THE

done by Brothe'
with almost insi
CHAPTER VIII
Brother Linwo-
INSPIRiNG RACE PRIDE
i nformed the writ'
Early in the history of the Fraternity the brothers in ect of the9 gaJ
Omega wondered what could they pursue and stress as the add s elivered
dominant phase of a national program. The decision as to clave a in 1920
a national activity in which not only Omega men might par- Dr. Woodson men
ticipate, but others generally, arose from several circum- in fact his ignorar
stances. The brothers thought not just of themselves, but less attention to s'
of progress for the entire race. They desired that all go for- the study and dis
ward and upward . The cardinal principle of UPLIFT history. Such kn
strongly appealed to them because of hindrances the Negro increase in the nun
had faced as he had striven to rise, inspire race pride
Each incident as to origin, as mentioned by brothers said Brother Kog
informed, points to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Director of the honor of Dr. Woo'
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, as the decided to throw
source of inspiration. In the first issue of the Oracle, which behind an effort I
was published in 1919, appears the name of Dr. Woodson as race pride and th
an elected honorary member of the Omega Psi Phi Frater- In a brief artic
nity. His picture is in this same issue. At that time the vention we find ti
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History was just Koger' s statement
four years old and the Journal of Negro History, its official
"Omega's Ni)
publication, had already won the admiration of scholars in ville was beyor
various nations. The Omega men admired their elder brother held in the Kist'
and sought to walk in his footsteps. laid the plans f
In his " Reminiscences of the Early Days of the Omega Psi forward so glo
Phi Fraternity" Brother John H. Purnell wrote the following : strengthening
new chapter, s t
"Although the writer is not clear as to the time, he is for a campaig)
keenly aware of the fact that during one of the times that history, resolut
it was his privilege to be present in a meeting of the fra- be one of our b
ternity at the second fraternity house, an important step "The open se
for the fraternity was proposed. On this particular occa- day evening, D
sinn Garnet C. Wilkinson, Carter G. Woodson and Colonel Medical Colleg
Charles Young were present. After much comraderie Dr. Carter G.
involving the discussion of literature, travel, music, Ian- Institute. His
guage and mother love, fields in which Colonel Young was Down.' We ar!
the center of interest, the activities shifted to the other was 'one of the
men who were both induced to talk. Both of them spoke delivered in th
to their comrades. Finally the discussion drifted to a
satisfactory program or field of emphasis for the Frater- How did the b~
nity. This writer proposed stressing Negro history out S. Nelson, Editor
of his deep respect for the pioneer work that had been 26. O,•acle." Vol. 2, N
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 153
done by Brother Carter Woodson. The suggestion met
with almost instant approval."
Brother Linwood G. Koger of Baltimore, Maryland,
E informed the writer that the N ievemgn , Week proj-
iity the brothers in eLE hi Fraternity arose as the resullt"o an
ue and stress as the address elivered by Dr. Woodson o e Ninth r_nual Con-
The decision as to clave a in 1920 at vas vi e, ennessee. In that address
iega men might par- Dr. Woodson mentioned the Negro's neglect of his history,
:•om several circum- in fact his ignorance of it, and urged the college man to give
t of themselves, but less attention to social affairs and devote more of his time to
sired that all go for- the study and dissemination of the facts of Negro life and
inciple of UPLIFT history. Such knowledge, he maintained, would produce an
indrances the Negro increase in the number of competent Negro leaders and would
inspire race pride in the masses as r: whole. "Accordingly,"
,tinned by brothers said Brother Koger, "Omega, at the Nashville Conclave, in
son, Director of the honor of Dr. Woodson and appreciating the value of his work,
and History, as the decided to throw the strength of the entire organization
)f the 0? acle, which behind an effort to inform the Negro of his past, to inspire
of Dr. Woodson as race pride and thus stimulate noble racial achievement."
:ga Psi Phi Frater- In a brief article in the Oracle on the Ninth Annual Con-
At that time the vention we find the earliest recorded confirmation of Brother
nd History was just w4 Koger's statement:
History, its official
"Omega's Ninth Annual Convention meeting in Nash-
ition of scholars in " "";A ville was beyond doubt the most significant convention
i their elder brother , held in the history of the National Chapter. There were
laid the plans for that work of this year which has gone
s of the Omega Psi forward so gloriously. These plans were made for the
vrote the following : r. n strengthening of established chapters, the organizing of
new chapters, the decision was made to designate a week
to the time, he is for a campaign for the study of Negro literature and
of the times that '° history, resolutions made that the year before us should
eeting of the fra- be one of our best efforts, of genuine sacrifice for Omega.
.n important step "The open session of the Convention was held on Mon-
s particular occa- day evening, December 27, in the auditorium of Meharry
>dson and Colonel Medical College. A learned address was delivered by
nuch comraderie Dr. Carter G. Woodson, our brother of West Virginia
ravel, music, Ian- Institute. His subject was `Democracy and the Man Far
)lonel Young was Down.' We are told by men of Nashville that the address
fted to the other was 'one of the most eloquent, forceful and brilliant ever
th of them spoke delivered in this city''."
.ion drifted to
er-
s for the Frater- How did the brothers carry out this project? Dr. William
•egro history out :y S. Nelson, Editor of the Oracle and Director of Publicity in
•k that had been 2S. "Oracle." Vol. 2. No. L D. 7.
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 155
Friday night. Omega men during the week have spoken
in every institution of learning in the city, including c&-
legs, grammar schools and private scl ols. The super-
intc ent of education gladly gave pei -..fission for us to
can; our message to every public sch~_, and none was
overlooked. This week the Atlanta Independent and Trib-
une carry the article by Brother George E. Hall.
"H. H. Thomas,
"Grand Basileus"
Eta
"The campaign to create interest in the study of Negro
literature and history, as conducted by the Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity during the week of April 24-30, 1921, is
meeting with wonderful success here.
"Zeta Chapter, located at Virginia Union University.
Richmond, Virginia, has put forth strenuous efforts to
put this program over. Under the direct supervision of
Brother H. J. McGuinn, A. T. Harris, George Lomax,
W. R. Dunston and S. B. Briggs, meetings have been held
in the university chapel and in the public schools of the
city; circular letters, announcing the campaign and its
purpose, have been sent to the various literary societies
of the city, and much work has been done by way of
advertisement through the press, using the following
papers: the News Leader (white), the Richmond Colored
American (daily), the Richmond Planet and the St. Luke
Herald.
"A great interest has been shown by the public and
we have no doubt that the splendid results will be accom-
plished.
"Much credit is due the members of the committee
;-hose interest in humanity and Omega inspired them to
work zealously and courageously to make the campaign
a success.
"Our campaign for the study of Negro literature and
history is meeting with success. Please send us about
three hundred circulars just as soon as possible.
"E. W. Greene,
"Basileus"
Nu
"Nu Chapter received the pamphlets and sent them
to schools, civic societies, literary clubs, churches and
friends in the State of Pennsylvania. Articles were sent
to the leading papers for publication in Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia. An open meeting was held on Wednesday,
the 27th, when discussions were advanced concerning the
historical, literary and philosophical phases of our life.
154 THE HISTORY OF

1921, reported the observance of the project during that year,

which was the first year of its celebration. His report fol-
lows:
THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE STUDY OF NEGRO LITERATURE
AND HISTORY
Conducted April 24-30, 1921
WHAT THE CHAPTERS SAY
Beta
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
"The campaign has been a shining success hei e. Every
morning the entire student body looked forward with
keen interest.
"Thomas B. Hargrave,
"Director of Correspondence"
"We had a wonderful success. Really it (the cam-
paign) has meant a great deal to us. Our program was
carried out with only two changes."
"L. E. Redmond,
"Basileus"
Beta conducted a Sunday evening exercise May 24,
exercises each morning from May 25 to 29, and a public
mass meeting Saturday morning; forwarded articles to
several newspapers; printed and distributed their own
circulars.
Gamma
Boston, Massachusetts
"Just a line to say that the campaign has been quite a
success in Boston. And ever. now the whole of Boston
seems awakened to a new realization of what racial
achievement and solidarity mean. We got the word in
all the papers, sent pamphlets in envelopes to many influ-
ential people, and also to all the ladies who had just
attended our spring reception. On Sunday at each church
we had representatives to put the campaign over and dis-
tribute circulars. The pastors gave loyal support. Dr.
Russel and Lawyer Bullock, both thorough Omega men,
say it is the greatest campaign that has been conducted
in a long, long time.
"George C. Brouche,
"Basileus"

Eta and Omicron

"The campaign has been a howling success all over the
country, and more than a success in Atlanta. Eta's big
mass meeting was attended by over two thousand people,
and Omicron held their open meeting in a large church
156 THE HISTORY OF
I read a specially prepared paper on Negro books. The
meeting was well attended and more successful than
anticipated.
"George D. Brooks,
"Basileus"
"910 T Street, N.W.,
"Washington, D.C.,
"May 3, 1921.
"The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
"Mr. Nelson, Director of Publicity.
"My Dear Mr. Nelson:
"With much pleasure and appreciation the Readers
Research Club received and read your very interesting
leaflets announcing the launching of a campaign for the
study of Negro literature and history, and hereby extends
heartiest congratulations and commendation of an effort
so worthy—and our best wishes attend you for ever-
increasing success, for we believe this effort will result
in much benefit to our young people and enlightenment
to the public generally. If at any time our limited knowl-
edge may help you, we will be happy to render any pos-
sible information or help.
"Again thanking you and wishing you success, we are,
"The Readers Research Club,
"Laura E, Joiner, Secretary,"
"1729 Pa -Street,
"Gary, Ind.,
"April 30, 1921..
"Mr. William S. Nelson,
"New York City,
"Dear Sir:
"In an issue of the Negro World (April 16) I notice
that you have a special campaign on for the promoting
of the study of Negro history among our people. I am
particularly fond of history and believe I can do some
real work along that line.
"Kindly give full information and I shall be glad to
help promote the study of the same.
"Yours sincerely,
"Miss Emily Taylor Rutherford=""
The Bulletin of April, 1927, with the title "Achievement
Week," sketches in a way the history of the Achievement
Project. It has the following statement:
"At the Ninth Conclave (1920, at Nashville) Omega
decided to foster the study of Negro history and litera-
27. Ibid, pp. 31-33.
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 157
he ture. The intervening years between that and the Thir-
sn = teenth Conclave (1924, at Washington, D.C.) witnessed
the observance of this week with some degree of success.
The movement waxed and waned according to the degree
S" of interest stimulated by those immediately charged with
the direction of the project. At the time of the Thir-
teenth Conclave in 1924, the unparalleled expansion of
the Fraternity had resulted in a loosely-knit organization
1. incapable of maximum united effort. That Conclave
enunciated the policy of internal organization and con-
solidation and decided to suspend the pursuit of activi-
ties demanding for their successful operation a strong
..s organization. Throughout the year 1925 all efforts were
g bent toward the consolidation and nationalization of the
e Fraternity. At the Fourteenth Conclave (1925, at Tus-
t kegee) it was decided that this consolidation had pro-
gressed sufficiently to warrant a resumption of the activi-
- ties calling for the massed action of all Omega. The
t observance of the Achievement Week was again directed."
- Concerning Negro History and Literature Week, the same
- Bulletin says:
"In spite of handicaps, the project can be termed noth-
ing less than successful in its revival. It greatly enhanced
the prestige of Omega in several localities."
During 1926 and 1927, John P. Murchison, Editor-in-Chief
of the Oracle, served as Director of the Achievement Project.
• To make the project effective, in 1926 he edited for distribu-
tion to the chapters a booklet entitled "The Achievement Proj-
ect," a handbook of information on the achievements of the
Negro for Negro youth. This is an attractive 28-page book-
• let, 7½x5¼ inches, covered in purple and gold. The data
were collected and compiled by James A. Miller of Beta Psi
Chapter, Atlanta, Georgia, The five-page introduction gives
a brief historical sketch of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
under the following titles: "History of the Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity," "Early Expansion Purposely Delayed," "Pur-
pose" and "The Project."
nt Under "Economic Achievements" the booklet discusses
nt "Negroes Buy An Entire Town" (Truxton, Virginia),
"Negroes at Work" and "Commerce and Finance." Under
the "Scientific Achievements" we find brief mention of the
achievements of such Negro scientists as Professor George
W, Carver, agricultural chemist of Tuskegee; Dr. Elmer E.
 158 THE HISTORY OF
Imes, physicist at Fisk University; Dr. St. Elmo Brady, chem-
ist at Fisk ; Dr. Julian Lewis, who was employed by the Uni-
• versity of Chicago as a specialist in research ; Dr. Charles H.
• Turner of Saint Louis, who is frequently quoted by the
French scientist Bouvier in his "Psychic Life of Insects," and
others. In medicine
c , he mentions Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
of Chicago, who was the first to operate successfully upon the
human heart; Dr. Peter Murray of New York, distinguished
in gynecology; Dr. Theodore K. Lawless of Chicago, who has
served as assistant to the professor of dermatology at North-
western University; in neurology, Dr. S. C. Fuller of Boston,
who served as associate professor of neurology at Boston Uni-
versity ; and Dr. E. E. Just in embryology.
• The next division of the booklet discusses the following
t - Negro inventors : Benjamin Banneker, who constructed the
``' `" ' `" " first clock in America; Granville T. Woods of New York, sev-
eral of whose inventions he assigned to the General Electric
Company and the American Bell Telephone Company of New
York; Elijah McCoy of Detroit, Michigan, whose inventions
• developed improved methods of lubricating machinery; and
John Ernest Matzeliger, who invented " the first machine that
performed automatically all the operations involved in attach-
ing soles to shoes."
The topics, except the last, treat " Educational Achieve-
`' "" ments," "Achievements in Literature, Music and 'Sculpture"
• r and "Political Achievements." The last two pages treat the
topic "The Outlook."
When the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1921 initiated as
a phase of its national program the celebration of Negro His-
tory and Literature Week out of deference to Dr. Carter G.
Woodson, an honorary member of the Fraternity, Dr. Wood-
~. • son was Dean of the West Virginia Collegiate Institute. The
•
Fraternity directed the celebration of Negro History and
.., r • Literature Week during 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924. The Fra-
ternity had no celebration in 1925. In 1922 Dr. Woodson
completed his work as Dean of West Virginia Collegiate Insti-
tute and began to devote his entire time to developing the
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He
desired now personally to direct the celebration. Again in
deference to Dr. Woodson, the Thirteenth Annual Conclave,
which met in Washington, District of Columbia, in Decem-
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 159 E

ber, 1924, the Fraternity decided not to celebrate Negro His-

ni- tory and Lite: -e Wk. In-J.92 " 'oodsrr_ gad `
H. the tr y,-_ -v° `vVeex__tc; o
he History Week, and chap _ . ra'om
nd Apr;i'.~-g-i~
parry. 1 his was the L gory
rns W ' - as it is known today. In Dec _ _ _r __ the : our-
he tee::h Annual Conclave, which
ed ___ wa -!tit-
tuts `~- say decided to cef e = :nt
as 1I e ing the ,
fir-` r - . per.
,h- The ~n ww aom t -- Jn con-
'n, ce _:pen th : r= nts oft. -"`1
ir 'remote
per- u pen ou « f - ro adl _ atrecent
ysSifactso _ant Negro ach_ -t might be
fig presented on any program, but the brothers were interested
he in presenting to America many significant achievements by
Negroes of today, which might not find their way in any his-
ic tort'. Thus the celebration was resumed in 1926 not as Negro
Literature and History Week, but as Negro Achievement
ns Week. The aim of the project was (1) to inspire in the
ad Negro race pride, (2) to acquaint him with the fact that the
at Negro has never ceased to achieve nobly, that he is achieving
h- nobly even in his own life-time, and (3) to have the Negro
generally to believe that as his brother has achieved in his
own day, so may he.
At the Sixteenth Annual Conclave which met in New York
1e in December of 1927, Linwood G. Koger of Baltimore, Mary-
land, made a detailed report of the celebration of Negro
3s Achievement Week as observed by Pi Omega Chapter. He
s- had directed the celebration. The brothers were so deeply
impressed with the work of Brother Koger for the Fraternity
3_
that they named him Director of the Achievement Week Proj-
ect. For the first time the execution of the project was made
'd the chief responsibility of one person.
31-
,n Koger P Y outlined his Pprogram and had it printed
g Ppromptly
in the Bulletin for distribution to every Brother. His plan
was as follows
to
e (1) Each chapter was to appoint a local director of the
n Achievement Project.
(2) The chapter was to select as the director the person
most interested in disseminating information concerning the
achievement of the Negro.
160 THE HISTORY OF

(3) The program was to be planned not for the wise and
the sophisticated, but for boys and girls, young men and
young women, and for the untutored, in order that they might
be inspired to noble achievement through the example of their
forefathers and the achievement of contemporaneous Negroes.
(4) Each chapter or each local director was to obtain per-
mission from the school authorities to carry the Achievement
Project into each classroom.
(5) Each local director was to urge the ministers of his
community to preach a sermon on Negro Achievement dur-
ing Negro Achievement Week, which from the beginning has
been the second week in November from Sunday to Sunday,
inclusive. The local director, furthermore, was to endeavor
to have each organization of each church have a separate
Negro Achievement program.
(6) The chapter was to foster a mass meeting with emi-
nent speakers and appropriate music.
(7) The local director was to obtain the support of the
local press.
(8) The loca' director was to arrange for Negro Achieve-
ment broadcasts.
(9) Each chapter was to prepare or purchase appropriate
tracts and pamphlets on Negro Achievement and distribute
the same to leaders and teachers for use in classrooms, clubs
or churches.
(10) Each program should be planned to fit the local situ-
ation.
(11) Each chapter should assist in fostering the Essay
Contest on Negro Achievement.
To encourage extensive study of Negro Achievement, the
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity has sponsored an essay contest in
two divisions: college and high school. One subject has
generally been designated for all high school contestants;
whereas, the college contestants have been allowed to choose
from several suggested or specified subjects. In 1928, the
first year Brother Koger directed the project, there were two
hundred and fifty-four contestants from twenty-three states,
in one hundred and seventy-one schools. The first prize in
the college section was one hundred dollars. The college con-
testants were required in their essays to give some evidence
of original research. The first prize in 1928 in the college
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 161
and :' section was won by Samuel M. Jones of Tuskegee. The first
and prize that year in the high school division was won by Melvin
ight a° K. Hairston of the Winston-Salem High 'School of North Caro-
heir lina. Three hundred and seventy-eight entered the contest
oes. in 1929. The Fraternity continues to offer cash prizes, but
per- of smaller amounts. To compensate for this, it offers sev-
tent eral cash prizes in each division, combination prizes of cash
and Negro books, medals, subscriptions to Negro magazines
his ,. and subscriptions to Negro newspapers for one year.
ur- Among the literature on Negro Achievement Week distrib-
has m, uted by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity under the direction of
ay, ` Brother Koger were the following:
vor (1) A four-page folder announcing the celebration. This
ate folder gave (a) the date of the celebration, (b) its object,
P4 (c) general plans for the celebration, (d) materials for pro-
grams. and (e) a series of questions on Negro Achievement,
such as "Who was the first bishop of the A.M.E. Church?
:he °' Who is Countee Cullen? James Weldon Johnson? Carter G.
Woodson? Mordecai W. Johnson ?"
re- (2) Textbook, L. G. Koger, National Director, Editor.
This booklet contains many suggested Negro Achievement
.te programs for churches and their auxiliaries, for boys' and
te girls' clubs.
bs (3) A four-page folder, "Did You Know?" This folder
presents twenty-four selected facts of Negro history.
u' (4) Many news releases each year.
(5) Achievements of Negro women.
1y
"ACHIEVEMENTS OF NEGRO WOMEN
"A sketch in eight episodes portraying the Achievements of
ie Negro women in a form suitable for simple presentations by
groups of almost any size has reeently been prepared by Miss
Geneva W. Balko, social worker and teacher at Cheyney Train-
ing School. The purpose of this sketch, to quote from the Fore-
word, is 'to encourage a deeper interest in Negro women and
what they are doing, also to develop the latent artistic powers
•e of the groups giving the pageant by having them interpret in
e their own way the work of these outstanding women.' The char-
acters outlined are chosen from various fields and times—Phyllis
o Wheatley, the poet of George Washington's day, down to Mary
Bethune, the educator, and Marian Anderson, the famous con-
tralto. Material for reference is suggested.
"The leaflet, 'Achievements of Negro Women,' may be
obtained at ten cents a copy from the Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom, 1924 Chestnut Street, PhiladeI-
phia, Pennsylvania. Suggestion for your program for Negro
Achievement Week. Distributed by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
(Negro Achievement Week)."
162 THE HISTORY OF
(6) Register of colored Congressmen. Each Negro who
served in the United States Congress is listed, the Congress
in which he served, beginnning with the forty-third, and the
number of years he served. Under "Food for Thought" is
this question c "What definite contribution, if any, did these
pioneers make in the race's development'?"
(7) Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, an achievement. After
presenting statistics concerning Omega, this pamphlet has
pictures and brief statements of the achievements of the fol-
lowing with descriptive titles: John H. Murphy, publisher,
founder of the Afro-American; S. W. Rutherford, financier;
Bishop John Hurst of the A.M.E. Church, churchman; Oscar
DePriest, statesman; Robert R. Moton, educator; Colonel
Charles Young, soldier; Marian Anderson, singer; Josephine
Baker, actress; and Matthew Henson, explorer. Throughout
this pamphlet there are questions on Negro Achievement
concerning fraternities and sororities, newspapers, business,
church, politics, education, the soldier, musicians, actors and
explorers.
(8) Intelligence Test, Series No. 2:
12. What sort of a government has Haiti?
13. In what state was Kelly Miller born?
14. Who is Matthew Henson?
15. Where was Col. Young when he died?
16. Approximately how many members has the largest Negro
church?
17. Which amendment to the United States Constitution gave
Negroes citizenship.
18. Where are the headquarters of the N.A.A.C.P.?
19. Where is Harlem?
20. Who were the first Americans to receive the French Cross
of War?
21. Which is the largest continent?
22. Who was John Brown?
23. What position does Dr. William Pickens now hold?
24. Did Lincoln free the Marjland slaves?
(9) Achievers in Maryland History.
ACHIEVERS IN MARYLAND HISTORY*
(By the Rev. George F, Bragg, D.D.)
IRA ALDRIDGE, born at Belair, is the name of the noted
Negro tragedian who gained international fame.
BETHEL CHURCH, Baltimore, was the first independent Negro
church organized in Baltimore. Daniel Coker was the organ-
izer, and the first pastor. He was also the first Negro to be
elected a bishop,
HIRAM R. REVELS, who once pastored a colored church in
Baltimore, was the first colored man ever to be elected to a
seat in the United States Senate.
ISAAC MYERS is the name of a Baltimore-born Negro who
* Complete in Appendix A.
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 163
who organized and purchased a shipyard, and put hundreds of col-
ored men to work therein.
'ese HENRY HIGHLAND GARNETT, a Negro born on the Eastern
the Shore, became a noted diplomat, and represented the United
States in Liberia, West Africa.
ie HEZEKIAH GRICE is the name of the Baltimore Negro who
:ese first conceived "the idea" of holding annual conventions of
the colored people in the free states.
FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER, born in Baltimore,
.'ter became a teacher, abolition lecturer and poet.
JAMES THEODORE HOLLY, whose parents were natives of
has St. Marys County, Maryland, was the first Negro ever con-
vol - secrated a bishop in the Episcopal Church. He organized the
church in Haiti.
ter,
er; " In order to stimulate additional interest in the Achieve-
car merit Project, Koger suggested exhibits of the Achievement
nel of the Negro in Literature and Art. The chapters again
ine responded.
)ut In 1932, the last year that Koger directed the project, there
?nt were no cash prizes offered by the national body. Yet the
:ss, project was carried on generally. Many chapters even con-
rid ducted local essay contests, and for the same offered cash and
book prizes. Koger contributed another valuable idea when
he worked out a pamphlet on the achievement of the Negro
in Maryland and then developed two standardized tests for
general classroom use: one on the general achievement of the
Negro, the other on the achievement of the Negro in Mary-
land. Linwood G. Koger directed the Achievement Project
for six years, from 1928 to 1932, inclusive.
In 1933 and 1934, Robert D. Baskervill. who had served
for three years under Dodson. as an associate editor of the
Oracle, directed the Achievement Project. In general, he fol-
lowed the policies outlined by Koger. In 1933, the first prize
for the college division of the essay contest was twenty-five
dollars. In 1934, Brother Baskervill introduced the theme
for Negro Achievement Week. It was "The Negro in the
Practice of Medicine." This was an important step forward;
for up to that time each observance had dealt with several
phases of Negro Achievement. By taking a different theme
each year, intensive research became possible and the fresh-
ness of the celebration could be preserved by keeping repe-
tition at a minimum. In 1934, Baskervill also conceived the
idea of sending out blanks for the chapters to list the impor-
tant achievements of Negroes in their respective communities.
These blanks were to be filled out and returned to the Director
164 THE HISTORY OF
of the Project, who was to compile the information and send
it in pamphlet form to all the chapters.
The Essay Contest continued to be an important phase of
the Achievement Project. The subject for the high school
division was "Negroes in Medicine in the Community."
Among the subjects suggested for the college students were
the following: "Problems of the Negro Physician and How
He Overcomes Them," "The Problems of Hospitalization for
Negroes," "Meeting the Health Needs of the Community" and
"The Drugstore Practice of Medicine."
In 1935 and 1936, Herman Dreer served as National
Director of the Achievement Project.
For 1935, he selected as the theme "The Achievement of
the Negro in Business." Dreer in the June Oracle for that
year outlined the Achievement Week Project under the fol-
lowing headings: "A Suggested Organization for Negro
Achievement Week," "A Suggested Program for Negro
Achievement Week," "A Suggested Theme for the Oratorical
Contest" and "The Essay Contest." The program suggested
to the chapters may be briefly stated thus:
SUNDAY, 11:00 A.M., A Sermon to the Negro Business
Men of the Community. 4:00 P. M., a Reception for the
Business Men with the Chapter as Host.
MONDAY, a Musical Entertainment to Finance the Effort,
the Printed Program to Contain Advertisements of
Negro Business Men,
TUESDAY, a Radio Program on the Rise of the Negro in
Business.
WEDNESDAY, a Mass Meeting, Symposium and Business
Exhibit, Negro Business Directories to Be Distributed.
THURSDAY, Radio Program on Opportunities for the Negro
to Engage in Business.
FRIDAY EVENING, Oratorical Contest.
FRIDAY and SATURDAY, Business Tours (Inspection of
Businesses, White and Black, that Negroes support.)
SUNDAY Afternoon, a Public Program with Certificate
Awards to Several Outstanding Business men.
For 1936, Dreer selected for a theme "The Achievement of
the Negro Church" and worked out a similar plan for that
celebration.
In order to make it convenient for the rank and file in the
 k.~.:.~t ~ 4. ~~ ~-, ~- ub4 ;~L;"•~'7' " ~. x
~~~ 3~~sy~~ £ ~~ -1-~
° is ~ ~ ~ X
~~ ~~ 1

u ~ -

THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 165

1 send ;;. school, church and club to observe the celebration without
having to hunt for materials, Dreer published an Achieve-
ase of ment Guide Book, which contained a complete outline of the
school project for each chapter and information gained by research
Wily." ;~ concerning the achievement of the Negro generally, as well
were as much information as to the achievement of the Negro in
keeping with the theme. In 1935, the facts set forth the
f
.or
n achievement of the Negro in Business from the earliest time
and
up to the present day. In 1936, the facts presented stressed
the achievement of the Negro Church. Three thousand copies
onai
of these booklets were printed and distributed to the chapters,
to churches, schools and clubs, the first week in October of
nt of
each year, at least six weeks before the celebration.
ghat
Aside from this, Dreer published in each September Oracle
fol-
(the Achievement Number), feature articles based upon the
`egro
Achievement theme as well as much material that appeared
`egro
rtca~
, in the Achievement Guide Book. In the Oracle of September,
1935, Dreer had on the front outside cover a picture of Jesse
'sled
B. Blayton, the Grand Keeper of Finances, a builder of busi-
ness. Within the covers he had articles on "How the Negro
ness Church Has Stimulated Business," "Achievement of the Negro
the
in Business Before the Civil War," "Recent Economic Achieve-
ments of the Negro," "The Virginia Mutual Benefit Life Insur-
ors, ance Company," the only branch of the National Benefit that
of
has survived, and an article entitled "How the Negro Must
Do Business," in which he discussed the careers of two young
`n business men of St. Louis: one successful as a launderer, and
the other an unusual insurance salesman.
iess
in the September Oracle of 1936, Dreer had articles on "The
led
Negro College Man and the Church," "Rev. William H. Peck
gro
and Negro Business," "Virginia Theological Seminary," "The
Socialization of the Negro Church," "The Negro Church
Before the Civil War," "The Negro Church of the Reconstruc-
of
tion," "Rev. James E. East, a Remarkable Achievement of the
Negro Church," "The Influence of the Church in Developing
ate
Publishing Houses, Fraternal Organizations, Banks, Insur-
of ante Companies, the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.M.C.A.," "Negro
lat Pastors of Whites" and many statistics concerning the Negro
church. In the same issue Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Dean of
:he the School of Religion of Howard University, had an article
entitled "The Howard University School of Religion, a Unique
 166 THE HIsToRY of
Institution." This information proved of great value to min-
isters and other leaders in celebrating Negro Achievement
Week. Many calls came from various sections of the country
for guide books and other appropriate material.
An idea of the scope and the effectiveness of the celebration
of Negro Achievement Week may be realized by considering
that there was an intensive presentation of the facts of Negro
life at one time in most of the states of America, in hundreds
of its cities and in thousands of its schools. A few typical
programs briefly described will probably assist in presenting
the character of the celebrations.
Pi Omega Chapter of Baltimore, Maryland, sponsored the
Maryland Negro Achievement Award for Distinguished Ser-
vice administered by an Impartial Commission of Award. A
four-page circular stated the purpose of the award, condi-
tions—it was open only to Negro residents of Maryland—the
award (a gold medal). The following judges constituted the
Commission of Award: Dr. John W. Haywood, Dean of Mor-
gan College; Dr. Broadus Mitchell, Professor of Johns Hop-
kins University; and Mrs. Bertha K. Hurst, wife of the late
Bishop John Hurst. The award has been made annually.
Zeta Phi Chapter of Indianapolis similarly awards a gold
medal to the Negro who renders an_ outstanding service in
the State of Indiana. In 1936 at a public meeting held at the
Y.M.C.A., Zeta Phi awarded its medal to J. L. Reddix of Gary,
Indiana, a teacher in the Roosevelt High School, for success-
fully organizing and directing a consumers' cooperative. The
chief speaker was the National Director of the Achievement
Project. Music was furnished by local artists.
In 1927, Upsilon Omega Chapter of Saint Louis had a dif-
ferent program on Negro Achievement each night of Negro
Achievement Week at a different church. It also broadcast
programs over radio station KWK, a commercial station, and
WEW, the radio station of Saint Louis University, Each
station allowed ten minutes for Negro music and five min
-utes for a talk on Negro Achievement.
In 1928, Rho Phi of New Orleans, Louisiana, as a part of
its celebration had a public program at the Tulane Avenue
Baptist Church. Dr. R. L. Alexander discussed the object of
Negro Achievement Week. Brother Robert B. Hayes, Dean
of New Orleans University, delivered the chief address. The
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 167
members of Rho Phi sang the Fraternity song. In 1935, Rho
Phi, as a part of its celebration, prepared a thirty-two-page
booklet on Negro Education, with emphasis placed upon the
education of the Negro in Louisiana. It presented facts as
to inequalities that exist in the education of the Negro and
other Americans and indicated to what extent the Negro was
taking advantage of opportunities for education, in spite of
discrimination and other handicaps.
Theta Psi at West Virginia Collegiate Institute in 1928 had
1,000 copies made of the folder, "Did You Know?" and dis-
tributed them in West Virginia in the interest of the National
Negro Achievement Week Project.
In 1928, the chapters at Nashville sponsored .a program in
honor of Negro Achievement Week at the Fisk Memorial
Chapel the first Sunday of the week at eleven a.m. Brother
Z. A. Looby, S.J.D., who served as master of ceremonies, gave
the history of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Brother W. J.
Hale, President of Tennessee State Agricultural and Indus-
trial College, introduced Dr, Robert T. Burt, Surgeon-in-Chief
of the Home Infirmary at Clarksville, Tennessee, who spoke ,
on the achievement of the Negro.
Another achievement program of interest was that spon-
sored by Gamma Alpha Chapter, Friday, November 17, 1933,
at the Addison High School of Roanoke, Virginia. On pages
3 and 4 of the program are twenty "Facts Every Negro
Should Know." Two of the selected facts follow: (a) Num-
ber 6, "Lott Carey, the fighting Baptist minister, who became
the savior of Liberia, was a native of Virginia"; (b) Num-
ber 16, "A learned African, captured and enslaved, was the
teacher of Arabic language and literature to a professor of
the University of North Carolina." The slogan of this pro-
gram was "In Darkness Dwells the People Who Know Its
Annals Not." Brother J. H. Lewis, Basileus, gave the "His-
tory of Gamma Chapter." Brother A. G. Macklin, Chapter
Editor, delivered the address on Negro Achievement. Music
by Negro composers was furnished by the Addison High
School Singers. The leading white newspaper of Roanoke
carried a news item concerning the program, and the follow-
ing editorial from the Roanoke Times:
NEGRO ACHIEVEMENT WEEK
Observance of Negro Achievement Week, with appropriate exer-
168 THE HISTORY OF

cises at the Addison High School on Friday, has doubtless resulted in

considerably increasing among the colored people of Roanoke a
knowledge of the outstanding and useful services of members of their
own race. Sponsored by Gamma Alpha chapter, Omega Psi Phi
fraternity, the exercises on Friday were featured by an address by
Prof. A. G. Macklin and by musical selections of a high degree of
merit.
Any and all activities aimed to promote the development of a
finer degree of citizenship among the Negroes of Roanoke, more
especially the colored youth now reaching manhood and womanhood
under the discouraging conditions incident to the depression, should
and do have the friendly interest and cooperation of this newspaper.
We have often said, and say now with no little pride, that here in
Roanoke we have an extremely intelligent, industrious and law-
abiding colored population, reflecting real credit upon the com-
munity as well as honor to their race.
Messrs. Macklin, Lawson, Jones, Dent and the other leaders in
Gamma Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi deserve hearty commenda-
tion on the success of their efforts to make Negro Achievement
Week really distinctive and outstanding. It is to such men, and
others, that Roanoke is indebted for wholesome and responsible
leadership of its Negro population along right lines.

Achievement programs typical of the ones given in 1935

were those sponsored by Alpha, Alpha Phi, Nu Phi, Delta
Omega and Nu Psi, Eta Omega and Psi Phi Chapters.
Alpha Chapter, Washington, District of Columbia, to aid
its celebration of Negro Achievement Week, issued a twenty-
page souvenir program, in purple and gold, size 61/2x81/,
inches, which contains pictures of the following: Grand Basi-
leus Oxley, the Grand Director of the Achievement Project;
the Local Director, Robert E. Martin; Assistant Grand Direc-
tor of the Achievement Project, Frederick S. Weaver, Chair-
man, Ex-Officio; and the officers: W. Harry Barnes, Jr,, Basi-
leus; Thomas Irvin, Vice-Basileus; C. Waldo Scott, Keeper
of Records and Seal; James I. Minor, Jr., Keeper of Finance;
Henry W. Robinson, Jr., Chaplain; and Edgar Patterson, Ser-
geant-at-Arms.
Following the statement of eight objectives of the Achieve-
ment Project is the program as conducted by Alpha Chapter.
The program follows:
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1935
11 a. m.—Sermon to Business Men and Women by Dr. Charles H.
Wesley, Metropolitan A. M. E. Church.
4 p. m.—Reception to Business Men and Women—Address by Jesse
H. Mitchell.
 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 1913 13th Street, N. W.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
3;30 p. m.—RADIO PROGRAM, Station WMAL-
1. Lift Thine Eyes; Wade in the Water—Howard University Men's
Glee Club.
2. Address— The Rise of the Negro in Business, Dr. William J.
Thompkins, Recorder of Deeds, D. C.
3. Violin Selection—Deep River, Louia Vaughn Jones.
4. Mandy Lou; Alma Mater—Howard University Men's Glee Club.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Dance and Business Display
Lincoln Colonnade
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17
MASS MEETING
4p.m,
ANDREW RANKIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Howard University
Dr. Garnet C. Wilkinson, Presiding
1. Organ Prelude
2. Invocation ........................-..-............-..-..-.........-.Rev. J. O. Williams
Pastor, St. Paul M. E. Church, Oxon Hill, Md.
3. Presentation Master of Ceremonies................ By W. H. Barnes
Basileus, Alpha Chapter
4. Vocal Solo ----------------------------------------. ----------The Lord Is My Light
Miss Margaret Montgomery
5. Objectives of Achievement Week - --------------------------- R. E. Martin
Director, Achievement Project, Alpha Chapter
6. Violin Solo ................... ---.............-.--------------..--.....--- -.........Conzonetta
James Compton
7. Address ----------------------------.---------.-.....--------------------....Gordon Hancock
Dean, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.
8. Violin Solo -------...... ---...................................................Poem-Fibich
James Compton
9. Presentation of Ach'evement Awards,
Attorney Belford V. Lawson, Jr.
10, Fraternity Song ................................... Members of Omega Psi Phi
11. Benediction .................-...-................... .......... Dr. Benjamin E. Mays
Dean, School of Religion, Howard University
Julius Carroll, at the Organ
WINNERS OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Dr. William J. Thompkins, Recorder of Deeds, D. C.
Anthony H. Pierce, Co-Owner, University Grill
Dr. Robert G. McGuire, McGuire's Funeral Home
Alpha Phi Chapter of Birmingham, Alabama, in its cele-
bration sang "Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, We'll Always Love
 T "

_'. 170 THE HISTORY OF

F~ and Honor Thee" by Brother A. B. Standard. Brother J. B.

f Blayton, Grand Keeper of Finances, delivered the address on
LL "The Achievement of the Negro in Business."
Nu Phi Chapter of Houston, Texas, divided its celebration
into three programs: (1) A Religious Service at Mount Ver-
' non M.E. Church on Sunday, November 10, 1935, the Rev.
A. J. Newton, Pastor; (2) a Radio Program over Station
KXYZ, Thursday, November 14, 1935. Music was furnished
by Negro singers from Houston College, the Jack Yates High
School, Booker T. Washing 8'tton High
S School and the P hyllis
Ph Y
Wheatley High School. Each choral group sang one selection
by a Negro composer. Brother J. M. Nabrit, Jr., attorney,
delivered the radio address on "The American Negro." (3)
The closing mass meeting was held at Odd Fellows Temple,
Sunday, November 17, 1935, at 3:00 p.m.
THE PROGRAM
FOR CLOSING MASS MEETING
ODD FELLOWS TEMPLE
Sunday, November 17, 1933
at 3:00 p. m.
J. C. Sanderson, Presiding
1. National Negro Anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing"_...Johnson
By the Audience
2. Invocation
3. Chorus, "Listen to the Lambs" ................._............_-.......___..__.._..Dett
By Booker T. Washington High School Glee Club
Mrs. Claudia Hunter at the Piano
4. Oration, "A Brief Survey of Negro Achievements"
By Miss Jeraldine Johnson
5. Baritone Solo, "Jean" ....__......_..............................................._.Burleigh
By Wallace Wells
6. Oration, "The Negro in Athletics"
By Miss Esther Batteau
7. Chorus, "Going Home to Live with God" ....................._._...Work
By Glee Club of Houston College for Negroes
Miss Johnnie Mae Newton at the Piano
8. Oration, "The Negro Woman in the Building of a Nation"
By Miss Anna Martin
9. Piano Solo, " Let Us Cheer the Weary Traveler" ( by request),
Coleridge Taylor
By Miss Ella Lois Johnson
10. Address, "The Challenge to Negro Youth"
By Albert W. Dent, Business Manager, Dillard University
and Superintendent, Flint-Goodridge Hospital, New Orleans
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 171

11. Chorus, "Walk Together Children _...__............. ............... Johnson

By Jack Yates High School Glee Club
Mrs. Hazel Lewis at the Piano
i2, Summary of National Negro Achievement Week in Houston
By J. C. Sanderson, Basileus of Nu Phi Chapter and
Vice-Principal of Phyllis Wheatley High School
13. Presentation of Nu Phi Chapter's Appreciation
By J. Alston Atkins, Local Director of
National Negro Achievement Week
14. Chorus. "Swing Along„ ................._...____......._.Will Marion Cook
By Phyllis Wheatley High School Glee Club
Mrs. Mattie Overton-Roberts at the Piano
15, Benediction
ROSTER OF NU PHI CHAPTERS
Officers
J. C. Sanderson, Basileus._..Ass't. Principal, Wheatley High School
B. C. Young, Vice Basileus_.._.__..__........Teacher, Prairie View College
I. B. Bryant, Jr., Keeper of Records and Seal,
Teacher, Wheatley High School and Houston College for Negroes
B. J. Covington, Keeper of Finance .........................................Physician
J. Will Jones, Chaplain.._-......._..Supervisor of Music in Negro Schools
William Moore, Keeper of Peace _......Teacher, Wheatley High School
J. A. Atkins, Chapter Editor..................._._...._...Editor of The Informer
Members
N. T. Archer......................................-_--___Teacher, Prairie View College
J. D. Bowles .................................Teacher, Harper Junior High School
J. T. Bradley .....................................___Teacher, Wheatley High School
J. K. Bradford ......................._._..._.._.__.._....... ...._..Business
O. J. Baker ............................. .................Teacher, Prairie View College
H. P. Carter ....................................... ....._...................Business
J. T. Ewing ...........................................Grand Master of the Odd Fellows
T. M, Fairchild .............................President Watchtower Life Ins. Co.
G. P. A. Forde .....................................---------------------------------.---._-.Physician
W. 3. Howard ............................................................ ....._..---....Dentist
Rudolph Hill ...............................Teacher, Harper Junior High School
N. Wellington Harris ..._..._._........_._...Teacher, Wheatley High School
Gus T. Harris ..................................Teacher, Jack Yates High School
W. L. D. Johnson, Jr.........................Teacher, Jack Yates High School
R. G. Lockett ....................Teacher, Booker Washington High School
W. E. Miller .............—_....Principal of Booker Washington High School
W. J. Minor ---------------------------------------------------------------------.............Physician
Richard Moore ..................._......_...._.._.._Teacher, Wheatley High School
J. M. Nabrit, Jr. _..........-......................................... ...._Attorney
R. O. Roett -----------------------------•--•--•----•------------------------•---•----..-.....Physician
James D. Ryan .............._......_.........Principal, Jack Yates High School
J. Alston Atkins..................................Achievement Week Director

Under date of November 10, 1935, Delta Omega and Nu P~

Chapters, to assist in making its celebration of Negro Achieve
 172 THE HISTORY OF
ment Week effective, prepared and distributed an eight-page
pamphlet, which sketches achievements of thirty-eight
Negroes. Under "Appointments" there are sketches of the
following: Lester A. Walton, Minister to Liberia; Hubert T.
Delaney, Tax Commissioner of New York; Frederick D. Pat-
terson, President of Tuskegee; Charles H. Houston, Special
Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People; John P. Turner, Member of the Board of
Education of Philadelphia; and William Lloyd Imes, Pastor
of St. James Presbyterian Church of New York City, the first
Negro to be elected President of the New York Alumni Club
of Union Theological Seminary,
The last paragraph of this pamphlet states the purpose for
which Delta Omega and Nu Psi published these data. The
paragraph follows:
"In Petersburg and vicinity there are about two thousand college
and high school students. The two chapters of Omega who present
this booklet are located at the Virginia State College and in Peters-
burg. These organizations present this information with the hope
that from among this large number of Negro students many cele-
brated persons will come. The distinct mission of the booklet is,
'Go thou and do likewise.' "
The other headings of this pamphlet are "Business," "Schol-
arship," "Dramatics," "Aviation," "Music" and "Sports."
Among those selected as representatives of the Negro in busi-
ness are Archie A. Alexander, who built the $500,000 heat,
light, water and power plant for the University of Iowa, his
Alma Mater, and Booker T. Bradshaw, President of the Vir-
ginia Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, the only unit
of the National Benefit Life Insurance Company to be pre-
served. Under "Scholarship" are listed Victor Smith, Ph.D.,
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, industrial chem-
ist with the General Motors Corporation; Dr, Mary E. Branch,
President of Tillotson College, Austin, Texas; Dr. Charles H.
Wesley, then head of the Department of History of Howard
University; Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Editor of the Journal of
Negro History and founder of the Association for the Study
of Negro Life and History; and Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, author
of "Souls of Black Folk" and "Black Reconstruction." Selected
as representatives of the Negro in dramatics are Langston
poet and playwright; Josephine Baker, European
entertainer; Anne Wiggins Brown and R. Todd Duncan, in

I :;
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 173
ge the stellar roles of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," and Ethel
ht Waters.
ze John C. Robinson of Chicago and Tuskegee is the repre-
r sentative given for aviation. His work as a messenger of
t- Haile Selassie of Ethiopia is mentioned. Among the musi-
al clans mentioned are Marian Anderson, Paul. Robeson and Wil-
it Liam Dawson, whose symphony was played by the Philadel-
phia Symphonic Orchestra. Those selected to represent the
'r Negro in sports are Joe Louis for boxing, Eulace Peacock and
~t Jesse Owens for track, Oze Simmons of Iowa for football, and
b Ora Washington, the women's champion for tennis.
A program typical of Eta Omega Chapter was the one it
r gave at the First Congregational Church of Atlanta, Georgia,
e on Sunday, November 17, 1935.
THE PROGRAM
H. J. Furlow, Master of Ceremonies
1. Medley of Fraternity and Sorority Songs,
Miss E. Florynne Dyer, Sigma Gamma Rho
2. Negro National Hymn
3. Invocation ----------------------------------------------------------------Rev. E. M. Hurley
4. Outline of the National Negro Achievement Project,
Master of Ceremonies
5. Vocal Solo, "The Hour Glass" ............._--_------------------_--Burleigh
Mrs. Ruth Logan, Alpha Kappa Alpha
6. Piano Solo, " Mammy" .-..-....._._..... -.-------..-_...._ R. Nathaniel Dett
Miss Edith Mae Johnson, Delta Sigma Theta
7. Introduction of Speaker.................................._.Prof. W: R. Chivers
S. Address—"The Negro in Business" ................Prof. Ira De A. Reid
Department of Sociology, Atlanta University
9. Vocal Solo—" Who Knows" ..............................._--.....--.Dunbar-Bal',
Mrs. Susie M. Jenkins, Zeta Phi Beta
10. Vocal Duet—"Brown Birds Singing" .............-----_-_-_----.........Woods
Miss Roberta W. Jones, Miss Eva L. Thomas, Iota Phi Lambda
11. Announcements --------Mr. Harold H. Thomas, Dist. Representative
12. Benediction ...............-.......-.-..-.-.....-...---..---.......... Rev. J. C. Wright
Ushers
Zeta Phi Beta Sigma Gamma Rho
Miss Mary McAfee Miss Myrtle Estes
Mrs. Hubert Jackson Miss Elizabeth Lemon
Alpha Kappa Alpha Delta Sigma Theta
Miss Roselyn Comer Miss Miriam Cunningham
Miss E. Marie Maxey Miss Sara L. Perry
Iota Phi Lambda
Mrs. Vera Thomas
Miss Nettie Bennett
 174 THE HISTORY OF
THE ATLANTA ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE
Mr. C. L. E. Monroe Mr. C. B. Lindsay
Mr. J. D. Killingsworth Mr. B. F. Smith
Mr. Elihu Norris Mr. T. Crittenden
Mr. William Long Mr. H. J . Furlow, Chairman
On page 2 of the program, which was distributed, was a
foreword concerning the celebration. On the last page there
were nine facts from the pamphlet, "Did You Know?" and
the following bibliography:
HISTORY
1. A Short History of the American Negro_____-_________B. G. Brawley
2. The Negro in Our History--------------------------------------------C. G. Woodson
• 3. Black Democracy---------------- --------- - ---------------------------------H. P. Davis
4. A Social Historyof the American Negro--.-.-B. G. Brawley
5. The Negroes of Africa-_.______-___-___-___ Delafosse
BIOGRAPHY
• 1. Unsung Heroes _--________ _ _____ _-__-_____- --- Elizabeth Ross Haynes
2. In Spite of Handicaps -___ ___-_ --__ R. W. Bullock
I
3. For Freedom________-_ -_ - - _--___-Arthur H. Fauset
4. Up From Slavery__--__ Booker T. Washington
5. Life and Times of Frederick Douglass
FICTION
i 1. Sport of The Gods _ _ - --_ _ ___ Paul L. Dunbar
2. Fire in the Flint __ _ - -_ ___ _. __ ___Walter White
3. Black Majesty—Tom Tom----------------------------------John W. Vandercook
4. The Conjure Woman--__-___ - ------ ---------------_--------__----C. W. Chestnut
5. The House Behind the Cedars__. - -___-- ____ ________.C. W. Chestnut
PHILOSOPHY
1. The Miseducation of the Negro _- __-___ _ __.__. __ _.C. G. Woodson
tinder the date of November 17, 1935, Psi Phi Chapter of
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, issued a twenty-eight page
booklet, the page size 6x9 inches, entitled "Business Achieve-
ments." The booklet was dedicated to the Negro business
profession for the purpose of congratulating Negroes who
=' have engaged in business and inspiring others to pioneer in
that field,
The booklet shows on page three the nature of the public
t urogram that was given by Psi Phi.
u Ty „T PROGRAM
IN
~s A' Celebration of National Negro Achievement Week
~, e- ~. Winston-Salem Teachers College Auditorium
J . Sunday, November 17, 1935—At Four o'Clock
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 17c
Theme: The Achievement of Negroes in Business

Music
Medley of Songs of Negro Academic Greek Letter Organizations
Invocation.-----------------------.-.-.-------------..-..--..-..------.The Rev. G. J. Thomas
Music-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lullaby, Godard
Winston-Salem Teachers College Sextet
Miss Ruth Baker, Director
introduction of Speaker....................................................Mr. W. 0. Gill
Address----------------------------------------------------------------------Mr. J. W. Seabrook
President, State Normal School, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Music—Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.............:Arranged by W. Reddick
Winston-Salem Teachers College Sextet
Announcements
Music—Negro National Anthem-----------------------------------------------Audience
Benediction
This was followed by a brief history of the Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity. The roster shows the brothers who engineered
his celebration.
ROSTER
PSI PHI CHAPTER OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY
Allen, H. T. Finney, J. T. Muldrow, A.
Atkins, F. L. Fortune, A. E. Russell, C. H.
Baker, S. J. Gill, W. 0. Stepp, W. H.
Bianchi, B. A. Hauser, J. W. Terrell, A. I.
Brown, C. S. Hauser, M. M. Thomas, G. J.
Brown, J. P. Hunt, E. 0. Wilson, E. F.
Clay, J. W., Jr. Johnson, G. L. Winston, C. G.
The booklet next makes the following acknowledgment:
"Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity wishes
here to express its appreciation to the Negro business
men of Winston-Salem, who have helped to make this
booklet possible by lending their financial support, as well
as by kindly furnishing important information concern-
ing their business enterprises."
Next follows an article entitled "The Negro Business Man
—His History and Prophecy," from which are quoted a few
excerpts.
"Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, in its celebration of
National Negro Achievement Week this year, is stressing
the Negro's achievement in business, because of its belief
that most of the Negro's ills arise from his economic con-
dition. His churches suffer because he is poor. He is
the burden of relief chiefly because he is poor. He can-
 176 THE HISTORY OF

not obtain elective political office because he is poor.

Finally, he does not receive justice because he is poor.
We of Psi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
propose that this humble effort shall serve as a means
toward stimulating the Negro to take a more important
place than he now enjoys in the great empire of business.
"There is no denying the fact that, when considered in
the light of the short period since he has been free from
slavery, the Negro has made great economic strides.
Undoubtedly, there are many business achievements
which Negroes have made, both before and since the
Civil War, of which all Negroes may justly be proud.
Many black slaves proved their business acumen by pur-
chasing their freedom. And some of the many brilliant
business achievements of some Negroes since the Civil
War are recounted elsewhere in this booklet. It is just
as true, however, that despite a number of very brilliant
individual achievements, Negro business as a whole is
very much in the embryonic stage of its development.
And the general economic state of the black masses is
pitifully low.
"Some of the obstacles which have blocked the prog-
ress of the black business man have been the following:
(1) lack of adequate capital; (2) lack of adequate train-
ing in modern business; and (3) the stiff and devastating
competition of white business.
"Carter G. Woodson, however, in his book entitled
'The Miseducation of the Negro,' gives his belief that the
education of the Negro in the technique of white business
has not well fitted him to adapt himself or his business to
the conditions of the Negro community.
"Still further, George Schuyler and Dr. W. E, B. Du-
Bois have advocated that Negro communities organizc
themselves into consumers' cooperative leagues.
"The future of Negro business depends upon how well
the Negro business man can solve the problems concerned
with the obstacles to his progress. An example of a most
noteworthy attempt on the part of Negroes to overcome
business obstacles was the recent forming of a corpora-
tion for producing and distributing dairy products,
including ice cream, by agriculture and business gradu-
ates of Virginia State College for Negroes, with some
other persons. A large farm has been purchased with
the help of a loan from the Federal Government; and the
Agriculture and Business Departments of Virginia State
College are to cooperate in the enterprise."
The next section of the booklet gives statistics concerning
the number of retail stores operated by Negro proprietors in

a f
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 177
1929, their total payroll and the net amount of their sales in
the food group, general stores, general merchandise, auto
motive group, apparel group, furniture and household, res-
taurants and eating, lumber and building, and other retail
stores as given out by the United States Census. This is fol-
lowed by listing a number of "Significant Achievements" in
business by individual Negroes. Then follow articles entitled
"Short Sketch of Negro Business in North Carolina," "Busi-
ness Activities of Winston-Salem Negroes" and "Facts About
Winston-Salem Negroes." A few of the facts presented fol-
low:
(1) North Carolina has a number of banks and loan asso-
ciations. (2) The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance
Company has more than 200,000 policyholders in eight South-
ern states. It has assets of $4,139,000 and employs over one
thousand Negro men and women. (3) The Safe Bus, Inc., is
the largest transportation system of its kind for Negroes in
the world. It was chartered by the State of North Carolina,
May 26, 1926, to operate over the streets of the city. It serves
an average of 8,000 colored patrons daily. Seventy-five local
colored citizens are in its employ and receive in salaries $6,600
per year.
In 1936, when the theme was THE ACHIEVEMENT OF
THE NEGRO CHURCH, Epsilon Phi Chapter of Memphis,
Tennessee, made an award to the pastor of the Metropolitan
Baptist Church for distinguished service in the field of reli-
gion. A copy of their program follows:
NATIONAL NEGRO ACHIEVEMENT WEEK
NOV. 8-15
Sponsored by
OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY

EPSILON PHI CHAPTER

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Sunday, November 15, 1936 at 3:30 P. M.
Metropolitan Baptist Church
ACTIVE ROSTER
C. C. George_ - - -
H. L. Neale_____._.___.___—_---..__—_-.•-----,Viex-Beeile:ae
Benjamin Lewis, Jr._._—_....__-._--..__ Keeper of Records and Seals
Guy Hoffman—.__.-_-____...._...._______...-_------_Keeper of Finance
Oscar Knight..._.______ Chapter E:.t sr
178 THE HISTORY OF
Edward Ateman M. M. Jenkins
Julian Bell A. D. Knox
Dr. W, A. Bisson George W. Lee
U. S. Bond Dr. J. B. Martin
Dr. J. W. Brawner B. G. Olive
Harry Cash Daniel Spaulding
R. R. Church Dr. Floyd Stephens
William T. Foote Frank Strozier
Clinton Forte A. L. Thompson
H. C. Hamilton Jackson Townsend
D. H. Hancock S. P. Washington
J. A. Hayes Dr. L. A. West
William House Nat D. Williams

PROGRAM
Invocation
Selections .................................................Le Moyne College Quartette
"Jubilee•'
"Steal Away"
Introduction of Speaker----- ------------------.--------------------_Mr. C. C. George
Address.- - ... ---- ------------------------ ----------.Mr. S. Herman Dreer
Solo------ - - -- --------------- --------- --------------------Mr. C. Dyson
"Invictus"
Presentation of Achievement Award--- _-.__--_Atty. William H. Foote
Fraternity-Sorority Medley__-__------_---------_-_-_-Miss. Wilona Nicholson
"Lift Every Voice and Sing„-------------------------------------------------Audience
Benediction
AWARDS COMMITTEE
M. J. L. Buckner Mr. L. 0. Swingler
Miss L. E. Campbell Dr. J. E. Walker
Dr. A. A. White

In 1936, Gamma Alpha of Roanoke had three programs:

two at the Addison High School and one at Mount Zion A.M.E.
Church. On each program there was music by Negro com-
posers. At the first meeting, the Rev. A. L. Williams, pastor
of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, spoke on "The Origination of the
Negro Church in America." The second program had a series
of seven-minute talks: (a) "The Negro Church as the Father
of Education," by the Rev. G. E. Carter, pastor of the C.M.E.
Church and instructor of the Bible at Addison High School;
(b) "The Negro Church as the Foundation of Negro Busi-
ness," by Mr. J. H. L. Baxter, and two other talks. Profes-
sor F. R. Brown of Virginia Theological Seminary of Lynch-
burg was the main speaker on the final program.
In December,. 1936, at the Philadelphia Conclave, Robert D.
Baskervill was elected Editor of the Oracle and Director of
 THE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY 179
the Achievement Project. For his theme for 1937, he chose,
"Causes and Effects of Juvenile Delinquency Among Negroes."
The chapters supported the achievement project as they had
projects in other years. There were celebrations in the East,
the West, the North and the South. The chief speakers for
that year were lawyers and social workers.
The Director of the Achievement Project for 1938 was
Frederick S. Weaver. He chose as the theme for the national
celebration, "The Achievement of the Negro in Journalism."
Negro newspapers gave generous support to these programs.
The chief speakers were local editors, many of whom were
given certificates or medal awards. These editors expressed
their appreciation for the recognition given them and com-
mended the Fraternity's observance of Negro Achievement
Week.
At the Twenty-seventh Annual Conclave, which was held
in Chicago in December of 1938, the Fraternity dissociated
the Director of the Achievement Week Project from the Edi-
tor of the Oracle and made the office appointive. The respon-
sibility for directing the Achievement Project for 1939 has
been given to Brother Campbell C. Johnson.

SUMMARY
This project began in 1920 as Negro History and Litera-
ture Week. The celebration was abolished by the Conclave
in Washington, District of Columbia, in December, 1924: so
no celebration occurred in 1925. In December, 1925, at the
Tuskegee Conclave, the celebration was revived as the Negro
Achievement Week Project, to give opportunity for presenta-
tion of important recent achievements of the Negro that might
not eventually get into a history. To attain this end, the
chapters have fostered this celebration and thousands of
pamphlets have been circulated each year to make it a suc-
cess. This project has been another effort of the Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity to live and achieve in accordance with its four
cardinal principles: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and
Uplift. In trying to inspire race pride, the Fraternity has
endeavored to show the manhood of the race in the aspira-
tions of the Negro generally. The pamphlets, the achieve-
ment guide books, the public programs have given glimpses
of the pursuit of scholarship by Omega men and by others
180 THE HISTORY OF
recognized by Omega as scholars. In sponsoring the Achieve-
ment Week Project, the Fraternity has tried to show the per-
severance of the race in spite of handicaps and that, to suc-
ceed, the Negro must continue to persevere. The whole
motive of the celebration has been uplift. The Fraternity has
by the Negro Achievement Week Project endeavored to
remove any inferiority co'nplex that may be impeding the
progress of the masses by having the leaders of the race
become aware of the fact that, as noble achievement is char-
acteristic of every race, the Negro has achieved nobly. Thus
the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for seventeen years has spon-
sored nationally, programs concerning Negro achievement as
a means of inspiring race pride.