ABOUT IOTA IOTA CHAPTER

The Iota Iota chapter was chartered by 26 former May 31, 1944 in Raleigh by 26 charter members. Prior to our formation, the local Raleigh Omega men were affiliated with the Beta Phi Chapter in Durham, NC. The first officers were listed as follows: Dean F.P. Payne-Basileus, E.H. McClenny-Vice Basileus, J.R. Larkins-Keeper of Records & Seal, P.H. Kyle-Keeper of Finance, Rev. J.W. Cameron-Chaplain, P.H. Williams, Jr.-Keeper of Peace. The members of the chapter at that time were L.W. Addison, James H. Baker, H.C. Brower, Dr. W.F. Clark, Cecil H. Flagg, S.T. Gibson, Dr. Nelson H. Harris, Lewlyn M. Hayes, M.C. Hill, William Hurdle, W.J. Latham, L.T. Lightner, W.S. Lockhart, S.G. Parham, L.C. Rivers, W.W. Smith, John S. Spivey, T.L. Spraggins, C.A. Toole, and C.H. Williams.

 

The Iota Iota Chapter quickly positioned itself as a viable, visible team of community service leaders and roles models within the city.

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Within the first ten years of its history, Iota Iota made history during the Martin Luther King, Jr. era. The chapter played a significant role in the desegregation of public accommodations in the city of Raleigh. A landmark civil rights judgment was won against the city of Raleigh covering all types of segregation, and featured a planning architect, Brother Dr. Carl DeVane (Omega Chapter), who was a member of Iota Iota. Bro. DeVane was quoted by Harry Reasoner of the CBS evening news during the thrust of the controversial case and Reasoner returned to the city of Raleigh to cover the actual trial which was so heavily attended that it was held at the Raleigh Auditorium.

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Also within the first ten years, the chapter established a political presence in the city of Raleigh. Several people and issues supported by the fraternity, eventually gained recognition in the political process during this time. In 1953, the chapter laid the political foundation to run one of its own members for a political office. Dr. Carl DeVane ran for City Council; although Dr. DeVane did not win the campaign, he came closer to a victory than any other African-American had at that time. Four years later, the chapter sponsored another Omega man, Brother John W. Winters, who ran successfully for a seat on the City Council and later went on to become elected to the State Senate. In 1973, Iota Iota backed yet another member, Brother Clarence E. Lightner, to run for political office. Brother Lightner ran for and won the mayoral election that year and served a two-year term. This was one of the most significant elections in the state of North Carolina; not only was Brother Lightner the first and only black mayor in the history of the city, but also because during Brother Lightner’s tenure, Raleighwas cited as an “All-AmericanCity.” This commendation had never been bestowed on the city before. During this era, St. Augustine’s College, one of the most instrumental institutions in the education of African-American youth in this country, chose Iota Iota member Brother Dr. Prezell Robinson to lead. Brother Robinson served in this capacity for over twenty-five years having been appointed in 1969. These are just a few of history-making endeavors for the men of the Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

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Continuing in the political arena, Iota Iota went on to add to its list of accomplishments in 1980 with the appointment of another member of the chapter. Brother Harold W. Webb was appointed as director of State Personnel where he served four years. Also, in the early 2000’s, Bro. Webb serves as a Wake County Commissioner. In 1990, Brother Geoffrey H. Simmons became the first African-American elected to head the Wake County Bar Association. On November 4, 1992, Brother Ralph Campbell became the first African-American elected as State Auditor. In 1994, Brother Michael R. Morgan became the first Omega man to serve as a judge in the General Court of Justice in Wake County and later in the 2000’s serves on the Superior Court of NC. In 1993, Brother Bradford Thompson was elected and served as the only African-American on the Raleigh City Council.

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Giving credence to its cardinal principle “uplift,” Iota Iota has, in the past 65 years, been instrumental in assisting the establishment of some of the city’s historically African-American landmarks by advising the efforts of aspiring local businessmen. One such undertaking was the chapter’s assistance to Wilson S. Lockhart and a partner to become among the first African-Americans to obtain a franchise with Shell Oil Enterprises.

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On September 18, 1988, Brother Clarence A. Toole (Omega Chapter), one of the founding members of Iota Iota was interviewed for a developing book which would address the social and cultural achievements made by African-Americans in Raleigh. Although Brother Toole was one of the many interviewed, it was his passionate depiction of Raleigh as a “cultural town” that led to the editors’ decision to later title the book Culture Town. The book published in 1993 and is currently the only one of its kind in print.

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The accomplishments of Iota Iota collectively and of its individual members have been many and among those consistent with the fraternity since its early years, include the fraternity’s serving as advisor to three undergraduate chapters of Omega Psi Phi located on the campuses of Shaw University, St. Augustine’s College and North Carolina State University. The advisory program encourages the younger brothers to maintain academic excellence as well as to pursue education beyond their undergraduate degrees.

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