THE BIRTH OF IOTA IOTA

Four founding members, Brothers Cecil H. Flagg, Dr. Nelson Harris, C. A. Toole and William Hurdle, chartered Iota Iota on April 10, 1944. All of the founders have entered Omega Chapter. Formerly an extension of the Beta Phi Chapter of Durham, NC, Iota Iota was formed when the Omega men of Raleigh and Omega men of Durham became two separate and distinct entities. On that date, sources believe the Dr. Nelson Harris was presiding basileus and the chapter's only members were its four founders. Early on, Iota Iota quickly positioned itself as a viable, visible team of community service leaders and role models within the city. This role would gain the chapter recognition not only with the city of Raleigh, but also throughout the state of North Carolina and beyond. The following are highlights of some of the strides made by Iota Iota since 1944.

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 judgement 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..

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, Raleigh was cited as an "All-American City." 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.

Continuing in the political arena, Iota Iota went on to add to its list of accomplishments in 1980 with appointment of another member of the chapter. Brother Harold W. Webb was appointed as director of State Personnel where he served four years. 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. In 1993, Brother Bradford Thompson was elected and served as the only African-American on the Raleigh City Council.

Giving credence to its cardinal principle "uplift," Iota Iota has, in the past 58 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.

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.

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.

The chapter has a scholarship program designed to help fund the aspirations of high school seniors and undergraduate fraternity brothers in pursuit of higher education. The chapter currently holds two annual fundraisers dedicated solely for the scholarship program. On March 22, 1990, Iota Iota established the Leonard Medical Scholarship. The objective of the scholarship is to assist the efforts of African-American youth to pursue a degree in medicine. The scholarship recipient is chosen as a high school senior to receive a portion of the scholarship upon graduation from high school with the remainder of the scholarship remaining in a certificate of deposit until the student completes his or her undergraduate degree and is accepted to a medical degree program. Iota Iota held a press conference on April 11, 1990 on the steps of Leonard Hall, which is now a landmark on the campus of Shaw University. Leonard Hall housed the first medical school for African-Americans in this country. The medical school was established in 1881. The establishment of this scholarship has become one of the most significant programs in the chapter's history. Just as the Iota Iota Chapter has made significant contributions in the Raleigh area, the chapter has also been a significant contributor to the Mighty Sixth District (North and South Carolina). Iota Iota has hosted the Sixth District Annual Meeting in 1965, 1980, 1987, 1999 and 2003.