The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. royal court.
Photo credit: Amari Godwin
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. royal court held their second annual “Queen’s Tea” Wednesday, Nov. 1 in the Grand Ballroom at Florida A&M University.
The “Queen’s Tea” is a women empowering event that explores what it means to be a queen, and allows every woman that attends to realize that they are all queens, and to uplift each other while doing so.
The program was filled with performances including a live band that played soulful jazz, a song and poetry selection, and a panel discussion with several women.
Kayla Gallego is a third-year chemistry student, who serves as Miss Florida All World Beauties for 2017-2018, and was a guest panelist.
Gallego said that how someone is raised does not define if they are a queen. She explained that she believes a queen is someone with a heart of gold and someone who loves to serve.
“You don’t need a sash, a crown, or a title to be a queen; everyone is a queen, and it’s all about your heart and giving back to others,” Gallego said.
One of the queens that took the time to make this event possible for all who attended was Aleya Bradley.
“I believe women empowerment is important because there is a lack of it in our generation. I constantly see us putting each other down rather than lifting each other up, I believe every woman is a queen,” Bradley said.
Bradley is a senior broadcast journalism student who reigns on the Omega Psi Phi’s royal court as Miss Upsilon Psi for the 2017-2018 academic school year.
Bradley turned what started as a royal court tradition for her dream come true, by introducing the Inaugural Queen’s Tea Book Scholarship.
The queens of Omega Psi Phi ended the night by awarding three ladies the Inaugural Queen’s Tea Book Scholarship.
There were first, second, and third place winners for the scholarships – $300, $200, and $100, respectively.
Taelor Florence is second-year business administration student, who serves on the royal court of the FAMU Chapter of Progressive Black Men, Inc. as “Miss 1989,” was awarded the $300 first place scholarship.
Florence held back tears as she made her way to the front of the Grand Ballroom to accept her scholarship.
“It’s a journey of many trials because I’ve applied for so many things and to get something even this small is like the greatest thing for me right now,” Florence said.
The royal court also had a community service project by encouraging each guest to bring at least one canned good for less fortunate families in the community for the upcoming holiday season.
Bradley wanted each queen to take away three things from the Queen’s Tea – to always be prepared for life’s battles, to stay strong through whatever God takes you through, and to remain humble.
“God won’t ever put you through anything he feels like you couldn’t make it through,” Bradley said.