The History of Beta Omicron Lambda

The Origin of Beta Omicron Lambda

The Beta Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, was chartered July 29, 1939, by the following Brothers: Herman T. Anderson; Dr. James P. Dixon; Milton Edmonds, President; Dr. James A. Franklin, Treasurer; Dr. Plesent W. Goode; Dr. Charles Battle; Orlando H. Johnson, Secretary; and Sigmundt Herman.

The first regular chapter meeting was held September 21, 1939, at the home of Brother O.H. Johnson, located at 201 North Lawrence Street. A chapter constitution was developed and adopted during that meeting. Also, it was decided that the official chapter meeting date would be the second Thursday of each month at 9:00 p.m., and there would not be any set dues. Each Brother, instead, was assessed an amount to generate funds needed to take care of the Chapter’s current expenses.

Beta Omicron Lambda’s First Steps in Expansion

The Chapter was looking to grow and set out to find new members. Brother Walker Carroll, who had been an active member of the Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Montgomery, Alabama, was asked to join the Beta Omicron Lambda Chapter. Following the addition of Brother Carroll, the names of Brother Andrew Brown, Dr. T.N. Harris, Brother John Rivers, Brother Alphonse Russell, Sr., Brother Dr. A.D. Simington, Brother Leslie Taylor, Brother Dr. N.W. Thompson, and Brother Walter Thomas were submitted for membership. A committee of Alpha men from the Beta Omicron Lambda Chapter was assigned to observe the character of these men and report to the Chapter the “worthiness” of the potential new members. Brothers Alphonse Russell, Leslie Taylor and John Rivers were the first group of men to be accepted in the Chapter as new Alpha men.

Local & National Strivings of beta omicron lambda

Beta Omicron Lambda was the first Greek-letter organization to purchase a fraternity house in Mobile County. Also, the chapter realized early in its conception, that there was a need to support the National Association for the Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP). Two NAACP Life Memberships were then purchased.

The Chapter awarded its first scholarship in 1941 to Barley L. Autrey, an outstanding high school senior from Baldwin County Training School. The following year, the Chapter presented a second scholarship to Curtis Woodard of Dunbar High School.