"Omega Calls Her Sons of Light"
Omega Psi Phi Celebrates at Centennial Conclave
By John B. Smith, Jr. Eta Omega '94
Editor/Chief Operating Officer, the Atlanta Inquirer
On January 1, 1940, Herman Dreer wrote that the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. had "caused more than six thousand college men to pledge themselves to lives of noblest ideals." Now, 100 years after its founding in 1911, with its Cardinal Principles – Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift, the fraternity has an estimated 760 chapters in 13 districts that span not only the continental United States, but also Bermuda, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait. Today, Omega continues to flourish with men of the very highest ideals and intellect.
Dr. Andrew Ray, Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., addresses the crowd gathered in front of Thirkield Hall on the Howard campus
Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., known as the Ques, converged of our nation's capital from July 27th through July 31st, 2011 with a sea of royal purple and old gold, celebrating 100 years of Omega. At Washington, DC, there were many events hosted by the fraternity. During the week of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Centennial Conclave, the members of the Fraternity painted Washington, D.C. and its surrounding neighborhoods as they visited wearing clothing and paraphernalia trimmed with royal purple and old gold, the Fraternity's official colors.
The celebration and Conclave culminated to one of the most notable events on Saturday, July 30th with a banquet. Omega Psi Phi member Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. served as the banquet's keynote speaker. Jackson firmly acknowledged the strength of the fraternity and recognized many key events led by Omega Men throughout history. He took time to point out, however, that there is still work to be done in America. Lots of people in still financial crises, facing foreclosures, homeless, unemployment… nation fighting debts with Congress's continual fighting. He stressed the importance of ethnic equality and a level playing field in order to achieve voting and political equity, to shut down discrimination and to better our country.
Jackson, the Fraternity's Grand Basileus Dr. Andrew Ray and the entire Omega Psi Phi Fraternity stood with applause, respect and in affirmation and respect of our nation's President Barack Obama. During Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.'s Centennial Conclave, President Obama met with the Grand Officers of the Fraternity and expressed his congratulations and support of the continued endeavors of the Fraternity.
As the Conclave concluded, Omegas hugged one another and revered their dear beloved Fraternity, Omega Dear. One of their prolific historic songs quotes, "We rise to the skies that we prize ending wrong… wrapped in mantles of fame for Omega's dear name we will fight with all might for the right." Congratulations to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and its members, blazing glory, bringing the world to fame, separate but one in aim.
About the Atlanta Inquirer
John B. Smith, Sr., Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of The Atlanta Inquirer; and son John B. Smith, Jr., Editor of The Atlanta Inquirer, are Brothers in the esteemed Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. John B. Smith Sr. is also a past chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a federation of over 200 Black newspapers / periodicals in the United States. During the Inquirer's beginnings in the 1960s, Omega Men Jesse Hill, Jr., Clinton E. Warner, Jr., and John B. Smith, Sr. helped the Atlanta newspaper become the voice of the Atlanta Black Student Movement that was the catalyst for the Atlanta Civil Rights Movement. Hill, activist and business leader in Atlanta, and Warner, retired Atlanta physician, continue to serve on the Inquirer's advisory board.
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