Fraternity awards pastor with "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" award

Members of a historically Black fraternity have presented a local pastor with its "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" award for his leadership and community service in Gaston County.

Members of the Epsilon Upsilon Alumnus chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity gathered to honor Rodney B. Freeman, a pastor at Mount Zion Restoration Church in Gastonia, and presented him with the award..

Rodney B. Freeman of Clover, South Carolina standing beside Jonathan Strong, Maury Williams and Andre Corbett who are members of the Epsilon Upsilon Alumnus chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Freeman received the 71st annual "Outstanding Citizen of the Year," award for his leadership and community service as a pastor in Gastonia's Mount Zion Restoration Church, serving food to more than 100,000 residents throughout Gaston County in need via the church's food pantry.

"We are grateful for the partnership the church has with the fraternity. As organizations, we make a greater impact as a unit," Freeman said, "I am honored that I was taken into consideration."

Members of the fraternity spoke on their decision to honor Freeman with such an award.

"Recipients for the award come from all different backgrounds and we voted on Freeman because he demonstrated outstanding leadership, charity and commitment to the betterment and upliftment of the community," said Jonathan Strong who is the publicist of the fraternity's chapter.

Every Sunday, Freeman commutes from Clover, South Carolina, to Gastonia to hold church service for the community, and has been doing so for a year.

On Thursdays, Freeman feeds those in need by running the food pantry within his church, spending every monetary donation on food from various grocery stores and the Second Harvest food bank.

"In the midst of the pandemic in March, the county challenged us to feed 1,000 people in need around the county and to this day, with the help of our volunteers and church members, we have been able to feed more than 100,000 people," said Freeman.

Freeman also serves as an executive board member in various Gaston County organizations such as United Way, Gaston Progressive Coalition, The Dream Center, Gaston Together and the Hope for Gaston Community Project.

Every year in November, the fraternity recognizes a member of the community as part of its 71st Annual Achievement Week, which is celebrated nationally among different chapters around the country.

Last year's recipient of the "Outstanding Citizen of the Year," award Mary Ann Nichols Smith alongside standing beside Jonathan Strong, Maury Williams and Andre Corbett who are members of the Epsilon Upsilon Alumnus chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Smith won the award for her activism and humanitarian efforts throughout Gaston County.
Last year's recipient of the "Outstanding Citizen of the Year," award Mary Ann Nichols Smith alongside standing beside Jonathan Strong, Maury Williams and Andre Corbett who are members of the Epsilon Upsilon Alumnus chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Smith won the award for her activism and humanitarian efforts throughout Gaston County.

Last year, despite the pandemic getting in the way of their celebration, the fraternity awarded Gastonia activist, humanitarian, and the first Black female hired by the Gaston County Police Department, Mary Ann Nichols Smith with the "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" award.

Citizens are chosen via nominations from fraternity members and local residents, said Strong.

"We listen to everyone, then vote on which individual fits the criteria of the Outstanding Citizen of the Year award," said Strong.

In conjunction with honoring local citizens for their leadership, the fraternity also honors a member from its chapter who also demonstrates both, leadership within the community and the organization.

This year, alongside Freeman, the fraternity honored Brian O. Beverly as "Outstanding Omega Man of the Year."

Since 1950, Epsilon Upsilon chapter members have served Gaston County with community service efforts such as voting and assisting local food pantries.

Brothers of the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity are shown serving at the Turkey Drive and giveaway held Nov. 18, 2019, in Gastonia. Epsilon Upsilon was able to donate 35 turkeys to the drive.
Brothers of the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity are shown serving at the Turkey Drive and giveaway held Nov. 18, 2019, in Gastonia. Epsilon Upsilon was able to donate 35 turkeys to the drive.

Their goal is to continue their work within the community while further honoring prominent community members who go out of their way to promote leadership and charity in the county.

Beatriz Guerrero can be reached at 704-869-1828 or on Twitter@BeatrizGue_

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Fraternity in Gastonia awards pastor for his leadership in the county