Leading Figures in the History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Highlighting 21 members of this illustrious historically Black fraternity

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was founded in 1911 at Howard University to cultivate and nurture a generation of leaders who would work toward racial uplift and influence American society. In an unprecedented two volumes, Judson Jeffries brings together original works on 21 of the fraternity’s accomplished and influential members. Written by a diverse group of scholars, these profiles highlight the national importance of these figures in their chosen fields of endeavor, as well as the enormous impact of this great fraternity.

In volume 1, Jeffries presents a prologue and introduction that outline the story of the fraternity’s founding in the context of the racial, social, political, and educational history of the period. This volume spotlights scientists Ernest E. Just and Percy Lavon Julian; civil rights lawyers Fred Gray, Oliver Hill, Spottswood Robinson, and Oscar W. Adams Jr.; sports legends Robert Lee Elder and Clarence Gaines; and musicians Count Basie, Max Roach, and Roland Hayes.

Including both widely recognized and little-known individuals and featuring people who were on the front lines of the struggle for racial equality and those whose work took place behind the scenes, these volumes show the contributions of Black leaders in the areas of science, civil rights, athletics, the arts, the military, politics, education, and more. Leading Figures in the History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is a testament to the significance of Black Greek-letter organizations, whose members have made history through lives of struggle, accomplishment, triumph, and uplift.