From l to r: Dr. Errick Farmer, Hon. Micheal Cristal, Monaleto C. Irby, Hon. Charles W. Moore, Bro. Robert L. Eason, Hon. Bill Stanley, 28th International President pose for photo after Bro. Moore receives the award named after him.
Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2023 11:20:22 AM
Over 300 men of Phi Beta Sigma and guests gathered at the Augusta, Georgia for the 2023 Georgia State Conference. In a much-anticipated event, brothers who traveled from as far as Iowa, Texas, and New Jersey convened at the Augusta Marriot to fellowship, recognize the work of brothers and chapters, and elect officers for the 2023-25 term. Well known brothers, such as Immediate Past International President, Hon. Micheal Cristal, and current International First Vice President, David Turner were brothers among the Georgia brothers for conference.
The weekend conference kicked off on Wednesday, March 1 with a virtual candidates’ forum. Candidates for elected state executive board position presented their platforms and answered questions from the brotherhood. The conference continued Thursday, May 2, with a virtual plenary session. Program (Bigger and Better Business, Education, Social Action, and Sigma Beta Club) directors and Director of Collegiate Affairs presented their reports that evening. Several conference committee reports followed that during Thursday’s virtual business session.
The Georgia State Conference moved to in-person on Friday, March 3. The brothers and guests were greeted by brothers of the host, Epsilon Gamma Sigma Chapter of Augusta, Georgia, and sisters of the local chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Brother Sherwin Gloston of the Epsilon Gamma Sigma Chapter won the Billboard Jackson Entrepreneurial Competition which occurred during the late afternoon.
Friday evening was eventful with the opening ceremony, Miss Phi Beta Sigma Georgia Pageant, and Step Show. Brothers and guests bid their farewells and sent best wishes to outgoing Georgia State Director, Monaleto C. Irby whose family was in attendance to celebrate his stint in the Georgia State Director. After Irby declared the 2023 Georgia State Conference open, contestants for Miss Phi Beta Sigma Georgia took stage to see who would wear the title for 2023-25 and advance for the opportunity to become Miss Southern Region in April. During the intermission periods, step teams representing collegiate chapters moved with precision for a chance to represent Georgia in the Southern Region Step Show Competition. When the pageant and step show were done, Ms. Mozzie Ellis, representing the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Savannah State University, and the Gamma Zeta Chapter Step Team took home first place.
Saturday was the most important day of the 2023 Georgia State Conference. The Necrology was held to induct recently passed brothers into the Omega Chapter. The morning plenary session featured minutes and reports from the remaining officers. Brother Monaleto C. Irby delivered his final State of the State Address which highlighted his accomplishments as Georgia State Director. Updates were provided by the Southern Regional Director, Dr. Errick Farmer, and International First Vice Director, Bro. David Turner.
Program directors awarded brothers and chapters at the collegiate awards luncheon. Director of Sigma Beta Clubs, Kenneth Ford, recognized Lambda Sigma (Atlanta) as the Sigma Beta Club of the Year and Christian Harden of the Lambda Sigma Chapter as the Sigma Beta Club Advisor of the Year. Director of Social Action, Dolphus Blackmon, awarded Social Action Chapter of the Year to Alpha Pi (Fort Valley State University) at the Collegiate Chapter Level and Rho Beta Sigma (Gwinnett County) at the Alumni Chapter Level. Director of Bigger and Better Business, Devon Cange, named Chi (Morehouse College and Alpha Pi (Fort Valley State University) as the Collegiate Bigger and Better Business Chapters of the Year. Gamma Pi Sigma (Macon), Epsilon Gamma Sigma (Augusta), and Xi Chi Sigma (Atlanta) were named alumni Bigger and Better Business of the Year.
The Collegiate Awards Luncheon also saw several additional awards given to collegiate brothers and their alumni advisors. Kydae Scott of Zeta Nu (University of Georgia) Chapter was the recipient of the Leonard Francis Morse, Sr. Leadership Award. The Dr. Ivorite Lorimer Scruggs Education Award went to Fariham Alimi of the Pi Rho (Georgia Southern University) Chapter. Tre’Mon Williams of the Gamma Zeta Chapter was acknowledged for his Outstanding Community Service. Georgia State Director of Publicity, Deion Williams of the Tau Beta Sigma Chapter was awarded the Collegiate Chapter Advisor of the Year. The Pi Alpha Chapter received the Collegiate Social Media and Website Award.
During the Collegiate Awards Luncheon, Casey Hunter, Jr. and Justin Pertillo of the Alpha Pi Chapter won the Debate Competition while Andrew Gyimah of the Beta Beta Beta (Clayton State University) was victorious in the Oratorical Competition. The highlight of the Collegiate Luncheon was International Treasurer Emeritus, Hon. Charles W. Moore, being named the second recipient of the award named after him, The Charles W. Moore Award.
After personal and professional workshops proceeded the luncheon, the final plenary session ensued with the final committee reports. The elections took place in this session of the conference. The brothers choose the following brothers as elected officers for the 2023-25 term:
The Classic Man Awards ended Saturday’s events. The chapter of the year awards given to:
The State Treasurer, Rasheed Marshall, received the R.O. Sutton Awards as most outstanding executive board member. Brothers were pleased with outcome of the conference
Conference
The Georgia brothers of Phi Beta Sigma were well represented at the 2019 Southern Region Conference . . .
Brothers from the state of Georgia would usually gather with Phi Beta Sigma brothers of Alabama, Bah . . .
First day of the 2019 Georgia State Conference held at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia
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