THE HISTORY OF RHO IOTA IOTA CHAPTER

Rho Iota Iota chapter was chartered on Fort Wainwright Army Post in Fairbanks, Alaska on August 7, 1992.

Rho Iota Iota Charter members were Brothers Sylvester Barnwell, Edward "Ed" Brown, Craig Chalmers, Hugh "Lee" Elmore, Percy W. Ford, Sr., Marcus Oliver, Steven B. Slade, Anthony J. Spence, Eddie Stephens, Wayne Stevens and Robert "Bob" Thomas.

Rho Iota Iota chapter deactivated in 2005 because of inactivity due to brothers deploying in support of Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Brother Darryl Harris and Brother Walter Hunter approached the 12th District Representative (DR) Brother Fredrick Alexander about wanting to start a chapter in the city of Long Beach, CA area.  After completing the required detailed proposal and submitting to the DR for review, Rho Iota Iota chapter moved from Fairbanks, Alaska to Long Beach California on 21 March 2013. 

The charter relocation members consisted of Brothers: Darryl Brown, Gerald Dugas, Maurice Gross, Darryl Harris, Primous Howard, Walter Hunter, Keith Johnson, Jonathan Pryor, Donavan Slack, and Sedrick Spencer. The first leadership team for Rho Iota Iota newly activated chapter in Long Beach, California were Walter Hunter, Basileus; Darryl Harris, Vice Basileus; Maurice Gross, Keeper of Records and Seals, Keith Johnson, Keeper of Finance, Gerald Dugas, Editor to the Oracle, Donuvan Slack, Chaplain; Sedrick Spencer, Keeper of Peace.

PII hit the floor running after transferring to Long Beach. PII quickly established a relationship with the Carmelitos Housing Project and started annual Back-To-School Supplies Giveaway, Turkey Basket Giveaway, and Christmas Toy Giveaway to the housing project youth. Another successful annual program is Ques Den that provides brotherly advice forum to graduated high school seniors who will be attending college or the military. In March 2014, PII co-hosted the SCAL Area Memorial Service with Mu Alpha Alpha. In 2014, PII in conjunction with the Delta Sigma Theta Cerritos Alumnae started hosting a very successful annual “Red, White, & Que” social event. In October 2015, PII established the very popular and signature annual fundraising event “Bowties & Stilettos Boat Ride” in the Long Beach Marina. Two years ago, the chapter began a scholarship program, awarding six annual scholarships to college bound African American male high school seniors.  In four short years, Rho Iota Iota has established significant community and social programs in the Long Beach metropolitan area, and has become a positive addition to the current stable of active Omega graduate chapters in Southern California; and the Massive and Progressive 12th District. 

   Charter Members

• Sylvester Barnwell
• Edward "Ed" Brown
• Craig Chalmers
• Hugh "Lee" Elmore
• Percy W. Ford, Sr.
• Marcus Oliver
• Steven B. Slade
• Anthony J. Spence
• Eddie Stephens
• Wayne Stevens
• Robert "Bob" Thomas

   District Officers

Sedrick Spencer, 30th District Representative,(2009-2012) *As a member of Epsilon Xi

   Awards and Recognition

• Gerald Dugas, Recipient of the 2016, International Graduate Scholastic Achievement Grant

International

• Dr. Gerald Dugas, Omega Life Membership Foundation (OLMF) Director (2015-2021)

District

• 2018 Small Chapter of the Year
• 2018 Reclamation Chapter of the Year
• Host of 73rd 12th District Meeting
• District Marshal – Donavan Slack, (2018) – 73rd 12th District Meeting
• Sedrick Spencer, 30th District Representative*, (2009-2012) *As a member of Epsilon Xi