody the fraternity’s cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. The chapter’s signature programs are
The Purple and Gold Dance Masquerade
Men Who Cook (started in 1990)
Fish Fry
Thanksgiving Basket donations
Christmas Basket donations
XP Blood Drive
Fatherhood Initiative Month consisting of the Father Son outing, Father Daughter Dance and the Pride for fatherhood Breakfast
Domestic Violence Walk.
In May, 2005, the chapter’s anniversary year, Chi Rho Development Corporation, a not for profit 501(c) 3 organization, was incorporated to further help the Long Island Community.
Many of our programs are designed to provide funding for mentoring and scholarships to college bound minority youth. XP also participates and upholds our Fraternity’s mandated programs yearly. Through the years, the chapter has provided more than 50 scholarships and has awarded many young people on their talents through the Talent Hunt Program. Chi Rho has supported the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and many other charitable means.
The chapter has also sponsored other social action endeavors through support of the NAACP, voter campaign support, and recognition of other community achievers.
In 2010, Chi Rho chapter held its first Domestic Violence walk in conjunction with the Suffolk County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and donated approximately $3000 to the Suffolk County Coalition against Domestic Violence.
In 2010 Chi Rho held its first Pride for Fatherhood Breakfast. The platform for this was in recognition of our very own chapter brother Lee Isabelle Sr. In June of 2011, Chi Rho Chapter received a signed recognition citation from President Barack Obama for our commitment to Fatherhood, through our Pride for Fatherhood Breakfast, highlighting our support of hard working fathers in the community raising their families and being positive role models in their lives.
