Our History

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by three students and their faculty advisors. The founders, known as the "Four Founding Fathers," were Dr. Ernest Everett Just, Professor Frank Coleman, Dr. Oscar James Cooper, and Bishop Edgar Amos Love. Their vision was to create a brotherhood built on the cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. These four men laid the foundation for one of the most influential and impactful organizations in African American history, promoting leadership, community service, and academic excellence for over a century.

Omega Psi Phi Founders

1888 - 1972

Brother Oscar J. Cooper

The City of Brotherly Love may never inherit a citizen as diligent, professional, dedicated, and focused as Brother Oscar J. Cooper. Brother Cooper was a graduate of D.C.’s M Street High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University in 1913. In 1917 he earned the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Howard University. For half a century, Brother Cooper practiced the art of internal medicine in Philadelphia, PA approximately 3 hours from where he received his medical degree. During his undergraduate days, he was one of the original "Three Musketeers" who founded Omega Psi Phi. The Good Lord blessed Brother Cooper with eighty-four years of life; he left behind a legacy of scholarship that will long be remembered not only by the brothers of Omega but by all men who seek to set themselves apart from the average individual in society.

1890 - 1967

Brother Frank Coleman

Brother Coleman’s love for Science and physics is what he shared with his mentor and advisor, Dr. Ernest E. Just, during his undergraduate days at Howard University. His friendship with Oscar Cooper, and Edgar Love earned them the distinction of the "Three Musketeers" on Howard University’s campus during their undergraduate studies. Brother Coleman was born in D.C. where he attended M Street High School. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Howard University in 1913. He taught as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and was the head of the Physics Department at Howard University.

1891 - 1974

Brother Edgar A. Love

An accomplished man in his own right, Brother Love was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 1891. Brother Love received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Howard University in 1913 and his Bachelor of Divinity from Howard in 1916. He earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology Degree from Boston University in 1918. In 1935 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Morgan College. He was a veteran of World War I, where he served as Army Chaplain.

In a letter dated November 7, 1962, to Brother William C. Jason, Jr., Brother Love stated that Omega men should be "sterling in worth with unsullied character". He also stated that "we want men whose intellectual ability is above average". In an interview conducted by Brother Joshua Mark Hyman in October of 1973, Brother Love stated that he would not change anything about the Fraternity if he had to do it again. He also knew that there was no perfect body, referring to the body of Omega; "I’m sorry to say the master made a mistake, he chose twelve disciples and among them a traitor, you can’t expect Omega to have 30,000 in there without making some mistakes…"

All organizations require a foundation upon which to build; for it is the foundation which is the strength that must bear the weight of all that enters. Because of his spiritual conviction, it is not difficult to assume that Omega’s spiritual foundation was planted by Bishop Edgar A. Love.

1883 - 1941

Brother Ernest E. Just

Of all the founders, Dr. Ernest E. Just can be considered the true leader of the four. His obsession with science led to him being one of the first African American Scientists to achieve world recognition. Dr. Just received international acclaim for work he completed during the summers from 1909 to 1930 at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. At MBL, he conducted thousands of experiments studying the fertilization of the marine mammal cell. He sought to find the "truth" using scientific methods and inquiry. His confidence allowed him to challenge the theories of leaders in his field. His true obsession was with the science of cytology. Dr. Just's tenacity and motivation led him to add to our understanding of the process of artificial parthenogenesis and the physiology of cell development.

Dr. Just was born on August 14, 1883, in Charleston, South Carolina. At an early age, he demonstrated a gift for academic research. In 1907, he was the only person to graduate magna cum laude from Dartmouth College with a degree in zoology. He received special honors in botany and history, and honors in sociology.

Immediately after graduation, Dr. Just taught at Howard University where he was appointed head of the Department of Zoology in 1912. At Howard, he also served as a professor in the medical school and head of the Department of Physiology until his death. The first Spingarn Medal was awarded to the reluctant and modest Just by the NAACP in 1915 for his accomplishments as a pure scientist. In 1916, Dr. Just graduated magna cum laude from the University of Chicago receiving his doctorate in experimental embryology.