It all started in 2008…
Omega Lamplighters, Incorporated( ) is a 501c3 youth leadership organization for young men in grades Fourth through Twelfth founded in 2008 by Royle King II. Tuesday, September 15, 2008 Omega Lamplighters was founded by Royle King II in Tallahassee, FL. The program was the brain child of King II who participated in two mentoring programs in his high school years. The Omega Sparks program created by the Theta Alpha Foundation (Dallas, TX) and the Dallas Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists Urban Journalism Boot Camp, a member chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. From this experience King II said he would later create something that was as impactful in his life but with a twist and inclusion of fun and things he wanted to do more of as a teen mixed with the additional things he knew he needed as a African American male in America. The program was piloted with 12 young men from the Big Bend area. Six from Wakulla H.S., two from Godby H.S., two from Lincoln H.S., one from Florida H.S. Simeon Nelson was appointed as the programs first Director. The first three and a half years set the foundation for the program and the formal in-duction process was birthed from these experiences leading to the first class of Omega Lamplighters. Sunday, February 15, 2012 the first official class, “Optimus 20”, of Omega Lamplighters was inducted into the program. During this time, the official logo, colors and shield design was adopted. The Big Bend Area (Florida) chapters include Leon (Tallahassee), Wakulla, Gadsden and Jefferson County. Principles: Leadership, Academics, Maturity & Perseverance
MISSION: To prepare young men to be socially conscious and responsible citizens through a village of community mentors teaching perseverance, self-awareness, and confidence. VISION: To be the premiere organization building a village that empowers & supports young men to achieve more than they thought possible.
