Rho Phi History

Rho Phi Chapter History

Rho Phi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was charted on Oct. 1, 1927 under the leadership of the 12th Grand Basileus Julius S. McClain. Rho Phi was organized due to the efforts of several brothers that had recently graduated from college and settled in around the New Orleans area. Charter members included brothers Frank Edwin Smith, Jr. and Ellingston Eugene Green. Brothers Smith, Jr. and Green were also involved in the chartering of Beta Sigma chapter on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. on February 28, 1936. Bro. Smith, Jr. also led the movement to charter Alpha Lambda chapter in December, 1935. Brother Smith, Jr., a 1923 graduate of Howard university also served as the 1st Basileus of Lambda Alpha chapter and the 1st advisor for Beta Sigma chapter. These early Omega men had the vision of uplifting not only themselves but also the New Orleans Community at large. These early pioneers went on to establish themselves as cornerstones of the educational system, medical community and leaders of the civil rights movement held in New Orleans. Rho Phi Chapter has flourished over a period of 92 years and has been a potent and well-regarded force in the activities of the National Fraternity as well as the Ninth District. Rho Phi chapter has given birth to several chapters in and around the New Orleans area.

Members of Rho Phi Chapter have held leadership roles in the Ninth District. On the National level, past members of Rho Phi Chapter have served in the highest level attainable that being Grand Basileus of our illustrious fraternity and Grand Marshal in 1978, 1998 and 2018. In 1969, Rho Phi Chapter was proud to become the first Black Greek organization in New Orleans to purchase a Fraternity House.

Rho Phi continues to be a viable organization through it’s continued support of Nationally Mandated Programs of the fraternity as well as through it’s adoption of Boy Scout Troop 158 serving as Troup Leaders as well as financial support, feeding underprivileged families during Thanksgiving, providing Easter Baskets and Children Storybook Bibles to children confined in hospitals on the Saturday before Easter, bring attention to Domestic Violence (Conflict Resolution) and promoting reading programs at several elementary schools in the Greater New Orleans area.