Pasadena Public Library plays host to an exhibit depicting the involvement of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in bringing uplift to the community.
"It's about recognizing Black History month and telling part of the story of 100 years of service to community by men of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity," said Disraeli Ellison, actor and playwright and curator of the exhibit now on display at the Library.
The exhibit is housed in the Centennial and Humanities rooms on the first floor of the Main Library. It is laid out in two sealed lighted display cases in each of the rooms.
There are photographs of some of the great men of Omega, such as Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black history week, Dr. Charles Drew, founder of the national blood bank, Dr. Benjamin Hooks, who succeeded Omega man Roy Wilkins, as Executive Director of the NAACP as well as star professional athletes including Michael Jordon and John Sally.
One can see a display of Omega Men, such as Count Bassie, Langston Hughes and Dr. Percy Julian who have been honored by having their photographs placed on U.S. Postage Stamps.
The exhibit also recognizes the Fraternity's involvement in President Obama's Fatherhood initiative calling on fathers to become more involved in the life of their children, especially young males.
"This is an excellent creative opportunity to put on display the positive image of Omega, our 100 Years of commitment towards community service and uplift," echoed Thabiti Boone, International Representative of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on the President's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative White House Partnership.
"It is also an opportunity to highlight our historical partnership with the country's first Black President, Barack Obama, and his White House Fatherhood, Mentoring Initiative," said Boone.
When asked why such an exhibit was necessary, Ellison replied, "Too often attention is focused on the negative aspects of community organizations. This is our way of showing some of the positive things our fraternity is doing and has been doing over the last 100 years."
In November of 2011, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., celebrated its centennial birthday. Founded on the campus of Howard University, Washington, DC, it has amassed a record of having produced scholars, scientists, astronauts, politicians, civil servants, and others who have been strong advocates for social, educational and economic liberty and justice for all.
"We quietly do what we do to help folks live a better life. If our youth do not have positive images of themselves, they will continue to live in ignorance of the greatness within," he said. But times have changed, he said, and the Fraternity has changed. "We must begin to accentuate what we are doing to bring uplift to the community."
Ellison continued, "There is a passage in the Book of Matthews which reads, 'Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works ....' That is what we are doing; we are demonstrating that there is nothing wrong with doing those things in the community to bring Glory and positivity to people."
The exhibit is a first for the Zeta Tau Chapter of the Fraternity here in Pasadena, CA. Ellison thinks that if all Chapters throughout the United States would adopt such an initiative –letting its "light so shine" especially among our youth, the effect would be transformational.
"We hope to see more men of Omega not just wearing the colors or the symbols of Omega, but actually doing those things that our founders cared about," he emphasized.
One can learn much about what the founders of the Fraternity cared about by visiting the Pasadena Public Library located at the intersection of Walnut and N. Garfield in Pasadena. The exhibit will be on display through the end of the month of February.
