Last Saturday was an Historic Occasion
Last Saturday, August 29, 2026, the 4th district of the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held its annual undergraduate workshop at the Ohio State University’s African American and African Studies Community Extension Center. The Center is located at 905 Mount Vernon Avenue on the city’s near eastside in the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville, a name appropriated from Black influentials in Chicago where Bronzeville first originated in the 1930s.
Said workshop was comprised of training, break-out sessions, reports and Powerpoint presentations. This year’s undergraduate workshop was historic in that it featured young Brandon Moore and his brother Braxton Moore, two 23-year-old twins who hold the offices of 2nd vice district representative for the 4th district (consisting of Ohio and West Virginia) and 2nd vice grand basileus for the entire fraternity, respectively.
Although the workshop was hosted by the 4th district’s Undergraduate Affairs and Development committee under the auspices of Chair Retired US Army Col. Matthew Coleman and this author, Vice Chair Judson L. Jeffries with the help of the Eta Nu Nu chapter (Columbus, Ohio) of the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the undergraduates under the leadership of 2nd Vice District Representative Brandon Moore was responsible for crafting the agenda for the day and making sure all went according to plan. To be sure young Brandon Moore benefitted from the guidance and counsel of some of the fraternity’s more seasoned members such as District Representative James “JT” Thomas and 1st Vice District Representative Ronald Walker of the 4th district, but much of the heavy lifting was done by young Mr. Brandon Moore.
If ever there were blood brothers from the same district that held simultaneously the positions of 2nd vice district representative and 2nd vice grand basileus we are unaware of such. That the brothers Moore are twins is even more extraordinary and dare I say striking in its historic significance. Given the brothers’ history making achievement it only made sense that this year’s undergraduate workshop take place against a backdrop benefitting the occasion. The history of Bronzeville Columbus is one filled with stories of Black excellence, self-determination, economic independence and self-sufficiency.
When the brothers Moore were asked what motivated them to seek the offices they currently hold, Brandon replied, “I wanted to continue to develop my skills as a leader. Many brothers don’t want the responsibility that comes with being the 2nd vice district representative, but I think by me holding this position I can inspire others to follow in my footsteps.” When Braxton, the 2nd vice grand basileus was asked the same question he responded, “I wanted the opportunity to impact others on an international scale . . . to inspire younger members to reach greater heights, to reach their full potential.”
The brothers Moore are seniors in college who just weeks ago entered their senior year at the University of Akron. The two spry young men are impressive in intellect and stature. Tall and lean with affable dispositions the two are easily likeable. These two young zips are majoring in exercise science and will be applying to graduate school in the coming months. They plan to begin their studies in the Fall of 2027. Both plan to pursue a doctorate in their chosen fields of endeavor.
These two young men entered the fraternity in the Spring of 2023. They are self-starters who are about the business of Omega and if they are representative of the undergraduates that will be entering the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in the future the 4th district is poised to do great things.
Judson L. Jeffries, PhD, MPH, is Professor of African American and African Studies at The Ohio State University.