March 29, 2024 6:12 AM
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Cincinnati to host 2017 Omega Psi Phi conference

Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau announced the region has been selected to host the 2017 International Leadership Conference of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Omega Psi Phi is one of the nine largest and most prestigious African American fraternal organizations in the world, often referred to as the “Divine Nine.”

Planned for Aug. 2-5, 2017, the Leadership Conference is expected to bring approximately 1,500 room nights and 1,000 attendees to Cincinnati USA, with an estimated economic impact of nearly $450,000. The International Leadership Conference is the biannual national leadership conference for the fraternity, and will attract prominent African American men from around the U.S. The event has recently been held in Kansas City, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Birmingham.

More than 60 years have passed since Cincinnati last hosted a national meeting of one of the “Divine Nine” composed of fraternities and sororities. The announcement is expected to draw increased attention to Cincinnati as a destination for other high-profile multicultural meetings and events.

“The Divine Nine organizations represent some of the most renowned, high impact groups in the multicultural market, so being chosen to host Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is not only an honor, but also an extremely important step for Cincinnati’s development,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Many prominent local Cincinnatians are active members of Omega Psi Phi, including Dr. Eric Abercrumbie, director of student affairs at the University of Cincinnati; Dr. Melvin Gravely, president and CEO of TriVersity and immediate past chairman of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber; Stanford Williams, vice president of Messer Construction; and Darin Hall, vice president of Real Estate Development for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority.

With a key message of “Friendship is essential to the Soul” and core tenets of “Manhood. Scholarship. Perseverance. Uplift.” the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is made up of more than 20,000 active members throughout the world. Omega Psi Phi is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college.

Brother Christopher K. Welch, the 26th Fourth District Representative (Chief Operations Officer for Ohio and West Virginia) is pleased by the fraternity’s decision to hold the international event in Cincinnati, stating “There is a very strong and active graduate chapter presence in Cincinnati, and the brothers of Beta Iota Chapter will work hard to see that the meeting is a success for all stakeholders. I look forward to seeing the brothers enjoying a great time in Cincinnati. The city has the infrastructure to support an international meeting of this type and a thriving economy that is well situated to entertain the brothers who visit Cincinnati during the 2017 meeting.”

Prominent national Omega Psi Phi members include Michael Jordan, U.S. Representative James Clyburn, Shaquille O’Neal, Earl Graves, chairman and CEO of Black Enterprise Magazine, and Benjamin Hooks, past president of the NAACP.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is an organizational Brotherhood consisting of 750 chapters and approximately 20,000 active members throughout the world. Omega Psi Phi is a unique group of men that encourage high standards; community service and assist in the building of character and leadership development among men. Members of Omega share a common foundation of comradeship that lasts a lifetime.

For more information about the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. or to locate chapters in your area, visit www.oppf.org.

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