Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Truncated History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc
Truncated History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc
A TRUNCATED HISTORY
OF THE
OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.
PREFACE
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the first African American fraternity founded on the
campus of Howard University, the birthplace of Alpha chapter, our Mother Pearl, is
committed to identifying and selecting men for service to humankind, generally, with a
focus on people of African descent, specifically, wherever they may be in the world.
This, we believe, can be best accomplished via a uniform Membership Selection
Process. Therefore, any activities that conflict, run counter to and/or undermine the
program presented by the Membership Selection Team under the leadership of its
respective District Representatives are expressly prohibited, and thereby in violation of
the fraternity’s policies and procedures. As readers peruse this document, they will no
doubt notice the absence of any reference to “pledging.” Such a practice was
abolished by The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in 1985.
As its title suggests, this study guide is in no way intended to serve as a comprehensive
history of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., rather it is a selected compilation of key
people, places, events, and dates extrapolated from a number of sources, including the
two authorized history books by Drs. Herman Dreer and Robert L. Gill. As professors of
English and history and political science, respectively, Drs. Dreer’s and Gill’s works
continue to serve as the templates for those who endeavor to chronicle the history of
this illustrious fraternity.
As already alluded to, this document is merely a thumbnail sketch of the organization
for the purposes of introduction, study and reflection; it is intended only to serve as a
convenient source of information for those who seek entry into The Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc. Think of these materials as cliff notes. It is the hope of those who
comprise this magnificent fraternity that this packet of information will whet the
candidate’s appetite for further study, thus prompting the candidate to comb through
the writings of Dreer and Gill at a later date; provided the candidate’s quest for
membership into the fraternity is a successful one.
To be clear, The History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 1911-1939: A Brotherhood
of Negro College Men, by Herman Dreer, PhD (1940), and The History of the
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and The Men Who Made Its History: A Concise History
1911-1961 by Robert L. Gill, PhD (1963) is required reading for those who fashion
themselves students of Black history, generally and Omega history, specifically.
Successful applicants who go no further than this packet of information after they have
crossed the burning sands do themselves a disservice, for they will have failed to
recognize that the learning process has only just begun.
INTRODUCTION
Black college fraternities and sororities, however, did not emerge until the early 1900s
with the founding of Alpha Kappa Nu at Indiana University in 1903, followed by Pi
Gamma Omicron and Gamma Phi in 1905 at The Ohio State University and
Wilberforce University, respectively. Unfortunately, all three were short-lived. In the
ensuing years, however, several Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities sprouted
up that proved to have staying power. Indeed, they have played an integral part in the
cultural, social, and civic life of their communities since that time. The member
organizations that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council, that Lawrence Ross
affectionally coined “The Divine Nine” are:
Sororities
Fraternities
Convinced that the three enterprising young men were serious, the biology professor,
a young man of only twenty-eight years of age himself, signed on as their faculty
advisor, thus giving birth to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity [now The Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc.] “Friendship is essential to the soul,” was chosen as the fraternity’s
motto.
As the months passed, and the building of The Omega Psi Phi was well on its way, the
Brothers of Omega suffered disappointment. On March 8, 1912, the previously
submitted fraternity constitution was rejected by Howard University administrators, yet
the Brothers of Omega refused to give in. That same day, US Army Col. Charles
Young was elected the fraternity’s second honorary member, with Professor Just being
the first, of course.
Edgar Love returned to the position of Grand Basileus for a second time in 1913 and
served until 1915. During Love’s tenure, Lincoln University’s Beta Chapter was
chartered in February 1914.
A Truncated History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Page 5
Revised January 2022
George E. Hall, the fourth Grand Basileus and Alpha initiate, authorized the
establishment of Gamma Chapter in Boston Massachusetts, in 1916, although it came
to fruition under the administration of James C. McMorries, the fraternity’s fifth Grand
Basileus. The “War Chapter” at Fort Des Moines was organized that year as well.
During the administration of the sixth Grand Basileus, Clarence F. Holmes, Otto
Bohannon penned “Omega Men Draw Nigh” the fraternity’s first official hymn.
Stanley Douglass served as editor of the first Oracle published in the spring of 1919.
The 1921 Atlanta, Georgia Grand Conclave brought to an end the first decade of the
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
In 1922, Grand Basileus J. Alston Atkins appointed the first District Representatives.
Today, there are twelve such officers, all of whom are elected annually at the district
conferences/meetings. That same year, the office of Vice Grand Basileus was created.
Also, at that time, the Grand Keeper of Records became the Grand Keeper of Records
and Seal.
The first Omega Bulletin was published in 1928. Campbell C. Johnson was its first editor.
In 1936 President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Federal Council of Negro Affairs also
known as the president’s “Black Cabinet”. On this body sat several of Omega’s most
distinguished members including William Hastie, Jr., Robert Weaver, Lawrence Oxley,
and Roscoe Brown.
That same year the men of Omega stood tall when they directed its Supreme Council
to cancel its contract with the Balfour Co. Massachusetts that had been its jeweler for
years and give it to the Metal Arts Co. of Rochester, N.Y. because it employed a full-
time, salaried Black staff.
In 1949, the first National Headquarters Building at 107 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.,
Washington D.C. was purchased.
In 1949, the scholarship fund was renamed the Charles R. Drew Memorial Scholarship
Fund.
Turning to the fraternity, the 1955 Grand Conclave in Los Angeles, California initiated a
program whereby each graduate chapter purchased a Life Membership from the
NAACP. Between 1955 and 1959, chapters contributed nearly $40,000 to the NAACP.
Also, during this decade, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc., took an official position
against hazing. This anti-hazing position remains in effect today, and the policy
banning hazing has been strengthened.
In 1961, at the Washington, D.C. Golden Anniversary Grand Conclave, Brothers turned
out in record numbers and did a stellar job of highlighting the fifty years of
accomplishment by Omega. Founders Love, Cooper, and Coleman were present.
Thirteen of twenty-three former Grand Basilei were also in attendance. Young brothers
had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to mingle with some of the greatest black men
that America ever produced.
At the Golden Anniversary Conclave $140,000 - $150,000 was authorized for the
construction of a new National Headquarters Building in Washington, D.C.
In 1964, the new National Headquarters Building was dedicated. Its name was later
changed to the International Headquarters. Love, Cooper, and Coleman participated
in the ceremonies. Located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., the
standalone building was a dream come true and was the first of its type built by a
black fraternity.
In 1967, Maj. Robert H. Lawrence of the USAF, and a graduate of The Ohio State
University, having earned a doctorate in physical chemistry there, was selected for
the Manned Orbiting Laboratory project, thus becoming the first African American
selected as an astronaut by any national space program.
Founder Frank Coleman took ill and entered Omega Chapter in 1967.
The newly revised Constitution and By-Laws and the Ritual became effective at the
close of the 1970 Grand Conclave in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
H. Carl Moultrie I, Omega’s only National Executive Secretary to this point, was
appointed judge to the Superior Court of Washington, D.C. in 1972. Moultrie’s
resignation was accepted with regrets. Omega conferred upon Moultrie the title of
National Executive Secretary Emeritus, which was later changed to Executive Secretary
Emeritus.
The seventies brought more heartbreak. Founder Oscar J. Cooper entered Omega
Chapter in 1972. Two years later, in 1974, Edgar A Love, the last surviving founder
followed suit.
On Sunday, November 16, 1975, thousands of Omega men, their families, family
members of the Founders, and many friends gathered in front of Thirkield Hall for the
unveiling and dedication of the 18-ton granite monument.
The 1976 Atlanta, Georgia Grand Conclave was the largest in the history of the
fraternity up to that point in time.
Many new undergraduate chapters were chartered due to 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 the polls
during the 1976 presidential election, which saw the election of Jimmy Carter, the
former Democratic governor of Georgia, as president. Hundreds of Omegas were
active participants.
The 1979 Denver, Colorado Grand Conclave made a commitment to contribute a minimum of
$250,000 to the United Negro College Fund over the next few years.
In 1981, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity endowed its first Omega Faculty Chair. Rust
College, located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, was the recipient. President W. A.
McMillan stated that the Chair would be used to promote the humanities.
The fraternity completed its $250,000 contribution to the United Negro College Fund,
and organization under the direction of Christopher Edley. The fraternity approved a
plan to continue the annual gift of $50,000 to that organization in perpetuity.
The fraternity accelerated its financial support to the National Urban League under its
Executive Director, Mr. John Jacobs, who regularly attended Grand Conclaves.
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, formerly, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and
member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is long-time president of
Operation P.U.S.H., and founder of the Rainbow Coalition. Brother Jackson’s historic
1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns. Jackson’s presidential campaigns laid the
groundwork for the 2008 election of Barack Obama.
The 75th Anniversary Grand Conclave celebration was deemed one of Omega’s most
remarkable and historically significant events. The Washington, D.C. conclave which
spanned from July 25-August 1, 1986, eclipsed the Atlanta grand conclave as the
fraternity’s largest ever.
The 33rd Grand Basileus Dr. Moses C. Norman, Sr., elected at the 1984 Louisville
Grand Conclave, appointed a committee to review the structure and operations of the
fraternity as a means of future focus. In 1984, John S. Epps became the fifth Executive
Secretary. In 1990, the title was changed to Executive Director.
Two revised methods of bringing members into the fraternity were approved by the
organization. Pledging was officially abolished; and the new Membership Selection
and Education Program came into being on August 1, 1985. In April 1991, the new
Membership Intake Program was implemented.
The fraternity suffered major losses in the mid to late 1980s as H. CarlMoultrie, I,
Executive Secretary Emeritus and Ronald E. McNair, noted astronaut, entered
Omega Chapter. Don Q. Pullen and W. Mercer Cook also entered Omega Chapter.
Lieutenant Governor L. Douglas Wilder became the first elected Black governor in
U.S history when he was elected governor of Virginia in November 1989.
Dr. 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 in Decatur,
Georgia was identified. Also, the complete structure was revamped, and the
International Chapters were transformed into the thirteenth district.
In 1994, Dr. Dorsey C. Miller, Jr. was chosen as the 35th Grand Basileus at the
Cleveland, Ohio Grand Conclave. Miller’s administration was responsible for closing
the sale on the acquisition of the new property, located at 3951 Snapfinger Parkway,
Decatur, Georgia 30035, and the disposition of the property located at 2714 Georgia
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., which had served as the fraternity’s headquarters
A Truncated History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Page 10
Revised January 2022
Lloyd J. Jordan, Esq. became the 36th Grand Basileus in 1998 at the 70 th Grand
Conclave in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jordan’s administration was instrumental in
combating litigations, resulting from illegal hazing activities, thus keeping the
fraternity’s infrastructure intact. Sylvester Earl Wilson began his tenure as the
Executive Director on June 1, 2000.
Warren Lee became the 38th Grand Basileus in 2006 at the 74th Grand Conclave in Little
Rock, AR. Lee’s administration fostered a new era in Omega in terms of visionary
leadership and aligning the fraternity’s programs with a singular point of focus. Lee also undertook
efforts to reorganize the fraternity’s structure and to recalibrate Omega’srelationships with her
affiliate organizations.
Dr. Andrew Ray became the 39th Grand Basileus in 2010 at the 76th Grand Conclave in
Raleigh, NC. Brother Ray’s administration ushered in the 100th anniversary of this
illustrious organization with a Centennial Celebration in Washington, D.C. in July of
2011. Dr. Ray’s administration took bold steps to increasing the profile of the
fraternity’s undergraduate presence by seeding undergraduate endowments at: Alpha
Chapter (Howard University), Beta Chapter (Lincoln University), Eta Gamma Chapter
(Central State University), Beta Sigma Chapter (Southern University), Tau Epsilon
Chapter (Texas Southern University), Rho Psi Chapter (Tennessee State University),
Phi Psi Chapter (Langston University), Beta Gamma Chapter (Cheyney University),
Gamma Epsilon Chapter (Hampton University), and Mu Psi Chapter (North Carolina
A&T University). In 2011, Kenneth Barnes stepped into the position of Executive
Director after it had been vacant for several years. Brother Barnes’ arrival gave the
fraternity a much-needed boost. In fact, during his tenure, the International
Headquarters’ staff experienced its most significant transformation.
Antonio Knox became the 40th Grand Basileus in 2014 at the 79th Grand Conclave in
Philadelphia, PA. Bro. Knox’s administration continued the long legacy of Manhood,
Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift established by his predecessors and our
Founders. In 2016, the fraternity signed a partnership agreement with the National
Park Service to work together to protect, preserve, and promote for care and
upkeep the Colonel Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Xenia,
Ohio and the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in Washington, DC.
This was the first such agreement between the National Park Service and an
international African American organization.
In 2018, the Brothers elected Dr. David Marion its 41 st Grand Basileus at the Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity’s 81st Grand Conclave in New Orleans, LA. Under Brother Marion’s
leadership, linkages have been made on the continent of Africa with the Bore Hole
Project in Ghana and economic development initiatives, not to mention the expansion
of the Thirteenth District in other parts of the world, including establishing charters in
Shanghai, China, Tijuana, Mexico, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the United
Arab Emiratesas well as the reactivation of the chapter in Panama City, Panama.
A Truncated History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Page 11
Revised January 2022
Also, during Brother Marion’s tenure, the fraternity experienced its first Virtual 82 nd
Grand Conclave. Moreover, it was under Brother Marion that the $50,000 dollars that,
for many years, had been gifted to the College Education Fund was divided between
theUNCF and the Thurgood Marshall Fund, with each entity receiving $25,000. That
same year, on September 18, John Howard began his tenure as the Executive
Director.
Omega has continued to flourish largely because founders Love, Cooper, Coleman, and
Just were men of the very highest ideals, intellect and integrity. They set the tone by
identifying and selecting men of like-mind, character, ambition and fortitude.
It is no accident that many of America’s greatest black men are/were Omega men. To
this date, there are very few Americans whose lives have not been touched by a
member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Omega has an illustrious history that is
to be celebrated, documented and preserved.
APPENDIX I
Founders
APPENDIX II
GRAND BASILEI
APPENDIX III
GRAND CONCLAVES
No. Conclave City Year No. Conclave City Year
1st Washington, D.C. 1912 43rd St. Louis, MO 1957
2nd Washington, D.C. 1913 44th Cleveland, OH 1958
3rd Washington, D.C. 1914 45th New York, NY 1959
4th Oxford, PA 1915 46th San Antonio, TX 1960
5th Washington, D.C. 1916 47th Washington, D.C. 1961
6th Oxford, PA 1917 (50th Anniversary)
7th Washington, D.C. 1918 48th Indianapolis, IN 1962
8th Boston, MA 1919 49th Denver, CO 1964
9th Nashville, TN 1920 50th Detroit, MI 1965
10th Atlanta, GA 1921 51st Boston, MA 1967
11th Philadelphia, PA 1922 52nd Charlotte, NC 1968
12th St. Louis, MO 1923 53rd Pittsburgh, PA 1970
13th Washington, D.C. 1924 54th Houston, TX 1971
14th Tuskegee, AL 1925 55th St. Louis, MO 1973
15th Chicago, IL 1926 56th Phoenix, AZ 1974
16th New York, NY 1927 57th Atlanta, GA 1976
17th Indianapolis, IN 1928 58th New Orleans, LA 1977
18th Baltimore, MD 1929 59th Denver, CO 1979
19th Detroit, MI 1931 60th San Francisco, CA 1980
20th Richmond, VA 1932 61st Miami, FL 1982
21st Durham, NC 1933 62nd Kansas City, KS 1983
22nd St. Louis, MO 1934 63rd Louisville, KY 1984
23rd Atlanta, GA 1935 64th Washington, D.C. 1986
24th Philadelphia, PA 1936 (75th Anniversary)
25th Cleveland, OH 1937 65th Dallas, TX 1988
26th Chicago, IL 1938 66th Detroit, MI 1990
27th New York, NY 1939 67th Atlanta, GA 1992
28th Nashville, TN 1940 68th Cleveland, OH 1994
29th Indianapolis, IN 1941 69th Los Angeles, CA 1996
30th Little Rock, AR 1944 70th New Orleans, LA 1998
31st Washington, D.C. 1945 71st Indianapolis, IN 2000
32nd Fort Worth, TX 1946 72nd Charlotte, NC 2002
33rd Detroit, MI 1947 73rd St. Louis, MO 2004
34th Columbus, OH 1948 74th Little Rock, AR 2006
35th Chicago, IL 1949 75th Birmingham, AL 2008
36th Boston, MA 1950 76th Raleigh, NC 2010
37th Miami, FL 1951 77th Washington, D.C. 2011
38th Philadelphia, PA 1952 (100th Anniversary)
39th Cincinnati, OH 1953 78th Minneapolis, MN 2012
40th Atlanta, GA 1954 79th Philadelphia, PA 2014
41st Los Angeles, CA 1955 80th Las Vegas, NV 2016
42nd Baltimore, MD 1956 81st New Orleans, Louisiana 2018
82nd Virtual Grand Conclave 2020
No conclaves in 1930, 1942, and 1943. From 1962-1986, Conclaves were scheduled every 18 months (save for 1983).
After 1986, Conclaves were scheduled every 2 years except 2010-2012 which was annually as the Centennial Grand
Conclave fell between the scheduled 2010 and 2012 Conclaves.
APPENDIX IV
SELECTED LIST OF OMEGA MEN WHO HAVE SERVED/OR ARE
CURRENTLY SERVING AS PRESIDENTS OF HISTORICALLY
BLACK COLLEGE & UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS PWIs
APPENDIX V
ACHIEVEMENT WEEK - Originally designed to promote the study of Negro life and history.
Achievement Week is observed in November of each year and is designed to seek out and give
due recognition to those individuals at the local and international levels who have made a
noteworthy contribution to improving the quality of life for black Americans. A High School Essay
Contest is held in conjunction with Achievement Week. This contest is open to all college-bound
high school seniors. Scholarships are awarded to the winners, each of whom must submit an
essay, the length and theme/topic to be determined by the fraternity. This contest is a phase of
the International Achievement Week observance.
SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS - All levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate
and coordinate activities that uplift its communities. An international committee coordinate the
multifaceted programs of the various chapters. Some of the activities under the umbrella of
social action include, but are not limited to voter registration, education and “getting out the
vote”; Assault on Illiteracy; Habitat for Humanity; volunteering time to charities and those
considered less fortunate; mentoring; and participation in fundraisers for charities such as
American Diabetes Association, United Way, Sickle Cell Anemia, etc.
TALENT HUNT PROGRAM - This program offers talented youth in the performing arts a
platform to showcase their talents for the purpose of exposing them to opportunities to which
they may or may not have been privy. Winners of the competition may be publicly recognized
in the form of a certificate/trophy as well as a scholarship to help offset the cost of college.
MEMORIAL SERVICE - March 12th of each year has been established as Memorial Day.
Chapters are expected to conduct an appropriate service to recall the memory of those members
who have entered Omega Chapter that particular year.
RECLAMATION AND RETENTION - A concerted effort at the international, district and local
levels to retain active brothers and return inactive brothers to full participatory status, so as they
may enjoy the full benefits of Omega.
COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND - Each year the fraternity gives at least $50,000.00 to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in furtherance of Omega’s commitment to
provide philanthropic support. Chapters are assessed donations based on size of their
membership.
HEALTH INITIATIVES - All levels of the fraternity are expected to facilitate, participate and/or
coordinate activities that uplift their communities by promoting good health practices. An
international committee coordinates and facilitates multifaceted programs of the various
chapters, districts, etc. It is anticipated that all local chapters will execute the health directives in
their respective communities. Some of the programs under the umbrella of Health Initiatives are
the Charles Drew Blood Drive (normally held in June), AIDS/HIV Awareness, and the American
Diabetes Association Partnership. This does not prevent the local chapters from performing
additional health initiatives under the umbrella of the Health Initiatives mandate.
VOTER REGISTRATION, EDUCATION AND MOBILIZATION - All levels of the fraternity are
expected to facilitate, participate and/or coordinate activities that uplift their communities
A Truncated History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Page 17
Revised January 2022
through exercising the right to vote. An international committee will coordinate and facilitate
multifaceted programs of the various chapters, districts, etc. It is anticipated that all local chapters
will execute the directives at the local level. This does not prevent the local chapters from
performing additional voter initiatives under the umbrella of the Voter Education, Registration and
Mobilization mandate.
NAACP - Every district and chapter of the fraternity is required to maintain a Life Membership at
Large in the NAACP. In the event that a chapter or district is not a life member of the NAACP, it
must maintain a yearly membership to be in could standing with the fraternity. Furthermore, all
members of the fraternity are strongly encouraged to become members of the NAACP.
APPENDIX VI
SELECTED LIST OF
NOTABLE OMEGA MEN
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Sterling Brown Teacher, poet, writer, Professor Emeritus of Literature at Howard University,
has a special foundation for folk culture and jazz music.
Roland Hayes Internationally known tenor of the 1920s. Hayes sang in five different
languages.
William (Count) Basie Internationally known pianist, composer, arranger, and band leader.
Don Q. Pullen Pianist and composer; composed the “Sweetheart Song” of the Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Terrance J TV personality
DL Hughley Comedian
Willie Gary Founder of the law firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson and Gary,
PLLC. Has earned a reputation as “The Giant Killer” by taking down
some of the country’s most well-known and powerful companies,
resulting in some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S.
history.
Benjamin Crump Attorney for the family of Trayvon Martin and fraternity’s Grand Counselor.
Grant Reynolds Played an integral role in President Harry Truman’s 1948 decision to
desegregate the United States Armed Forces.
T.R.M. Howard A surgeon by trade, Howard was a major civil rights activist who founded
the Regional Council of Negro Leadership and served as president of the
National Medical Association.
James Nabrit, Jr. Former Dean of the Howard University Law School and former president of
Howard University. A leader in the training of the early civil rights lawyers.
Wiley Branton Attorney for the “Little Rock Nine” and former Dean of the Howard University
School of Law.
Roy Wilkins Long-time Executive Director of the NAACP and member of the Big 6.
Benjamin Hooks Succeeded Roy Wilkins as Executive Director of the NAACP. Retired in
1992.
James L. Farmer, Jr. A founder of the Congress of Racial Equality and member of the civil rights
movement’s Big 6.
Vernon Jordan Former Executive Director of the National Urban League and head of UNCF.
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Former Director of Operation P.U.S.H.; Founder, National Rainbow
Coalition.
Fred Gray Attorney for Mrs. Rosa Parks, the mother of the civil rights movement, and the
Montgomery Improvement Association that spear-headed the city’s bus boycott.
Aaron Henry A pharmacist, Henry was president of the Mississippi NAACP and helped
organized the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Bayard Rustin A major civil rights activist; member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and one
of two principal organizers of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom.
Z. Alexander Looby Was a civil rights attorney who was instrumental in desegregating public schools
in Nashville, Tennessee. When the Nashville student sit-in movement began in
1960, he became its attorney.
Ernest Green Civil Rights Activist – a member of the Little Rock 9 of Central High School.
Oliver Hill Civil Rights attorney whose work against racial discrimination helped end the
doctrine of “separate but equal”. 1999 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
Spottswood W. Robinson 3rd Civil Rights attorney turned U.S. Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia. Teamed up with Oliver Hill to dismantle segregation
in public schools in Virginia.
A Truncated History of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Page 20
Revised January 2022
2021
EDUCATION
Dr. Carter G. Woodson Founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and
Journal of Negro History.
Dr. Lewis V. Baldwin Internationally known scholar of religious studies and noted expert on the
life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [Professor Emeritus,
Vanderbilt University].
Dr. Benjamin Mays Former longtime President of Morehouse College and mentor to Dr. King.
Dr. Herman Dreer Teacher, professor, minister, and author of fraternity’s first history book.
Dr. Nathan Hare First Chair of Black Studies Program (San Francisco State) and author
of the controversial book The Black Anglo Saxons.
Dr. Asa Hilliard III Renowned scholar in educational psychology. Founding member of the
Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations.
Dr. William Julius Wilson Renowned Sociologist. [Professor Emeritus, Harvard University].
Dr. Robert Gill Professor and author of fraternity’s second history book. Morgan State
College/University.
Dr. Frederick D. Harper Professor. Served as editor of three highly reputable scholarly journals
including the Journal of Negro Education [Professor Emeritus, Howard
University].
Dr. Roderick McDavis Managing Principal of AGB Search Firm and former president of Ohio
University.
MEDICINE/SCIENCE
Dr. Ernest E. Just Internally known biological and professor at Howard University.
Dr. Charles R. Drew Perfected use of blood plasma, Professor of Surgery, Howard
University.
Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Widely considered the first African American psychiatrist. Served on a team of
psychiatrists that conducted pathbreaking research on Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Lemuel J. Haywood Renowned cardiologist and scholar. Established one of the first coronary care
units on the west coast and led a team that developed the first computerized
system for real-time heart arrhythmia defection, in 1969.
Dr. W. Montague Cobb First African American PhD in Anthropology. His work has contributed
significantly to the subfield of biocultural anthropology.
Dr. Percy L. Julian Discovered the use of foam to extinguish fires and discovered a method
for producing cortisone synthetically.
Frederick Gregory Astronaut, graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (pilot),
Commander of two Space Shuttle Missions (Space Shuttle Discovery and
Space Shuttle Atlantis), nephew of Dr. Charles Drew.
Dr. Warren Jones President, American Academy of Family Physicians. Founded the
Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health and Health
Disparities at the University of Mississippi.
Powerlifting
Ray O. Williams
NBA
Alvin Robertson (Guard)
John Salley (Forward), 4-time NBA Champion
Michael Jordan (G) Hall of Fame, 6-time NBA Champion
Cedric Maxwell (Forward), 2-time NBA Champion
Tony Delk, (Guard)
Shammond Williams (Guard)
Corliss Williamson (Forward), NBA Champion
Charlie Ward, Jr., (PG), Heisman Trophy
winner (1994)
Shaquille O’Neal (C) Hall of Fame, 4-time NBA Champion
Elston Turner, Assistant Coach
Stephen A. Smith, Sports TV Personality
Earl Monroe (G) Hall of Fame, NBA Champion
Alonzo Mourning (C), Hall of Fame, NBA Champion
Dominique Wilkins, (F) Hall of Fame
Billy Hunter, Executive Director, Players Association