Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church Greek Unity Day 2013
By Dr. Sylvia Sloane Jones
Greek Unity Day Chairman
The concept of Greek Unity Day was first introduced to Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church in 1994 during the tenure of then Pastor, Rev. Michael A. Cousin. The program was established s a part of the Black History Month activities of the church. It is held annually on the third Sunday in the month of February. It has, and continues to be, one of the most well attended programs and activities of the church.
The purpose and intent of the program was to acknowledge and recognize Black Greek lettered organizations for their numerous contributions and accomplishments.
For the first five years of the event each organization was afforded an opportunity to make a brief presentation to the congregation describing their local and national missions, programs, and involvements.
In 1999 the format of the pro-gram was changed to invite a representative of one of organizations to serve as the keynote speaker. On a rotational basis, proceeding in Greek alphabetical order, each organization was afforded an opportunity to provide the keynote speaker.
The first keynote speaker for Greek Unity Day at Mount Hermon was the then Immediate Past Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., local resident Dr. Dorsey C. Miller.
On Feb. 17, 2013 Mt. Hermon held its 19th Annual Greek Unity Day service with Joann Gary Loveless as the keynote speaker. Joann Gary Loveless is the immediate past International President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
On Feb. 17, 2013 Mt. Hermon held its 19th Annual Greek Unity Day service with Joann Gary Loveless as the keynote speaker. Mrs. Joann Gary Loveless is the Immediate Past International President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
During her tenure at the helm of the sorority she, succeeded in strengthening the Sigma brand through numerous renewed and new partnerships, including the March of Dimes; Center for Disease Control; National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy; National Council of Women of the U.S.A.; USA Swimming; and Girl Scouts of the USA. Additionally, Mrs. Loveless ensured Sigma Gamma Rho’s receipt of more than $500,000 in grant funding for programmatic thrusts specifically for Project Reassurance (teen pregnancy prevention) and HIV/AIDS awareness and testing. Among the many partnerships forged during her administration were Sigma Gamma Rho’s partnership with Lions Gate Studio to co-sponsor the movie, “Precious”, and CNN for the segment “Black in America: The Almighty Debt.”
Mrs. Loveless’s address entitled “Is your unity based on consecration or just pure perpetration?” was inspiring and well received by the more than 500 attendees. During the service each organization was recognized for their community service, encouraged to work together in unity for the greater cause and to respect and celebrate our differences. It is our tradition to recognize the sorority and fraternity with the largest attendance and this year that award was given to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Under the leadership of the current Pastor, Willie J. Cook, Greek Unity Day continues to be one of the most successful activities conducted by Mount Hermon and we truly appreciate the support of the community and look forward to seeing everyone next year for the 20th Annual Greek Unity Day celebration.
