L Douglas Wilder

Omega Psi Phi brothers celebrate centennial at D.C. birthplace

The two men, separated by 23 years, 512 miles and different stations in life, have found themselves on this hot July day standing on the campus of Howard University in front of a memorial dedicated to the founders of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Morris Morton of Jackson, Tenn., is a veteran emergency room physician and a graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville. Michael Miller, 28, is a caseworker from Columbus, Ohio, looking at other career paths. But on Wednesday, they called each other brother.

“I had never met this man before 30 minutes ago, but we have a common, now lifelong bond,” said Morton, as he clasped Miller’s hand. Pointing to the names of the fraternity’s founders etched into the granite memorial, he added: “And because of the four men whose names are right there, I now have a brother for life. And that’s what this pilgrimage is all about.”

The quiet moment between fraternity brothers was an informal kickoff for what will soon be a gale of purple and gold descending on Washington through Sunday evening. The fraternity, celebrating its centennial, is bringing about 10,000 “Ques” from more than 700 chapters around the world as part of its conclave, which will be packed from dawn to dawn with events, parties, step shows and memorials.

“It’s just amazing, overwhelming, inspiring to be at this spot, where it all started,” said Miller, gold boots on his feet, pointing around the yard where the memorial sits. “This is my one and only chance to share this with so many of our brothers.”

Indeed, the next four days are a time of fraternity for the brothers, much as it was a hundred years ago when three Howard University students and their faculty adviser established the first black fraternity at an all-black university. The two other all-black fraternities at the time had been founded at white institutions.

Conceived as a distinctive service and social organization by the founders and subsequent leaders and members, the fraternity counts basketball stars Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, entertainer Bill Cosby, and politicians L. Douglas Wilder — the nation’s first black elected governor — and Jesse L. Jackson among its members. The group also includes 20 military generals, Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes and media entrepreneur Earl Graves.

And while boasting such distinguished men, over the years the Omegas have gained — some may say encouraged — a reputation of being rowdier than the average fraternity; men who were more interested in partying than service. They were the men who embraced the “dog,” a term often used to deride pledges and later used as a term of endearment for those who crossed over.

OpEdNews - Article: Governor L. Douglas Wilder to Speak at Road ...

BOSTON (June 21, 2011) -- Road Scholar is pleased to announce that the Honorable L. Douglas Wilder will be the featured speaker on its Taste of Road Scholar event taking place on Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at historic Shearer Cottage in Oak Bluffs.

L. Douglas Wilder's career in public service spans 40 years. As a state senator representing Richmond from 1969 to 1985, Wilder became the first African American state senator in Virginia since Reconstruction. He was then the first African American to be elected governor in the U.S., leading the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. He later served as mayor of Richmond from 2005 until 2009.

The evening event featuring Wilder is a special highlight of a three-night program titled Historical Diversity and Current Life on Martha's Vineyard . The program includes interactions with local business owners, an island author, and a discussion with a former Wampanoag Indian chief for a look at the island's distinct and diverse history.  

"It's an honor to have Governor Wilder with us this summer," says Kathy Taylor, associate vice president of community development at Road Scholar.   "A Taste of Road Scholar celebrates a small piece of African American history through the voice of our guest speaker.   As the first elected African American governor -- with countless other achievements -- Governor Wilder holds a special place in history. We look forward to welcoming him to the Vineyard."

For more information, call toll free at (877) 426-8056 or visit www.roadscholar.org .

- L. Douglas Wilder

L. Douglas Wilder, a selected bibliography

L. Douglas Wilder, governor of Virginia, 1990-1994

L. Douglas Wilder, an American maverick a theory for future black governors

The L. Douglas Wilder, Inaugural Lecture Series Proceedings, 1997-1998