Brother B. Thomas Garnette became Basileus of Lambda Omega in 1970 after the death of Brother James E. Newby. At the urging of Brother Garnette and under the administration of Brother Vernon Johnson, Lambda Omega recommended to the Grand Conclave the establishment of the 25 year certificate. Lambda Omega under the leadership of Basileus Vernon Johnson lobbied at the Denver Conclave to restore the grade point average to 2.5 for undergraduate admission into the fraternity. Brothers Marcellus C. Heath and Gene R. Carter also served as Lambda Omega basileus during the 1970’s.
Brothers Wauna L. Dooms, James A. Peterson, Fabius Tucker, Wilbur D. Addison, and Sylvester L. Spence, Sr. served as Lambda Omega basileus during the 1980’s. Each continued to carry out the cardinal principles of Omega – Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift.
On August 30, 1991 Lambda Omega Chapter celebrated a long standing dream when it purchased a fraternity house at 937 Norfolk Square in Norfolk, Virginia. The effort was led by Fabius Tucker, Earl Fraley, James Peterson, and Wilbur Addison. John Flowers was appointed as the first House Master. The Brothers serving as basileus during the 1990’s include Earl P. Fraley, Jr., Charles W. Pleasants, Sr., Charles S. Corprew, Jr., William Davis, and John H. Edwards, III. Additionally, the Chapter has been cited several times as “Chapter of the Year” by the Third District. At the 2002 Conclave held in Charlotte, NC, Lambda Omega was named “Omega Psi Phi International Chapter of the Year.”
Lambda Omega has retained a position of leadership in both the 3rd and 4th Districts of the Fraternity. It has produced more district representatives than any other chapter. The chapter’s past district representatives include Edward R. Archer, Ellis F. Corbett, Thomas Shields, Walter Riddick, James D. Gill, Hilary Jones, Frederick Nance, B. Thomas Garnette, Vernon L. Johnson, James A. Peterson, and Anthony R. Knight.
Brother Robert M. Selden, Sr., served as Basileus of Lambda Omega for six years (1952-58). He was followed by brothers Herbert A. Marshall, Hillary H. Jones, Shirley D. Boothe, James R. Lewis, and M. Boyd Jones.
During this period, Brother Walter H. “Crow” Riddick served as the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the Fraternity for more than twenty years. Brother Ellis F. Corbett became the 27th Grand Basileus in 1967 and served until 1970.
Brothers of Lambda Omega have been an icon in the civic, political, and social life of the Hampton Roads community. Many brothers became teachers, principals, administrators, medical doctors, government managers, lawyers, and other professionals. Brother Joe Jordan became the first black member of Norfolk City Council, Brother William P. Robinson, Sr. served in the Virginia General Assembly, and Brother Lester V. Moore became the first African American judge appointed in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities have played a major role in American Life since 1776.
Black Greek organizations emerged in the early 1900s. These groups have remained very active at the undergraduate and graduate levels since their founding. They have played a major role in the cultural, social, and civic life of their communities.
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity founded November 17, 1911, at Howard University, was entirely composed of undergraduate chapters until June 1, 1920. It was the inspiration and vision of Brothers Walter C. Fulford and Eurie S. Peters, of Alpha Chapter; together with brothers Lafayette Howell, Elihue Burke, and G. Hamilton Francis, that the oldest, continuously active graduate chapter, Lambda (now Lambda Omega) was founded in Norfolk, Virginia on June 1, 1920. The first officers elected by the charter members were Brothers Lafayette Howell (Basileus), Walter Fulford (Keeper of Records and Seal), and Eurie Peters (Keeper of Finance).
Lambda Omega has consistently been a driving force in the fraternity and the community from the original five members in 1920. During its first thirty years, Lambda Omega continued to grow and develop in both quality and quantity, and by 1950 there were more than 50 active brothers in the chapter. Brother G. Hamilton Francis served as the second chapter basileus. He was followed by brothers Elihue Burke, A.B. Green, Jr., Edward R. Archer, P.J. Chesson, Walter H. “Crow” Riddick, Sr., Ellis F. Corbett, Thomas H. Shields, Sherman Williams, and James A. Bowser.
Brother Ellis F. Corbett (Mu Psi) joined Lambda Omega in 1931 and persuaded the chapter to assist in organizing a State Conference in Virginia. Lambda Omega succeeded in 1934 by founding the Virginia Omega State Conference and served as host of the first meeting. Brother Edward R. Archer was elected the first president of the Conference. By 1940, Lambda Omega was a part of the fourth district with Ellis Corbett as a district representative. In 1943, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland organized into the third district. Maryland later moved to the Second District.