Nu Chi Chapter Beginnings

Approximately sixty-eight years ago, a group of eager spirited, college trained men had envisioned the continual of fraternal life in the area in which they resided. Upon receiving their formative education; entering the college ranks; earning degrees in their respected areas of endeavor; and becoming responsible citizens, a bond they had experienced years ago with men of like ideas on their respected campuses was void.

It has been a cultural and societal measure that the local high school is the pillar of every community. However, during the period of blatant racism, which led to segregation in the American School System, the black community of East St. Louis only knew of one place where its pride resonated: Lincoln Sr. High School. Nevertheless, this is where a group of men of similar interest and like-minded attainments began attending sporting events. Through intense interactions and sharing of college experiences if when they realized there was a common bond amongst them.

Men such as Frederick Birth and Laverne Crawford, facilitated the endeavor to establish a local Omega Psi Phi chapter. They had befriended quite a few other Omega Men in the Metropolitan area. Through casual conversations and networking, other notable Omegas: Levi Dozier; Erwin Dunn; Corliss Glenn; James Grady; Otis Morgan; Raymond Paradise; and James Tharp realized a local chapter existed in St. Louis, Missouri (Upsilon Omega) for quite some time. Upon that discovery and continued association with Upsilon Omega Chapter, those experiences gave the above Omega Men motivation to persevere and ‘See It Through’ to start a chapter to serve the East St. Louis community and Southern Illinois region.