News Article - 3 minute read

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Sigma Mu Mu Chapter, Third District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., participated in a 2024 Presidential Debate Watch Party and Panel Discussion hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Loudoun County (NPHC-LC) at the Social House Kitchen & Tap in Ashburn, VA.  The standing room only event brought together approximately sixty (60) attendees, including members of the “Divine Nine”, the Loudoun Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the National Urban League.  All seven member organizations of the NPHC-LC were represented, and several attendees brought their teenaged children to expose them to the political process and discourse.  Notable community leaders in attendance included Pastor Michelle Thomas, President of the NAACP Loudoun Branch, and Brother Shawn L. Lacey, Omega’s 31^st District Representative.  Brother Ryan Myers of Sigma Mu Mu was instrumental in planning and executing the event, and served as one of the Masters of Ceremony.

The Watch Party began with a social hour sponsored by the National Urban League, during which attendees enjoyed light refreshments.  After the social hour and prior to the debate, Brother Myers led a panel discussion with Pastor Thomas and leaders of the NPHC-LC organizations; Brother Duane Keye, Basileus of Sigma Mu Mu, represented the chapter.  Brother Myers asked the panelists about issues that affect voters in Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia, especially those in the African American community.  Brother Keye highlighted the main issues he thought were of importance to the audience, including the impact of economic policy on communities of color.  Pastor Thomas emphasized voter access issues in Loudoun County and the importance of residents being aware of them.

Once the broadcast of the ABC News Presidential Debate began, attendees viewed it on monitors around the room.  While there were individual small conversations at each table, the audience watched the entire debate with little disruption.  Most of the attendees stayed for the entire debate and formed several impromptu conversation groups that discussed issues raised during the debate.

The NAACP Loudoun Branch hosted a similar watch party at the same venue on October 1, 2024 for the Vice Presidential Debate.  It too was a standing room only event that attracted more than 50 attendees and brought together the seven “Divine Nine” member organizations that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Loudoun County (NPHC-LC), as well as the National Urban League.  Brother Joseph A. Smith, Brother Ryan Myers and Brother Lee Johnson represented Sigma Mu Mu at the event.

After a networking social hour, Pastor Thomas made opening remarks for the main program and re-emphasized Loudoun County voter access issues that she discussed at the Presidential Watch Party in September.  Like the Presidential Debate Watch Party, a panel discussion occurred prior to the Vice-Presidential Debate.  Brother Smith represented Sigma Mu Mu on the panel. Many of the points made by panelists were central to questions asked by the moderators and responses given by the candidates.