News Article - 3 minute read

On January 20, 2025, Sigma Mu Mu Chapter, Third District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., participated in the 34^th annual MLK March and Celebration event in Leesburg, VA to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the event theme was “Open the Possibilities”.  Sigma Mu Mu brothers and their families braved extremely cold weather to help make the event successful by walking in a parade with more than 100 others from the Loudoun County Courthouse to the Douglass Community Center, where the Omega men supported a post-parade commemoration program.  The Chapter also assisted the program setup team prior to the event by arranging chairs, tables, projector screens, and the stage for the program.  Sigma Mu Mu’s participation in the parade was captured in a front-page photo of the 23 January 2025 edition of Loudoun Now, Leesburg’s local newspaper.  The Chapter’s involvement in the event and its coverage by local media sent a clear message to the community that Omega and others continue to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) despite federal government efforts to terminate DEI activities.

The celebration program included welcome remarks by Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, MLK Diversity-Engagement Foundation scholarship presentations, local talent performances, an HBCU Panel Discussion, and a keynote speech by the Chair At-Large of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Ms. Phyllis Randall.  During the program, Douglass High School former students, MLK Diversity-Engagement Foundation members, and MLK Committee members were recognized by MLK Diversity-Engagement Foundation Chairperson, Ms. Tammy Carter.   The event concluded with the singing of the song “We Shall Overcome” and closed with a prayer.