Joseph Davis, Jr.

Joseph W. Davis, Jr. (January 29, 1920 – August 2, 2013) He was one of six children born to Archie Sr. and Bertha Lawson Davis in the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans. Dr. Davis, Jr. was educated in the New Orleans Public Schools, joined the Boy Scout Troop #131, played football and ran track while attending McDonough 35 Senior High School. He enrolled at Dillard University and was a member of the football team. During his senior year, he was elected President of the Dillard student body, produced the first Dillard yearbook (The Court bouillon), earned the Social Studies Scholarship Award, and three letters in football. He graduated from Dillard University (Sociology 1948), earned a M.A. in Counseling from Xavier University and a Doctorate in Education from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He also served in WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and in the Korean War.

He taught in the New Orleans Public School System for 38 years, teaching fifth grade at Joseph A. Craig Elementary School and upon retirement from the school system, he had a private practice in Family Counseling and Hypnotherapy with Dr. Charles Steck. His leadership qualities were evidenced by service to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, United Church of Christ, NORD, Boy Scouts(He was the first African-American Eagle Scout of Louisiana), Council on Aging, American Red Cross, Studs Civic & Social Club among others. Joseph W. Davis, Jr was also was a member of the New Orleans Goals to Grow Initiative, Agency Relations Committee, United Way; Board Member of the New Orleans Council on Aging; Board Member – Southeast Louisiana Boy Scouts of America, Back Bay Mission and supporter of the Urban League and the N.A.A.C.P. He also served as the Director of the Good Gang Program for Boys.

Omega Activities:

Brother Davis, Jr. was initiated, November 3, 1942, at Dillard University, through Theta Sigma Chapter. Brother Davis. Jr. worked hard for Omega in Rho Phi chapter. In 1948, Brother Davis, Jr. and Brother Cecil Carter Sr., re-activated the Chapter at the Dryades Street YMCA. They held regular monthly meetings there on the first Tuesday of each month , with 9 recently graduated members of Omega. He held the office of Basileus for three terms (1948-49, 1964-65,2004-08) and served on numerous other committees. He also received the Omega Man Of The Year Award, Outstanding Service Award, 50, 60, and 70 years of Service Awards. During his last term as Basileus, Brother Davis opened his home for monthly chapter business meetings while the club house was being renovated after Hurricane Katrina. He also, served on the Board of Directors of the Crescent City Ques. Brother Davis’s support of the Boy Scouts at Central Congregational, was so important to him, that he convinced the members of Rho Phi to become sponsors and financial contributors to his effort. He firmly believed that scouting would keep the boys in the Bienville Street/ S. Tonti street neighborhood, out of the bad gangs and doing something positive in the Good Gang. He also got several Brothers to serve as scoutmasters. He served on all committees over the years. Brother Davis, Jr. along with Brother Harold Williams purchased the Crescent City Ques house on January 30, 1970. The property was subsequently transferred to the Crescent City Ques organization.