Chapter History

May 15, 1986 was the first documented meeting of the charter brothers of Omicron Phi Lambda at Grady High School in Atlanta, Georgia. At this meeting, issues were discussed to expand the Local Chapter to the Southside Metropolitan Area of Atlanta. The issues were addressed at the following meetings, Brother Shelly Stanley's house and Days Inn on Washington Road.

Eventually the Brothers convened at the historical Pascal's Restaurant on Saturday mornings for breakfast meetings. Brothers used contacts to get information and placed into a presentation for a new chapter.

The following Brothers were elected into offices:

Brother Lewis Smith - President
Brother Perry Halstead - Recording/Corresponding Secretary
Brother Sam Daniel - Treasurer/Financial Secretary

In an open forum during a state convention, the State Director stated no new chapters would be started in Georgia as long as he was in office.  As a result, the Regional VP was contacted and asked to remove the State Director from the process. After meeting with Brother Perry Halstead, the Regional VP challenged the fledgling chapter to prove themselves because of rumors the chapter would consist of renegades. Brother Al Gray verbalized the goals of the fledgling chapter. They received support from brothers across the country.

Some of the brothers that supported the fledgling chapter were:

Brother C.P. Halstead Sr.
Brother Felix Goodwin (who traveled from Tuscon AZ)
Regional VP's

On May 29, 1987, the results of the Standards and Extensions committee was received with one vote against the fledgling chapter. Omicron Phi Lambda, chapter key # 631 was born and consisted of thirty members in total with fifteen brothers being lifetime members.

The chartering ceremony was chaired by General President Teamer. Several brothers instrumental in the creation of Omicron Phi Lambda were honored. Father Cowan received his 50 year pin at the chartering ceremony. A celebration was also held after receiving the news of being provided our key number - hosted at Brother Eddie Henderson's house.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
Omicron Phi Lambda Chapter

Chartering Brothers
May 29, 1987

Howard Kennedy, President
Al Gray, Vice- President
Malcolm Williams, Recording Secretary
Perry Halstead, Corresponding Secretary
Johnny Prince, Editor to the Sphinx
Sammie T. Daniel, Treasurer
Charles Singleton,Historian
Don Minor, Dean of Pledges
Keith Barker, Director of Education
Nelson Geter, Financial Secretary
Cecil Cowan, Chaplain
Eddie Henderson, SGT at Arms
Dean Heard, Parliamentarian
Lewis L. Smith, Pan Hellenic

Tommy E. Gross
James R. Price
Simon Hubbard
Daniel R. Peel
Rod Grimes
Percy Harden
Horace Hawkins
Charles R. Floyd, Jr.
Stanley M. Goldsboro, Jr.
Howlie R. Davis
Milton Jones
Fred Lockhart
Willie Smith
David E. Manuel
Shelley Stanley
Ronald W. Sims