About Us
Percy H. Steele, Jr.
Percy H. Steele, Jr., a long time member of Omega Psi Phi and Sigma Iota Chapter, was a stalwart leader in the African-American Community. Born in 1920 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Percy Steele graduated from North Carolina Central College, after which he attended Atlanta University, where he completed a Master’s degree. He was a staff member and organization secretary for the Washington, D.C. Urban League, Program Director of the Neighborhood Housing and the Urban League Service Council Director in Morristown, New Jersey, and Executive Director of the San Diego Urban League and the Bay Area Urban League. A committed consensus builder who worked with people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, Steele was also highly regarded in his profession. He was recognized for his outstanding work by the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers, and the Council of Executives of the National Urban League. In memory and honor of Percy Steele, since 2002, Sigma Iota annually hosts the Percy H. Steele, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament.
Scholarships for Under-served Youth
Since the inception of our organization Omega men have epitomized the meaning behind the phrase “academic excellence”. Sigma Iota offers financial support to high school seniors who are continuing their education at a four (4) year university or college.
Over the past 10 years, Sigma Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi has awarded more than $225,000 in academic scholarships to worthy Alameda County and Contra Costa County high school seniors matriculating at four (4) year colleges or universities. The majority of the scholarship recipients are low-income students and many are first generation college-going students who are determined to be prepared to enter the world of work and service via higher education.
Youth Mentoring Program (The Omega Gents)
Omega Gentleman Youth Mentoring (Omega Gents) is a club-oriented mentoring program designed around the fraternity’s Cardinal Principles (Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift) to teach and encourage high school males to positively define, plan, pursue and achieve their potential in life.
Mentoring Services
Services include monthly educational programs and workshops, quarterly social or cultural events, college preparation counseling, community service opportunities, life coaching and exposure to positive professional men.
Tutoring Services
The Omega Gents Tutoring Services concentrates on identifying students’ academic problem areas, addressing these areas, and tracking improvement. The key areas of academic focus are: Mathematics, Science, English, and History.