Gamma Xi Omega Chapter

  Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (ΙΦΘ) Incorporated was founded by 12 men in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. The fraternity was formed as a support system for men of color during this turbulent social climate in U.S. history.  Influences included organizations such as the Black Panthers, SNCC, as well as, individuals like Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael.

Iota Phi Theta is a nationally incorporated, historically African-American, collegiate fraternity. It was founded on September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. At present, it consists of over 70,000 members. There are currently over 300 undergraduate and alumni chapters, as well as colonies located in 40 US states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Japan, South Korea and the Republic of Colombia.

Early on, Iota brothers participated in various protests and sit-ins throughout the city of Baltimore. The Iota founders were distinguished from their peers as they were all non-traditional students. Three to five years older than their peers, many had served in the military, worked full-time while attending classes full-time, and had families with small children. These elements gave the Founders a different perspective than the typical fraternity member. It was this perspective from which they established the Fraternity’s purpose, “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.” Additionally, they conceived the Fraternity’s motto, “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

The Gamma Xi Omega (Greater Cincinnati Alumni Chapter) of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity was founded October 16 th 2013.  Since it’s inception, some of the brother’s main community service initiatives have been the Scholarship Program, St. Jude Give Thanks Walk, Neighborhood Clean-ups, Christmas Adopt-A-Family, and the I.Y.A. (Iota Youth Alliance).

The Gamma Xi Omega (GXO) Scholarship Program raises money throughout the year and awards college scholarships to African-American young men graduating from high school in the Cincinnati area.

GXO raises money for and participates in the St Jude Give Thanks Walk each year.  St Jude runs completely on donated funds and provides research and care for childhood diseases as well as sickle-cell anemia.

During GXO’s neighborhood clean-ups, we go out into Cincinnati communities with gloves and trash bags, clean the streets of litter, and talk to the residents.

The Christmas Adopt-A- Family Program is GXO’s longest running program.  This program provides Christmas for families in need.

Gamma Xi Omega’s youth mentoring program falls under the Youth Alliance, one of the fraternity’s national initiatives.  In this program the brothers of Iota Phi Theta have been working in conjunction with the Top Ladies of Distinction mentoring a group of 5 th through 8 th grade young men.  We meet with the young men twice a month and the program highlights the life, values, and accomplishments of Medgar Evers.  This is GXO’s youngest program, yet one that we are most proud of.