Impact Areas
The Uplift Foundation of Nevada leaves a legacy:
Mentoring
Daniel James started the Omega Gents Club in 1989. James and other members of the Kappa Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., created the group to mentor boys in troubled neighborhoods. The club started at Jim Bridger Junior High School, and then eventually switched its focus, targeting high-school males. The Gents boast an outstanding graduation rate. Many have earned academic and athletic scholarships to college. Former members have graduated college, obtained advanced degrees. Gents must maintain a 2.5 GPA and exhibit respect for self, education, authority, service and respect for the community.
Philantrophy
Background The Uplift Foundation has provided monetary support to schools, community programs, other nonprofits, foundations and charitable groups. Previous funded activities include donated funds to replenish library books at Jo Mackey Magnet School, purchased batteries for 200 calculators for the math department at Mojave High School, sponsored a poster honoring the students of the quarter at Rancho High School and participated in Black History Month programs at Las Vegas High School, among other activities. The foundation has partnered with the Cultural Diversity Foundation on a computer literacy classes, teamed with the Kappa Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., on providing free haircuts to middle school and high school students and supported the fraternity’s Thanksgiving Basket giveaway, Omega Claus
Youth Development
Background Created in 1998, the Economic Summit seminar began as a way to provide education in financial literacy to minorities, nonprofits, low- to moderate income individuals and families and interested citizens. Topics include managing money and setting and meeting financial goals and creating and passing on generational wealth. Now it services all people, with emphasis on equipping youth to make smart financial decisions. The Economic Summit and Student Leadership Conference has educated more than 4,000 people since its inception. Program The Economic Summit portion of the program features instruction from experts in finance, accounting, investing, retirement, insurance, real estate and higher education presenting workshops on topics like opening checking accounts, using credit, exploring careers in finance, applying for college scholarships
Clean Energy
Tesla Model 3 in Red Rock Canyon – a local owner’s all-electric vehicle charged fully with solar panels on his home. Driving on sunshine! Now’s the time for Nevada lawmakers to accelerate on electric cars The Nevada Legislature’s interim Legislative Committee on Energy is meeting this month for the first time. While the 2019 Legislature took big steps forward on clean energy, more work remains, especially in the transportation sector. This committee will be crucial in assessing the energy policies Nevada needs heading into the 2021 legislative session. My nearly 35-year professional career has included several civilian and military experiences related to real estate development and the infrastructure systems required to support the development. As the president of the Urban
Scholarships
Started in 2004, the scholarship program annually awards monies to graduating seniors in the Clark County School District. Recipients are chosen based on academics, civic service and financial need. Through a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas, and the work of Kappa Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the foundation has awarded more than $325,000 to more 90 recipients. Recipients attend such schools as Stanford, Hampton, Arizona State, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Southern California, Oregon State, Langston University, William & Mary and New York University, among others.
Structure
The Omega Gents Club (Omega Gents) is a partnership between the nonprofit Uplift Foundation of Nevada and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Through relationships with secondary and postsecondary institutions, community agencies and businesses, the groups help high-school-age young men develop leadership and life skills. Activities include academic support and grade checks, bi-monthly meetings, quarterly events, yearly summits, leadership seminars and academic supervision (grades, scholarship and college applications, S.A.T., A.C.T and Proficiency exam preparation) to keep them on the path to success.
Schools that Gents Have Attended/Graduated From:
- Arizona State University (Phoenix)
- Grambling State (Grambling, La.)
- Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge)
- Nevada State College (Henderson)
- Southern Utah University (Cedar City)
- Texas Southern University (Houston)
- Wiley College (Marshall, Texas)
- Lincoln University (Lincoln, Pa.)
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Langston University (Okla.)
- Morehouse College (Atlanta)
- New Mexico Highlands (N.M.)
- Tennessee St Univ. (Nashville)
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Langston University (Langston, Okla.)
- Xavier University (New Orleans)
- Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines)