Pi BETA BETA CHAPTER HISTORY

After years of commuting to St. Peterburg and Tampa to maintain their association with neighboring chapters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated in the Tampa Bay area.

The “Great Eight” professional men from the community of Manatee and Sarasota County Florida, started the process to continue the works of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated on a graduate level.

On Sunday, December 12, 1982, David Beckley (past 7th District Representative- [1980-1983]) presented Pi Beta Beta chapter with their charter during the Champagne Breakfast at Zinn’s Restaurant in Sarasota, Florida.

Those great eight men in Omega, who help chartered Pi Beta Beta chapter were: Norman Middleton, Sr (deceased), Walter L. Presha, Willie Stephens (deceased), Arthur Bullard, Turner “Roy” Covington (deceased), B.C. Pratt, Jesse Burns (deceased) and Eddie Shannon. Jr.

During Pi Beta Beta chapter’s establishment in the early eighties, the chapter organized themselves, by electing members for the executive council committee.

The initial executive council committee members were Jesse Burns. (deceased) - Basileus, B.C. Pratt - Vice Basileus, Norman Middleton, Sr. (deceased) - Keeper of Record and Seals, Turner “Roy” Covington (deceased) - Keeper of Finance, Willie Stephens (deceased) - Keeper of Peace, Eddie (Coach) Shannon – Chaplin, Walter L. Presha – Dean of Pledges and Arthur Bullard- Asst. Dean of Pledges.

Pi Beta Beta chapter commenced to developing and increasing their chapter by having the first pledge line that was initiated during the Spring 1983, with 2 new brothers. There were several more pledge lines to follow throughout the chapter inception.

Pi Beta Beta chapter began the works of the mandated programs established by the fraternity. Pi Beta Beta chapter established its first 501 3(c) foundation called the Pi Beta Beta Foundation in the late eighties, supporting black youths with scholarships to college.

Pi Beta Beta chapter hosted the 11th State Florida Workshop on October 4th- 6th in 1985.

Pi Beta Beta chapter hosted the Florida Statewide Organization Meeting in 1998.

Pi Beta Beta chapter renamed their foundation to The Uplifting Pi Beta Beta Foundation in 2019.

Pi Beta Beta chapter developed the mentoring program O.M.E.G.A. Pupil Participant in 2020.

The annual fundraisers that support the foundation are the Annual Scholarship Breakfast; the Annual Eddie “Coach” Shannon’s Golf Tournament and the Purple & Gold Mardi Gras.

Almost 4 decades later, Pi Beta Beta chapter may be small in numbers, but mighty in service, and the chapter continues their commitments, assisting disadvantaged families, mentoring at-risk male youths, participating in the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Program, promoting health initiative and providing scholarships for seniors in high school.

Pi Beta Beta chapter’s history is a continuation of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and we hope to keep the aim of our illustrious fraternity, by displaying our cardinal principles of Manhood ~ Scholarship ~ Perseverance ~ Uplift and living out our motto- Friendship Is Essential to The Soul.

   EIGHTIES

Spring 1983

1.      Billie Walker(deceased)

2.      James Brown

Spring 1984

1.      Phillip McPherson (deceased)

2.      Jimmie Cromartie

3.      Dr. Napoleon Mills

Summer 1985

1.      Johnny Hill

2.      Randle Macon

3.      Henry Atkins(deceased)

4.      Michael Johnson

Spring 1986

1.      Dr. Louis Robinson

   NINETIES

Spring 1990

1.      Cedrick Crawford

2.      Mark Fox

3.      Ozell Ackerman(deceased)

Fall 1997

1.      Malcolm Cofer (deceased)

2.      Theopulas Robinson (deceased)

3.      Brian Atkins (deceased)

 

 

 

 

   2K

Fall 2009 – Dynamic Duo- Resurrection Line

1.      Jarvis Hodges

2.      Sheldon Cantrell

Summer 2010- 2 Persevering Souls of Pi Beta Beta

1.      Charles Whitfield

2.      Marcus Cowart

Summer 2011 – 2 Golden Sons of Pi Beta Beta – Centennial Line

1.      Miguel Albino

2.      Victor McCarter

Summer 2016 – Alone Ranger Que

1.      Jamaal Sanders

Fall 2020- – 2 PandemiQ Souls of Pi Beta Beta

1.      Danny Whitaker

2.      Johnathan Styles