Iota Xi Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was officially chartered on September 25, 2024. The community gathered later for a formal chartering ceremony on December 21, 2024 at the Stephen Sampson Senior Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where local officials, Divine Nine leaders, and guests marked the beginning of the chapter’s work in Union County. District leadership presided and the City of Elizabeth issued a proclamation, while the Elizabeth Branch of the NAACP presented a Silver Lifetime Membership that affirmed the chapter’s commitment to service and civic engagement.

From the first months, the brothers set a tone of purposeful service rooted in Omega’s principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. The chapter joined with Mayor Chris Bollwage, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, and community organizer Ms. Juanita Rochelle to host the Helping Hands Dinner at Snyder Academy, creating a welcoming space where neighbors shared a meal and fellowship that reflected the chapter’s mission to uplift.

That spirit of action extended into civic empowerment. In partnership with the Elizabeth Branch of the NAACP, Iota Xi Nu convened an Expungement Fair and Voter Registration initiative at Kean University, where hundreds of residents met with volunteer attorneys to begin clearing records and dozens completed new voter registrations. The day offered dignity, access, and a clear path to participation in public life.

Education remained a constant priority. During National Read Across America Month, the chapter collaborated with the New Jersey Bridge Builder Foundation to place books in the hands of young readers at School No. 2 in Linden. Brothers engaged students one on one and reinforced the value of literacy as a cornerstone for opportunity and growth.

As the chapter grew, it helped welcome brothers from across the Second District to Kean University for the 2025 James S. Avery Sr. Shirtsleeve Conference and Undergraduate Summit. The weekend blended service, learning, and fellowship, and it demonstrated how focused collaboration can strengthen leadership and expand impact across graduate and undergraduate ranks.

Iota Xi Nu’s story begins with a clear purpose and a deep connection to Union County. Guided by friendship and compassion, the chapter continues to build a legacy of integrity, education, and service that invites partners, uplifts families, and opens doors for future generations.