Fraternity History

At the turn of the 20th century, American colleges and universities began to admit more and more students of African descent.  In addition, colleges and universities established solely to support the education of the so-called “negro” began to expand physically, and interests in other non-scholarly endeavors started to emerge among students.  Before this period, a well-known social order called the “fraternity” was established in the 18th century at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The fraternity members named it Phi Beta Kappa, and for 50 years, it proliferated as a secret social organization.  During that time, other fraternities were established at other colleges, each taking on a 3 letter Greek designation and in some cases, 2 Greek letters were used as was the case with Kappa Alpha. These organizations thrived and became social havens for the elite college man. They were not open to membership for African descendants.

The exclusion of the African American student from traditionally white fraternities did not satisfy many who longed to fellowship and socialize in a fraternal organization.  Because of the fears of many Americans about the establishment of secret social orders for African Americans, fraternities and sororities were not favorable avenues or options. This trend was challenged, however, in 1906 with the establishment of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  Shortly thereafter, Alpha Kappa Alpha was formed on the campus of Howard University but remained a local organization until incorporation and expansion became an issue later in the decade. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was formed in Indiana in February 1911.

Not satisfied with the offerings of Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi, on Friday evening, November 17, 1911, at 9 PM, three Howard University undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty adviser, gave birth to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This event occurred in the office of biology Professor Ernest E. Just, the faculty adviser, in the Science Hall (now known as Thirkield Hall). The three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and Frank Coleman. From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning "friendship is essential to the soul," the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. The phrase was selected as the motto. Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift were adopted as cardinal principles. A decision was made regarding the design for the pin and emblem and thus ended the first meeting of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

The next meeting was conducted on November 23, 1911. Edgar Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Cooper and Coleman were selected as Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary) and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Eleven Howard University undergraduate men were selected as charter members.

Alpha Chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Love, Cooper, and Coleman were elected the chapter's first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and Keeper of Seals, respectively. On March 8, 1912, the previously submitted fraternity constitution was rejected by the Howard University Faculty Council. The Faculty Council proposed to accept the fraternity as a local but not a national organization. The fraternity refused acceptance as a strictly local organization.

Oscar Cooper became the fraternity's second Grand Basileus in 1912. Cooper authorized the investigation of a proposed second chapter at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Edgar Love was elected the third Grand Basileus in 1912 and served until 1915. In 1914, Howard University withdrew its opposition, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914. Beta Chapter at Lincoln University was chartered in February 1914. George E. Hall, the fourth Grand Basileus, had been initiated at Alpha Chapter in 1914. Grand Basileus Hall authorized the establishment of the Gamma Chapter in Boston, Massachusetts. However, the chapter was eventually established during the administration of the fifth Grand Basileus, James C. McMorries. During the administration of the sixth Grand Basileus, Clarence F. Holmes, the fraternity's first official hymn, "Omega Men Draw Nigh", was written by Otto Bohannon.

Omega played a vital role when the United States entered World War I in 1917 by having several brothers in the first class of black soldiers graduate from Camp Fort Des Moines, a military training facility in Iowa. Several Omegas, including Campbell C. Johnson, John Purnell, and founders Frank Coleman and Edgar A. Love, are among its graduates. A year later, in 1918, retired Colonel Charles Young rode 500 miles on horseback from Wilberforce, Ohio, to the nation's capital to show he was always fit for duty. Stanley Douglas was the editor of the first Oracle, published in the spring of 1919. Raymond G. Robinson, the seventh Grand Basileus, established the Delta Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1919.

Robinson left office in 1920 with a total of ten chapters in operation. Harold K. Thomas, the eighth Grand Basileus, was elected at the 1920 Nashville Grand Conclave. It was at this Conclave that Carter G. Woodson inspired the establishment of National Achievement Week to promote the study of Negro life and history. The 1921 Atlanta Grand Conclave ended the first decade of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

In 1922, Grand Basileus J. Alston Atkins appointed the first District Representatives. Today, twelve such officers are elected annually by the district conferences/meetings. In 1922, the office of Vice Grand Basileus was created. The Grand Keeper of Records became the Grand Keeper of the Records and Seal.

In 1923, the Lambda Chapter, affectionately called “the pearl of the West Coast,” was organized at the University of Southern California. Omega Psi Phi became the first black Greek organization to span its membership across the United States - from the Atlantic (Iota in Atlantic City) to the Pacific (Lambda in Los Angeles). The Sigma chapter was organized at McGill University, located in Montreal, Quebec (Canada), on December 15, 1923. Brother Walter R. Dunston, former basileus of the Phi chapter, set up the fraternity’s first international chapter with the assistance of Brother George W. Brown. In 1926, the memorial for Brother Colonel Charles Young was held at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Service is established to memorialize Brother Young's birthday.

The first Omega Bulletin was published in 1928. Campbell C. Johnson was the Editor.

In 1930, Omega Psi Phi became one of five founding members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, with 13th Grand Basileus Matthew W. Bullock elected as its first permanent chairman.

By mid-1930, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Federal Council of Negro Affairs or “Black Cabinet,” which was an informal group of African-American public policy advisors who were organized to help the country emerge out of the depression. Omega men: Robert C. Weaver, Lawrence Oxley, Roscoe Brown, Frank Horne, William Hastie, J. Arthur Weiseger, Ted Poston, Campbell C. Johnson, and William Trent were among those who served on the cabinet.

"Omega Dear" was adopted as the official hymn in 1931. Two faculty members from Howard University, Charles R. Drew, a professor of surgery, and Mercer Cook, a professor of languages, were the composers. Cook wrote the music and first stanza; Drew wrote the last two.

Each of the founders graduated and went on to have distinguished careers in their chosen fields: Edgar Love became a bishop in the Methodist church; Oscar Cooper practiced medicine in Philadelphia for over 50 years; Frank Coleman became the chairman of the Department of Physics at Howard University, and Ernest E. Just became a world-renowned biologist and the 1st recipient of the prestigious NAACP Spingarn Medal.

The Omega "Sweetheart Song," with words and music by Don Q. Pullen, was adopted as the official sweetheart song by the 1940 Nashville Grand Conclave. Founder Ernest E. Just entered Omega Chapter in 1941. In 1941, Dr. Charles Drew perfected the use of blood plasma as a life-saving tool. William Hastie resigned as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War to protest against Armed Forces discrimination. He was later appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands by President Truman.

Since 1945, the fraternity has undertaken a National Social Action program to meet African Americans' needs in health, housing, civil rights, and education. The office of Second Vice Grand Basileus is created. Dexter Eure, of Theta Psi chapter, is elected to the position on the Supreme Council.

In 1949, the first National Headquarters Building at 107 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. was purchased. H. Carl Moultrie, I was selected to serve as the first National Executive Secretary. In 1949, the scholarship fund was renamed the Charles R. Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund.

During this era, social action became Omega’s primary organizational thrust. Thousands of Omega men became actively involved in the fight to eliminate racial discrimination.  Most notably, Omega men Spottswood Robinson, Oliver Hill and James Nabrit were part of the inner circle for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF). That group coordinated the court battles for racial equality. Their work culminated with the landmark decision outlawing segregated public schools, Brown v. Board of Education. In 1955, Brother Roy Wilkins was chosen to be the executive secretary of the NAACP and in 1964 he became its executive director.

The Los Angeles Grand Conclave in 1955 initiated a program whereby each graduate chapter would purchase a Life Membership from the NAACP. Tau Chi was founded in Monrovia, The Republic of Liberia on December 1, 1955 during the tenure of Grand Basileus John F. Potts.

Brother Wiley A. Branton, served as the principal lawyer in the civil rights case that desegregated the public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Ernest Green was the oldest among the nine students who integrated the all-white Central High School. Green later attended Michigan State University, where he was later initiated into the fraternity through Sigma chapter. Between 1955 and 1959, chapters contributed nearly $40,000 to the NAACP.

In the fifties, Omega Psi Phi took an official position against hazing as a fraternity activity. This anti-hazing position remains in effect today, and the policy banning hazing has been strengthened.

The struggle for social justice shifted into high gear. Omega men throughout the United States actively participated in the "sit-ins" and other civil rights demonstrations. Moreover, undergraduate brothers were especially involved in the demonstrations of the civil rights struggle.

In 1961, the Washington, D.C. Grand Conclave highlighted Omega’s first 50 years of accomplishments. Founders -- Love, Cooper, and Coleman were present. Thirteen of 23 former Grand Basilei also attended this historic gathering. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young brothers to mingle with some of the greatest black men that America ever produced.

The Golden Anniversary Conclave authorized a $150,000 investment toward constructing a new national headquarters building in Washington, D.C.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom occurred in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. Brother Bayard Rustin, an activist and adviser to Martin Luther King Jr., is one of the event’s primary organizers. King delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1964, the new national headquarters was dedicated. It was a dream come true and was the first building of its type to be built by a black fraternity. Founders -- Love, Cooper, and Coleman participated in the ceremonies. The name was later changed to the International Headquarters, located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

In January 1966, Brother Dr. Robert C. Weaver was appointed the first Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the first black person appointed to a cabinet-level position in the United States. Robert H. Lawrence (in 1966) was selected as the first Black to serve in the Astronaut Program. Lawrence had earned a Ph.D. Degree in chemistry at Ohio State University.

Founder Frank Coleman entered Omega Chapter in 1967.

The Charlotte Grand Conclave in 1968 mandated a constitutional convention to revise the fraternity’s constitution, by-laws, and the Ritual. That convention was held in Atlanta in 1969.

The newly revised Constitution, By-Laws, and the Ritual became effective at the close of the 1970 Pittsburgh Grand Conclave. H. To this point, Carl Moultrie I, Omega's only National Executive Secretary, was appointed as a judge to the Superior Court of Washington, D.C., in 1972. Moultrie's resignation was accepted with regret. Omega conferred upon Moultrie the title of National Executive Secretary Emeritus which was later changed to Executive Secretary Emeritus. The Seventies brought more unpleasant news. Founder Oscar J. Cooper entered Omega Chapter in 1972. In 1974, Edgar A. Love, the only surviving founder, entered Omega Chapter. On November 16, 1975, an impressive granite monument was dedicated to the memory of the four founders. The monument is just a few feet from Thirkield Hall, the site of Omega's birthplace on the Howard University Campus. A revived Life Membership Program resulted in a very large number of new Life Members. The 1976 Atlanta Grand Conclave was the largest in the fraternity's history up to that point in time. Many new undergraduate chapters were chartered because of the increased enrollment of black students at previously all-white colleges and universities. "Operation Big Vote" was successful in getting thousands of black people to vote in the 1976 election. Many Omegas were active participants. That same year, Brother Clifford Alexander was appointed Secretary of the Army. The 1979 Denver Grand Conclave committed to contribute a minimum of 250,000 dollars to the United Negro College Fund over the next five years.

In 1981, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity endowed its first Omega faculty chair at Rust College, located in Holly Springs, Mississippi. President W.A. McMillan stated that the chair would be used to promote the humanities.

Grand Basileus Moses C. Norman, Sr., was elected at the 1984 Louisville Grand Conclave and served six years, the longest tenure of any Grand Basileus. He appointed a committee to review the structure and operations of the fraternity as a means of future focus.

In 1984, John S. Epps was selected as only the fifth Omega man to serve as Executive Secretary. H. Carl Moultrie was named Executive Secretary Emeritus. The 75th Anniversary Grand Conclave celebration was held July 25-August 1, 1986, in Washington, D.C., the city of Omega’s birth. It surpassed the previous attendance record.

On January 28, 1986, Brother Ronald McNair died during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Later that year, Brother Jesse Jackson Jr. became a candidate for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Also, Don Q. Pullen and W. Mercer Cook entered Omega Chapter. On January 13, 1990, Brother L. Douglas Wilder became Virginia's sixty-sixth governor and became the first elected African American governor in United States history. C. Tyrone Gilmore Sr. became the 34th Grand Basileus in June 1990. Under his leadership, a site for a new World Center and International Headquarters located in Decatur, Georgia, was identified. Also, the structure was revamped, and the international chapters were transformed into the 13th District. The first Youth Leadership Conference was held in 1993 at Southwest College in Los Angeles, California. Over 100 young men were hand to hear Omega men talk about subjects ranging from manners to morality.

Dorsey C. Miller Jr., the fraternity’s 16th Second Vice Grand Basileus, was chosen as the 35th Grand Basileus at the Cleveland Grand Conclave in 1994. He was the 1st member to be elected to both positions. Miller’s administration closed the sale of the property at 3951 Snapfinger Parkway, the site of the new international headquarters. The property at 2714 Georgia Ave. N.W. was disposed of. The Georgia Avenue location served as the fraternity’s headquarters for 31 years, and the fraternity shield that adorned the facade is now at the Smithsonian.

Lloyd J. Jordan, Esq., who had previously served as Grand Counselor, was elected the 36th Grand Basileus at the 70th Grand Conclave in 1998 in New Orleans. In 1998, Brother David Satcher was appointed the 16th United States Surgeon General. Brother Togo West, Jr. was appointed Secretary of Veteran Affairs. Brother S. Earl Wilson was appointed executive director in June 2000.

In 2002, George Grace was elected Grand Basileus during the 72nd Grand Conclave held in Charlotte, N.C. Under Grace’s leadership, the fraternity realized financial solvency and steadily increased its membership rolls.

Warren G. Lee Jr., the 23rd Second Grand Vice Basileus, became the 38th Grand Basileus during the Little Rock Grand Conclave in 2008. During Lee’s tenure, Omega fortified its mission and brought sustenance to needy people. Omega men across the United States mentored the youth, organized various social action programs, and donated millions to worthy causes.

In 2010, Dr. Andrew A. Ray was elected the 39th Grand Basileus during the 76th Grand Conclave held in Raleigh, North Carolina.  During his administration, Omega became the first black Greek organization to charter an undergraduate chapter in Great Britain. The fraternity also joined forces with President Barack Obama to promote fatherhood and responsible parenting through the National Fatherhood Initiative. Omega celebrated its 100th anniversary with a grand celebration held in July 2011 in Washington, D.C. Attendance exceeded 10,000. During that gathering, Brother Kenneth Barnes was named International Executive Director.

Antonio F. Knox Sr. was elected the fraternity's 40th Grand Basileus during the Grand Conclave in Philadelphia in 2014. Under Knox, the fraternity championed many civil rights initiatives. Omega became a strong voice against police brutality, efforts to suppress voting rights, and other social ills. The fraternity sought plausible solutions to civil unrest that erupted in urban communities following the fatal police shootings of several unarmed African Americans. Today, Omega Psi Phi has over 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait.

Many notable Omega Men are recognized as leaders in the arts, the sciences, academics, athletics, business, civil rights, education, government, and science at the local, national, and international levels.

Omega continues to flourish, largely because its founders -- Cooper, Coleman, Love, and Just -- were men of the highest ideals and intellect. The founders selected and attracted men of similar ideals and characteristics. It is not an accident that many of America’s great black men are or were Omega Men.