Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
In Friday evening, November 17, 1911, 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.
From its inception, Omega has worked build a strong and effective force of men dedicated to principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, uplift and capable of giving expression to the hopes and aspirations of an un-free people in the land of the free.In 1927, at the urging of fraternity members Carter G. Woodson, the fraternity made National Negro Achievement Week an annual observance and it continues today as Back History Month. Since 1945, the fraternity has undertaken a National Social Action Program to meet the needs of African Americans in the areas of health, housing, civil rights, and education.Omega Psi Phi has been a patron of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) since 1955, providing an annual gift of $50,000 to the UNCF, and is a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) members.
Today, Omega Psi Phi has over 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Bahamas, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait. There are many notable Omega Men recognized as leaders in the arts, athletics, business, civil rights, education, government, and science sectors at the local, national and international level.
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