Eta Phi Chapter History

In early 1925, Brothers Matthew Bullock, Esq., Dr. Theodore E. McCurdy, Alfred T. Clark and Everett C. Yates petitioned the National Office to establish a graduate chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Boston, Massachusetts so that they could continue their fraternal union as Omega men beyond the undergraduate year. Their petition was approved and on July 1, 1925 the Eta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was chartered.

Since that time, Eta Phi has enjoyed the involvement of brothers who have attended area graduate schools, worked for local corporations, taught in local schools, performed social services, played for professional sport teams, and owned businesses in the Greater Boston area. The extent of this involvment has allowed the chapter to favorably impact the community socially and economically by means of its charitable service.

The foundation of our work in the community is based upon the fraternity’s Internationally Mandated Programs which include: the Assault on Illiteracy Program (AIOP); the Social Action Program; The Scholarship Program; the Membership, Reclamation and Retention Program; Achievement Week; the Talent Hunt Program; the High School Essay Contest; and our Annual Memorial Service. With these directives in hand, Eta Phi Chapter has adopted the Mather Elementary School in Dorchester, the oldest public elementary school in America, and now the Nathan Hale School in attempt to impact the lives of young Black men. Social problems are openly addressed with the children to allow them to see and identify with Black male professionals that they might not otherwise have contact with. In addition, Eta Phi Chapter proudly serves Project Bread in supporting Feed the Hungry initiatives (formerly at the Church of All Nations) at the St. John Episcopal Church, Boston. It also serves Project Bread by means of a food bank out of the Edward L. Cooper Gardening and Education Center in Roxbury. Brothers prepare food baskets during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for needy families.

Omega Men In Action, Inc.: Dedicated to Community Service

Omega Men In Action, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) organization made up of brothers of the local graduate chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. that is charged with raising funds for scholarships for college-bound high school seniors and the other Nationally Mandated Programs of the fraternity. Our mission is to take advantage of opportunities to expose youth to the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Black college-educated professionals, and to provide young inner-city males with access to the skills and knowledge that promote creativity, self-sufficiency, healthy living, and positive professional career options.

OMIA members value and live by the Four Cardinal Principles of the fraternity: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. Our vision is to increase the number of Black males who go to college, graduate, and acquire the skills that will allow them to become employed or start their own businesses to employ others. As part of this effort, Eta Phi chapter and OMIA have awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to area students. In addition, OMIA operates a food pantry at the Edward L. Cooper, Sr. Community Garden & Education Center on Linwood Street in Roxbury where we distribute food to needy families once a month.