Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: A legacy continued

BY TOM PACKER, Guest Writer

ST. PETERSBURG – When a son chooses to walk in the footsteps of his father and of his grandfather, a legacy is born. Brandon Joshua Heyward and his nine line-brothers entered the folds of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity-Chi Theta Chapter on the campus of Florida State University April 4, and the legacy was born.

This occasion marked a 52-year lineage of Omega Men in one family. The grandfather, Glenn M. Bailey pledged Rho Gamma Chapter at Stillman College in 1962 and the father, Marlin B. Heyward, pledged Eta Rho Chapter in 2008.

To truly understand Brandon’s journey, it is necessary to share that he was an outstanding student at Lakewood High School and an active member of Eta Rho Chapter-Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Pathfinders Youth Program. A program sponsored in joint partnership with the AKA AKAdemy of Zeta Upsilon Chapter-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Brandon is Eta Rho’s first Pathfinder to matriculate to college and pledge Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a fraternity that provided tutoring and guidance during his formative years. After arriving at FSU, Brandon set his sights on the challenging field of engineering. Now in his third year, Brandon is well on his way to completing his undergraduate studies.

While the men of Eta Rho Chapter are very proud to have witnessed Brandon’s growth into manhood, the story cannot end here without paying tribute to his mother, Tamaira Bailey-Heyward, President of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., St Petersburg Alumnae Chapter.

This legacy of love and dedication has come full circle.