Chapter History

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In 1985, several brothers in the Columbia area petitioned the General Office for a charter of another chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  After much consideration and profound effort, the Omicron Iota Lambda chapter was added to the Alpha roll on May 30, 1986.  Shortly thereafter, twenty-five industrious young men began the task of constructing the framework for successful chapter operations.  Included in this group were our chapter’s founding fathers:  Brothers Quentin Young, who served as the Chapter’s first President, Andreas Corley, Clarence Coleman, Bennish Brown, Phillip Johnson, Lamar Marshall, Bennie Wilson, Peter Hemingway, Al Young, Willie Odom, Alan Leonard, Ben Thomas, and Leo Richardson.

 Our chapter, commonly referred to as “OIL,” works to fulfill the principles of our great fraternity scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity in and around South Carolina’s Capital City.  This reference to “Black Gold” is very fitting for an organization such as ours that is original, smooth, energetic, important, versatile, and valuable to the Midlands, South Carolina, the United States and to the world. 

 Since our inception, OIL has remained active and continues to have a positive impact in our community.  In the two decades since our founding, we have positioned ourselves to be a leading organization in the cause of uplifting mankind in our area.  Traditionally, our chapter has been composed of brothers with diverse scholastic, professional and personal backgrounds and ages.  It is this diversity that has and will continue to serve as the impetus for our chapter’s vision, program development and ultimate success.  

Some of our chapter’s programs and community service efforts include Project Alpha, March of Dimes, a Voteless People is a Hopeless People, Adopt-a-Highway, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Families Helping Families, Boy Scouts of America and our Alpha Academy/Beautillion.  As Alpha men, we continuously strive to live up to the aims of our great fraternity:  manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind.  Ultimately, we are “Brothers Bonding Together in UNITY to Promote Strength in the Community!”