Phi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 93 years of exemplary service, Basileus, Bro. Charles Fordham, Jr.; Vice Basileus, Bro. Vincent Robertson; Keeper of Records and Seal, Bro. Jamal Kelly; Keeper of Finance, Bro. Henry Atkins IV; Chaplin, Bro. Courtney Muse and Editor to the Oracle Bro. John D. Pride.
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Filling the Lamp
By Brother Alvoston Taylor Jr.
No doubt most Omega men know the story of Omega’s founding at Howard University on Friday, November 17, 1911, by three undergraduate students. But do they know the story behind the story?
The founders of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity were friends, real friends. Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman became acquainted with one another at the M Street High School in Washington, D. C., from which they both graduated. They were both scholarly, short in stature, and interested in science. Cooper’s scientific interest would lead to medicine and Coleman’s to science education. Both became acquainted with Edgar Amos Love when they matriculated at Howard University. Soon a fast friendship developed among the three young men.
They did many things together and were often seen together on campus. Because of their togetherness, they were nicknamed, “The 3 Musketeers.”
Cooper and Coleman’s interest in science, drew them to a young science professor, Ernest Everette Just, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Dartmouth College. Oscar J. Cooper became his lab assistant. Coleman and Love often visited the lab, helping Cooper with his lab assignments, setting up experiments, cleaning and storing materials. In the process, they too became acquainted with and got to know Professor Just. Over time, he got to know well this band of friends. He became not only their friend, but advisor and confidante as well.
Cooper gave up the job as lab assistant and Colman took it over. The relationship between the three students and the young professor continued to flourish. It must be remembered that Prof. Just (1883 was only 5 years older than the oldest of, “The 3 Muskateers” (Cooper- 1888).
Perhaps, during the course of their association, the students shared their ideas with Prof. Just. Maybe he shared with them his knowledge of the Greek language. It is supposed that he gave a key to his office to his lab assistant for ease of access to pick up instructions and requests. Whatever the reason for their possession of the key, they had access to the office. On Friday night, November 17, 1911, Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman met in Prof. Ernest E. Just’s office in Science Hall and institutionalized their friendship by founding the OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY. They decided on the name and motto from the phrase Ophelema Philia Psukis. Thus we have OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY: “FRIENDSHIP IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SOUL!”
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Book Review
FIVE MILES AWAY, A WORLD APART
Courtesy of Bro. Marvin Jones, Sr.
Five Miles Away, A World Apart was written by James E. Ryan. Ryan serves as the ninth President of the University of Virginia where he received his law degree and served as a professor of law. Prior to returning to the University of Virginia, he served as the dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The book includes 381 pages of fine print. My daughter, Jamia allowed me to read this book before she had an opportunity to read it herself. In that I served as a counselor at Thomas Jefferson for five years before I retired, she thought that the book would be of interest to me. I thought so as well. Ryan states, in effect, that there are wide disparities that exist today between Thomas Jefferson High School (Richmond City) and Douglas Freeman High School (Henrico County) because of court rulings in the 1970s that limited the scope of desegregation even though the two schools are only five miles apart. He compared an urban (predominately black) with a suburban school (predominately white). The title of the book caught my attention because in addition to serving as a counselor at Thomas Jefferson, I have also served as a substitute teacher at Douglas Freeman High School. Read Moore
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Happy Thanksgiving - Archive
The Brothers of Phi Phi met at McGuire Veterans Hospital on Thanksgiving Day to deliver desserts for the residents of the Hospital. Thanksgiving appreciation for friends and family on this special occasion
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In an effort to register voters, the brothers of the Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. conducted a voter registration drive at Henrico High School and Highland Springs High School in Richmond,Va. |
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Voter registration is the key to ensuring that all Americans can engage in our political process.The brothers were front line participants and will continue to register voters and provide voter information every time the opportunity presents itself. |
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Upcoming Events
- Tuesday November 3, 2020 Election Day
- Tuesday November 3, 2020 Virtual Executive Meeting 6:30 pm
- Wednesday November 11, 2020 Virtual Chapter Meeting 7:00 pm
- Wednesday November 11, 2020 Veterans Day
- Tuesday November 17, 2020 Founders Day
- Saturday November 21, 2020 Virtual Achievement Week Observance
- Thursday November 26, 2020 Thanksgiving Day
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Phi Phi Youth Academy Program - Archives
Bro. Jamal Kelly, Chairman
The Phi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. began it's virtual Omega Stars Youth Academy orientation session. We opened with brothers and young students eager to learn. The brothers of Omega explained the mission and vision of the Youth Academy and discussed expectations for the year. The students introduced themselves and participated in activities that enable them to interact with each other as well as the brothers. We look forward to an exciting year of educational, recreational, and community service activities.
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PHI PHI FEEDING 500 FOOD DRIVE - Archive
Phi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has a rich tradition of serving the community of Richmond Virginia and surrounding counties. Those traditions include but are not limited to feeding the homeless, food drives, clothing drives, voter registrations and street cleanups to name a few.
Phi Phi Chapter takes utmost pride in being able to help others. We will host food drives at Richmond area Kroger Grocery Stores. We are asking all brothers to assist with sorting out baskets. For more information, contact Bro. Kenneth Williams 313-231-0910
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NPHC Installs Dr. David Marion As Chairman
The Council of Presidents of the National Pan Hellenic Council Inc., representing the nine historically Black Greek-Lettered Organizations, announced Dr. David Marion, 41st Grand Basileus of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., as its new Chairman. The council has outlined its strategic priorities, including but not limited to: voter engagement, 2020 Census, economic impact, minority business development, HBCU sustainability, and healthcare advocacy. Under the leadership of Dr. Marion each of the nine Black Greek Letter Organizations best practices and resources will be leveraged as part of this strategic approach to create favorable living conditions for African Americans nationwide.
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The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is currently composed of nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. |
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PHI PHI ACHIEVEMENT WEEK 2020
Phi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. extend a warm invitation for the Virtual International Founders Day Program on Tuesday November 17, 2020 . Achievement Week, one of our mandated programs, is observed each November and it is designed to recognize those individuals at the local and international levels who have contributed to community uplift. For additional information contact Bro. Leroy Mason, Chairman Achievement Week lmjraudit@aol.com
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A Publication of Phi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
John D. Pride, Editor
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