EPSILON PSI CHAPTER
CHARTERED JANUARY 25, 1972
The Epsilon Psi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., was
chartered on the campus of University of Maryland College Park on
January 25, 1972. Twelve distinguished young men composed the charter line, the Pamoja Assassins, who as legend has it were all martial arts experts. At the time the chapter was chartered, the 300 or so African-American students on the recently integrated campus were faced with a considerable amount of racial hostility, including direct threats towards the Black female students and the Black Student Union trailer, the precursor to the Nyumburu Cultural Center. The Brothers themselves were targets of death threats from the Ku Klux Klan. But true to the motto “Culture for Service & Service for Humanity,” those courageous Brothers stood up against these threats as they guarded the BSU trailer and escorted female students across campus, creating the campus’ first walking escort service.
Leading by example, the Brothers of the Epsilon Psi chapter attacked the prevailing “Our Kind of People” mentality and changed the way most people viewed Phi Beta Sigma and the entire Black Greek system. Epsilon Psi changed the fraternity! As Bro. Phillip Bass (charter line) notes… “the bravado and tremendous pride of the Brothers of Epsilon Psi spread to other undergraduate Sigma chapters in the Baltimore, Washington and Virginia (DMV) area, thereby perpetuating the growth of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity throughout DMV in the 70’s and 80’s”.
The chapter today continues to build upon that solid foundation of service laid by those Brothers that came before! More than ever, we recognize the need to re- establish the strong sense of community which is important to our successes, both personal and communal, and vital to the survival of our culture.
The brothers of Epsilon Psi Chapter extends its thanks and appreciation to the founding fathers who helped to establish the chapter. It is because of their wisdom and foresight, E-Psi was founded. We shall be forever be grateful.
DONALD “CALIFORNIA” GAITHER, Delta Delta (Coppin State College)
DAVID MICHAEL HAMM Delta Delta (Coppin State College)
CORNELL NASH. Delta Psi (Baltimore Citywide)
chartered on the campus of University of Maryland College Park on
January 25, 1972. Twelve distinguished young men composed the charter line, the Pamoja Assassins, who as legend has it were all martial arts experts. At the time the chapter was chartered, the 300 or so African-American students on the recently integrated campus were faced with a considerable amount of racial hostility, including direct threats towards the Black female students and the Black Student Union trailer, the precursor to the Nyumburu Cultural Center. The Brothers themselves were targets of death threats from the Ku Klux Klan. But true to the motto “Culture for Service & Service for Humanity,” those courageous Brothers stood up against these threats as they guarded the BSU trailer and escorted female students across campus, creating the campus’ first walking escort service.
DAVID MICHAEL HAMM Delta Delta (Coppin State College)
CORNELL NASH. Delta Psi (Baltimore Citywide)