September 27, 1989 a letter was sent to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Head Quarters requesting a charter for a new Omega Chapter in Chester County. On April 10, 1990 the first chapter meeting was held at Lincoln University. Members in attendance at that first meeting were: Louis Stoney, Frank "Tick" Coleman and James Paul Stephens. On July 20, 1990 Zeta Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraterni
ty was officially founded and chartered as a Graduate Chapter in Chester, PA. On August 10, 1990. John Epps - Executive Director of the organization was sent formal notification on the chapter’s status from the Fraternity’s head quarters. The nine Charter members were:
1. Dr. Melvin Jones
2. Marshall Henderson
3. Paul Stevens
4. Charles Edington (VP of Lincoln)
5. Lewis “Stoney” Robinson
6. Donzelle Tiller
7. Dr. Vernon Jones
8. Dr. Joseph Martin
9. Frank “Tick” Coleman
Omega Psi Phi had previously established itself in the area in 1914 as the fraternity’s first expansion chapter, Beta Chapter, at Lincoln University. Zeta Iota Iota Chapter was formed to serve as the graduate advisory chapter to Beta Chapter and the surrounding community. Zeta Iota Iota Chapter continues to serve the Philadelphia and Chester County of Pennsylvania in the 21st century. Zeta Iota Iota faced many challenges in the 90’s including inactivity. By 1998, the chapter began a slow reactivation process with the efforts of Beta Alumni brothers. In 1999, with the reclamation of additional chapter brothers and the revitalization of the chapter, a new line crossed on May 29, 1999. The chapter’s first line of new brothers were known as:
“6 UnconQUErable Souls”
1. John Dee Mobley
2. Terrence Amir McKelvey
3. Aaron Henderson
4. Adrian Maurice Knight
5. Robert "Nate" Jamison
6. Kenneth Lloyd Hill Jr. The following year the second line of a single initiate crossed on April 4, 2000. His line name was:
"Pig Pen"
1. Arthur Raison
It would be five more years, April 16, 2005, before another line would cross at ZII. However, the third line would anchor the chapter with members that established the chapter's permanent presence in the region. What was unique about this line is that they all remained active with the chapter and local to the community. Their members went on to elect from that line a KRS, KF, Basileus and Vice Basileus. They were known as:
“6 Disciples of Resurrection”
1. Masai Skief
2. Donald Redmond
3. Leon Sullivan
4. Kennon Jenkins
5. Ronald Keene, Jr.
6. David "Swami" Fields
Four years later Zeta Iota Iota initiated its fourth and largest line to date. The group of initiates entered into Omega on November 28, 2009. They were known as the “7 Sons of Perseverance” and are as follows:
“7 Sons of Perseverance”
1. David Dawson
2. Al Dorsey
3. Michael Roepel
4. Aaron Edwards
5. Rasheem Reese
6. Blair Frazier
7. Jerome Smith, Jr. On November 12, 2011 at 8:18 p.m. Six (6) newly initiated members entered into the fold of Omega and the chapter of Zeta Iota Iota. The fifth line will forever be known as “6 Centennial Soul Survivors”. They are as follows:
“6 Centennial Soul Survivors”
1. Lawrence Bell
2. Prince Muhammad
3. Darriel Tynes
4. Eugene Butterfield
5. Keith Coleman
6. Le'Jean Thompson
On April 13, 2013 at 8:29 p.m. The sixth line will forever be known as “6 Soldiers of Blood and Thunder”. They are as follows:
“6 Soldiers of Blood & Thunder”
1. Eric Pigford, Jr.
2. LeVaun Rudisill
3. Toby "TJ" Booker
4. Corey Boyd
5. Wayne Hill
6. Timothy Tyler
On April 13, 2013 at 8:29 p.m. They are as follows:
"6 Soldiers of Blood and Thunder"
1. Timothy Tyler
On April 9, 2016 at 7:24 p.m. Five (5) new initiates entered into the fold of Zeta Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and became the seventh line in the chapter's lineage. They were name 5 Qaotic Survivors:
"5 Qaotic Survivors "
1. Dwight Bazemore
2. Ohmarr Jenkins
3. Bradford Briscoe
4. Derrick Neal
5. Noah Cherry
The chapter has regular programs and activities throughout Philadelphia and Chester County such as our annual Charles Drew Blood Drive, Hervie Blyther HBCU College Tour, Langston Hughes Scholarship Golf Tournament and Talent Hunt contest at Lamberton High School. Zeta Iota Iota chapter is active and poised to grow into the future.
