The phrase “Friendship is Essential to the Soul,” not only summarized what I actually have witnessed, but it also solidified my decision to wanting to become an Omega man.
I was the first person in my family to join a Greek lettered organization. I knew absolutely nothing about Omega Psi Phi or any other National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization.
However, I always noticed the Omegas in my community attending events. I was raised in Houston and I remember seeing men wearing purple and gold, (and some wearing gold boots) holding signs advertising car washes and seeing them doing street clean-ups, feeding the homeless, step-show competitions, and participating in the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. parades.
I later moved to Atlanta, and attended Kennesaw State University where I witnessed similar community service projects and active campus involvement from the men of Omega Psi Phi.
At this time, I was finally able to understand what a fraternity was and what all they did. I was also able to ask about the name of the organization I had been observing for so long.
I had a neighbor who is an Omega man and occasionally he would play a few games of basketball with my friends and me. He would bring other Omega men with him and we would play competitive games for bragging rights. I noticed how they interacted, the bond, the friendship, and cohesiveness between them. It was a brotherhood that I had never seen before.
I became more interested in the organization and wanted to find out additional information about it. I conducted my own research and noticed all of the notable famous Omega men, the mandated programs, service projects completed, values in the cardinal principles, and the motto, “Friendship is Essential to the Soul.”
The motto, cardinal principles, and the programs summarized everything that I’ve seen since my early childhood days. It was that day, that I decided that I wanted to be a part of the organization.
I transferred to Georgia State University where I again witnessed the same active campus involvement, brotherhood, and community service amongst the Omega men at the school. I expressed my interest and later that year was fortunate to be initiated into the fraternity on Nov. 16, 2010, a day that truly changed my life.
In total, there were five of us who were initiated on my line and little did I know that they would become my best friends. I became heavily involved with service, after school programs with youths, and campus involvement at GSU.
However, I wanted to become more involved, give back to more communities and people, win awards, and participate in step shows.
In 2012 we received the Carl V. Patton President’s Outstanding Community Impact Student Organization Award, which is awarded to a student organization that has an ongoing commitment to serving the community.
Since then, I’ve received four scholarship awards for outstanding grades, three leadership awards, and two “Omega Man of the Year” awards. I have spoken at many luncheons and dinner events, and have received many accolades. I have also received my undergraduate degrees in administration in risk management and insurance, in pursuit of becoming an actuary.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity has opened many doorways of opportunities for me and I am fortunate to be where I am at today. Currently, I serve the fraternity as the Second Vice Grand Basileus where I am ranked third in command.
I have helped and will continue to help many families, communities, shelters, students, and peers. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity truly values its cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift and I am a living example of those values.
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