National Park Service Collaboration Grant for Historic Interpretation with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, comprises approximately 60 acres in Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio, was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974, demonstrating Young’s pivotal role in the nation’s history as an iconic military leader. The purpose of the Monument is to preserve and protect Colonel Young’s home and surrounding farmland, and to commemorate and interpret Young and the Buffalo soldiers as an iconic American hero. Until the home is restored there is a need to provide support to the site from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. (OPP).
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., since it’s founding in 1911 at Howard University, has built a strong and effective force of men dedicated to its Cardinal Principles. These principles include manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. Throughout the world, many notable members like Colonel Young are recognized as leaders in the arts, academics, athletics, entertainment, business, civil rights, education, government, and science fields.
Today, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. continues to build on its sacred tradition. A few notable members include Charles Cardoza Poindexter, Bayard Rustin, Langston Hughes, Count Basie, Roy Wilkins, Benjamin Hooks, Vernon Jordan, Dr. Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Dr. Mack King Carter, William H. Hastie (U.S. Virgin Islands) and L. Douglas Wilder, Congressman James Clyburn, Earl Graves, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Tom Joyner, Charles Bolden, General William “Kip” Ward, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley, Ray Lewis, Stephen A. Smith, numerous presidents of colleges and universities, and Colonel Charles Young. This partnership intends to develop plans to expose minorities to the NPS through service-wide NPS youth program initiatives, leadership training, mentorship opportunities, scholar in residence programs, and plans to digitize historic collections in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Archives connected to the parks period of significance.

The objective of this agreement is to develop plans to introduce minorities to the NPS through service-wide NPS youth program initiatives, leadership training, scholar in residence program, and to digitize the historic collections currently housed with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  The historic collections can connect to the periods of significance of CHYO.  The Recipient will designate a liaison to work directly with NPS to collaborate events and programs to interpret the story of Colonel Young, Buffalo Soldiers throughout the community of Wilberforce, Ohio and other national park with the same mission.