Lifting as we Climb

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Mu Nu Chapter

Chapter History

The establishment of the Mu Nu Chapter — a graduate chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. located in Montgomery County, Maryland — was initiated by the late Brother Rudolph W. Snowden. Brother Snowden completed his undergraduate work at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University in Greensboro, North Carolina. He then moved to Montgomery County, Maryland in 1968 where he promptly joined the Alpha Omega Chapter, a graduate chapter in Washington, D.C. Despite his busy schedule, and pursuits in a new career in Montgomery County as the Assistant Principal at Gaithersburg Junior High School, this former Basileus of Nu Alpha Chapter in Wilson, NC, took the time to search for other Men of Omega throughout Montgomery County. Following a successful campaign to align himself with other Omega Men, Brother Snowden called them together on May 9, 1970 for an organizational meeting. A second meeting was held on May 16, 1970. These Omega Men went on to become the Charter Members of Mu Nu Chapter.  The Charter Members are:

  • Brother Matthew Bailey
  • Brother Clarence Blake
  • Brother Howard Cameron *
  • Brother John Catalan *
  • Brother Kermit DeGraffenreidt
  • Brother Bruce Gray 
  • Brother James Guess *
  • Brother Allen Hankinson, Sr. 
  • Brother Dr. Johnie E. Harris*
  • Brother James Lincoln *
  • Brother Harry Marshall 
  • Brother Timothy McIntosh
  • Brother Ernest Middelton
  • Brother Herbert J. Owens
  • Brother Bernard Overton 
  • Brother Samuel Poole *
  • Brother William Powell 
  • Brother Rudolph W. Snowden * 
  • Brother George B. Thomas, Sr. *   
  • Brother Richard Tyler 
  • Brother John Westbrook 
  • Brother Rudolph White *


      * Denotes OMEGA Chapter

On June 1, 1970, Brother H. Carl Moultrie, the National Executive Secretary of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., sent a letter to Brother Snowden informing him that the Fraternity’s Supreme Council had approved the issuing of a Charter for Mu Nu Chapter in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Throughout the intervening years, Mu Nu Chapter has been heavily involved in the county and in fulfilling the Cardinal Principles (Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift) of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Members of Mu Nu Chapter have continued to work in the true tradition of Omega’s Founders, with a dedication to the aims of service in Montgomery County as envisioned by the Chapter’s Charter Members. The Chapter continues to sponsor programs that improve the quality of life for the residents in Montgomery County. These programs include the widely acclaimed George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy – also known as the Saturday School Program – which provides mentoring and tutoring for hundreds of students in grades 1 through 12. Additional program activities during the year include the Chapter’s holiday season drives for food, clothing, and toy distribution programs that serve approximately 30 families each year; the National Achievement Week Program which emphasizes and recognizes the accomplishments of Montgomery County youth; the Rudolph W. Snowden Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarship funding to many Montgomery County youths; and the National Talent Hunt Program which provides a forum for our future artistic performers. These are but a few of the Chapter’s continuing endeavors in the name of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., that make us proud!

Since 1970, the following Brothers have served as Basileus of the Mu Nu Chapter:

  • Brother Rudolph W. Snowden * —– 1970 – 1971
  • Brother Bruce Gray —– 1971 – 1972
  • Brother Dr. Johnie E. Harris * —– 1972 – 1973
  • Brother Dr. Adam E. McKee, Jr.—– 1973 – 1975  
  • Brother Walter Coleman —– 1975 – 1976
  • Brother Herbert W. Owens —– 1976 – 1978
  • Brother Samuel Sullivan —– 1978 – 1980
  • Brother Johnie E. Harris * —– 1980 – 1982
  • Brother Richard H. Johnson * —– 1982 – 1985  
  • Brother Reginald M. Felton * —– 1985 – 1987  
  • Brother Howard D. Mayfield—– 1987 – 1990  
  • Brother C. Arthur Eubanks * —– 1990 – 1992  
  • Brother Roscoe V. Parker—– 1992 – 1994  
  • Brother Robert J. Jamison, Jr. —– 1994 – 1996  
  • Brother Gregory Boykin —– 1996 – 1998  
  • Brother Milton D. Harrison —– 1998 – 2000  
  • Brother Richard E. Mitchell—– 2000 – 2002  
  • Brother Troy A. Priest—– 2002 – 2004  
  • Brother Eddie C. Black—– 2004 – 2006
  • Brother Bobby C. Jewett—- 2006 – 2008
  • Brother Troy A. Priest —– 2008 – 2011
  • Brother David A. Hill —– 2011 – 2013
  • Brother Clarence Thomas, Jr. —– 2013 – 2015
  • Brother Kelvin Ampofo —- 2015 – 2017
  • Brother Donald Williams, II —- 2017 – 2019
  • Brother Gabriel Brown,  —- 2019 – 2021
  • Brother Walter Neighbors, Esq.  —- 2021 – present

                              * Denotes OMEGA Chapter

Significant Historical Events

1970 – 1971 (Rudolph W. Snowden, Basileus)

  • 1st Achievement Week Program held at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church — November 15, 1970
  • 1st Mardi Gras held at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Rockville, MD — Johnie E. Harris, Chairmam

1971 – 1972  (Brucy Gray, Basileus)

  • 1st Talent Hunt Program held at Rockville High School, Rockville, MD — James Guess, Chairman
  • 1st draft of chapter By-Laws proposed

1972 – 1973  (Johnie E. Harris, Basileus)

  • 1st Boatride held during the summer on the Potomac river.

1973 – 1974  (Adam E. McKee,Jr., Basileus)

  • 1st scholarship award program targeting minority students, Clinton Methodist Church, Rockville, MD
  • 1st shirtsleeve conference held July 13, 1974, Howard Inn, Washington, DC

1974 – 1975  (Adam E. McKee,Jr., Basileus)

  • Johnie E. Harris selected District Omega Man of the Year 

1975 – 1976  (Walter Coleman Basileus)

  • Johnie E. Harris appointed District Scholarship Chairman 

1976 – 1977  (Herbert W. Owens Basileus)

  • Adam E. McKee,Jr. elected 1st Vice District Representative 

1977 – 1978  (Samuel Sullivan Basileus)

  • Adam E. McKee,Jr. elected 2nd District Representative
  • R. W. Snowden Scholarship Fund Articles of Incorporation approved

1981 – 1982  (Johnie E. Harris Basileus)

  • Mu Nu hosted the 34th District Conference, April 30 – May 2, 1982, Crystal City, VA

1983 – 1984  (Richard H. Johnson,Jr. Basileus)

  • Richard H. Johnson,Jr. elected 2nd District Keeper of Records & Seal

1986 – 1987  (Reginald M. Felton Basileus)

  • Grand Basileus Moses C. Norman,Sr. was The Achievement Week Program speaker
  • The Saturday School opened at the Olney Towne Center with an enrollment of twenty-one students
  • Adam E. McKee,Jr. was appointed the National Achievement Week Program Chairman

1987 – 1988  (Howard D. Mayfield Basileus)

  • Richard H. Johnson,Jr. elected 2nd District Representative
  • Johnie E. Harris appointed the National Scholarship Program Chairman
  • Howard D. Mayfield appointed District Housing Program Chairman
  • C. Arthur Eubanks appointed Assault on Illiteracy Chairman
  • Adam E. McKee,Jr. appointed Time and Place Chairman
  • Peter K. Higginbotham appointed Corridor I Representative

1989 – 1990  (Howard D. Mayfield Basileus)

  • Adam E. McKee,Jr. elected Grand Keeper of Records & Seal
  • Richard H. Johnson,Jr. appointed District Scholarship Chairman

1991 – 1992  (C. Arthur Eubanks Basileus)

  • Mu Nu Chapter By-Laws revised the second time
  • Mu Nu Chapter recipient of the 2nd District Reclamation Award (8 brothers reclaimed)

1993 – 1994  (Roscoe V. Parker,Jr. Basileus)

  • Mu Nu Chapter recipeint of the 2nd District Social Action Award of $1000.00
  • Johnie E. Harris appointed International Chairman of the History and Archives Committee

1994 – 1995  (Robert J. Jamison,Jr. Basileus)

  • Mu Nu Chapter’s 25 Anniversary Rededication service held in Annapolis, MD
  • Adam E. McKee,Jr. elected 1st Vice Grand Basileus

1995 – 1996  (Robert J. Jamison,Jr. Basileus)

  • The Saturday School was incorporated and named the George B. Thomas,Sr. Learning Academy, Inc.
  • The Saturday School program recipient of the State of Maryland Literacy award presented by Governor Parris Glendening
  • The George B. Thomas Learning Academy, Inc. named one of the top ten tutoring/memtoring programs by the Association of Cities and Counties
  • Reginald M. Felton elected 1st Black School Board President in Montgomery County,Maryland
  • Mu Nu Chapter hosts the 2nd District Conference

1999 – 2002  (Milton D. Harrison Basileus)

  • Milton D. Harrison appointed the 2nd District, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Corridor I Representative

2002 – 2003 (Troy A. Priest Basileus)

  • Mu Nu Chapter incorporates the Mu Nu Foundation, Inc.

2004 – 2006 (Eddie C. Black Basileus)

  • Mu Nu Chapter celebrates 35th Anniversary
  • Supplied funds to Omega Development Corp for hurricane victims
  • The George B. Thomas Learning Academy Saturday School initiated their 2005-2006 program on Oct 8th 2005 with the addition of two new centers (Magurder & Rockville High Schools). The GBTLA, Inc. now covers a total of 12 Saturday School sites, and as of 10/08/05 successfully opened with 2,424 registered students
  • Mu Nu raised over $2000 for Diabetes Walk
  • Mu Nu Achievement Week Program with over 100 friends and family members in attendance
  • Mu Nu Chapter Social Action Committee hosted a Christmas Pizza Party for 25 children of Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC)
  • Mu Nu participated with area chapters in ‘We Feed Our People’ event for MLK Day of Service

2007 – 2008  (Bobby Jewett. Basileus)

  • Milton D. Harrison elected 2nd District Keeper of Records & Seal

2008 – 2011 (Troy A. Priest Basileus)

  • Centennial Celebration of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and implemented strategic plan.
  • Celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Mu Nu Chapter
  • New by-laws approved by brotherhood
  • Increased chapter membership to more than 110 men
  • Conducted Founders Dinner to honor members
  • Site selection resulted in relocation of Chapter meetings to the new locations: 1 Veterans Place – Silver Spring Civic Building
  •  Successfully bid for the 68th District Conference which is the new standard
  • Implemented the reinstatement of the Chapter newsletter 

2011 – 2013 (David A. Hill Basileus)

  • Established and launched the Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative – Game Changer Conference for Young Males, Father Daughter Dinner Dance, Fathers & Sons Day, etc.
  • Oversaw the successful completion of two MSP processes, the Centennial Line and Spring 2013 (largest line in Mu Nu history)
  • Supported and participated in the development of strategy for the election of Milton Dewey Harrison as First Vice District Representative, including seconding his nomination at the 66th District Conference at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor, MD. 

2013 – 2015 (Clarence Thomas Jr. Basileus)

  • Spearheaded and developed strategy for the election of Milton Dewey Harrison as 34th 2nd District Representative. 
  • Hosted 1st Annual Christmas with the Ques Holiday Boat Ride as the Chapter’s Holiday Party
  • Hosted a Golf Tournament as a Chapter fellowship event. The event consisted of a golf tournament followed by a catered fellowship luncheon. 
  • Mu Nu Chapter was awarded the Second District Retention Award at the 67th 2nd District Conference for outstanding innovation and support to the retention initiative.
  • Brother Clarence Thomas Jr., Mu Nu Chapter Basileus awarded Omega Man of the Year for his outstanding Chapter leadership and alignment of Mu Nu Chapter as a major District and International contributor. Additionally, Mu Nu Chapter prepared and submitted a submission package for recognition as Large Graduate Chapter of the Year.
  • Mu Nu Chapter served as Health Fair Co-Sponsor with Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Brother Clarence Thomas Jr., Mu Nu Chapter Basileus made welcoming remarks and supported event activities were supported by several Omega Men in attendance. 
  • Mu Nu Chapter served as Community Health Fair Co-Organizer with Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Social Action Committee Chair, Brother Donald Williams oversaw organization of Men’s Health related events at the Fair, and Mu Nu Chapter participated in coordinating several health topic presented to over 75 people in attendance. 
  • Mu Nu Chapter participated in activities to support the EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program sponsored by the with Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

2015 – 2017 (Kelvin Ampofo Basileus)

  • Mu Nu hosted the 68th Second District Conference (April 2016) at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Rockville, MD.
  • Established new attendance, participation, and financial goals
  • Bro. Kelvin Ampofo appointed Corridor I Representative

2017 – Present (Donald Williams, II Basileus)

  • Spearheaded and developed strategy for the election of Kelvin Ampofo as 34th 2nd District Keeper of Records & Seal – 70th Second District Conference in Baltimore. 
  • Launched new initiative “Ques on the Move” podcast.  It is a monthly internet talk show highlighting Mu Nu Chapter’s significant events in Montgomery County.
  • Launched Charter/Mu Nu Homecoming Weekend to celebrate 48 years of community engagement and impact