Omega Psi Phi convention draws thousands to Charlotte like ‘gigantic family reunion’
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has not seen some of his fellow Omega Psi Phi members in years, but that will change this week.
The historically Black Greek letter organization is coming to Charlotte this week to celebrate its 83rd Grand Conclave. The international convention typically draws thousands of members who gather for fellowship, camaraderie over delicious food, and workshops and forums aimed at uplifting one another.
“For it to be here in Charlotte, it is going to be the conclaves of all conclaves,” McFadden told The Charlotte Observer on Tuesday. “It is a gigantic family reunion.”
Omega Psi Phi was founded at Howard University in 1911 and became the first international fraternal organization established at a historically Black college. The Grand Conclave is traditionally held every two years, but COVID-19 prevented it from being in-person in 2020.
This year’s Conclave will be held Friday through July 26 at the Charlotte Convention Center on South College Street. Here’s highlights of events open to the public:
▪ A job fair with representatives from Boeing, Atrium Health and Mass Mutual from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday.
▪ A racial equity forum moderated by “black-ish” actor Anthony Anderson from 1 p.m. to 3p.m., Friday. Panelists include national NAACP President Derrick Johnson, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and comedian D.L. Hughley.
▪ The 83rd Grand Conclave Step Show from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday.
▪ The Ques in the Park Black Business and Wellness Expo takes place at Marshall Park on Saturday. It’s a showcase allowing entrepreneurs to set up tables and make elevator pitches on stage for potential customers.
‘A homecoming of men’
McFadden pledged in 1980 at Johnson C. Smith University, and he is celebrating his chapter’s 101 years of history. He is looking forward to seeing his “line brothers,” buying new Omega Psi Phi gear and paraphernalia and viewing the stepping competition between older and newer members.
“It is going to be a homecoming of men,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of love.”
The city does not understand the economic value of the Conclave coming to Charlotte, McFadden said. There will be 7,000 hotel rooms booked, “without question,” he said.
“Everybody’s going to have to eat, everybody’s going to have to get gas and everybody’s going to have to sleep,” McFadden said.
Charlotte accommodating the Omega Psi Phi members during their Conclave, could influence other historically Black fraternities and national organizations to hold their conventions here, according to McFadden. Some of the Omega Psi Phi members coming are wealthy and successful businessmen, so they also could help the city economically, he said.
“The person you may be talking to could be the CEO of a company, but for this weekend, he’s just a brother,” McFadden said.
Supporting Omega men
McFadden says everyone should come out and “embrace the brothers” regardless of race or beliefs, not only because it’ll be fun, but it could be “a bridge builder.”
“We need to recognize more of these things that are happening in the Black community,” he said. “Come out and be a part of it. You may be working with a Omega man and not even know it. Your doctor could be an Omega Man. Your lawyer could be an Omega Man.”
There are over 700 Omega Psi Phi chapters throughout the U.S. and 13 countries on four continents — including Africa, Asia and Europe — so Charlotte should recognize this and support the Conclave, McFadden said.
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and other historically Black fraternities in attendance also will be recognized and celebrated, he said.
“We have a lot of love for each other,” McFadden said.
In addition to those participating in Friday’s panel, other notable Omega Psi Phi members expected to attend the Conclave are comedian Ricky Smiley and former Charlotte City Council member James “Smuggie” Mitchell.
“I tell everybody to get some sleep this week because they won’t have it by the weekend,” McFadden said. “It is going to be a phenomenon.”
This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
