TAMPA, Fla. — The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., is holding its 84th Grand Conclave in Tampa this week.

It will be the first time the group has hosted the event in Tampa, and more than 50,000 of its members from around the world are expected to attend.

What You Need To Know

  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will host members from across the world at its 84th grand conclave in Tampa

  • Sherri Brown, President of Multicultural Sales and Development at Visit Tampa Bay, says the conventions of the Divine Nine/Black Greek Letter Organizations in Tampa will significantly boost the economy.

  • Grand Marshal Anthony Perkins says the fraternity plans to make a lasting impact on the city, not only through its financial contributions, but also through its youth leadership symposium and STEM program.

  • The convention starts on June 26, and the full agenda is available on the Grand Conclave website.

In February, the Hillsborough County School District announced plans to rebuild and re-open Ernest Everest Just and Garland V. Stewart elementary schools in West Tampa by 2027. 

Both of the school’s namesakes were members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. G.V. Stewart is also one of the founding members of the Tampa Chapter, Pi Iota.

Just Elementary is a STEM academy that was shut down more than a year ago — it was a controversial decision that faced pushback from the local community.

“Ernest Everest Just was the first valedictorian at Dartmouth of color, but wasn't allowed to walk those stages as valedictorian, class president,” said Pi Iota Chapter Basileus Al Sheriff.  "So, the historical context of that, NAACP’s first Spingarn Medal winner, he was a biologist.

"As you think through that, Garland V. Stewart was an educator and first deputy superintendent in Hillsborough County. As you think about those things, those buildings have significant impact, not just to Omega, but to the Tampa community."

Members of the fraternity said they hope the even will have a far-reaching impact.

Sherri Brown, the president of Multicultural Sales and Development at Visit Tampa Bay, said the conventions of the Divine Nine/Black Greek Letter Organizations in Tampa will significantly boost tourism, economic development, and help small businesses — especially minority-owned businesses.

“Every hotel is sold out in the downtown area, in the Ybor area," Brown said. "We're looking at hotels in the West Shore area now. We're looking at an economic impact of probably about $30 million."

The executive leadership and Supreme Council Grand Marshal Anthony Perkins say they are meeting with local businesses and making plans.

“This event will be something that Tampa has never seen before," Perkins said.

"We want to make sure that we work with the city of Tampa, that it’s going to be a huge success,” he added. “You’re going to see a lot of purple and gold, a lot of educated men all over the city, and we want to provide them with excellent customer service.” 

“This is big for us," said restaurant owner Khalila McDuffie. "This is our take on a Super Bowl."

Perkins said the fraternity plans to make a lasting impact on the city not only through its financial contributions but also through its youth leadership symposium and STEM program.

“We're going to offer financial literacy,” said Perkins. “We're going to hand out books. We're going to do symposiums. We're going to have a silent march. We're going to do all kinds of things, and we're going to infuse the city in those activities as well.”

The fraternity will have a long-awaited “family reunion” during the upcoming conclave, which was missed in 2020. Organizers say they are determined to make the event memorable.

The convention starts on June 26, and the full agenda is available on the Grand Conclave website.