The new millennium is underway and as a country we recently witnessed the realization of one of Dr. King’s dreams; a dream held dear by so many who literally gave their blood, sweat, tears and time to achieve – the election of the first black President of the United States of America. Obviously, as we all aware, this was not an immediate antidote to battle the entrenched interests, resistance to change, fear, ignorance and apathy endemic within any population. However, this historic period has driven home to us all especially African American men the importance of continuously striving for and achieving excellence.

The new leadership elected at our recently concluded Conclave is ready to embrace the spirit of progress and we hope that this can inspire renewed energy and commitment among our membership so that we can all fully realize the potential inherent in our founding principles of leadership, achievement, honor, brotherhood, empowerment, and service. Our Fraternity is not just a social fraternal family, but one that places emphasis on individual self-improvement and social betterment of our surrounding community. We will be rolling out a number of community service initiatives over the next year on both a regional and national basis that will highlight priorities that our membership- at- large deem to be important. These programs will not only address the material needs and well-being of the underprivileged and disenfranchised, but they will also seek to offer opportunities and hope for future educational and financial advancement. Our signature program will be the S.A.F.E. initiative which addresses the endemic HIV/AIDS problem that is such a menace to the African American community, especially among our young people.

We will also be launching a national mentorship program that reaches out to at-risk young African American students attending high school. The statistics of high dropout rates and falling academic achievement are well known, and there are a lot of young black men who are seeking leadership, direction and adequate support to help them achieve their life’s goals. Phi Delta Psi will seek to step in as effective role models who will model our methods of intervention according to the different localities in which we will be operating our programs.

Our Fraternity has been in existence for more than thirty (30) years and we will continue to adhere to the principle of being our brothers’ keeper. Within Phi Delta Psi the opportunity exists to belong to a brotherhood that initiates its members by a rigorous process that celebrates the strength and resilience of the black man, and focuses on academic excellence and encourages individual empowerment. We will continue to consider each member as an individual and will always acknowledge his ideas and suggestions for the betterment of this organization.

Phi Delta Psi will continue to develop strong, educated organized and empowered "leaders of men." Our Fraternity will maintain our unwavering purpose and definitive goals that fulfill our belief that, "What we put into the lives of others, comes back into our own." I look forward to having a successful year and working with all members to advance our goals.

Fraternally Yours,

Q Richards Johnson
President
Phi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.