Pi Xi Chapter

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History of Pi Xi Chapter

1977-2018
By: Peter L. Mitchell

It was the summer of 1977 with the culmination of the years of planning by the likes of Cornel D. Mortimer and shuttle diplomacy of Lester J. Mortimer, Jr., who in concert with brothers Granville C. Bain, John A. Godet, Derek “Ace” Bastian, Cleveland W. Eneas, Jr. and Lowell J. Mortimer who collaborated with other Bahamian men that were Omegas and made application to The Fraternity’s Headquarters for a chapter to be chartered in Nassau, Bahamas.
The Supreme Council of the Fraternity under the leadership of Grand Basileus, Edward J. Braynon, approved the Charter Application on August 17, 1977, which also got support from the wider brotherhood stretching from Florida up through Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Brothers of note included Brother Philip J. Mortimer, Carver Potluck, and Samuel Sheppard (Editor-to-the-Oracle).
On August 22, 1977, Bro. Dr. Edward J. Braynon, accompanied by some sixty other visiting brothers and well-wishers, personally presented the charter of Pi Xi Chapter to Bro. John A. Godet, Charter Basileus, who accepted on behalf of the other ten proud charter members who consisted of the following: Bros. Cornel D.V. Mortimer (Keeper of Records & Seal), Paul Clare (Vice Basileus), Peter L. Mitchell (Keeper of Finance), Granville C. Bain (Chaplain), Cleveland Eneas, Jr., Gregory Austin, Lowell J. Mortimer, Lester J. Mortimer, Jr., Philip J. Mortimer, and Derek G. Bastian.
During the time just weeks prior to the charter presentation the brothers in Nassau suffered the loss of beloved Bro. Derek Glenn Bastian who suffered an injury in a fire in which he had re-entered a burning building in efforts to rescue a family member. Bro. Bastian succumbed to those injuries several days later, nevertheless, his name was included as a charter member of the chapter and at Ace’s homegoing to Omega Chapter, the brotherhood further rededicated themselves to the causes of Omega in his memory.
The Charter ceremony was held at “GranVilla”, Hibiscus Estates, West Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas, the beachfront home of Bro. Dr. Granville Bain. The event was organized by the brothers under the chairmanship of Bro. Lowell J. Mortimer. Other brothers who were also home in Nassau during this time and attended the ceremony included Excellency Bro. Davidson L. Hepburn, Ph.D., and Bros. Vaughn L. Culmer and Dr. Cleveland W. Eneas, Sr.,. O.B.E.
The presidents and members of the other seven black greek letter organizations also attended the affair along with numerous local dignitaries, foremost of which was the Governor-General (Head of State) Sir Gerald C. Cash, O.B.E., JP who welcomed the Grand Basileus and visiting brothers and proposed the first toast to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.- Pi Xi Chapter.
Since that day Pi Xi Chapter has been on the move promoting the Fraternity’s programs designed to uplift downtrodden humanity, stimulate the attainment of ideals and ambitions of its’ members, and disseminate those ideals to those in which they have come in contact. The chapter also sought to occupy a progressive, helpful and constructive place in the civic life of the community. Programs pursued via community outreach include the sponsorship of an Omega Psi Phi Chair at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, the chapter’s Big Brother program at the Boy’s and Girls Industrial School through Junior Achievement and The Gentlemen’s Club, an Annual Essay Contest for college-bound seniors, High School Talent Hunt, The Omega High School Invitational Basketball Tournament, Social Action through canned food/old clothes drives, Fundraising for the Red Cross Society and for College of the Bahamas Scholarships via events such as Da’ Greasy Pit and the renowned Cruise With The Ques.
Eleven years after its founding, Pi Xi Chapter came of age successfully initiating seven men as a part of its first line during September 1988. They came to be known as “The Seven Surviving Aces” name quite appropriately after Bro. Derek “Ace” Bastian. There were nine lines that followed.

Charter Line
“The Seven Surviving Aces”
September 9th,1988
DP: Michael Storr

  1. Lunnon L. Gibson (Kunta)
  2. B. Derek Sands, FCII (Iddy Biddy)
  3. Brian M. Albury, CPA (Ben The Lumber Jack)
  4. Bradley L. W. Flowers (Smooth)
  5. Grieg R. Stubbs (Mr. Babbit)
  6. Gregory Strachan (Wolf Man)
  7. Courtney V. Strachan, Jr. (Slim)

“The Untastic Four”
December 15th, 1989
DP: Bradley Flowers

  1. Earl A. Bastian, (Wola)
  2. Prince U. Albury, (Kalypso)
  3. Mark D. Gilbert, (Fudd)
  4. Eugene M. Horton, Jr., (Kadream)

“Red D’s Running Eight”.
September 14th, 1996
DP: Vaughn Culmer

  1. Wellington R. Woods, (Ching Ching Money)
  2. Richard Simms, (Cheese)
  3. Dr. Kenworth Newbold, (Speed)
  4. Shawn R. Francis, (Rawhide)
  5. George R. Ferguson, (Secret Agent)
  6. Dr. Basil G. L. Sands Jr. (Potcake)
  7. Gerrard Jennings, (No No)
  8. E. Patrick Williams, CPA, (Rerun)

Iddy Biddy’s Champagne 17
June 23rd, 3:17am, 1998
DP: B. Derek Sands
Tribute to one of Giants who had passed on, Dr. Granville C. Bain

  1. Lincoln Moxey (Dot Com)
  2. Antoine Wallace (Prano)
  3. Gerald Forbes (Shakespeare)
  4. Kevin Longley (Phantom)
  5. Brent Creary (Plinky)
  6. Hubert Chipman (SSBiz)
  7. Delano Sands (Walkie Talkie)
  8. Kervan Culmer (Fubar)
  9. Patrick Lightbourne (Sammy Bo)
  10. Todd Isaacs (Quiet Riot)
  11. Lionel Turnquest (Raisin Nuts)
  12. Nikimba Johnson (Whale Tail)
  13. Dr. Duane Sands (Cahonas)
  14. Michael Halkitus (Da’ Brain)
  15. Terrance Mcsweeney (Red Eye)
  16. Randy Minnis (Ribena)
  17. L. Edgar Moxey (Strato-Reback)

Kadream’s Unseen
November 30th, 2000
DP: Eugene Horton

  1. Sean Longley (Mantis)
  2. Darren Bastian (Shadow)
  3. Christian Adderley (Sellasie)
  4. Arien Rolle (Spike)
  5. Julian Bostwick (Schultz)
  6. Duane Ellis (Mini Me)
  7. Deyvon Jones (Aruba)
  8. Timothy Walker

Kool Long’s Magnificent Marching 4
April 8th, 2006
DP: Peter Mitchell

  1. Lamon Stubbs (RX)
  2. Cleveland Eneas III (Organic)
  3. Perez Donald (Stealth)
  4. Mario Gray (Case Close)

GUD 14′
Gremlins Unleashed Disciples of the Queniverse

January 17th, 2014
DP: Kevin Hudson

  1. Cameron Newry (A.C-E!)
  2. Sean Johnson   (Quba)
  3. Sean Moultrie  (Invisibeat)
  4. Owen Forbes  (Band-I.T.)
  5. Gavin Brown  (Beatle Juice)
  6. Delreco Bonaby  (EvQlution)
  7. Linardo Dawkins  (M.V.P)
  8. Jamiko Sands (Quemeleon)
  9. Alex Hanna   (Quelidascope)
  10. Jeff Rodgers Jr.   (Gee-Q)
  11. Rashad Mckenzie  (BlaQ@11)

BARK 16′
Band-IT’S Aggressive Resolute K-9s

July 11th, 2016
DP: Owen Forbes

  1. Keyron Smith (Q-Bama)
  2. Daron Beneby (TriloQy)
  3. Cameron Parker (RocQit)
  4. Jordan Phillips (SQrappy Q)
  5. Cletis Scavella (Quntry)
  6. Kendal Higgins (Q.R.I.P)
  7. D’Ldron Smith (Qonfucious)
  8. Charles McPhee (Dry Wall)
  9. Ricardo Stubbs (Q-Hesive)
  10. Vince Thompson (Da RocQ)
  11. Kristoff Wood (BaQfire)
  12. Johnathan Phillips (Sqooby Q)
  13. Phillip Gibson Jr. (Q-Vinci)

MVPs Transcendent Triple Threats

October 1st, 2017
DP: Linardo Dawkins

  1. Josh Duncanson – L.Q.A.
  2. Prince Blyden – Quelateral Damage
  3. Joshua Smith – Quarenteen

Beatle-Juice’s 6 Sons of Chaotic Anarchy

April 12th, 2018

DP: Gavin Brown

  1. Robert Albury ( Shell ShoQ)
  2. Lamar Minnis  (PerQussion)
  3. Andre Taylor  (High RisQ)
  4. Justin Smith  (BucQets)
  5. Lionel Agnes  (Pepe Le Que)
  6. Rhandi Elliot  (CaretaQer)

These ten lines (membership initiatives) have made invaluable contributions to the chapter’s well being through their avid involvement and leadership. There has also been a constant inflow of brothers who joined The Fraternity while studying abroad, before returning to the lovely shores of The Bahamas and who also have taken their rightful place in the chapter, and have too made their mark in holding the chapter up in high esteem in Omegadom.
Since its founding the chapter has had fifteen men serve as Basileus; Bros. John A. Godet (1977-1980), Lester J. Mortimer, Jr. (1980-1984), Peter L. Mitchell (1984-1990), Vaughn L. Culmer (1990-1994), Brian M. Albury (1994-1996). Sean A. Blyden (1996-1998), Courtney V. Strachan, Jr. (1998-2000), Jonathan C. Ford (2000-2002), Anthony U. Bostwick (2002-2004), Deyvon J. Jones (2004- 2006) , Eugene M. Horton Jr. (2006-2012), Mario A. Gray (2012-2016),  Owen Forbes (2016-2020), Lionel Turnquest (2020-2021), and  and the current Basileus, Bro. Kevin O. Hudson.
The chapter has also made its mark on the international scene within The Fraternity hosting on different occasions six Grand Basilei (Grant Reynolds (who had a home here), Edward J Braynon (has Bahamian heritage), Moses C. Norman, Sr, C. Tyrone Gilmore, Sr., Dorsey C. Miller, Sr. and George H. Grace), numerous other Grand Council members, the Executive Director and The Omega World Headquarters Building Committee. Todate, the most impressive was when the chapter hosted The Fraternity’s International Leadership Conference to be held here in Nassau, Bahamas at The Atlantis Resort & Casino during July of 1997. It has also hosted the The Supreme Council on two occasions, the Supreme Council Meeting at Resorts International on Paradise Island in December of 1994 and again at The Atlantis resort & Casino in July of 1977. The chapter has on its agenda the hosting a Grand Conclave where it is vying for either year 2010, or yet another Leadership Conference at an even earlier date,2007 or 2009.

The chapter has in its ranks several brothers that have served in various capacities within The Fraternity which include: Supreme Council member (International Chapter Liaison), the first 13th District (International) District Representative, International Committee Chairmen for the Fiscal Management Committee, Budget & Finance Committee and also a member of the Fraternity’s Credentials Committee (Peter L. Mitchell (PLM)). Bro. Mitchell currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Omega Life Membership Foundation, representing the 11th Region. The chapter also produced a Chairman of the Recommendations Committee (Vaughn L. Culmer (VLC)), a member of The Fraternity’s Budget & Finance Committee (PLM), the first District Keeper of Finance (Brian M. Albury), the first District Marshal (VLC), the first, and still, District Counselor (Lester J. Mortimer, Jr.) and also a member of the Fraternity’s Credentials Committee, a Deputy District Representative and District Marshal (Lunnon L. Gibson) and a member of the International Automation Committee (Darian P. Creary), District Keeper of Finance, 2nd Vice Basileus, International Committee Chairmen for the Fiscal Management Committee and current 13th District Representative (2006), (Hubert A. Chipman), 2nd Vice Basileus, (Sean A. Blyden), District Chaplain, (Jonathon C. Ford), 1st Vice District Representative and District Representative, (Cipriani A. Phillip, Jr.), District Director of Public Relations, (Otis Alexander), current District Keeper of Records and Seal, (Kevin J. Longley) and current District Keeper of Finance, (Julian Rolle).
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On December 1, 1995 another great and loyal son of Pi Xi went on to Omega Chapter, Bro. Dr. Cleveland Wilmore Eneas Sr. O.B.E. he was eighty years old and had made gigantic footprints in the sands of this Bahamaland.
He was a fifty-seven year brother who entered the fold of Omega through Delta Chapter at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1938 (2-D-38). Bro. Eneas was the father of two other Omega men, Judson and Cleveland W. Eneas, Jr., affectionately known as ‘Fritzty’. It was unprecedented at Dr. Eneas’ golden milestone in The Fraternity that the Grand Basileus, Moses C. Norman, Sr. brought and presented him with The Fraternity’s coveted Fifty Year Pin Award that is up to that time was only presented at The Biennial Conclave. He was very active in the community serving as a life and charter member of Kiwanis, chairman of the Board of Trustees for both the Southern Public Library and the Nassau Public Library until the time of his death. Brother Eneas served as president of the Boys Brigade Council, Vice president of the Red Cross, member of The Bahamas National Trust, the Bahamas Historical Society and the Music Society. He was active in the Philosophy Club and The Camera Club and represented The Bahamas as a storyteller at The Smithsonian Institute folk arts festival in Washington D.C. He has publish several books and articles such as: Bain Town, Let the Church Roll On, Tuskeegee Ra! Ra! and the History of The Class of 1941 of Meharry Medical College. He was also chairman of the Bahamas Golf Federation and also serve his country as a Senator. He has received many accolades and awards, and he was feted at an Eneas Tribute Banquet by the men of Pi Xi Chapter at Britannia Towers, Paradise Island on Friday, May 18, 1990. Brother Eneas was a loving husband, consummate father and a very sincere friend . His savoir-faire was one to be emulated. His raison d’être was one to be adored. A simple man, a giant of a man a true Omega Man that filled the ranks of Pi Xi with much inspiration. He like all of us, loved his Omega Dear.

On August 2nd, 2005, Grand Basileus, George Grace, accompanied by his wife and the former Grand Basileus, Dorsey C. Miller commemorated the presentation of the prestigious 50 year pin to Bro. Dr. Davidson L. Hepburn at his seaside home, Los Acros, No 40 East Bay Street.

His Excellency, Bro. Hepburn currently serves as Chairman of the Bahamas’ National Commission for UNESCO, is a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO, is Honorary Consul to Indonesia. Bro Hepburn has served in various diplomatic positions on behalf of The Bahamas, achieving the post of Bahamas’ Ambassador to the United Nations where he served with distinction. Bro. Hepburn serves as chairman of the Governor General’s Youth Award programme in The Bahamas and also is the recipient of the Legion of Honour designation, awarded by the French government for outstanding service to France, regardless of the social status or nationality of recipients.

Bro. Hepburn is very active in the local chapter and serves as a beacon for many of the younger brothers as he upholds a star of high aspiration and being highly regarded for his lofty standards which are the order of the day.

At the aforementioned award reception held on Bro. Hepburn’s behalf, Basileus Deyvon Jones and the brothers of Pi Xi, joined by a number of noteworthy brothers visiting from the United States commemorated the Grand Basileus’ wife’s birthday which fell on that day, August 2nd, 2005, presenting her with a watch as a small token of our love and appreciation for her and her sharing of her spouse as our leader.

Brothers who have journeyed on ahead:
During the time just weeks prior to the charter presentation the brothers in Nassau suffered the loss of beloved Bro. Derek Glenn Bastian, affectionately known as “Ace”, who suffered injury in a fire in which he had re-entered a burning building in efforts to rescue a family member. Bro. Bastian succumbed to those injuries several days later, nevertheless his name was included as a charter member of the chapter and at Ace’s home-going to Omega Chapter, the brotherhood further rededicated themselves to the causes of Omega in his memory.
He was a fifty-seven year brother who entered the fold of Omega through Delta Chapter at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1938 (2-D-38). Bro. Eneas was the father of two other Omega men, Judson and Cleveland W. Eneas, Jr., affectionately known as ‘Fritzy’. It was unprecedented at Dr. Eneas’ golden milestone in The Fraternity that the Grand Basileus, Moses C. Norman, Sr. brought and presented him with The Fraternity’s coveted Fifty Year Pin Award that is only presented at The Biennial Conclave. Brother Eneas was a loving husband, consummate father and a very sincere friend. His savoir-faire was one to be emulated. His raison d’être was one to be adored. A simple man, a giant of a man a true Omega Man that filled the ranks of Pi Xi with much inspiration. He like all of us, loved his Omega Dear.
On Saturday, September 17th, 1996, Pi Xi Chapter lost yet another Soldier when Brother Harry Woodrow Cooper, Jr. passed over into Omega chapter and went to be with his Lord. While at Fisk University, he was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., at the Eta Psi Chapter in 1972; he was affectionately known as the ‘Dynamic Dancing Bear’ (8-HY-72).He found much pleasure in two of his hobbies: Bird-watching and Junkanoo. Harry’s whole world was centered around the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group and he traveled extensively representing the group and his country. Harry returned from Washington, D.C., about one month ago and was honoured by the Smithsonian Anniversary, and was chosen to be featured on their next Magazine Cover. On September 17th, Harry entered the Hospital with head injuries; he fought a courageous battle but later succumbed to his injuries. Brother Cooper, during his fraternity life, had a great impact upon quite a number of brothers – both locally and abroad. He is sorely missed.
Philip Francis, another beloved Brother of Pi Xi Chapter and also known as “Funk Funk” journeyed to Omega Chapter. Although a son of the soil, he lived in Durham, North Carolina. After battling serious medical problems, he finally succumbed to complications in August of 1997. He persevered in this life but looked forward to meeting and resting with his maker
Granville Champagne Bain, born June 27, 1940 matriculated to Lincoln University, further to Meharry College and interned at Harlem Hospital, New York, where he specialized in Orthopedics Surgery and Surgery of the Hands. History proudly records that he was a pioneer in his field in The Bahamas having almost single-handedly introduced the specialty of Orthoroscopic Surgery to The Bahamas. He was initiated into the Fraternity in 1958 at Beta Chapter, Lincoln University, where he served in various capacities including, Basileus, Vice-Basileus and Chaplain. He loved life, lived it to the fullest, and was always cognizant and helpful to those less fortunate around him. After a brief incapacitating illness, he left this world on December 29. 1997 @ 3:50a.m. to meet his maker. We have since founded a Scholarship fund in his honour to continue his legacy of assisting those less fortunate.
As surely as we live, so shall we, one day, go to the Great Beyond. Pi Xi Chapter, and indeed Omega, has been made the better for having been blessed by these brothers’ existence. We are uplifted still by those of us who remain behind and must carry on the work of Omega. It all started at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 1911 and now in Nassau since the summer of 1977. The spirit of Omega lives on as it transcends boundaries and barriers that we can only view as more challenges to overcome, more hurdles to surpass as we dare choose to lead the way up the road less traveled, up the pathway of the talented tenth. Long may we continue to serve and uphold our Dear Omega