Pi Xi Chapter

13th District History

International Chapter Development
By Peter LeRoy Mitchell
June 2016

The seeds that were planted, and that eventually germinated into what is known today as the International 13th District were sowed by the Founders Frank Coleman, Oscar J. Cooper, Ernest E. Just, and Edgar A. Love during the embryonic stage of development of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Howard University, Washington D.C. Between the period of March 1912 through October 1914, there was staunch resistance to the Fraternity’s growth outside of the campus at Howard University. At the time the president and administration were quite apprehensive in their approach to fraternities and sororities but they had little objection to these organizations being locally based within the District of Columbia. Under the leadership of Grand Basileus Edgar A. Love, the Fraternity was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914. Earlier that year on February 14, 1914, Beta Chapter was chartered at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, but the Founders saw it to be fitting to put in place a structure that would be conducive to the expansion of the Fraternity outside the confines of Howard University and indeed beyond the jurisdictions of the District of Columbia. We know of sister Lowdie Wilson who was instrumental and supportive of the early formation of Beta Chapter where itsis said that she too had roots in the international arena her bloodlines tracing back to those far flung islands known as The Bahamas.
In those early years, the Founders were most likely cognizant of the fact that with brothers like Colonel Charles Young, the highest ranking Negro officer in the United States Army at the time, that expansions abroad was a possibility. They may have seen that Colonel Young being stationed in Africa during the early 1920’s may have signaled the Fraternity’s expansion abroad where brothers like him could live and function under the banner of Omega Psi Phi in those far flung communities. The Founders may or may not have expected for there to be a number of “foreign” brothers amongst the rank. However, what has unfolded, is that college trained men of African descent being either citizens of the United States or hailing from other nations around the world, have become contributing members of the Fraternity over the years.

OMEGA GOES INTERNATIONAL

In September 1923, two Omega men winded their way to Montreal in search of more light. Neither knew of the coming of the other, but with their first meeting a month later, Omega Psi Phi became international.
Sigma Chapter was organized at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (Canada) on December 15, 1923. Brother Walter R. Dunston, ex-Basileus of Phi Chapter, with the assistance of Brother George W. Brown, known to all Howard men for his prowess as an athlete and his ability as a debater, set up the Fraternity’s first International Chapter in Canada.
The problem was by no means an easy one as most of the men knew little or nothing of fraternities. Initially there was opposition, but this soon disappeared and the chapter assumed its rightful position as an influential power in the life of the community.
Remembering always that Omega men “do things” each brother pledged himself to take part in some branch of extra-curricular activities. The result was that Brother Brown represented his faculty in the inter-faculty debate and was later chosen for the university debating team to represent McGill against Dalhousie and Queen University. Many of the brothers became members of “Mock Parliament” and valiantly defended their respective parties. Brother Dunston made the indoor track team and was asked to run for the outdoor track team.
In March 1924, Sigma chapter made its first appearance before the Montreal public in the form of a very successful “Young Memorial Service” held in the church of the Rev. Brother Charles Este. On this occasion the mayor of the city was invited as principal speaker, but was prevented by pressing political engagements in connection with the approaching elections.
In May 1924, Sigma chapter consisted of thirteen carefully chosen men.
SIGMA in 1924
Brother C.E.S. Bailey
Brother B. B. Beckford
Brother G.W. Brown
Brother Dillon Burnett
Brother Dr. E. Melville DuPorte, M.A. – Entomology Lecturer, McDonald
College, McGill University
Brother W.R. Dunston
Brother Rev. Charles Este – Pastor, First Congregational Church
Brother Alfred P. McDonald
Brother L.N.L. Stewart
Brother St. Elmo E. Taylor
Brother Dr. S.T. Wills, M.D. – Graduate of Edinburgh
Even though Sigma chapter pledged to keep the sacred light of Omega Psi Phi burning brightly beneath the cold clear light of Canadian stars, the chapter went inactive and was moved to Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.
In another area of endeavor, a closer view of some of the lawyers in the history of civil rights litigation will perhaps give an indications of the quality of men that filled the gap. Men such Charles Hamilton Houston (1895-1950) who was credited with laying out the legal strategy for the renowned Brown vs Board of Education which was the linchpin case that derailed racial segregation itself finding it as unconstitutional. Houston attracted many able men at Howard Law School, but two that he merited as outstanding were Brother William H. Hastie and Thurgood Marshall.
Brother Hastie was a highly regarded legal practitioner in his own right. He was also a civilian aide to the Secretary of War, but he resigned in protest against racial discrimination in the Armed Forces.
He was appointed U.S. District Judge for the Virgin Islands in 1937 where the outer shores were blessed with Omega’s presence. In 1939 Brother Hastie returned to Howard and became the dean of Howard Law School.
Brother Hastie like others such as Brother Dr. Cleveland Eneas Sr. (2-Delta ’38) Meharry Medical College were a part of a natural progression, where brothers sprinkled across the globe lived their creed, in communities where they lived doing their duty. As time unwound and the seeds of Omega spread, enlightened men eventually saw the need to organize themselves into chapters and sought recognition from the International body of the Fraternity. Thus international chapters were chartered around the world, continuing in December 1955.

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION

The second international chapter, Tau Chi was chartered in Monrovia, The Republic of Liberia on December 1, 1955 during the tenure of Grand Basileus John F. Potts. From 1953 to 1955, Bro. Potts, a scholar, was then the principal of the Avery Institute in Denmark, South Carolina, which is currently known as Voorhees College.
Currently there is very little data available as to the charter members of Tau Chi and their activities in Liberia. However, Father Seth Edwards, Sr. who was initiated at Pi Chapter at Morgan State, had been in Liberia as an Episcopal Priest and professor at Cuttington University, was a known Omega man during that period. Brother Edwards lived and worked in Suakoko from 1948 until he entered Omega Chapter in 1978. During those days, it was rather difficult traveling from the hinterland to Monrovia because of the bad roads, if any at all. (Dr. Vivian Jones Edwards, wife of Brother Edwards, retired professor at St. Augustine’s College, Raleigh, N.C. interview March 29, 1998). It is safe to assume that with the ongoing political unrest in Liberia, many materials and data relating to Tau Chi at the University of Liberia in Monrovia, Cuttington University in Suakoko, and at other sites such as homes, military installations, and other institutions were most likely destroyed. Therefore, from incomplete documentation, the challenges of political and socioeconomic unrest, and from comments made by few living friends and family members of brothers, one can only speculate about the development and contributions of this chapter.
Tau Chi was the lone Chapter designated for the 13th District sub-region of Africa. But it was inactive up to the time of the district’s formation. It continued to be so up through until March 22, 2012 when the chapter was finally officially reinstated to active status by the International Headquarter Office resulting from the endeavor of District Representative Matthew B. Coleman, the eighteenth 13th District Representative. Leading up to this period there was sporadic interest being shown in bring the chapter back onto the rolls, but it wasn’t until the aforementioned re-instatement that Tau Chi blessed the 13th District with its presence once more.

THE SIXTIES

In less than a decade another chapter became a reality outside the continental United States. This time it was in Europe, in the city of Frankfurt, Germany. It was chartered under the name Theta Rho on August 15, 1962. On behalf of the Supreme Council, Brother H. Carl Moultrie, Sr. corresponded with Brother Joseph E. Washington of headquarters USASA Europe, where upon a listing of the fifteen charter members was forwarded. The brothers were Ernest W. Armstrong, Wilbur L. Beck, Gilbert Cleckly, Henry L. Gibson, Roy L. Goines, Johnnie C. Grier, Samuel R. Harris, Samuel B. Houston, Evander L. Humfrey, Aaron M. Jones, Nathaniel L. Keeling, Russell A. Powell, Robert L. Smith, Dudley L. Tademy, and Joseph E. Washington. Theta Rho has made huge strides since its founding and made substantial contributions in the local community through its programs. Over the years the chapter membership for the most part has consisted of men serving in the U.S. military.

THE SEVENTIES

Precisely thirteen years later to the day, the fourth international chapter received its charter, and it was the first chapter to be formed in the Caribbean. This became known as Zeta Xi Chapter, chartered on August 15, 1976 on the island of St. Thomas, USVI under the leadership of Grand Basileus Edward J. Braynon. The National Executive Secretary, Brother Harold J. Cook forwarded the charter to the Chapter Basileus, Brother Edouard T. deLagarde. Brother Cook provided invaluable assistance to the chapter during its formation and paid a follow-up visit to St. Thomas later in 1976. The location of this chapter was interesting because Brother William H. Hastie, former Dean of Law at Howard University, had been appointed governor by President Truman to these islands from 1946 to 1949. The ten charter members were Harry O. Parrot, Thomas R. Blake, Michael D. Livisay, Charles J. Fonseca, Henry T. Harrigan, John Watley, Ariel Jackson, Edouard T. deLagarde, William H. Terry and Earl V. Haynes.
The year 1977 proved to be an exciting one for international chapter development because two chapters were created six months apart – Lambda Xi in Seoul, Korea and Pi Xi in Nassau, Bahamas. This brotherly expansion under Grand Basileus Edward J. Braynon was definitely a celebration for the Fraternity and especially for the Bahamas, which has always enjoyed close ties with the United States and like the Virgin Islands it was a delightful tourist destination.
While Lambda Xi’s application was initiated through the Third District Representative, Brother B.T. Garnett on October 20, 1974, it was actually chartered on February 22, 1977. The eleven charter members consisted of Leroy C. Bell, Peter J. Baker, Curtis A. Baylor, Marshal F. Atkins, James H. Campbell, Thurman R. Hampton, James H. Jackson, Thomas G. Joiner, Henry L. Gibson, William J. Bryant, and Roosevelt Adams. It is worthy to note that Brother Henry L. Gibson was also a charter member of Theta Rho Chapter in Germany fifteen years earlier.
Pi Xi’s charter application was hand delivered from the Bahamas by Brother Lester J. Mortimer, Jr. on January 19, 1974, which was dated October 25, 1973. Results from persistent work by Cornel Mortimer, two and a half years later, the Supreme Council under the leadership of Grand Basileus Edward J. Braynon approved the charter on August 17, 1977. Within five days, Brother Braynon along with some sixty other brothers hailing from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States came to Nassau to personally hand deliver the charter to Charter Basileus, Brother John A. Godet. Brother Samuel Sheppard, Editor-to-the Oracle and Brother Carver Portlock were also instrumental in leading the entourage of brothers on the SS Rotterdam to Nassau. The Bahamas Head of State, Excellency Sir Gerald Cash, Governor General of the Bahamas, was in attendance and officially welcomed the brothers to Omega Paradise in the first toast to be given to Pi Xi chapter. The Grand Basileus in his address made note of this trip being a homecoming for him as his father was born in Nassau before migrating to Florida. He also was the first cousin to the Bahamas former Speaker to the House of Assembly, who by his historic walk across the floor of the House ushered in black majority in the Bahamas in the summer of 1967.
During the time prior to Pi Xi receiving the charter in June 1977, one of the charter members, Brother Derek Glenn Bastian, affectionately known as “Ace” passed on to Omega Chapter after suffering injuries in a fire as he re-entered a building in an attempt to rescue a family member. The eleven charter members included John A. Godet (Basileus), Paul A. Clare (Vice Basileus), Cornel D. V. Mortimer (Keeper of Records and Seal), Peter L. Mitchell (Keeper of Finance), Granville C. Bain (Chaplain – Deceased), Cleveland W. Eneas, Jr., Gregory Austin, Lowell J. Mortimer, Philip J. Mortimer, Lester J. Mortimer Jr. and Derek G. Bastian (Deceased). Pi Xi had the fortune of hosting the Fraternity’s Leadership Conference in 1997, the first major biennial meeting held outside the continental United States.
Pi Xi’s charter application was hand delivered from the Bahamas by Brother Lester J. Mortimer, Jr. on January 19, 1974, which was dated October 25, 1973. Resultant from persistent work by Cornel D.V. Mortimer, two and a half years later, the Supreme Council under the leadership of Grand Basileus Edward J. Braynon approved their charter on August 17, 1977. Within five days, Brother Braynon along with some sixty other brothers hailing from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States came to Nassau to personally hand deliver the charter to Charter Basileus, Brother John A. Godet. Brother Samuel Sheppard, Editor-to-the Oracle and Brother Carver Portlock were also instrumental in leading the entourage of brothers on the SS Rotterdam to Nassau. The Bahamas Head of State, Excellency Sir Gerald Cash, Governor General of the Bahamas, was in attendance and officially welcomed the brothers to Omega Paradise in the first toast to be given to Pi Xi chapter. The Grand Basileus in his address made note of this trip being a homecoming for him as his father was born in Nassau before migrating to Florida. He also was the first cousin to the Bahamas former Speaker to the House of Assembly, who by his historic walk across the floor of the House ushered in black majority in the Bahamas in the summer of 1967.
During the time prior to Pi Xi receiving the charter in June 1977, one of the charter members, Brother Derek Glenn Bastian, affectionately known as “Ace” passed on to Omega Chapter after suffering injuries in a fire as he re-entered a building in an attempt to rescue a family member. The eleven charter members included Dr. John A. Godet (Basileus – deceased), Paul A. Clare (Vice Basileus), Cornel D. V. Mortimer (Keeper of Records and Seal), Peter L. Mitchell (Keeper of Finance), Granville C. Bain (Chaplain – Deceased), Dr. Cleveland W. Eneas, Jr., Gregory Austin, Lowell J. Mortimer O.B.E, Philip J. Mortimer, Lester J. Mortimer Jr., Q.C. and Derek G. Bastian (Deceased). Pi Xi had the fortune of hosting the Fraternity’s Leadership Conference in 1997, the first major biennial meeting held outside the continental United States.

THE EIGHTIES

On June 25, 1982, a chapter was established in Honolulu, Hawaii. It received the name Lambda Beta Beta. The charter members were Hoyett H. Andrews III, Marc Hall, Fullwood Blackburn, Levar Faine, Jerry Hicks, Earl Turner, Charles Hooper, Clinton Fields, John Hawkins, James McKoy, James Mitchell, Wilbert Fletcher, Herbert Charity and Willie Burroughs. The majority of the brotherhood making up this chapter consisted of men serving in the U.S. military service.
The Omega men in the Republic of Panama had been meeting for at least two years prior to receiving their charter via Grand Basileus Moses C. Norman, Sr. whereupon Brother Ernest M. Dilworth, a Captain in the U.S. Army wrote to the Fraternity’s National Headquarters to express the desire of the brothers to establish a chapter in Central America. On December 7, 1985 the charter of Nu Gamma Gamma was approved by a vote of the Supreme Council lead by the International Chapter Liaison, Brother Richard H. Smith. The charter members of Nu Gamma Gamma Chapter were Ernest M. Dilworth, Carl D. McDuffie, Tileston K. Venable, Clarke L. McGriff, Wayne Ellis, Willie J. Scott, Willie J. Scott, Jr., Alvin E. Coleman, Joseph M. Tyson, Reginald D. Ray, and James E. Grier. Nu Gamma Gamma consisted of men serving in the U.S. military service and moved to Puerto Rico after the closing of U.S. military bases in Panama. Unfortunately, U.S. military bases in Puerto Rico would eventually also closed, which forced Nu Gamma Gamma in an inactive status. Currently, Nu Gamma Gamma is located in Canada.
In the spring of 1984, there were thirty brothers serving the military on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Despite the ongoing rotation of brothers in and out of Japan, the desire for a chapter never died. Upon persistent effort of the brothers in Okinawa and the necessary research and follow through by the Executive Secretary, John S. Epps, Ph.D., the dream soon became a reality. In a memorandum to the Supreme Council dated February 26, 1987, the International Chapter Liaison, Brother Richard H. Smith, recommended that a graduate chapter be formed in Okinawa, Japan. The chapter was approved two days later under the name Sigma Gamma Gamma Chapter. Charter members included Olie L. Brown, Joseph A. Grice, Harold B. Smith, Darrell R. Sims, Eric A. Lewis, Isaiah Heyward, III, Michael Finnie, Joseph I. Hawthorne, III, Dwight J. Foster, Christopher Wilkerson, and John W. Starks. These brothers along with others before them were instrumental in forming a local Pan-Hellenic Council in 1985, which started the surge forward for greek letter organizations on this Pacific island, and enabled them to make a more focused and purposeful impact on the local community even prior to their gaining official recognition from the Fraternity.
In March 1987, twenty six brothers seeking an alternative, lead by Brother Clayton K. Harris, Jr., saw the need to form a second chapter in Germany which would be located in Wuerzburg, submitted an application for a charter to the International Chapter Liaison, Brother Richard H. Smith. On July 29, 1988, the application was approved by the Supreme Council. This enabled a further expansion of Omega in Europe and furthered a positive growth trend within the international arena. The charter members included Clayton K. Harris, Jr., Robert Smith, Jr., O.C. Holloway, James C. Lloyd, Frederick C. Coleman, Everett Green, Wayne P. Booker, Terry L. Hill, Anthony E. Butts, Davie R. Williams, Lawarren V. Patterson, Roosevelt P. Thomas, Jr., Kenneth E. King, Isaiah K. Whaley, Benjamin Blank, Richard Price, Gustavio Benton, Jewell Everett, Marco Williams, James Smash, Frederick L. Washington, Michael T. Bass, Davie Foster, Carlos Lewis, Honney L. Barner, and Bernard Washington.
From 1976 until 1990, the brothers in the United States Virgin Islands had a dilemma where brothers were located both on the island of St. Thomas where Zeta Xi Chapter was officially located and forty miles to the south in the Caribbean Sea in the island once called The Danish West Indies, now known as St. Croix. This island has a history of having been under seven European flags prior to being purchased by the United States in 1917.
The brothers in St. Croix were also loosely organized and functioned for years leading up to their receiving a charter, where they were reorganized by the International Headquarters as “Zeta Xi Chapter II”. To correct this anomaly the Supreme Council under the leadership of Grand Basileus C. Tyrone Gilmore, Sr. approved a charter on December 8, 1990 to resolve the problem of one chapter split between the two islands. The charter members included John Abramson, who served in the capacity of Zeta Xi II Keeper of Records and Seal many years prior. He along with Cipriani A. Phillips, Jr., Willie King, Terrell M. Henderson, Renwick S. Lynch, Richard Alexander, Edward W. Gardner, David Pugh, Vincent A. Gordon, and Vincent H. Cephas were the charter members. Brother Cephas was also included as a charter member despite having entered into Omega Chapter on July 29 of that same year.

NINETIES – THIRTEENTH DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT

Grand Basileus Moses C. Norman, Sr. and Edward J. Braynon both had a profound impact on the Fraternity’s expansion in general, and upon international chapter development in particular. Brother Norman accentuated this effort by his recognition that the brothers in international chapters too had contributions to make, and he aspired to have the Fraternity live up to the eminent change of the name of the Fraternity’s National Headquarters at 2714 Georgia Avenue N.W. Washington D.C., that was renamed the International Headquarters of the Fraternity. In 1986 he led the charge for the Supreme Council to create a new seat on the board that became known as the International Chapter Liaison. Brother Richard H. Smith who was in military service abroad, in Germany served in this capacity on the Supreme Council until August of 1992 His position was the equivalent of that of a District Representative. Brother Smith would go on to serve as Assistant Executive Director to the Fraternity. The office of International Chapter Liaison would become equivalent to the position of a district representative for international chapters. It was an appointed positioned that served at the behest of the Grand Basileus.
The first Supreme Council Meeting on record held outside the continental United States was hosted by Theta Rho Chapter in Heidelburg, Germany, on December 8, 1988.
During the beginning of the administration of Grand Basileus C. Tyrone Gilmore, Sr. at the 68th Grand Conclave in Atlanta in 1992, changes occurred that would further impact international chapter development. The District again hosted the Supreme Council Meeting at Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas, December 3-6, 1992 hosted by Pi Xi Chapter, and likewise on July 10, 1997
A few months earlier The Grand Basileus C. Tyrone Gilmore, Sr. and 1st Vice Grand Basileus Dorsey C. Miller looked to bring the seat of the International Chapter Liaison across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. They approached two sons of Eta Psi Chapter (formerly a part of Delta Chapter 1919), friends named Vaughn L. Culmer and Peter L. Mitchell to consider taking the mantle.
On August 1, 1992 at the Supreme Council Meeting held under Grand Basileus, agreed and chose Brother Peter L. Mitchell who he, appointed as the second person to serve in the capacity of International Chapter Liaison, replacing Brother Richard H. Smith who had served for some six years. At the same meeting Brother Bernard V. Oliphant was appointed to the position of Deputy International Chapter Liaison.
In the late 1980’s and the early 1990’s there was noted camaraderie exhibited by members of international chapters that traveled to Grand Conclaves and Leadership Conferences held by the Fraternity. This bonding was quite evident due in large part to the insistence and resolve of Brother Charlie Banks III (CB, III) from Theta Rho. He also got back-up from the likes of Brother Bernard V. Oliphant (Theta Rho) and Brother Peter L. Mitchell (Pi Xi). Brother Banks always making a case for the formation of an International District, preached his sermon of a world-wide district to all, be it to a Supreme Council member or to other graduate and undergraduate brothers. At these meetings, whenever possible these brothers from the far reaches of the globe would make it a point to sit at the very front of the meeting room just behind the Grand Basilei, and they also made concerted efforts to meet over breakfast, lunch, and dinner so as to exhibit unity and genuinely get to know each other in an atmosphere of purposeful information sharing and friendship.
At the 1989 Leadership Conference in Baltimore district pioneers, Banks, Mitchell, Culmer and Oliphant enjoined with three Pi Xi neophytes, Brian Albury, Lunnon Gibson, and Bradley Flowers hailing from the Bahamas and made their presence felt throughout the conference. At the 66th Grand Conclave in Detroit in 1990 and the Leadership Conference in St Louis, Missouri, the ensuing year, the modus operandi was the same.
In 1993, at the Leadership Conference in Boston, the international brothers in attendance reasserted themselves to seeking the ways and means by which to foster the formation of an international district. A meeting was called in the room of Brother Ed Moore (Nu Gamma Gamma-Panama). A steering Committee was formed consisting of the existing International Chapter Liaison, Peter L. Mitchell, Ed Moore (Committee KRS), Bede D. Sands (Committee KF- Bahamas), Zollie White (Vice- St. Thomas, USVI), Bernard V. Oliphant and Michael Glenn (Germany), Henry T. Harrigan (St. Thomas, USVI), Renewick Lynch (St. Croix, USVI), Vaughn L. Culmer, and Earl A. Bastian (Bahamas). The above officers were chosen and in addition, each brother contributed five dollars towards the cause of promoting the idea of the formation of an international district generally where these funds were to promote postal communication inter-chapter-wise and with the Internal Chapter Liaison.

DISTRICT CONCEPTION

Brother Peter Mitchell, with the global support of the international chapters, conferred with the Grand Basileus and advised him of the initiative coming from the international chapters. In late August 1992, shortly after the Boston Leadership Conference, Grand Basileus C. Tyrone Gilmore, Sr. being apprised of this initiative, was very supportive and took the International Chapter Liaison’s plan under advisement and coordinated further planning between himself, Brother Mitchell, and the Executive Director, John S. Epps. As a result, a proposal was put forth by the International Chapter Liaison to form the International District which was initially being billed as the Eleventh District. The District plan proposal called for a split into four regions: the Pacific Rim, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean Basin thus encompassing all the chapters of the Fraternity outside of the United States, bar Alaska.

BIRTH OF THE THIRTEENTH DISTRICT

The proposal, on a motion led by Brother Mitchell the Grand Basileus shepherded the approval by the Supreme Council at it’s meeting on December 3, 1993 at the Sheraton Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio. The District was to be known as the Thirteenth District. Owing to further conferral and emanating joint recommendation from the Executive Director, the Grand Basileus and the International Chapters’ Liaison it was decided that the Eleventh District’s name should remain separate so as to preserve its past existence. This board decision was then ratified some seven months later when Brother Mitchell addressed the Grand Conclave, moving for the acceptance of the 13th District formation which by unanimous consent was ratified and adopted.
Hence the birth of the Thirteenth District, ushered in a new day, marking the most recent expansion of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Brother Peter L. Mitchell, the 1st Thirteenth District Representative took up the challenge and set out to organize the District. At the onset he appointed two standing committees, the Budget and Finance Committee (Brian M. Albury – Chairman) and a Constitution and Bylaws Committee (Edouard T. Delagarde – Chairman). The other committee members were Zollie White, and Anthony U. Bostwick (Budget and Finance) and Harry Turner and Michael Glenn (Constitution and By-Laws.
The Thirteenth District received wide and varied support from members of the Supreme Council including assistance from District Representatives. Those of note included the likes of the Third District (Joe McKinney), the Fifth District (Mark Bishop), the Second District (Dave Wharton), the Seventh District (J.B. Carter), and the Twelfth District (Carl Blount) along with invaluable assistance from the 1st Vice Grand Basileus (Dorsey C. Miller, Sr.) and The Grand Marshal (Tony Collins).
The first draft of the Thirteenth District Bylaws was created by chief architect, Peter L. Mitchell which embodied excerpts from the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Twelfth Districts. This draft was then submitted to the District’s Constitution & Bylaws Committee for vetting and further feedback. Subsequently at the inaugural meeting, the District Bylaws and Budget proposals submitted by the committees were approved and ratified at the inaugural (Interim) Thirteenth District Meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio on July 28, 1994, two days prior to the 68th Grand Conclave.
The Inaugural (Interim) Thirteenth District Meeting was indeed a historic occasion where international brothers made great sacrifices where in some cases they spent more money than a life membership dues just to ensure that the meeting did indeed take place. Those elected to office are among the names of those charter brothers that were in attendance in Cleveland which included:
Peter L. Mitchell (DR), Harry Turner (1st Vice DR), Cipriani Philip, Jr. (2nd Vice DR), Edouard T. Delagarde (DKRS), Brian M. Albury (DKF), Don Mills (Chaplain), Lunnon Gibson (Deputy DR & District Marshal), Olie Brown (Deputy DR), Henry Harrigan (Deputy DR), Rob Morgan, James Welch, and Tony Collins (visiting Grand Marshal) and other brothers. In support.
It is worthy to note that Brother Lester J. Mortimer, Jr. was elected to the post of District Counselor at that meeting despite his not being able to attend.

Meeting Place Date
1st Annual 13th District Meeting Cleveland , OH July 1994 PLM
2nd Annual 13th District Meeting Raleigh, NC July 1995 PLM
3rd Annual 13th District Meeting Los Angeles, CA July 1996 PLM
4th Annual 13th District Meeting Nassau, Bahamas July 1997 PLM
5th Annual 13th District Meeting New Orleans, LA July 1998 PLM
6th Annual 13th District Meeting Memphis, TN July 1999 ETD
7th Annual 13th District Meeting Indianapolis, IN July 2000 ETD
8th Annual 13th District Meeting Richmond, VA July 2001 ETD
9th Annual 13th District Meeting Charlotte, NC July 2002 ETD
10th Annual 13th District Meeting Mobile, AL July 2003 CAP
11th Annual 13th District Meeting St. Louis, MO July 2004 CAP
12th Annual 13th District Meeting Atlanta, GA July 2005 CM
13th Annual 13th District Meeting Little Rock, AR July 2006 CM
14th Annual 13th District Meeting Honolulu, HI May 2007**
15th Annual 13th District Meeting Birmingham, AL July 2008 JNG
16th Annual 13th District Meeting Las Vegas, NV July 2009 JNG
17th Annual 13th District Meeting Raleigh, NC July 2010 TDC
18th Annual 13th District Meeting Washington, DC July 2011 TDC
19th Annual 13th District Meeting Minneapolis, MN July 2012 MBC
20th Annual 13th District Meeting Kansas City, MO July 2013 MBC
21st Annual 13th District Meeting Philadelphia, PA July 2014 MBC
22nd Annual 13th District Meeting Jacksonville FL July 2015 MBC
23rd Annual 13th District Meeting Las Vegas, NV July 2016 DDB

The 13th District has made many strides in its history such as hosting 3 Supreme Council Meetings (one in Frankfurt, Germany and two in Nassau, Bahamas), and a landmark Leadership Conference in Nassau, Bahamas, July 10-13, 1997 at The Atlantis Resort and Casino, Paradise Island, where the re-write of the constitution and Bylaws of the Fraternity was forged
The District has moved forward with the addition of more chapters. On ______ (date??___) Zeta Lambda Lambda Chapter was chartered by Grand Basileus, Lloyd Jordan accompanied by District Representative, Edouard T. Delagarde in Hamilton Bermuda. The Charter members included: ____________, ___________, _________, ________, ___________ ?????
Which consisted also of a Charter line of three initiated during the same weekend. The Immediate Past District Representative also graced the proceedings assisting the District Representative with the initiation ceremonies. They came to be known as “The Stormy Ques”
On October 26, 2002 a second chapter in the Bahamas named Kappa Lambda Lambda Chapter was chartered in Freeport, Grand Bahama by Grand Basileus George A. Grace on Saturday. He was accompanied by District Representative Cipriani Phillip. The charter banquet held was exquisite. Charter Basileus Pedro Edwards accepted on behalf of the seventeen proud charter members listed hereafter. Brothers George Ferguson (1st Vice), Gerald Forbes (KRS), Dr. Rudy Francis (KF), Orthland Strachan (Chaplain) Arthur Sands (Sgt.-of Arms), Anthony Bostwick, Kervan Culmer, Hiram Edden, Kenneth Smith, Tito William, Hubert Chipman, Vaughn Culmer, Peter Mitchell, Thomas Ferguson, Andrew Moxey, and Richard Simms.
This was the dawning of a new fraternal spirit in the Northern Bahamas where support from other black greek-lettered organizations’ members was evident.
This chapter has done much to deepen the community service bonds within and outside the organization, pioneering many uplifting initiatives. The Chapter, some 12 and a half years later came of age, chartering its first line on July 25th, 2015 by the hand of District Representative, Dr. Delon D Brennen. The line became known as “First Four” (Landon McPhee, Terrance Donald, Remington Wilchcome and Ntieado Knowles.)
Upsilon Lambda Lambda chapter was chartered in Tokyo, Japan thus making them the second chapter located in that country, joining Sigma Gamma Gamma which is in Okinawa, but being the first one on the main island.
On July 16, 2005 the District approved the reactivation and transfer of Phi Gamma Gamma Chapter, formerly located in Wurzburg, Germany to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Through the diligent efforts of several brothers, the dream of an established chapter became a reality and provided many brothers in the region an opportunity to continue to work for Omega and providing the Fraternity a means to reclaim and retain brothers currently serving and working in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
In 2006 at the 13th Annual Thirteenth District Meeting, Brother Hubert A. Chipman was properly and duly elected as the 13th, 13th District Representative, being the 5th person to attain the post.
There was a new focus centered around on chartering undergraduate chapters in the District, led by the 1st Vice District Representative, Jonathan Griffin. In the summer of 2007, Brother Griffin received a letter from a young man in Canada. This letter lead to the re-establishment of Omega’s presence once again in Canada. Nu Gamma Gamma chapter was transferred and reactivated in Ottawa, Canada in January 2008.
In February 2008 an undergraduate presence was established via the initiation of eight young men from Carleton University. These young men entered the halls of Omega through Nu Gamma Gamma Chapter. The initiation took place in Toronto, Canada, with brothers hailing from Texas (9th District), Washington State (12th District), Buffalo, NY (2nd District), and brothers from the 13th District. A special note, Brother Benjamin “Pops” Wilson was able to join the proceedings traveling from Germany.
At a Supreme Council meeting on June 7, 2008, a charter was approved for an undergraduate chapter at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Hence Alpha Delta Xi Chapter was born and it became the Fraternity’s 1st International Undergraduate Chapter. The jury was still out as to what the brothers in the northern most climes of North America would do in terms of implementing organizational behaviors, as such, in efforts to build bridges between graduate and undergraduate chapters such that sustainability of those chapters remained a priority hopeful to evidence growth of the brotherhood internationally from strength to strength.
On June 23, 2012, the 13th District made history yet again when the charter for Chi Mu Mu was presented by the Grand Basileus, Dr. Andrew Ray in Birmingham, England. This historic event saw the culmination of 2 years of strategic staging through community service in the UK. What was once a dream became a reality when the charter was approved through a Supreme Council’s vote on April 17, 2012. Not only is Chi Mu Mu the first Chapter to be chartered in the United Kingdom, but it is also the first Chapter to be chartered in the second century of the Fraternity’s existence.

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT IMBROGLIO:

As an organization we hold fast to a number of lofty ideals. We seek to be true and righteous, while too upholding a healthy respect for integrity that is believed to help one along the path less travelled.
History reveals that Brother Hubert Chipman was declared the District Representative by the duly constituted Thirteenth 13th District Meeting, formally assembled with some 34 delegates in Little Rock, Arkansas. Without explanation he was denied the Supreme Council seat by the incoming Grand Basileus Warren Lee who at the time turn a blind eye to the results of the said Meeting.
In a peculiar twist, his response fell in favour with those that promulgated an end-around diplomacy after the meeting which indeed came to its end in proper ritualistic fashion. These intercessors were in fact the brothers that failed in their election bid. Those who endeavored unsuccessfully to win the 2006, District election. Yes, the Grand Basileus it appears turned a blind eye the outcome prescribed by The 13th District Meeting and the relevant parliamentary procedure underpinned by the Fraternity’s Bylaws. When hope would seem but futile, the 13th District Cousellor, Lester J. Mortimer, Queens’ Counsel (QC), the presiding officer Peter L. Mitchell, past basilei Devon J. Jones and Anthony U. Bostwick each respectfully wrote to the Grand Basileus during that time on this 13th District matter, but to no avail, and with not one response forthcoming todate. Needless to say 1st Vice-District Representative, Jonathan Griffin staged a coupe supported by outgoing District Representative, Cliff Minor to sit in the seat of the Supreme Council as an ill-gotten proxy not successfully retaining the majority of the vote of the 13th District Meeting in Arkansas.
These men may have succeeded in assuming control, but failed miserably in discretion and all that such a word means to a brother, indeed failing to put into practice the crux of the matter. These ill-conceived actions perpetuated an abysmal slide in 13th District relations and cultivation of brotherly relations that served to breed an unwarranted distrust between brothers situated across the frontiers of Omegadom, some being born in these far flung places, while others were merely transient visitors of benefit resulting from their employ. This fact though would augur well as an eye opener for the District, revealing what little harvest such ill-sown seeds as it unfolded bears.
To the victor goes the spoils, all for what can be perceived as personal gain. Many a friend was silent in understanding though. This was a very sad day in the life of the 13th District, and a testament to the sermon that some men live. History played itself out and there were casualties along the way where men blemished in high places found themselves wanting, exposed and short on integrity.
The years following can be perceived as having mixed reviews, as evidenced by one half of the collective district brotherhood sought a newfound nobility elsewhere in Omegadom well outside of the politic of the ‘new regime’ of the hobbled district.
Men in the international arena instead took the high road, settling for continued service to mankind in their various stations dotted around the globe in general, and in the Caribbean Basin in particular, discretely holding fast to faith while enduring the pain bodies emergence over that relatively short span of time. This segment of the brotherhood though held fast being confidently obedient exercising restraint, but with no flight of courage.
It was some five years later that a glimmer of hope emerged, where the return of the lost lustre of the 13th District portended. This was in large part as a result of the election of the Eighteenth 13th District Representative, Matthew B. Coleman (eighth person), who was born and bred in the outer islands off South Carolina’s coast. He hailed from Theta Rho Chapter in Germany amongst others around the district.
Brother Coleman proved through his actions to be a change agent and a leader in his own right, building bridges where there was no light, turning back never globetrotting ever, both physically and electronically throughout the district.
As it came to pass, at the 19th annual Meeting of the Thirteenth District in Minneapolis Minnesota, Brother Coleman, had engaged in dialogue with Brother Hubert Chipman, inviting him as the keynote speaker for the District luncheon where the highlight of the day was the presentation to Brother Chipman the cherished Supreme Council pin. This act no doubt was a welcomed new beginning for the district……a long way from Little Rock Arkansas!
Truly the conscience of our Omega dear was set right where restrainth prevailed as we persevered, beating back the lust of self aggrandizement, and political expedience. The district since then grew from strength to strength, and we stand on the plot of life being ever prayerful that history as our judge will be kind.

International Chapters’ Liaison
Richard H. Smith
First International chapter Liaison 1986 – 1992
Peter LeRoy Mitchell, MBA
Second International Chapter Liaison 1992-1993
13th District Representatives:
Peter LeRoy Mitchell, MBA – Pi Xi
First-Fifth 13th District Representative 1993-1998
District Founder
Edouard T. deLagarde – Zeta Xi
Sixth-Ninth 13th District Representative 1998-2002
Captain Cipriani A. Phillip, Jr., MA – Eta Iota Iota
Tenth-Eleventh 13th District Representative 2002-2004
Cliff Miner – Lambda Xi
Twelfth-Thirteenth13th District Representative 2004-2006
Hubert Anthony Chipman, CPA * – Pi Xi
Fourteenth 13th District Representative 2006 *
Jonathan N. Griffin, Sr. – Theta Rho
Fifteenth-Seventeenth 13th District Representative 2007-2010
Torrence D. Chism ** – Tau Chi
Eighteenth-Nineteenth 13th District Representative 2010-2011
Col. Matthew B. Coleman – Chi Mu Mu, Theta Rho, Pi Xi
Nineteeth-Twenty-Second 13th District Representative 2011-2015
Dr. Delon Delicio Brennen – Pi Xi
Twenty-Third 13th District Representative 2015-2017
* Did not serve
** Suspended from The Fraternity for cause

Distinguished Brothers From The 13th District:
Charlie “CB3” Banks – Theta Rho
Tireless crusader for the recognition of International Chapters
J. Gary Cooper – Nu Gamma Gamma
U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica
Dr. Cleveland Wilmore Eneas, Sr. – Pi Xi
Senator, Author, Storyteller, Musician, Philospher
Jackson Logan Burnside
Artist, Musician, Revered Architect, Cultural Icon
L. Wesley Geary – Lambda Xi
Eighth Army Command Senior Chaplain in Korea
Davidson L. Hepburn, Ph.D. – Pi Xi
U.N. Ambassador, Recipient of the “Knights Cross” from the Republic of France
Former President of UNESCO, Ambassador to Haiti, Cuba, Indonesia
Gerard Luz James II – Eta Iota Iota
Lt. Gov. of the Virgin Islands
Major General Charles Calvin Rogers – Theta Rho
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Michael B. Halkitis, M.P.
Former Minister of State – Finance & Member of Parliament – Bahamas
Chairman – Inter-American Development Bank
Richard “Dick” Smith – Theta Rho
First International Chapters Liaison to the Supreme Council,
Assistant International Executive Director
Sir Lowell J. Mortimer O.B.E.
Shipping magnate and Philanthropist
Peter L. S.G. Mitchell
Chief architect and Founder of The 13th District
General William E. “Kip” Ward – Theta Rho
Commanding General, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)
Hubert A. Chipman, CPA, M.P.
Former Member of Parliament – Bahamas
Papal Knight of the Order of St. Gregory
Duane Earnest Lasselles Sands, L.M.D., F.A.C.S.
Minister of Health,
Member of Parliament – Bahamas
Chapters:
Tau Chi, Ghana
Theta Rho, Germany, The European Theatre
Sigma Gamma Gamma, Okinawa, Japan
Zeta Xi, St. Thomas, USVI
Lambda Xi, South Korea
Pi Xi, Nassau, Bahamas
Lambda Beta Beta, Honolulu, Hawaii
Nu Gamma Gamma, Canada (Origanally Panama City Panama/ San Juan Puerto Rico)
Phi Gamma Gamma, Middle East (Kuwait) (formerly Wurzburg, Germany)
Eta Iota Iota, St. Croix, USVI
Zeta Lambda Lambda, Hamilton, Bermuda
Kappa Lambda Lambda, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Upsilon Lambda Lambda, Tokoyo, Japan
Alpha Delta Xi, Ottowa, Canada
Chi Mu Mu, Birmingham, The United Kingdom