WS Chronicle

Last week the Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity celebrated its annual Achievement Week, leading up to the chapter’s Founder’s Day celebration this weekend.

Originally Achievement Week was designed to promote the study of African American history. Today, it is used to seek out and give due recognition to those individuals at the local and national levels who have made a noteworthy contribution toward improving the quality of life for Black people. 

This year’s celebration kicked off on Monday, Nov. 11, with a Veterans Day breakfast at Golden Corral. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Dr. John Card, with Novant Health, led an open discussion on diabetes and the effect it has on Black men. The next day, Wednesday, Nov. 13, members of the Psi Phi Chapter volunteered at Samaritan Ministries. The Achievement Week Awards Banquet was held on Nov. 14 and Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough delivered the keynote address. 

In addition to honoring community leaders with awards like the Founder’s Award, Manhood Award, Perseverance Award, Superior Service of the Year, and Omega Man of the Year, during the banquet chapter leaders also announced the recipients of the high school essay contest. The contest is open to college bound high school seniors, and scholarships are awarded to the winners. 

The celebration continued on Sunday, Nov. 17, with a worship service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church that morning, and the official Founder’s Day Celebration later that evening at the Omega Friendship Center on Patterson Avenue.

When discussing the importance of Achievement Week with The Chronicle, Chapter Basileus Richard Watkins said it’s all about uplifting the community.

“This is a week of service, this is a week of fellowship, and this is a week of just rallying the community … coming together, continuing to make positive strides for our community,” Watkins said.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. was founded inside a science building on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 17, 1911. A founding member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the council composed of Black fraternities and sororities, better known as the Divine Nine, today Omega Psi Phi is an international organization with more than 750 chapters. 

The Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., was established and chartered on Jan. 23, 1932. Charter members were Hobart T. Allen, Francis L. Atkins, Samuel G. Baker, Clark S. Brown, Sr., W. Otto Gill, Issac P. Perry, William L. Stepp, Sr., Andrew I. Terrell, E. Friar Wilson and Chauncey G. Winston.