Tau Tau Chapter
was founded in Compton, California in February, 1961.
Tau Tau was the third chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to be chartered
in the Los Angeles Area. Brother Rowland Powell spearheaded the inception
of Tau Tau. Brother Powell was initiated into the fraternity
through
Lambda Chapter at the University of Southern California. Brother
Powell
had recently returned to the Compton area after distinctively serving
his
country in the Korean War. Upon his return to Compton, Brother Powell
discovered an overwhelming amount of inactive Omega Men in the
Compton and Los Angeles area. Through perseverance and commitment,
Brother Powell was able to bring together interested Omega Men with
a
willingness to start a new chapter. Brothers instrumental in founding
the new
included Brothers John Snead, Huey Dread, James Stansil, McKinley
Exum, Sidney Purdle, Marco Vallery, Johnson Maner, Sylvester Ward,
Thomas Gibson, and Wilfred Smith. Shortly after inspiring the
local
brothers to rededicate them to the business of Omega, Brother Powell
moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he established a successful
veterinarian practice. The chapter was founded with 25 members.
The first
installation of officers was performed at the Ran Roundup Restaurant.
Brother Wally Daniel did the honors. The first five Basilei of
the chapter
were:
1st: Sylvester Ward
2nd: Huey Dredd
3rd: Wilfred Smith
4th: Emmitt Cox
5th: Marco Vallery
Those five men administered the reigns of leadership used to shape the
young chapter and it’s community. General meetings rotated between
brother’s homes. During the sixties, the brothers of Tau Tau
were active in
several local civil rights activities in both Compton and Los Angeles.
Brother Stansil organized several voter registration drives while Brother
Paine established himself as an active participant in community affairs.
There was also a strong crew of Quettes within the chapter that assisted
the
brothers in many community activities. The sixties also saw Tau
Tau
develop a positive working relationship with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
at
California State University Los Angeles. The sixties recorded
the
acceptance of Willie Alexander, Daniel Davis, and Charles Banks into
the
Lampados Club and later initiation into the fraternity through Tau
Tau.
During the seventies, the brotherhood maintained its high level of visibility
within the community. Brother Dredd was elected PTA President
at
Willowbrook Junior High School, while Brother Albert Robinson became
President of the Greenmeadow Boy Scouts and an active member in the
chapter. The chapter roster reached record high 30 brothers midway
through the decade and the location of general meetings was rotated
among
area hotels and restaurants. One of the chapter’s most successful
events
during the years was the Omega Boat Ride out of San Pedro. The
seventies
witnessed ups and downs among the brotherhood. Brothers slowly
began to
leave the Compton and Los Angeles areas by way of promotions and job
transfers. The result was better opportunities for brothers and
major
fluctuations in chapter membership. Through the determination
and faith of
Brothers Stansil, Purdle, Exum, Cox, Vallery, and Jimmy Evans, Tau
Tau
was able to endure a dwindling membership and met the challenges awaiting
it in the eighties.
The eighties welcomed the addition of Brother Joe Cole Sr. who was
instrumental in the recruitment of Brother Mark Iles. Brother
Iles, who was
initiated into the fraternity through Mu Kappa Chapter at California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, helped revitalize the
chapter
and chartered its current progressive path. It was during the
administrations
of Brothers mark Iles and Marcus Bedford, a charter member of Mu Kappa
Chapter, that Tau Tau began the practice of regular meeting attendance.
The brotherhood’s belief that information should come first hand prompted
Tau Tau to have representation at all 12th District Meetings, Grand
Conclaves, and Leadership Conferences during the decade. The
tremendous job done by these two distinctive administrations created
a
niche for Tau Tau at the forefront of local fraternal affairs.
The latter part
of the eighties welcomed Brothers Dan Kurtz, Kary Pounders, Kenneth
Willis, and Joe Turner to the fraternal fold through the Selection
and
Education process.
The nineties welcomed Brothers Michael Cooper, Donta Montgomery, John
M. Hardin II, Kenneth Lear Jr., and David Crowder also by way of the
Selection and Education process. Their crossing symbolized the
last time
the fraternity would use their traditional method to initiate Brothers
into its
international family. For Tau Tau, the early nineties proved to be
business
as usual. Tau Tau developed a reputation for being progressive
in
addressing the mandated federal programs as well as the social ills
of its
surrounding community. Subsequently, the Mighty Tau Tau was awarded
the 12th District Chapter of the Year two consecutive years in 1991
and
1992. Tau Tau is also home of two consecutive Omega Man of the
Year
recipients. Brothers Ricky Lewis and Chris Tyiska brought the
award back
to Compton in 1991 and 1992 respectively. During the 1992 Grand
Conclave held in Atlanta Georgia, Brother Marcus Bedford was recognized
as the Fraternities Superior Service Award recipient. During
Brother Lewis’
administration as Basileus, the chapter developed a business approach
to its
fraternal obligations. It has been its regular submission of
articles to the
Oracle and proven ability to implement the various mandated that has
led
Tau Tau into the national spotlight. In 1991, the brotherhood
witnessed the
introduction of the Membership Intake Program as Omegas accepted
method of initiation. The new fraternal program resulted in the
additions of
Brothers Vernard Owens, Lucious Wilder, Devin Rodriguez, and Jesse
Boyce in 1992. November 1, 1992 began the Chris Tyiska administration
at
Tau Tau. Brother Tyiska, along with Brothers Franklin Love; Vice
Basileus, John Hardin II; Keeper of Records and Seal, and Dulaney Hill;
Keeper of Finance, publicly committed themselves to the 32 year tradition
of Excellence established by the charter members. Once again,
the entire
chapter rededicated itself to the principles of Manhood, Scholarship,
Perseverance, and Uplift as envisioned by the fraternity’s four founders.
Now more than fifty brothers strong, the thoroughly immersed Brothers
of
Tau Tau are prepared to claim the decade of the nineties in the name
of
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.