On December 30th, 1980, The Omega Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered as an Intermediate chapter in the city of Philadelphia, PA under the 31st Grand Basileus, Bro. Burnel Coulon and the 17th Second District Representative, Bro. Walter Amprey. The following Brothers met regularly for nearly 2 years and were instrumental in formulating and organizing the chapter:

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Bro. Kelvin Baldwin

Bro. Robert Bell

Bro. Michael Burgis

Bro. John Connors

Bro. Leonard Furguson

Bro. Christopher Harrison

Bro. Bernard Hopewell

Bro. Stafford Knuckle

Bro. Henry S. Martin, Jr.

Bro. Steve Miller

Bro. Michael Montgomery

Bro. Blane Newberry

Bro. Greg Powell

Bro. Mark Robinson

Bro. Kevin L. Smith

Bro. Clifton Smith

 

The charter was presented to the chapter during a ceremony on May 2nd, 1981. As an Intermediate chapter, at that time, Omega Lambda was the only chapter available for young men seeking Omega and matriculating at area colleges and universities, to include:

 

Temple University

Beaver College (now Arcadia University)

Drexel University

Lasalle University

Pierce College

Philadelphia College of Textile & Science (Now Thomas Jefferson University)

University of Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph's University

 

Additionally, as an Intermediate chapter, Omega Lambda accepted members who had been initiated at other undergraduate chapters and who lived in the Philadelphia area. It is worthy to note that Omega Lambda became the home of “The International All Stars” step team. The team was well known for winning step competitions nation-wide and entertaining the public, most notably, at the Philly Greek Picnic.

 

The first Executive Committee of the Omega Lambda Chapter was as follows:

Basileus:                         Bro. Kevin L. Smith

Vice-Basileus:                Bro. Christopher M. Harrison

KF:                                 Bro. Michael J. Montgomery

KRS:                              Bro. Michael D. Burgis

Parliamentarian:             Bro. Kelvin J. Baldwin

Chaplain:                        Bro. Mark Robinson

Editor to the Oracle:       Bro. Blane J. Newberry

 

The chapter had a very impactful inaugural year. In 1981, Omega Lambda became a Lifetime Member of the local chapter of the NAACP and gained a seat on its Board of Directors. Also, the chapter raised significant funds for local and national efforts, to include: The Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as the families of the Atlanta child murders (1979-1981). The impact of Omega Lambda was manifested when the chapter earned Second District Chapter of the Year recognition and Bro. Kevin L. Smith was selected as the Second District Omega Man of the Year, the youngest Brother to gain that honor to that point.

 

The year 1981 also produced the first Omega Lambda Lampados Club on November 8th, which consisted of 8 young men. This line was initiated on January 5th, 1982, and was given the name, FIRST LIGHT (IHQ database lists 1/4/82). Brothers of FIRST LIGHT are:

 

Bro. Charles Mapp

Bro. Daniel McLemore, III

Bro. Jordan Ewell

Bro. Troy Waters

Bro. Joseph Farthing

Bro. William Emery

Bro. Christopher McClendon

Bro. Warren Montague

 

Their DP: Bro. Brian Bazemore

 

In 1990, Omega Lambda was fraudulently rendered inactive and remained so for more than 25 years. During those years Intermediate chapters were eliminated from the fraternity. However, the Omega Lambda Chapter was reactivated as a Graduate Chapter, on February 12th, 2016, by the 34th Second District Representative, Bro. Milton Harrison, in conjunction with the informal Omega Lambda reactivation team of Bro. Jeffrey A. Givens and Bro. Johnny L. Gibbs.

 

The first Executive Committee of the Omega Lambda Chapter after reactivation, was as follows:

 

Basileus:            Bro. Jeffrey A. Givens

Vice Basileus:    Bro. Johnny L. Gibbs

KF:                     Bro. William Emery

KRS:                  Bro. Craig Collier

Chaplain:           Bro. Ted Proudford III