The Hobson in downtown Kokomo was packed on June 9 as the Nu Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity held its annual Purple and Gold Seersucker Dinner and Dance. Those in attendance shared a meal and good fellowship, all to benefit local charitable efforts.

The Nu Mu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity formed in 2016 with 10 local men who shared a vision of aiding the community. Building on the fraternity’s motto, “Friendship is essential to the soul,” the local chapter seeks to embody the principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplifting.

The fraternity conducts or participates in dozens of charitable and educational programs during the year, and as member Lance Washington explained, the Kokomo Rescue Mission is the latest organization to benefit from Nu Mu Nu’s work.

The fraternity recently adopted the mission as one of its many causes. In addition to devoting a portion of the proceeds from the Purple and Gold event to the mission, the members donated their time to volunteer with the organization.

“The brothers came in and actually served food for both the mission and outside homeless,” said Washington. “We focus on a lot of different efforts in the community. We work on voter registration. We partner with the Minority Health Alliance to communicate and educate on things like the importance of vaccinations. And we’re going to do more, be more visible.”

Nu Mu Nu member Willie Stroman added that Omega Phi Psi participates in the annual Family Service Association Angel Walk to end domestic violence, and it held a blood drive this year in conjunction with the American Red Cross and the Martin Center’s Sickle Cell Initiative.

The list of charitable and community efforts Nu Mu Nu is a part of is lengthy. Project Access, the Diabetes Awareness Walk, and events with the NAACP and Indiana Black Expo all have seen the fraternity’s involvement. They also have been a part of the foundation of a Black Student Union at Indiana University Kokomo.

The fraternity is always looking to elevate young people in the community. In addition to the student union, Stroman explained that Nu Mu Nu held its annual “Talent Hunt” in April, which encourages high school students to display and hone their natural performance talents.

“Boy, some of the talent that comes out for that is just unbelievable,” said Stroman.

The fraternity is planning additional events this summer. Next up is the Brothers of Nu Mu Nu Charity Golf Tournament on Sat., June 24, at Chippendale Golf Course. The entry fee for the tournament is $50 per person, which includes greens fees, a golf cart, food, and beverages. There will be cash prizes for the top three teams. Registration must be completed by June 22. For additional information on the golf tournament, contact Clarence Grier at 765-437-4841 or visit www.numunu.org.

In July, Stroman said, the fraternity will hold a back-to-school event.

“What we've been doing is collaborating with Indiana Black Expo on the event,” said Stroman. “We will give bookbags away to students in the community. We’ll also provide a dental health screening. We'll have a dentist come in with technicians, and the kids that come through will get a free exam. If they need to get x-rays or fillings, they’ll take care of that. And we’ll be involved in giving away a free box of food to each of them.”

The Nu Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi is always looking for new members to help advance its causes. For more information about the fraternity, the local chapter, and its events, visit numunu.org or the chapter’s Facebook page.