On April 5, 1965, amidst the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, eight visionary young Black men at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan, established Phi Eta Psi, a fraternity dedicated to brotherhood, empowerment, cultural pride, and academic excellence. These “Eternal Founding Fathers” dared to carve a new path for Black men in higher education, creating a legacy that continues to inspire. The eight founders were Willie Buck, Jerome Davis (later known as Jihad Hassan Sharif), Rondy Harris, James Humphrey, Leon Lucas, Lincoln Murphy, Ronald Thompson, and Eugene Tolbert. Their vision was to create a brotherhood that would not only support its members but also actively engage with the community. The fraternity was built on three core tenets: striving for academic excellence, instilling a strong sense of brotherhood and cultural awareness, and fostering economic growth and social balance.
From its origins in Flint, with the Alpha Chapter known as the “Eternal Emerald,” Phi Eta Psi began to expand its reach. The second chapter, Beta, was established in 1971 at the University of Michigan-Flint, followed by the Gamma chapter at GMI Engineering and Management Institute (now Kettering University) in 1968. The fraternity’s growth continued with the establishment of the Delta chapter at Eastern Michigan University in 1971, marking its first chapter outside of Flint. The fraternity’s influence spread nationally, with 15 chapters in five states by 1975 and expanding to 36 chapters and nearly 7,000 members by 1984. While all collegiate chapters are currently inactive, the fraternity’s alumni remain active at the national level.
Throughout its history, Phi Eta Psi has been committed to social and political engagement. The fraternity has been involved in voter registration drives, participated in the Poor People’s March on Washington, and raised funds for organizations like Big Brothers and for sickle-cell anemia research. Phi Eta Psi has also sponsored seminars and discussions on pertinent political and social issues, along with providing annual scholarships, mentoring programs, and entrepreneurial training. The colors of Phi Eta Psi are green and gold, and its members are known as “Emeralds.” The Greek letters were chosen to represent the “Philosophy of the Soul.” This foundation of brotherhood and belief in oneself and one’s brothers remains a treasured experience for its members. The fraternity’s headquarters is located in Flint, Michigan, the city of its birth.