Agenda Item
iii. Donation Acceptance of eSports Donation of $10,000 from Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. to Columbia High School
Summary: Presented by: Jennifer Caracciolo, Interim Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education accept the eSports donation in the amount of $10,000 on behalf of the Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., to help support the implementation of a new eSports program at Columbia High School for the 2025-2026 school year.
Why: Columbia High School is requesting to accept the $10,0000 eSports donation on behalf of the Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. This donation will help support the implementation of a new eSports program at Columbia High School for the 2025-2026 school year to advance technology exposure and inspire students to explore careers in these fields, bridging the gap between gaming and future career opportunities in technology.
Details: eSports is donating $10,000 on behalf of the Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., to support the implementation of a new eSports program at Columbia High School for the 2025-2026 school year to advance technology exposure and inspire students to explore careers in these fields, bridging the gap between gaming and future career opportunities in technology.
Financial impact: There is no financial impact to the district or Columbia High School to accept the $10,000 donation to support the implementation of a new eSports program.
Contact: Jennifer Caracciolo, Interim Chief of the Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 678-676-0409
Dr. Marcia Oglesby, Director of Grants and Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 678-676-0375
Effective: October 8, 2025
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
BETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER (DEKALB IOTAS)
IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY INC.
iMerge DeKalb | eSport Initiative
Beta Psi Omega | DeKalb September 2, 2025
County Alumni Chapter
PO Box 830687 DeKalb County School District
Stone Mountain GA, Georgia 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
30083
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Theta.Men@DeKalbIotas.org
DekalbIotas.org
Dear Members of the School Board,
On behalf of the Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., I am excited
to share our chapter’s ongoing commitment to supporting eSports in our community.
As part of our five-year initiative to increase eSports participation in local schools, we
are honored to present a $10,000 donation to support the eSports program at
Columbia High School for the 2025 - 2026 athletic year.
Our chapter is deeply rooted in advancing technology exposure, as many of our
chapter members are professionals in the technology industry. We believe that eSports
is not only a platform for competition but also a gateway to broader opportunities in
the world of technology and computer science. Through this initiative, we hope to
inspire students to explore careers in these fields, bridging the gap between gaming
and future career opportunities in tech.
This $50,000, five-year initiative aims to address one of the greatest challenges schools
face when building competitive eSports programs: the high cost of equipment. Gaming
consoles, PCs, and the necessary technology can be expensive, limiting access for many
students. At the Beta Psi Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., we believe
that no student should be held back from developing their potential due to a lack of
resources.
As we conclude the third year of our initiative, we are thrilled to invest $10,000 in
Columbia High School’s program, providing students with the tools and equipment they
need to compete effectively. Beyond competition, we hope this investment serves as an
introduction to the world of technology, sparking interest in areas such as computer
science, coding, and engineering. By giving students access to the latest technology,
we’re offering them the opportunity to gain skills that will be valuable well beyond their
eSports experience.
BETA PSI OMEGA CHAPTER (DEKALB IOTAS)
IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY INC.
iMerge DeKalb | eSport Initiative
Beta Psi Omega | DeKalb Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, we are eager to continue this initiative in Dekalb
County Alumni Chapter
County schools, bringing technology exposure and competitive opportunities to even
PO Box 830687 more students.
Stone Mountain GA, Georgia
30083
We deeply appreciate your commitment to the students of Dekalb County, and we are
Theta.Men@DeKalbIotas.org excited to support these young minds in their journey, both in gaming and in the
DekalbIotas.org broader technology field.
Sincerely,
Derico D. Dabney, M.Eng
Polaris (President), Beta Psi Omega Chapter