Founders of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. History

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college.

Thirkield Hall, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., is where the founders began the formation of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The founders were three undergraduates -- Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman. Joining them was their faculty adviser, Ernest Everett Just.

"Friendship is essential to the soul," is where the phrase Omega Psi Phi was derived from. That phrase was selected as the motto.

Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles.

On November 23, 1911, Edgar A. Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President).  Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman were selected to be the Grand Keeper of the Records (National Secretary) and Grand Keeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Eleven undergraduate men were selected to become the charter members.

Alpha chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911.  Brothers Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman were elected the chapter’s first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and Keeper of Seals, respectively.

Brother Cooper became the fraternity’s second Grand Basileus in 1912 and authorized the investigation of establishing a second chapter on the campus of Lincoln University located in Pennsylvania. 

Brother 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 accept limited recognition. As a result, the fraternity operated without official sanction, until the university withdrew its opposition in 1914, the same year Beta chapter was chartered at Lincoln University. 

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

Omega continues to flourish, largely because 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.

Since its humble beginnings on the Howard University campus, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity continues to be on the front line, leveraging its power, influence and more than 100 years of commitment to the uplift of our people and our communities.

Internationally Mandated Programs

ACHIEVEMENT WEEK - is observed each November and is designed to recognize those individuals at the local and international levels who have contributed to community uplift. A High School Essay Contest is to be held in conjunction with Achievement Week. 

SCHOLARSHIP - promotes academic excellence among the undergraduate members. Graduate chapters provide financial assistance to student members and non-members.

SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS - Chapters participate in activities that will uplift their communities. Some of the activities include: voter registration, Assault on Illiteracy; Habitat for Humanity; mentoring; and participation in fundraisers for charitable organizations.

TALENT HUNT PROGRAM - provides exposure, encouragement and financial assistance to talented young people participating in the performing arts. Winners are awarded recognition and may be given college scholarships.

MEMORIAL SERVICE - March 12th of each year chapters conduct an appropriate service to recall the memory of those members who have entered into Omega Chapter.

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.

COLLEGE ENDOWMENT FUND - Each year the fraternity gives at least $50,000 to historically black college and universities in furtherance of Omega's commitment to provide philanthropic support. 

HEALTH INITIATIVES - Chapters facilitate, participate and coordinate activities that promote good health practices. Some of the programs are the Charles Drew Blood Drive and partnership with the American Diabetes Association. 

VOTER REGISTRATION, EDUCATION AND MOBILIZATION - Chapters facilitate and participate in activities that uplift their communities through the power of the vote. 

NAACP - Every district and chapter of the fraternity is required to maintain a Life Membership at Large in the NAACP. All members of the fraternity are encouraged to join the NAACP.

STEM - The Fraternity’s STEM initiatives are designed to get students across the world excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).