AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – Our area’s first black Greek letter organization is celebrating a big milestone.
It’s been 100 years since the Psi Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was chartered here in Augusta.
Since then, members have made countless contributions toward improving our city and the lives of people who live here.
Founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1911, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was built on the foundation of friendship being essential to the soul.
The brotherhood continued expanding its bond and 14 years later became the first black Greek letter organization in Augusta.
“They got chartered in 1925. They existed for four and a half years as an active chapter. But, for some reason, they went silent. My father had gone into Omega in Alpha chapter at Howard University. He came here to set up his dental practice and wanted to know where the Omegas were. So, he invited them to his office and had a meeting in his waiting room of the Omega fellas and reorganized them and Psi Omega has been a vibrant force in Augusta ever since and that was in July 1930,” reflects Dr. James E. Carter, III.
Dr. James Carter the third is a legacy member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated following the purple and gold path paved by his father prominent local dentist Dr. James Carter, the second.
He continues to figuratively carry a lamp shining a light on the impact made locally by members of his beloved organization.
“Willis A. Irvin was a longtime business manager at Paine College who became the first black since reconstruction to be elected to a public office in the state of Georgia. Then there’s T.W. Josey, of course, prominent physician,” he adds.
“We had one man, Thomas Jenkins, who everybody called ‘Tiny’, because he was a big fella. He was actually the first person on the radio in the city of Augusta on an old radio station called WJBF.”
While the list of accomplished Psi Omega chapter members is long, I learned, it’s no match for the mammoth contributions they’ve made over the past 100 years.
Dr. Carter says, “we’ve given to orphanages and medical programs, health clinics.”
Often known for their electrifying probate shows, purple and gold boots and high stepping hops the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated Psi Omega chapter have been in formation, leading the way for students through their scholarship programs that have been in place for 75 years.
James Gallman has been a member of the fraternity for 65 years since pledging at Claflin University.
“We’re giving back and helping these students who perhaps as I was and didn’t really have any money,” says Gallman.
An endeavor that is just one part of the fabric of their brotherhood and bond that carries them through life and beyond.
Which tears in his eyes, Dr. Carter recites a portion of his beloved fraternity’s hymn.
“Through days of joy or years of pain to serve thee e’re will be our aim. And when we say our last goodbye we’ll love Omega Psi Phi.”
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – Educator Dr. Charles Lamback, Educator Fred Adams, Pastor Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Businessman Selwyn Godbee. land and home developer Oscar Jessie, Pastor Reverend Dr. Johnny R. Hatney, Dentist Dr. Ty Williams and actor Mark Oliphant.
These are just a few of the men who are part of a local chapter that has been an important thread in the fabric of Augusta over the past 100 years that continues to grow.
Long before they were high stepping and hopping.. demonstrating pride and honor in their organization, the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated Psi Omega chapter were soaring and setting the pace for excellence in the Augusta area.
“At one time, out of 13 black schools in the city of Augusta, 10 of the Principals were Omega men,” says Dr. James Carter the third who is a legacy member of the organization founded in 1911.
The fraternity is part of what’s known as the “Divine 9” greek letter organizations.
They were founded during a time of segregation and provided students with outlets for not only friendship but service to their communities.
Although Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated is the fourth founded organization it became the first black Greek organization in Augusta.
Dr. Carter says the members are strong parts of the foundation upon which the local community was built.
“Dr. Warren Russell was a prominent Physician in town. LeVert Jones was a prominent Physician in town for who Jones pool was named after out behind Collins school and Robert Blunt who was an avid Silver Beaver award winner with the Boy Scouts and he operated Bethlehem Center’s recreation program for years and they had a gymnasium there and they had all the Afro American basketball games in that gym,” Dr. Carter explains.
The long time legacy of members extends from physicians like Dr. T.W. Josey who lives on through a high school that bears his name and W.S. Hornsby whose name also appears on schools to Reverend Dr. C.S. Hamilton who was the long time Pastor of the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church and a street is named in his honor.
Dr. Carter adds, “brother M.M. Scott who the M.M. Scott homes is named after and who is really the father of Bel Air Hills subdivision. He is the one who developed that himself.”
Today, their contributions continue through chapter members who followed in their footsteps making a lasting impression on the community.
In fact, for 75 of their 100 years, they have raised thousands of dollars to educate local students.
“It started with a basketball game over in old Bethlehem center and that was to raise money to assist students to go to school. That turned, later on, to the Mardi Gras in the 60s. But, it still exists today.”
“For the last probably 20, 25 years we’ve been giving ten, twelve to fifteen scholarships, one thousand dollar scholarships each year,” reflects 65 year member James Gallman.
Members say it’s just one way the organization’s oil of scholarship and leadership, poured a century ago, will continue to burn and ignite success for future generations.
The Psi Omega chapter is preparing for its annual scholarship Mardi Gras gala.
To learn more about the event and purchase tickets go to psiomegachapter.org or the chapter’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/1925PsiOmega .
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