April 29, 2025 • 39 mins
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., the Epsilon Chapter is mentoring young men says brothers Lloyd Stovall, Reginald LeCounte, Larry Kimble with Omega Lamplighter Rylan Sheffield on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
I A The Bev Johnson Show.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Whether you're in Arkansas, Tennessee, or Mississippi on Facebook, Twitter
or Instagram, thank you for listening to The Bev Johnson
Show on w d i A Memphis.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Wait a minute, don't worry about it. Hey, I got hey,
here we go, Here we go. I gotta do it.
Welcome in back to w d i A this Tuesday,
April twenty ninth. But I had to do it. I
love that love. Welcome in to w d i A
(00:59):
The Bev Johnson Show. We have the brothers from Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity, the Epsilon Phi Chapter. I want to
welcome in Lloyd Stoveall, Reginald La County, is that correct?
The count Larry Kimbdall and Lamplighter Rylan Shipfield. We'll be
(01:21):
talking with him.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
What's up, fellows, how y'all doing?
Speaker 1 (01:26):
You know what? I always love that song and brother
George Clinton. But when I saw that video all you
know what, I played that at night at home. I
just turned well, I should tell y'all y'all my brother's
cause that's.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Right right right.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
You know, I'm a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in corporated. Yeah,
but you know at night what I feel. I'll put
that video on and I, oh, my gosh, I love it.
I love it, you know. And I think about y'all's
brother also who retired, Tom Joyner, and I think we
got Tom and and George. Oh my lord, they were crazy. Anyway,
(02:09):
Welcome in fellows. How y'all doing great? Good to have
y'all here. Tell our listeners. I'm gonna start with brother
lord our listeners about who is Omega Side five fraternity?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Who is that's just the greatest fraternity in the whole.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Wi y'all, Baby glad staying ain't here standing there? You
know here? You know he y'all got the moment with me.
Y'all got the moment with me.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Nobody's perfect. Yes, that's right right. We're just the greatest
fraternity in the whole wild, I know.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
But we're we're a fraternity where we focused on our
principal's manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. In the Epsilon five chapter,
we have just celebrated one hundred years of service in
the Memphis community.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Oh wow, one hundred years. One hundred years, get out
of it in the Memphis area, in.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
The Memphis Community nineteen twenty five.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You you brother's been around a long time here, yes, ma'am, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
So so you all were founded when nineteen eleven, nineteen eleven, man, wow,
that's when the fraternity. That's why I'm saying when the
when the fraternity was founded in nineteen eleven. But here
in Memphis.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
Nineteen twenty five five chapter.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
You know when you think about those those years and
you think, brother has been doing it a long time,
and you all are committed. And as we say, because
people think, you know, Lady George, they always think that
the fraternities and sororities, they're about partying. But it's about service. Yes,
talk to me, brother Lloyd about service.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Well, uh, well, you know, uplift is is one of
our cardinal principles and that means uplifting community.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
And it's just not you know, it's it's everyone. It's inclusive.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
So when we when we do better, we want our
community to do better. So it's it's lifting as we climb.
So you know, when when when our brothers and our
sisters are doing well, we are also doing this. So
it's a it's a communal thing and one thing that
we're doing right now. It's a Mega Lamplighters. We've been
doing the Mega lamp Lighters for nine years, if I'm
(04:25):
not mistaken.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
So we started off with I think it was like
five or six.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Young men and uh, and we've just grown and we've
had our largest class two years ago, which was like
forty two young men. So we have on road approximately
eighty young men that are part of the Mega lamp
Lighter program. And their focus is on leadership, academics, maturity,
and perseverance. And so that's that's what we you know,
(04:54):
we consider ourselves a village. Okay, So we've been doing
this for the last nine years, you know, and I
seeing it grown, it's just it's just a it's it's
a really truly a blessing, uh to see these young
men doing great things.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
They are all great young men.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
So with the young men as the Omega Lamplighters, you
all are, I know you're you're the mentors, but you're
training them to do what.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
We're training them to be great young men, great man
and it takes a village. That's our motto is is
to turning good young men into great young men.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
It takes a village.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
And so we focus on those things of leadership. What
does it mean to be a leader? Uh, you know the.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Importance of academics and maturity. You know.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
One thing that I always tell a young men, it
says every young all the mentors have been your age, so.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
We know what you go through, right, and so we're
here for you.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
And then also perseverance.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
That's the only principle that shared between the fraternity and
the lamp Lighter program. And so we all know about
perseverance and keep your head up regardless if you know,
I know that that wasn't a you know, I was
a knucklehead, but you know it was because of the village,
my village that surrounded me and my community. And so
(06:12):
we provide that same opportunity for these young men. It's
to be that village for these young men. And we
also it's including the families too, So the families are
part of a village. And so we just take that
village philosophy and apply it to our mentoring program.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
And with the mentoring program, is it and I know,
persevere And that's a strong word, but that's a good
word because we all need to do that. And we
hope that we will but part of the mentoring is
that part do you specialize or try to teach them
(06:56):
how important education.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Is, Yes, ma'am, it's along with education and also you know,
wisdom and yeah, yeah, you know it's it's those those
two are are are not mutually exclusive, right, and so
we we we're teaching the importance of you know, academics
and also applying that using wisdom and maturity making good decisions.
(07:22):
Oh yeah, knowing that we.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
All don't you know, Uh, we're not perfect, no, no,
none of us, and we met made bad choices.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
I make bad choices, uh in an adulthood.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, but you know, but we learned from each other,
you know, the mentors and the mentees. We learn from
each other, right, and uh, it helps us to be
more compassionate and understanding of this generation, right right, because
we were raised I mean, we we're kind of like
two two three different generations, right exactly, right. But the
(07:54):
thing that you know that I think that we all
have it's just community. And I think that we've kind
of lost that sense of community, and that's what we're
trying to bring back, especially these young.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Men, to let them know that, you know, hey, that
they're great.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
You know they're from greatness, right, and we're a community
that has their back.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
I want to get a rather reginald in here. So
your experience in working with this young man, did you
have that same experience? I mean, were you a lamplighter
or did they have it then when you decided to
pledge the fraternity?
Speaker 5 (08:32):
So my experience growing up, I didn't have that experience
with the lamp lighters.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Growing up.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
I didn't see it until I got to college. Greek
life for the most part. So when I got there
and I grew up in Mobile.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Alabama, Oh wow, Mobile, Yes.
Speaker 5 (08:48):
Ma'am, so around there are you see as purple coats
and red coats, didn't really know what it was. So
once I got to college, I got a chance to
be around some of the brothers and I realized that's
the path I want to go. So now that I
have that experience, I'm trying to pass it down and
pay it back with the young men, just try to
(09:11):
help them guide them as they get through these adolescent years.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
How did you get to Memphis, Tennessee? It's a great journey,
I think, like Mobile and how did you get here?
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Fifty five nor jaxas State to Memphis.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Whoa, whoa, whoa back up? Brother, I loved, I loved,
I love.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Yes, ma'am me too.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, well yeah, I got my masters at Jackson State University.
The reason, brother Reginald, I'm in radio today because of
Jackson State University, w J, s U. That's what that
was my beginning. And then I went on down the
street to w J. I don't know if that was
still down in street and he was there w J
(10:03):
and I OKJ. But but I tell people D and
I do love. But I would not be in radio
if it was not for Jackson State University.
Speaker 5 (10:14):
We try to push our young men to HBCUs every year.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Good.
Speaker 5 (10:17):
We had eight graduate last year, all received, I went
to college. This year we have fourteen graduating, thirteen going
to four year colleges.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Oh fabulous.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
So important.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Academics is important? Good? Good? And so is there a
special kind of program or something you all are working
on now?
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Right now now, we're just gearing up for our Black
College Tour and okay, Black Black Museums. So we're still
trying to get them out and educate them just a
little bit while having some fun.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Good.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
So that's that is our current endeavor.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Good, good, good, Can we get Larry in here? Just sweet?
You know, y'all know what to do. I know what
to do. Swinging over the brother Larry. How you doing,
I'm doing fine? Fine? How long? How long have you
been a member of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity? Uh?
Speaker 6 (11:12):
I pleased Fall twenty one, so three years going for
Epsilon five here in Memphis.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Oh okay, okay, So your your experience in this journey.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
I didn't.
Speaker 6 (11:22):
I wasn't a part of any mentorship growing up, but
I was affected by a couple of brothers of Omega
sift Fire. One of them was a police officer in
my high school, Craigmont Stump and have a couple of
family members that's a part of the fraternity. They helped
me out, kept me out of trouble. I was one
of the kids being in trouble, suspended every day. So
my job is to make sure that I have the
(11:43):
young man's to stay off the road that I went down.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Oh good, Oh, I like that. And so I'm sure
that brother Larry, that you have been telling them you
know the right way, because and you all know, brothers,
what we're seeing now seeing with our young people, uh,
young men and young women. And so you're you're encouraging
(12:07):
them to go the right path.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
You can do that, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (12:11):
And so my job that I do, I make sure
that I help them with automotive repairs around the house,
talk to him, keep from getting in trouble. Just help
them with the everyday parts of life. Like he said earlier,
we have three different generation, three different backgrounds, and three
different industries, so we're able to teach the young men's
(12:31):
variety of things.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
So when you say the three different generations, it is
the now generation now and the the the older older
older brothers.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
I'm he said, brother snowballs Hey, brother Larry, he won
them o G fifty three.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
But but I like that, but the different generations because
you all have something, some wisdom to share.
Speaker 6 (13:08):
With these young men, yes, ma'am, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I like it. I like it. And Brother Reginald said,
you said, how many young men you have now that
you are mentoring.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
We have about seventy eighty on roster.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Wow, yaw, Now how do you all get these young men?
Speaker 6 (13:28):
So every year around July we start our induction process
with applications. We put them online and a lot of
us word of mouth as well. People see our program,
see how positive is no working in the public and
they fell out the applications. We go over report cards, applications,
talk to them, no, see what their entriests are and
(13:50):
move forward from there.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Oh good, good, And so when what July comes again,
you'll start back over. Now do you you usually Well,
let me ask this question. So some of the young
men that are there, they're seniors in high school. So
do you just start with seniors only? Do you get juniors?
How does it work?
Speaker 6 (14:11):
No, ma'am, it's currently six through twelfth grade. Oh, they'll
apply for the program. They can go to ww dot
Memphis Omega Lamplighters dot com and the application will pop
up on the website and they feel it out it
come to our email and we will contact them.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Oh I like starting a sixth grade yes, ma'am. Oh
that's good.
Speaker 6 (14:31):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
I like that. We're gonna give that website before you
all go this week. This afternoon, if you've just tuned
in this afternoon, I am talking with the brothers of
Omega sci Fi Fraternity, the epsilon Phi chapter here in Memphis,
Brother Lloyd Stovall, Brother Reginald LeCount, Brother Larry Kimball, and
(14:53):
I'm gonna talk to this Lamplighter right in schiff Field
and see get his thoughts on being with these brothers.
If you have a question or two for my guests,
now is the time to talk. Nine zero one five
three five, nine three four two one eight hundred five
(15:14):
zero three nine three four two eight three three five
three five nine three four two will get you in
to us. You're listening to Double d i A The betht.
Says Show.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Whether you're in Memphis or in a sinkhole somewhere, thank
you for listening to the Bev Johnson Show on Double
d i A Memphis. You're listening to the Bev Johnson Show.
(16:34):
Here's Bev Johnson, and.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
I'm talking with the brothers of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity
the Epsilon Phive chapter here in Memphis. My guest is
brother Lord Stowball, Brother Reginalda Count, Brother Larry Kimbo, and
we have the Lamplighter in the house. Ryland chef Field, Hey, Ryland,
how are you?
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Hey?
Speaker 1 (16:56):
How I'm doing fabulous today? Tell our listeners a little
bit about yourself and how you got involved with Omega
Sci Fi Praternity.
Speaker 8 (17:06):
Will my name is Rolin Sheffield. I attend Bolton High School.
I'm a junior. I'm seventeen years old, and I joined
spring of twenty twenty. During quarantine when they were talking
to me through the zoom, I was learning. I was
still learning a lot through the zooms they were talking
to me through.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Okay, And so who told you about them?
Speaker 8 (17:29):
It was really my friend, his mama. She told my
mom about it, and then we both joined at the
same time.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
So, so you've been with them since the COVID, yes, ma'am,
twenty twenty, Yes, ma'am and still still hanging on in there.
So what has your experience been like with the Brothers
of Omega Sci Fi.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
It's been very fun.
Speaker 8 (17:52):
We do a lot of community activities, and we do
a lot of fun activities like go out of town
and flag football, and we do a lot of workshops
where we learn to change oil and do a lot
of things like that.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
And and you say you you you're a senior Bolton.
I'm you're a junior, And so have you thought about
any college yet?
Speaker 8 (18:16):
I've been thinking about attending family or jsu mm hmmm, yes, man,
that's about it.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
Right now, we're.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Gonna We're gonna cross out that family. You know, I'm
just kidding cross out. Hey, hey, hey, brother, lawya go
cross out that fami you No, no, no, no, no, no, brother.
You know I I would be happy you go either
one because we need young black men in school and
more than ever, have have you thought about what you
(18:46):
would major in or what do you what do you
want to do a career choice?
Speaker 6 (18:50):
I'm probably gonna do business or engineering, one.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Of those good good good. So with so I have
to ask this brothers, so you get it school. You're
gonna think about pledging in the fraternity?
Speaker 4 (19:05):
Yes, ma'am?
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Yeah? You you you ready? Huh almost there? Almost see?
I like his ass, he said, almost there. So with
with these brothers, you know, helping you young men, has
it helped you to ryland kind of stay on the
right track and you know, because you see what's going
(19:29):
out here, you know, So talk to me about that.
Speaker 7 (19:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (19:33):
It's most definitely keeping us out of trouble. We have
a lot of activities that we do every month.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Yeah, which has been your favorite?
Speaker 8 (19:41):
I usually like when we go out of town in
the summer, we go we go places like Oklahoma. We're
about to go to places like Oklahoma, Texas, Tyler Town, Tusa.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Wow. Yeah, And so it's it's kind of when you travel,
it's kind of a historical tour learning about different places.
Speaker 8 (20:04):
Yes, ma'am, we're going to a lot of HBC. You
weres I mean us and torn them.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Okay, yes, ma'am. Good, good, good? How you get out
of school today? Oh?
Speaker 6 (20:14):
I just checked out?
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Hey brother, I know, but he with the brother y'all,
y'all stick up for him. But no, this is good,
this is good. But I'm glad that you're here. So
our listeners that Ryland will hear you that this because
we hear so many negative things and fellows, you know,
brother Lord, you here with the young men, but you
(20:40):
me and like young men like this who are trying
to be better and trying to do better, right yes, man, yeah, yes.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
Yes ma'am.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
And so you all you all keep track of them.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
Oh yeah, yes, ma'am, Yes man, we we keep track
of them. We try to, you know, have our weekly
check in, you know, and see where they are. And
it's you know, we wants to know about them, right.
Just you know, I like to say that we're more
than a tie a tie or pull your pants up.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's more than that, right, but that
but that's important, right.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
We're about you know, y, sagging pants is one thing,
but we're more focused on sagging hearts and trying to
lift up their hearts and the soul of that that
young man. That's what we're more concerned about. Although we
do focus on appearance. Okay, that's important, but but more
important it's the soul of that of that young man.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
That's what we're focused on. Right.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
We know the the pants will be pulled up eventually, sure, sure,
and all that good stuff, But we're just more focused
on the young man and their soul. And we know
that if we, if we could, we can tap into that.
You know, we're part of the community. We're not that,
we're just part of the community. We just support, right,
(21:56):
and we know that these young men they can call
us any time, you know, if they have a question.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Good, you know, we're there for them.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Right And uh, and I do believe that as a community.
You know, if we if we gather around our kids,
our young men, as a community, we know that the
trajectory would change. We know, I mean, I know without
a shadow of doubt, you know, even in my life
and some of the brother's life. We know the importance
(22:24):
of having somebody, you know, positive in your corner. You know,
when mom and dad are not present. When I was
growing up, you always had you had a neighbor that
would look after you.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
You're right, right, and.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
Not look after you, but they're watching out and watching
out and we will report, you know, definitely report.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
You have that same amount of respect. You know, just
just thinking I had, you know, neighborhood mothers and fathers
that they kind of just you know, took me in, right,
and uh, I just kind of I appreciate that now
that I'm older, you know, more mature young man.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
That's right, That's right, that's right.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Right, I appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
And you know now that they're you know, transitioning, and
I just sit and reflect and uh, you know how
you know, how they impacted my life, and I do
believe and it's just just lloydism that you know that
the reason why we don't a lot of you know,
we don't we're not mentoring our kids, is that we
(23:26):
want to quick turnaround. We wanted something quick, but it's
about the long game with these with the young young
people you know, it's it's it's a rate of return,
but it's going to be slower.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
And so we just have to invest in TEE, to
invest in our community and our young men and our
young ladies. And eventually we'll see that, you know, we'll
see the benefits of our investment.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Yeah. I want to ask Rylan when, when when you
seem like I say that that you are enjoy this
group and enjoy being with these brothers, do you talk
to other young men about the group?
Speaker 4 (24:01):
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 8 (24:02):
I try to spread, uh spread the program as much
as I can to let more people join it, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Okay, and have you been successful? Got a few few
brothers in there? Come on in. I've gotten a good too.
Oh good good foot behay, hey brother, that's good. And
keep on talking. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like that. Yeah.
And and and and I want to go go back
(24:29):
to brother Larry. Pull that round. I'm going to ask
you this question. So with with uh Ryan and and
and and getting young men, and he says he got
good too, So you all again go out. But also
you said you have a website that people can go
on to get more information.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
Yes, ma'am, it's www dot Memphis Omega Lamplighters dot com.
Say it again, www Dot Memphis Omega lamp Lighters dot com.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
And when they go on that website, they will learn
all about the organization.
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Yes, ma'am. It's different different tabs. They can click on
we got videos. Then they can watch off our step
team also hop team past pictures of different things we
did service events. Also it's a brief description of our program,
how it got started, where it got started, and the
mission that we what we're trying to do in our neighborhoods.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
Oh good good, And so you all when you when
you plan these programs, you're planning for these young men,
so they will know what services community service.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
Yes, ma'am, because that's one thing that we focus on
in our fraternity. So we try to pass along with
the young men's with our mentoring program. And also they
can follow us on Instagram and also Facebook at Memphis.
Instagram is Memphis Lamplighters nine on one and Facebook is
Memphis Omega Lamps.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Okay, that's good to know, yes ma'am. As you know
those folks on Facebook right st grab and all that
other good stuff. Good. I want to swing that mic
back to brother Reginald and so, Brother Reginald, do you think, well,
I know, but you all have have made been successful
(26:25):
in mentoring these young men. And he said, good when
you say you started with a small group and now
with your seventy eighty, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 5 (26:32):
I think we're I think we're definitely helping. It is
one of our success stories. I think last year I
called him success stories. Okay, he when he joined the program,
he wasn't thinking about going to college, just trying to
get out of high school. Was thinking about doing something else.
But he checked back in with us in December and
he's on he's at MTSU. Oh wow, name is Mark
(26:54):
kwan Te. That's right, and he's there. He's on some
of the business leadership program. It's just flourishing in college.
It's just really flourishing. And it's just it's proud to
see them go off and become these productive citizens.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
That's what we're trying.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
To grow, good productive citizens. And I think not only
and as our listeners, and I said earlier, you know,
we talk about the Divine Nine, the black sororities and
fraternities for folks who don't know bad, but each of
those sororities and fraternities. They are about community service and
(27:32):
about academia, you know, getting your education. Because when people
don't know, brother Lario, these fraternities started on college campuses,
on college campuses. So you think about y'all nineteen eleven,
(27:55):
we're nineteen thirteen, that black men and women they were
getting an education back then, yes, ma'am so, And we
look at today, and that's why I am so passionate
about telling young people, especially like Ryan, you know, get
an education. My grandma always said, get something in your
(28:17):
in your head. Brother. They can't take it away from
it because you got it in your heir my grandmother,
they can't take it away from you. So I'm I'm
proud of you, and I can see you now, you
going on, You're gonna you're gonna do fabulous, fabulous work, right,
brother Larry, since you since since since I mean by
the Lord, since you since you know, you're the O
G of the group. So but but you see it,
(28:42):
you see it. But I love this program. I love
it and I love it and I hope that it
gets bigger and better. That you all that that somebody's
listening today, brothers, somebody's listening today. Somebody has written down
that website gonna get in touch with you because they
got a young man that's messing up, Yes, and this
(29:06):
you all can help them get on the right path.
Speaker 4 (29:09):
That's ma'am. That's our goal. That's our goal, you.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
Know, because when we hear and I like to talk brothers,
you know, we hear so much negative stuff. But but
your organization and you're what you're doing that's positive, and
so we need to spread the good news. Anything I
been for. We talked about the lamp ladders before you
all get out of here. Anything that the the chapter
(29:36):
is doing in the community that you want to tell
listeners about. Anything special events coming up, Well, y'all just
working in the community.
Speaker 5 (29:44):
We have a fun event coming up.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Okay, a fun event, tell our listeners about it.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
We do have a purple networking party coming up in July.
Planning to have that at Stax Museum.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Oh yeah, is that is that open to the public
or or will that be just for.
Speaker 4 (30:03):
Brothers open to the public.
Speaker 5 (30:04):
We will definitely have the information out there for everybody
to get so. Tickets will be on sale and the
best way to find out is to follow the epsilon
five chapter on Facebook.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Okay, we'll take it from there. So when you say
a purple networking, that means.
Speaker 4 (30:20):
What it's a fun party.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (30:23):
Also, it's just a time for don't just to get
together network fellowship, fellowship, have some rebel revelie.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
I like that. And you you're having it at my
favorite place. We hope to see you that Stax Museum.
We hope to see it in Soulsville, US S. Yeah, yeah,
I want to get before we get out of here,
get Ryan his his his last words. He want to
say to our listeners and and and Ryland. People are
(30:54):
listening to you out there, and somebody's listening. What do
you want to say to our listeners about the Omega Lamplighters.
Speaker 8 (31:04):
All I can really say is just like just just
spread spread the program, get people to join, yes ma'am.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
And get them to join and and and be a
part of it.
Speaker 4 (31:17):
Yes ma'am.
Speaker 8 (31:17):
And just just support us and everything that we do
because we do a lot of community work.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
Okay, what about And I'll ask one of the brothers about, well,
you said you support. Do you all take donations? You
need help Monday?
Speaker 2 (31:32):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (31:33):
Oh yeah. If you were to go to our website.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
Uh, Memphis O Maga lamp lighters dot com or Google
us or Memphis will make a limp lighters.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
There's a donate button at the bottom of our website
or the first on the homepage. Click down to the bottom.
You could support us that way. We are having a raffle.
Like we mentioned before, we're having a raffle for our
HBCU College tour.
Speaker 4 (31:58):
This is our second trip.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
Last last year we went, it was great, we had fun,
and this year we're gonna have it's gonna be even better.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
How many schools do you try to get to?
Speaker 3 (32:08):
Last year we went to four schools and this year
we're gonna probably hit four two as well. Okay, right,
and so we'll leave on a Sunday and come back
on a Thursday. And you know it takes funds.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
Do that, and those funds will help these young men too.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
Yeah, it's an investment, investment in your future.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
So I always hey, put your money where your math is.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
I like it.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
And so if people are interested and given donations, they
can always go to our website.
Speaker 4 (32:36):
We also have a raffle. You could follow us on Facebook.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
We'll have that information on Facebook's and online raffles, so
you can it's online ra yes, so you can be
anywhere in the country. Okay, we will ship.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
Well, they're hearing you anywhere in the country now, right, and.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
So you have a choice of golf clubs, a designer purse,
a seventy two inch TV, and I think there's one
other thing that we're raffling, a PlayStation five or Xbox whatever,
six hundred whatever they call it. Okay, well, you know,
you could, you know, and we'll ship those items and
you can get your tickets. It's one for ten dollars,
(33:13):
three for twenty five. And then you can also go
on a website as I said before, and just donate.
Just don't know, and just donate.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
Yeah, help your brothers out, help help.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
These young men out, and help the young men. It
takes a village, it does. It takes a village. It
takes a village, it does.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
All right.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
And they eat a lot, and they eat a lot,
and we feed them good, good, good.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
Any other last words you like to say, Ryley, thanks
for supporting us. You are quite welcome. Passing on down
to brother Larry Kemble. Your last words, Brother Keimble, you
like to say to our listeners.
Speaker 6 (33:49):
Today all I got to say is just you know,
we have a lot of issues in our city with
the youth, and this is a small part of helping
and to try to combat to some of the problems.
So if you're one of the ones that see the
problem and want to help out, just contact us. We
also allow people in different industry to come in and
(34:12):
talk to our young men, work with them, health screening,
talk to them about different no topics of life. Yeah yeah,
just come out and just support.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Kind of encourage them and encouragement.
Speaker 6 (34:28):
Right especially right now with these day and especially mental issues,
come and talk to them, work with them with that
and a lot of us needed the mentor's animate tees.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
And you're right, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
We all thank you that pass it on to Brother Reginald.
Account last word you like to say to our listeners.
Speaker 5 (34:47):
Just in terms of helping you out, no donation is
too big or too small. So please please please look
forward to this next trip with this next class. If
those interested, please go on the website Memphis Will Making
Lamplighters dot com, uh, Instagram, uh Memphis Lamplighters nine on
(35:08):
one Facebook. We will get back to you, We will
respond to you. Just please be patient, thank you for
trusting us with your young man.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
I like that. And and to the old GM the
Lord your last words, like, I just want to say
thank you for having us on your show.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
And uh we appreciate the support from the city, the
City of Memphis.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
Uh. You know, we can change.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
We can indeed, UH make a change in our in
our communities. Like I said, Uh, I challenge you know,
we're not the only D nine mentoring organization exactly right,
And so I just encourage parents to get involved with
their kids uh in any organs in a mentoring program.
(35:56):
I had my sons and my daughters and mentoring program good,
you know, because it does really take a village to
raise and train up your kids.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
And you know, as they say, when they grow up
they may or may not. It's a probability they will
not depart from it.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
So it's very important that we get involved in our
in our young kids' life, put your money where your
mouth is, and truly invest in our kids.
Speaker 4 (36:19):
That's all I have to say.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Well, brothers, come on in here, brother Larry Yah.
Speaker 6 (36:24):
I got to mention one thing. We have our second
annual youth symposium. We're working with the Memphis Capital League
with Larry Dawson Jr. Oh yeah, yes, And it's gonna
be May tenth from.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
That's my birthday.
Speaker 6 (36:39):
Okay, excellent, con come on down, celebrity speaker. That's my birthday, ma'am.
So it's gonna be from three pm to six pm.
Like I said, made a tent. It's gonna be at
south Wind High School seven or nine hundred east. Year
of a Drive and Deside second Annual Youth and Posium.
(36:59):
It's uh, we got majority of the D nine mentoring
organization coming. And it's also open to the public. Oh
good is ma'am. No age limit, no age limit, but
mostly middle school in high school.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Yeah, you want you want those young people to come out, yes, ma'am.
And again it starts at what time?
Speaker 6 (37:18):
Three pm and end at six pm?
Speaker 1 (37:20):
Six pm? Yeah, And that's it. That's it. That's it.
I'll make sure that I keep our listeners aware of that. Yeah.
And and and I and I called Junior Larry. He'll
probably send me a flyer or something to remind me
of that. So I like that. That's good. So youth symposium. Yeah,
thank you. Brothers of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity Epsilon five
(37:45):
chapter and with the Omega lamplight. Just thank you all
for being here. You've been so informative and and just nice.
I have enjoyed you fellas. You are so welcome and
much success with all you do, and I hope you
get more and more and more and more were young men.
And I'll make sure that our listeners have that website
and they can go to it. You you all have a
(38:06):
fabily day. I love my brothers. I was gonna tell
you this one last thing because of the omegas that
were the omegas at at Rust College or I got
my undergrad at Russ College. They gave me my name,
my line name, my name sex Red. Then I had
(38:32):
red hair. They gave me the name sexy Red. Them
c's with some mills. Yeah, good wholesome brothers. Thank you
brothers for being here. I really do appreciate you. Thank y'allah.
We want to thank you callers. We want to thank
(38:54):
you listeners for joining us this day on the Bed
Johnson Show. We do, we really do appreciate you. So
until tomorrow, please be safe, keep a cool head, y'all.
Don't let anyone steal your joy. Until tomorrow, I'm Bev
Johnson and y'all keep the faith. The views and opinions
(39:19):
discussed on the Bev Johnson Show are that of the
hosts and callers, and not those of the staff and
sponsors of wd IA.
I A The Bev Johnson Show.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Whether you're in Arkansas, Tennessee, or Mississippi on Facebook, Twitter
or Instagram, thank you for listening to The Bev Johnson
Show on w d i A Memphis.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Wait a minute, don't worry about it. Hey, I got hey,
here we go, Here we go. I gotta do it.
Welcome in back to w d i A this Tuesday,
April twenty ninth. But I had to do it. I
love that love. Welcome in to w d i A
(00:59):
The Bev Johnson Show. We have the brothers from Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity, the Epsilon Phi Chapter. I want to
welcome in Lloyd Stoveall, Reginald La County, is that correct?
The count Larry Kimbdall and Lamplighter Rylan Shipfield. We'll be
(01:21):
talking with him.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
What's up, fellows, how y'all doing?
Speaker 1 (01:26):
You know what? I always love that song and brother
George Clinton. But when I saw that video all you
know what, I played that at night at home. I
just turned well, I should tell y'all y'all my brother's
cause that's.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Right right right.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
You know, I'm a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in corporated. Yeah,
but you know at night what I feel. I'll put
that video on and I, oh, my gosh, I love it.
I love it, you know. And I think about y'all's
brother also who retired, Tom Joyner, and I think we
got Tom and and George. Oh my lord, they were crazy. Anyway,
(02:09):
Welcome in fellows. How y'all doing great? Good to have
y'all here. Tell our listeners. I'm gonna start with brother
lord our listeners about who is Omega Side five fraternity?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Who is that's just the greatest fraternity in the whole.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Wi y'all, Baby glad staying ain't here standing there? You
know here? You know he y'all got the moment with me.
Y'all got the moment with me.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Nobody's perfect. Yes, that's right right. We're just the greatest
fraternity in the whole wild, I know.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
But we're we're a fraternity where we focused on our
principal's manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. In the Epsilon five chapter,
we have just celebrated one hundred years of service in
the Memphis community.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Oh wow, one hundred years. One hundred years, get out
of it in the Memphis area, in.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
The Memphis Community nineteen twenty five.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You you brother's been around a long time here, yes, ma'am, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
So so you all were founded when nineteen eleven, nineteen eleven, man, wow,
that's when the fraternity. That's why I'm saying when the
when the fraternity was founded in nineteen eleven. But here
in Memphis.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
Nineteen twenty five five chapter.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
You know when you think about those those years and
you think, brother has been doing it a long time,
and you all are committed. And as we say, because
people think, you know, Lady George, they always think that
the fraternities and sororities, they're about partying. But it's about service. Yes,
talk to me, brother Lloyd about service.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Well, uh, well, you know, uplift is is one of
our cardinal principles and that means uplifting community.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
And it's just not you know, it's it's everyone. It's inclusive.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
So when we when we do better, we want our
community to do better. So it's it's lifting as we climb.
So you know, when when when our brothers and our
sisters are doing well, we are also doing this. So
it's a it's a communal thing and one thing that
we're doing right now. It's a Mega Lamplighters. We've been
doing the Mega lamp Lighters for nine years, if I'm
(04:25):
not mistaken.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
So we started off with I think it was like
five or six.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Young men and uh, and we've just grown and we've
had our largest class two years ago, which was like
forty two young men. So we have on road approximately
eighty young men that are part of the Mega lamp
Lighter program. And their focus is on leadership, academics, maturity,
and perseverance. And so that's that's what we you know,
(04:54):
we consider ourselves a village. Okay, So we've been doing
this for the last nine years, you know, and I
seeing it grown, it's just it's just a it's it's
a really truly a blessing, uh to see these young
men doing great things.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
They are all great young men.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
So with the young men as the Omega Lamplighters, you
all are, I know you're you're the mentors, but you're
training them to do what.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
We're training them to be great young men, great man
and it takes a village. That's our motto is is
to turning good young men into great young men.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
It takes a village.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
And so we focus on those things of leadership. What
does it mean to be a leader? Uh, you know the.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Importance of academics and maturity. You know.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
One thing that I always tell a young men, it
says every young all the mentors have been your age, so.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
We know what you go through, right, and so we're
here for you.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
And then also perseverance.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
That's the only principle that shared between the fraternity and
the lamp Lighter program. And so we all know about
perseverance and keep your head up regardless if you know,
I know that that wasn't a you know, I was
a knucklehead, but you know it was because of the village,
my village that surrounded me and my community. And so
(06:12):
we provide that same opportunity for these young men. It's
to be that village for these young men. And we
also it's including the families too, So the families are
part of a village. And so we just take that
village philosophy and apply it to our mentoring program.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
And with the mentoring program, is it and I know,
persevere And that's a strong word, but that's a good
word because we all need to do that. And we
hope that we will but part of the mentoring is
that part do you specialize or try to teach them
(06:56):
how important education.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Is, Yes, ma'am, it's along with education and also you know,
wisdom and yeah, yeah, you know it's it's those those
two are are are not mutually exclusive, right, and so
we we we're teaching the importance of you know, academics
and also applying that using wisdom and maturity making good decisions.
(07:22):
Oh yeah, knowing that we.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
All don't you know, Uh, we're not perfect, no, no,
none of us, and we met made bad choices.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
I make bad choices, uh in an adulthood.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, but you know, but we learned from each other,
you know, the mentors and the mentees. We learn from
each other, right, and uh, it helps us to be
more compassionate and understanding of this generation, right right, because
we were raised I mean, we we're kind of like
two two three different generations, right exactly, right. But the
(07:54):
thing that you know that I think that we all
have it's just community. And I think that we've kind
of lost that sense of community, and that's what we're
trying to bring back, especially these young.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Men, to let them know that, you know, hey, that
they're great.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
You know they're from greatness, right, and we're a community
that has their back.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
I want to get a rather reginald in here. So
your experience in working with this young man, did you
have that same experience? I mean, were you a lamplighter
or did they have it then when you decided to
pledge the fraternity?
Speaker 5 (08:32):
So my experience growing up, I didn't have that experience
with the lamp lighters.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Growing up.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
I didn't see it until I got to college. Greek
life for the most part. So when I got there
and I grew up in Mobile.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Alabama, Oh wow, Mobile, Yes.
Speaker 5 (08:48):
Ma'am, so around there are you see as purple coats
and red coats, didn't really know what it was. So
once I got to college, I got a chance to
be around some of the brothers and I realized that's
the path I want to go. So now that I
have that experience, I'm trying to pass it down and
pay it back with the young men, just try to
(09:11):
help them guide them as they get through these adolescent years.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
How did you get to Memphis, Tennessee? It's a great journey,
I think, like Mobile and how did you get here?
Speaker 5 (09:26):
Fifty five nor jaxas State to Memphis.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Whoa, whoa, whoa back up? Brother, I loved, I loved,
I love.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Yes, ma'am me too.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, well yeah, I got my masters at Jackson State University.
The reason, brother Reginald, I'm in radio today because of
Jackson State University, w J, s U. That's what that
was my beginning. And then I went on down the
street to w J. I don't know if that was
still down in street and he was there w J
(10:03):
and I OKJ. But but I tell people D and
I do love. But I would not be in radio
if it was not for Jackson State University.
Speaker 5 (10:14):
We try to push our young men to HBCUs every year.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Good.
Speaker 5 (10:17):
We had eight graduate last year, all received, I went
to college. This year we have fourteen graduating, thirteen going
to four year colleges.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Oh fabulous.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
So important.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Academics is important? Good? Good? And so is there a
special kind of program or something you all are working
on now?
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Right now now, we're just gearing up for our Black
College Tour and okay, Black Black Museums. So we're still
trying to get them out and educate them just a
little bit while having some fun.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Good.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
So that's that is our current endeavor.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Good, good, good, Can we get Larry in here? Just sweet?
You know, y'all know what to do. I know what
to do. Swinging over the brother Larry. How you doing,
I'm doing fine? Fine? How long? How long have you
been a member of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity? Uh?
Speaker 6 (11:12):
I pleased Fall twenty one, so three years going for
Epsilon five here in Memphis.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Oh okay, okay, So your your experience in this journey.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
I didn't.
Speaker 6 (11:22):
I wasn't a part of any mentorship growing up, but
I was affected by a couple of brothers of Omega
sift Fire. One of them was a police officer in
my high school, Craigmont Stump and have a couple of
family members that's a part of the fraternity. They helped
me out, kept me out of trouble. I was one
of the kids being in trouble, suspended every day. So
my job is to make sure that I have the
(11:43):
young man's to stay off the road that I went down.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Oh good, Oh, I like that. And so I'm sure
that brother Larry, that you have been telling them you
know the right way, because and you all know, brothers,
what we're seeing now seeing with our young people, uh,
young men and young women. And so you're you're encouraging
(12:07):
them to go the right path.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
You can do that, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (12:11):
And so my job that I do, I make sure
that I help them with automotive repairs around the house,
talk to him, keep from getting in trouble. Just help
them with the everyday parts of life. Like he said earlier,
we have three different generation, three different backgrounds, and three
different industries, so we're able to teach the young men's
(12:31):
variety of things.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
So when you say the three different generations, it is
the now generation now and the the the older older
older brothers.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
I'm he said, brother snowballs Hey, brother Larry, he won
them o G fifty three.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
But but I like that, but the different generations because
you all have something, some wisdom to share.
Speaker 6 (13:08):
With these young men, yes, ma'am, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I like it. I like it. And Brother Reginald said,
you said, how many young men you have now that
you are mentoring.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
We have about seventy eighty on roster.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Wow, yaw, Now how do you all get these young men?
Speaker 6 (13:28):
So every year around July we start our induction process
with applications. We put them online and a lot of
us word of mouth as well. People see our program,
see how positive is no working in the public and
they fell out the applications. We go over report cards, applications,
talk to them, no, see what their entriests are and
(13:50):
move forward from there.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Oh good, good, And so when what July comes again,
you'll start back over. Now do you you usually Well,
let me ask this question. So some of the young
men that are there, they're seniors in high school. So
do you just start with seniors only? Do you get juniors?
How does it work?
Speaker 6 (14:11):
No, ma'am, it's currently six through twelfth grade. Oh, they'll
apply for the program. They can go to ww dot
Memphis Omega Lamplighters dot com and the application will pop
up on the website and they feel it out it
come to our email and we will contact them.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Oh I like starting a sixth grade yes, ma'am. Oh
that's good.
Speaker 6 (14:31):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
I like that. We're gonna give that website before you
all go this week. This afternoon, if you've just tuned
in this afternoon, I am talking with the brothers of
Omega sci Fi Fraternity, the epsilon Phi chapter here in Memphis,
Brother Lloyd Stovall, Brother Reginald LeCount, Brother Larry Kimball, and
(14:53):
I'm gonna talk to this Lamplighter right in schiff Field
and see get his thoughts on being with these brothers.
If you have a question or two for my guests,
now is the time to talk. Nine zero one five
three five, nine three four two one eight hundred five
(15:14):
zero three nine three four two eight three three five
three five nine three four two will get you in
to us. You're listening to Double d i A The betht.
Says Show.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Whether you're in Memphis or in a sinkhole somewhere, thank
you for listening to the Bev Johnson Show on Double
d i A Memphis. You're listening to the Bev Johnson Show.
(16:34):
Here's Bev Johnson, and.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
I'm talking with the brothers of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity
the Epsilon Phive chapter here in Memphis. My guest is
brother Lord Stowball, Brother Reginalda Count, Brother Larry Kimbo, and
we have the Lamplighter in the house. Ryland chef Field, Hey, Ryland,
how are you?
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Hey?
Speaker 1 (16:56):
How I'm doing fabulous today? Tell our listeners a little
bit about yourself and how you got involved with Omega
Sci Fi Praternity.
Speaker 8 (17:06):
Will my name is Rolin Sheffield. I attend Bolton High School.
I'm a junior. I'm seventeen years old, and I joined
spring of twenty twenty. During quarantine when they were talking
to me through the zoom, I was learning. I was
still learning a lot through the zooms they were talking
to me through.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Okay, And so who told you about them?
Speaker 8 (17:29):
It was really my friend, his mama. She told my
mom about it, and then we both joined at the
same time.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
So, so you've been with them since the COVID, yes, ma'am,
twenty twenty, Yes, ma'am and still still hanging on in there.
So what has your experience been like with the Brothers
of Omega Sci Fi.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
It's been very fun.
Speaker 8 (17:52):
We do a lot of community activities, and we do
a lot of fun activities like go out of town
and flag football, and we do a lot of workshops
where we learn to change oil and do a lot
of things like that.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
And and you say you you you're a senior Bolton.
I'm you're a junior, And so have you thought about
any college yet?
Speaker 8 (18:16):
I've been thinking about attending family or jsu mm hmmm, yes, man,
that's about it.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
Right now, we're.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Gonna We're gonna cross out that family. You know, I'm
just kidding cross out. Hey, hey, hey, brother, lawya go
cross out that fami you No, no, no, no, no, no, brother.
You know I I would be happy you go either
one because we need young black men in school and
more than ever, have have you thought about what you
(18:46):
would major in or what do you what do you
want to do a career choice?
Speaker 6 (18:50):
I'm probably gonna do business or engineering, one.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Of those good good good. So with so I have
to ask this brothers, so you get it school. You're
gonna think about pledging in the fraternity?
Speaker 4 (19:05):
Yes, ma'am?
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Yeah? You you you ready? Huh almost there? Almost see?
I like his ass, he said, almost there. So with
with these brothers, you know, helping you young men, has
it helped you to ryland kind of stay on the
right track and you know, because you see what's going
(19:29):
out here, you know, So talk to me about that.
Speaker 7 (19:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (19:33):
It's most definitely keeping us out of trouble. We have
a lot of activities that we do every month.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Yeah, which has been your favorite?
Speaker 8 (19:41):
I usually like when we go out of town in
the summer, we go we go places like Oklahoma. We're
about to go to places like Oklahoma, Texas, Tyler Town, Tusa.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Wow. Yeah, And so it's it's kind of when you travel,
it's kind of a historical tour learning about different places.
Speaker 8 (20:04):
Yes, ma'am, we're going to a lot of HBC. You
weres I mean us and torn them.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Okay, yes, ma'am. Good, good, good? How you get out
of school today? Oh?
Speaker 6 (20:14):
I just checked out?
Speaker 1 (20:18):
Hey brother, I know, but he with the brother y'all,
y'all stick up for him. But no, this is good,
this is good. But I'm glad that you're here. So
our listeners that Ryland will hear you that this because
we hear so many negative things and fellows, you know,
brother Lord, you here with the young men, but you
(20:40):
me and like young men like this who are trying
to be better and trying to do better, right yes, man, yeah, yes.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
Yes ma'am.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
And so you all you all keep track of them.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
Oh yeah, yes, ma'am, Yes man, we we keep track
of them. We try to, you know, have our weekly
check in, you know, and see where they are. And
it's you know, we wants to know about them, right.
Just you know, I like to say that we're more
than a tie a tie or pull your pants up.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's more than that, right, but that
but that's important, right.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
We're about you know, y, sagging pants is one thing,
but we're more focused on sagging hearts and trying to
lift up their hearts and the soul of that that
young man. That's what we're more concerned about. Although we
do focus on appearance. Okay, that's important, but but more
important it's the soul of that of that young man.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
That's what we're focused on. Right.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
We know the the pants will be pulled up eventually, sure, sure,
and all that good stuff, But we're just more focused
on the young man and their soul. And we know
that if we, if we could, we can tap into that.
You know, we're part of the community. We're not that,
we're just part of the community. We just support, right,
(21:56):
and we know that these young men they can call
us any time, you know, if they have a question.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Good, you know, we're there for them.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Right And uh, and I do believe that as a community.
You know, if we if we gather around our kids,
our young men, as a community, we know that the
trajectory would change. We know, I mean, I know without
a shadow of doubt, you know, even in my life
and some of the brother's life. We know the importance
(22:24):
of having somebody, you know, positive in your corner. You know,
when mom and dad are not present. When I was
growing up, you always had you had a neighbor that
would look after you.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
You're right, right, and.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
Not look after you, but they're watching out and watching
out and we will report, you know, definitely report.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
You have that same amount of respect. You know, just
just thinking I had, you know, neighborhood mothers and fathers
that they kind of just you know, took me in, right,
and uh, I just kind of I appreciate that now
that I'm older, you know, more mature young man.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
That's right, That's right, that's right.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Right, I appreciate that.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
And you know now that they're you know, transitioning, and
I just sit and reflect and uh, you know how
you know, how they impacted my life, and I do
believe and it's just just lloydism that you know that
the reason why we don't a lot of you know,
we don't we're not mentoring our kids, is that we
(23:26):
want to quick turnaround. We wanted something quick, but it's
about the long game with these with the young young
people you know, it's it's it's a rate of return,
but it's going to be slower.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
And so we just have to invest in TEE, to
invest in our community and our young men and our
young ladies. And eventually we'll see that, you know, we'll
see the benefits of our investment.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Yeah. I want to ask Rylan when, when when you
seem like I say that that you are enjoy this
group and enjoy being with these brothers, do you talk
to other young men about the group?
Speaker 4 (24:01):
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 8 (24:02):
I try to spread, uh spread the program as much
as I can to let more people join it, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
Okay, and have you been successful? Got a few few
brothers in there? Come on in. I've gotten a good too.
Oh good good foot behay, hey brother, that's good. And
keep on talking. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like that. Yeah.
And and and and I want to go go back
(24:29):
to brother Larry. Pull that round. I'm going to ask
you this question. So with with uh Ryan and and
and and getting young men, and he says he got
good too, So you all again go out. But also
you said you have a website that people can go
on to get more information.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
Yes, ma'am, it's www dot Memphis Omega Lamplighters dot com.
Say it again, www Dot Memphis Omega lamp Lighters dot com.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
And when they go on that website, they will learn
all about the organization.
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Yes, ma'am. It's different different tabs. They can click on
we got videos. Then they can watch off our step
team also hop team past pictures of different things we
did service events. Also it's a brief description of our program,
how it got started, where it got started, and the
mission that we what we're trying to do in our neighborhoods.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
Oh good good, And so you all when you when
you plan these programs, you're planning for these young men,
so they will know what services community service.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
Yes, ma'am, because that's one thing that we focus on
in our fraternity. So we try to pass along with
the young men's with our mentoring program. And also they
can follow us on Instagram and also Facebook at Memphis.
Instagram is Memphis Lamplighters nine on one and Facebook is
Memphis Omega Lamps.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Okay, that's good to know, yes ma'am. As you know
those folks on Facebook right st grab and all that
other good stuff. Good. I want to swing that mic
back to brother Reginald and so, Brother Reginald, do you think, well,
I know, but you all have have made been successful
(26:25):
in mentoring these young men. And he said, good when
you say you started with a small group and now
with your seventy eighty, Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 5 (26:32):
I think we're I think we're definitely helping. It is
one of our success stories. I think last year I
called him success stories. Okay, he when he joined the program,
he wasn't thinking about going to college, just trying to
get out of high school. Was thinking about doing something else.
But he checked back in with us in December and
he's on he's at MTSU. Oh wow, name is Mark
(26:54):
kwan Te. That's right, and he's there. He's on some
of the business leadership program. It's just flourishing in college.
It's just really flourishing. And it's just it's proud to
see them go off and become these productive citizens.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
That's what we're trying.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
To grow, good productive citizens. And I think not only
and as our listeners, and I said earlier, you know,
we talk about the Divine Nine, the black sororities and
fraternities for folks who don't know bad, but each of
those sororities and fraternities. They are about community service and
(27:32):
about academia, you know, getting your education. Because when people
don't know, brother Lario, these fraternities started on college campuses,
on college campuses. So you think about y'all nineteen eleven,
(27:55):
we're nineteen thirteen, that black men and women they were
getting an education back then, yes, ma'am so, And we
look at today, and that's why I am so passionate
about telling young people, especially like Ryan, you know, get
an education. My grandma always said, get something in your
(28:17):
in your head. Brother. They can't take it away from
it because you got it in your heir my grandmother,
they can't take it away from you. So I'm I'm
proud of you, and I can see you now, you
going on, You're gonna you're gonna do fabulous, fabulous work, right,
brother Larry, since you since since since I mean by
the Lord, since you since you know, you're the O
G of the group. So but but you see it,
(28:42):
you see it. But I love this program. I love
it and I love it and I hope that it
gets bigger and better. That you all that that somebody's
listening today, brothers, somebody's listening today. Somebody has written down
that website gonna get in touch with you because they
got a young man that's messing up, Yes, and this
(29:06):
you all can help them get on the right path.
Speaker 4 (29:09):
That's ma'am. That's our goal. That's our goal, you.
Speaker 1 (29:11):
Know, because when we hear and I like to talk brothers,
you know, we hear so much negative stuff. But but
your organization and you're what you're doing that's positive, and
so we need to spread the good news. Anything I
been for. We talked about the lamp ladders before you
all get out of here. Anything that the the chapter
(29:36):
is doing in the community that you want to tell
listeners about. Anything special events coming up, Well, y'all just
working in the community.
Speaker 5 (29:44):
We have a fun event coming up.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Okay, a fun event, tell our listeners about it.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
We do have a purple networking party coming up in July.
Planning to have that at Stax Museum.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Oh yeah, is that is that open to the public
or or will that be just for.
Speaker 4 (30:03):
Brothers open to the public.
Speaker 5 (30:04):
We will definitely have the information out there for everybody
to get so. Tickets will be on sale and the
best way to find out is to follow the epsilon
five chapter on Facebook.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Okay, we'll take it from there. So when you say
a purple networking, that means.
Speaker 4 (30:20):
What it's a fun party.
Speaker 1 (30:23):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (30:23):
Also, it's just a time for don't just to get
together network fellowship, fellowship, have some rebel revelie.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
I like that. And you you're having it at my
favorite place. We hope to see you that Stax Museum.
We hope to see it in Soulsville, US S. Yeah, yeah,
I want to get before we get out of here,
get Ryan his his his last words. He want to
say to our listeners and and and Ryland. People are
(30:54):
listening to you out there, and somebody's listening. What do
you want to say to our listeners about the Omega Lamplighters.
Speaker 8 (31:04):
All I can really say is just like just just
spread spread the program, get people to join, yes ma'am.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
And get them to join and and and be a
part of it.
Speaker 4 (31:17):
Yes ma'am.
Speaker 8 (31:17):
And just just support us and everything that we do
because we do a lot of community work.
Speaker 1 (31:23):
Okay, what about And I'll ask one of the brothers about, well,
you said you support. Do you all take donations? You
need help Monday?
Speaker 2 (31:32):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (31:33):
Oh yeah. If you were to go to our website.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
Uh, Memphis O Maga lamp lighters dot com or Google
us or Memphis will make a limp lighters.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
There's a donate button at the bottom of our website
or the first on the homepage. Click down to the bottom.
You could support us that way. We are having a raffle.
Like we mentioned before, we're having a raffle for our
HBCU College tour.
Speaker 4 (31:58):
This is our second trip.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
Last last year we went, it was great, we had fun,
and this year we're gonna have it's gonna be even better.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
How many schools do you try to get to?
Speaker 3 (32:08):
Last year we went to four schools and this year
we're gonna probably hit four two as well. Okay, right,
and so we'll leave on a Sunday and come back
on a Thursday. And you know it takes funds.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
Do that, and those funds will help these young men too.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
Yeah, it's an investment, investment in your future.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
So I always hey, put your money where your math is.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
I like it.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
And so if people are interested and given donations, they
can always go to our website.
Speaker 4 (32:36):
We also have a raffle. You could follow us on Facebook.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
We'll have that information on Facebook's and online raffles, so
you can it's online ra yes, so you can be
anywhere in the country. Okay, we will ship.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
Well, they're hearing you anywhere in the country now, right, and.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
So you have a choice of golf clubs, a designer purse,
a seventy two inch TV, and I think there's one
other thing that we're raffling, a PlayStation five or Xbox whatever,
six hundred whatever they call it. Okay, well, you know,
you could, you know, and we'll ship those items and
you can get your tickets. It's one for ten dollars,
(33:13):
three for twenty five. And then you can also go
on a website as I said before, and just donate.
Just don't know, and just donate.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
Yeah, help your brothers out, help help.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
These young men out, and help the young men. It
takes a village, it does. It takes a village. It
takes a village, it does.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
All right.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
And they eat a lot, and they eat a lot,
and we feed them good, good, good.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
Any other last words you like to say, Ryley, thanks
for supporting us. You are quite welcome. Passing on down
to brother Larry Kemble. Your last words, Brother Keimble, you
like to say to our listeners.
Speaker 6 (33:49):
Today all I got to say is just you know,
we have a lot of issues in our city with
the youth, and this is a small part of helping
and to try to combat to some of the problems.
So if you're one of the ones that see the
problem and want to help out, just contact us. We
also allow people in different industry to come in and
(34:12):
talk to our young men, work with them, health screening,
talk to them about different no topics of life. Yeah yeah,
just come out and just support.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Kind of encourage them and encouragement.
Speaker 6 (34:28):
Right especially right now with these day and especially mental issues,
come and talk to them, work with them with that
and a lot of us needed the mentor's animate tees.
Speaker 4 (34:37):
And you're right, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
We all thank you that pass it on to Brother Reginald.
Account last word you like to say to our listeners.
Speaker 5 (34:47):
Just in terms of helping you out, no donation is
too big or too small. So please please please look
forward to this next trip with this next class. If
those interested, please go on the website Memphis Will Making
Lamplighters dot com, uh, Instagram, uh Memphis Lamplighters nine on
(35:08):
one Facebook. We will get back to you, We will
respond to you. Just please be patient, thank you for
trusting us with your young man.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
I like that. And and to the old GM the
Lord your last words, like, I just want to say
thank you for having us on your show.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
And uh we appreciate the support from the city, the
City of Memphis.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
Uh. You know, we can change.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
We can indeed, UH make a change in our in
our communities. Like I said, Uh, I challenge you know,
we're not the only D nine mentoring organization exactly right,
And so I just encourage parents to get involved with
their kids uh in any organs in a mentoring program.
(35:56):
I had my sons and my daughters and mentoring program good,
you know, because it does really take a village to
raise and train up your kids.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
And you know, as they say, when they grow up
they may or may not. It's a probability they will
not depart from it.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
So it's very important that we get involved in our
in our young kids' life, put your money where your
mouth is, and truly invest in our kids.
Speaker 4 (36:19):
That's all I have to say.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Well, brothers, come on in here, brother Larry Yah.
Speaker 6 (36:24):
I got to mention one thing. We have our second
annual youth symposium. We're working with the Memphis Capital League
with Larry Dawson Jr. Oh yeah, yes, And it's gonna
be May tenth from.
Speaker 1 (36:37):
That's my birthday.
Speaker 6 (36:39):
Okay, excellent, con come on down, celebrity speaker. That's my birthday, ma'am.
So it's gonna be from three pm to six pm.
Like I said, made a tent. It's gonna be at
south Wind High School seven or nine hundred east. Year
of a Drive and Deside second Annual Youth and Posium.
(36:59):
It's uh, we got majority of the D nine mentoring
organization coming. And it's also open to the public. Oh
good is ma'am. No age limit, no age limit, but
mostly middle school in high school.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Yeah, you want you want those young people to come out, yes, ma'am.
And again it starts at what time?
Speaker 6 (37:18):
Three pm and end at six pm?
Speaker 1 (37:20):
Six pm? Yeah, And that's it. That's it. That's it.
I'll make sure that I keep our listeners aware of that. Yeah.
And and and I and I called Junior Larry. He'll
probably send me a flyer or something to remind me
of that. So I like that. That's good. So youth symposium. Yeah,
thank you. Brothers of Omega Sci Fi Fraternity Epsilon five
(37:45):
chapter and with the Omega lamplight. Just thank you all
for being here. You've been so informative and and just nice.
I have enjoyed you fellas. You are so welcome and
much success with all you do, and I hope you
get more and more and more and more were young men.
And I'll make sure that our listeners have that website
and they can go to it. You you all have a
(38:06):
fabily day. I love my brothers. I was gonna tell
you this one last thing because of the omegas that
were the omegas at at Rust College or I got
my undergrad at Russ College. They gave me my name,
my line name, my name sex Red. Then I had
(38:32):
red hair. They gave me the name sexy Red. Them
c's with some mills. Yeah, good wholesome brothers. Thank you
brothers for being here. I really do appreciate you. Thank y'allah.
We want to thank you callers. We want to thank
(38:54):
you listeners for joining us this day on the Bed
Johnson Show. We do, we really do appreciate you. So
until tomorrow, please be safe, keep a cool head, y'all.
Don't let anyone steal your joy. Until tomorrow, I'm Bev
Johnson and y'all keep the faith. The views and opinions
(39:19):
discussed on the Bev Johnson Show are that of the
hosts and callers, and not those of the staff and
sponsors of wd IA.
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