Cultural Center in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Omega Psi Phi
This Victorian structure built in the early 1890s houses the Detroit chapter of the first national Greek letter fraternity established at a Negro University. Omega Psi Phi was founded in 1911 at Howard University in Washington D.C. The Greek letters symbolize the motto "Friendship is essential to the soul." DeWitt T. Burton, Francis Dent and O.T. Davis formed Nu Omega, the local chapter in 1923. Fifteen years later Nu Sigma, the undergraduate chapter, began at Wayne State University. Purchased in 1942 by Nu Omega, this house fulfilled the fraternity's initial purpose by creating an association of college men with similar ideals of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift. Many members of this chapter achieved local or national prominence.
Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L485.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 42° 21.742′ N, 83° 3.861′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan , in Wayne County. It is in Cultural Center. Marker is on East Ferry Street, 0 miles east of John R Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 235 East Ferry Street, Detroit MI 48202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lewis College of Business (within shouting distance of this marker); Detroit Association of Women's Clubs (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles Lang Freer House / Merrill-Palmer Institute (about 500 feet away); International Institute Of Detroit / International Institute Of Metropolitan Detroit (about 500 feet away); Robert Pauli Scherer (about 700 feet away); Scarab Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Studebaker in Detroit (approx. 0.4 miles away); Milwaukee Junction (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.
Also see . . . Omega Psi Phi. Fraternity website homepage (Submitted on June 23, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.