1888–1972
Hon. Dr. Oscar James Cooper
Physician, Howard graduate, and one of the three undergraduate founders of Omega Psi Phi.
Our Chapter · West Valley of Phoenix
The history of Xi Nu Nu.
Nineteen charter members, one shared purpose, and a decision to establish Omega’s presence closer to the communities they lived in and served.
A chapter created to meet a real need.
Xi Nu Nu Graduate Chapter began with 14 brothers in the West Valley of Phoenix who met on Thursday, July 15, 2021, to discuss how to best serve West Valley communities throughout the Phoenix metro area.
Five additional brothers joined the original group, bringing the number to 19. Those 19 brothers would become the charter members of Xi Nu Nu Graduate Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
At the time, brothers living in the West Valley were traveling 52 miles one way—104 miles round trip—to attend Phi Iota Graduate Chapter meetings and community service events in central Phoenix and the East Valley. They believed Omega’s presence and resources needed to be established closer to the West Valley.
The proposed chapter submitted a strategic and sustainability plan explaining how eight West Valley cities would be served. After review by the 34th 12th District Representative, Brother Kwame Dow, the charter application was sent to the Supreme Council on October 5, 2021.
On December 15, 2021, the Supreme Council approved the application and assigned the Greek letters Xi Nu Nu. The chapter was established on the same month and day as Alpha Chapter, the “Mother Pearl” of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which was chartered on December 15, 1911.
Fourteen brothers meet
The first meeting focused on how Omega could better serve the West Valley of Phoenix.
Five additional brothers join
The organizing group grows to 19 men who later become Xi Nu Nu’s charter members.
Charter application advances
After district review and approval, the application and written justification are submitted to the Supreme Council.
Xi Nu Nu is chartered
The Supreme Council approves a West Valley chapter and assigns the Greek letters Xi Nu Nu.
The charter line is initiated
Nine men are initiated as the “9 Sons of Woody,” honoring Brother Fulwood “Woody” Blackburn.
More than 75 service projects
The chapter reports over 75 community service projects since chartering.
The Charter Members
Nineteen brothers established Xi Nu Nu.
Fourteen brothers formed the original organizing group. Five more joined as the work to establish the chapter moved forward.
Brother Terry WilliamsBrother Bryant JonesBrother Mark WashingtonBrother Barry KimmonsBrother Allison ReedBrother Demond Bradford IIBrother Jermaine SampsonBrother Courtney BossBrother Gustavus LawlerBrother Fulwood BlackburnOmega ChapterBrother Charles WilliamsBrother Reginald HarrellBrother Arnold McCraryBrother Derrick GoldenBrother Keith SimpsonBrother Ronald DavisBrother Kevin ScottBrother Gabriel JohnsonBrother Armani Davis
The Charter Line
The 9 Sons of Woody.
On April 13, 2024, nine men were initiated into Xi Nu Nu as the chapter’s charter line. The line honors Brother Fulwood “Woody” Blackburn, who entered Omega Chapter on November 15, 2023.
Brother Jerome HavensBrother Joshua JacksonBrother John BaconBrother Alejandrino DiazBrother Byron GreenBrother Michael GrigsbyBrother Shawn ColemanBrother Ricky MageeBrother Eric Henson
Rooted in Omega
Friendship is essential to the soul.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, inside the Science Building at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The founders were three undergraduates—Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, and Frank Coleman—joined by faculty adviser Ernest Everett Just.
The name Omega Psi Phi was derived from the initials of a Greek phrase meaning “friendship is essential to the soul.” Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift were adopted as the Cardinal Principles.
Alpha Chapter was organized on December 15, 1911. One hundred ten years later, Xi Nu Nu was chartered on that same month and day.
1890–1967
Hon. Prof. Frank Coleman
Physicist, professor, Army officer, and one of the three undergraduate founders.
1891–1974
Hon. Bishop Edgar Amos Love
Minister, educator, civic leader, and Omega Psi Phi’s first Grand Basileus.
1883–1941
Hon. Prof. Ernest Everett Just
World-renowned biologist, faculty adviser, and the fraternity’s first elected active member.
The Massive Twelfth District
Ten states. Four time zones.
The 12th District was created in 1941 and, according to the chapter’s district history, covers the largest contiguous landmass of any Omega district—approximately 1.6 million square miles.