Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The founders were three Howard University undergraduates, -- Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman. Joining them was their faculty adviser, Dr. Ernest Everett Just.
From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, "FRIENDSHIP IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SOUL", the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. That phrase was selected as the motto.
Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles.
On November 23, 1911 in Thirkield Hall, Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Cooper and Coleman were selected to be the Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary) and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Eleven Howard University undergraduate men were selected to be the charter members and Alpha Chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911.
Cooper became the fraternity’s second Grand Basileus in 1912 and authorized the investigation of a proposed second chapter at Lincoln University, Penn.
Love was elected as the third Grand Basileus in 1912 and served until 1915. In 1912, Howard University officials did not initially recognize the fraternity as a national organization and Omega Psi Phi’s leadership refused to only accept local recognition. As a result, the fraternity operated without official sanction, until the university withdrew its opposition in 1914, the same year that the Beta Chapter was chartered at Lincoln University.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914.
For more Omega history please visit our National Website
HISTORY
Since 1927
To truly know and appreciate the history of the Ninth District, you must first understand how districts in general were derived, that is, how and why they came into being? How did they fit into the internal organization of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.? What is the meaning of the term "District Representative?" The answers to these questions changed with time. They did not mean the same during the early days of the Fraternity as they mean today. From the founding of Omega throughout its first decade, there was no such thing as "Districts" or "District Representatives." The Grand Basileus had the total and personal responsibility of administering all facets of the Fraternity. A job that was becoming increasingly more difficult as the organization became larger and larger. However, this was to change during the second decade of the Fraternity's existence.
In 1922, the Eleventh Annual Grand Conclave meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania authorized the creation of the office of Vice Grand Basileus. The chapters ratified this change in 1923. Now, the Grand Basileus had a helper. The new official was specifically charged to "expand Omega." Thus, the Grand Basileus was relieved of this tedious duty and could concentrate on other aspects of running the Fraternity. Brother John W. Love was the first to fill this new position, and he set out immediately to increase the number of chapters and number of members in the Fraternity. Even so, he needed help.
The same Conclave that created the office of the Vice Grand Basileus empowered Grand Basileus J. Alston Atkins to appoint five "District Representatives." These men were to be emissaries of the Grand Basileus and were to supervise chapters as assigned, but they were to function under the supervision of the Vice Grand Basileus. Specifically, they were to concentrate on helping the Vice Grand Basileus in the expansion of Omega. To accomplish this, each representative was to visit all the chapters in his area at least once during 1923. Further, he was to scout the area for possible locations of new chapters, and he was to use his influence to establish new chapters in the preferred areas. This extraordinary vision ultimately led to the establishment of the Ninth District.
We have been extremely blessed here in the Ninth District. All of our District Representatives have been brothers with extraordinary dedication, men of vision, character, and action. In succession, they have escalated the programs of the District to a higher plateau of Omega Brotherhood. For this, to them, let us all be eternally grateful.
For more District history please visit the Ninth District Website
HISTORY
Epsilon Omicron was reclaimed January 21, 2025, in Katy, TX.
Epsilon Omicron Chapter was originally chartered February 16, 1947, in Wichita Falls, TX
