On October 16, 1995, which was a cold day in Washington, D.C., black men from all over the world converged on the National Mall for the Million Man March. At this historical event, Bro. Kibwe Mudiwa, a Chicago native who pledged at Upsilon Chapter (Southern Illinois University - Carbondale), met Bro. Ted. R. Rogers Jr., who pledged at Alpha Chapter (Morgan State University). Both quickly realized they lived in Durham, N.C. This chance meeting (see first photo) planted the seed for what would become the Alpha Epsilon Omega Alumni Chapter.

Both men returned home and reached out to other brothers across the Triangle, resulting in five men interested in establishing an alumni chapter. They discussed how to improve Iota’s presence in the Triangle, ways to re-experience the strong feeling of brotherhood from their undergraduate days, and discovering new ways to serve the community.

They knew the only way to be recognized at the alumni level was to form an alumni chapter. This was especially important since Iota was now a part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). After proving they could sustain a chapter, this group became the Triangle Alumni Colony of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. in August 1997.

Chapter Charter Members

Bro. William Wyatt*

Polaris, pledged at Beta Theta Chapter (Johnson C. Smith University)

Bro. Tommy Graves

Vice-Polaris, pledged at Iota Chapter (Elizabeth City State University)

Bro. Kibwe Mudiwa

Treasurer, pledged at Upsilon Chapter (Southern Illinois University - Carbondale)

Bro. William MacWilliams*

Chaplain, pledged at Zeta Chapter (N.C. A&T State University)

Bro. Ted R. Rogers Jr.

Sergeant-at-Arms, pledged at Alpha Chapter (Morgan State University)

*Deceased

As they continued serving the community, these brothers revived existing undergraduate chapters (Alpha Epsilon - North Carolina Central University) and started new undergraduate chapters (Gamma Xi - North Carolina State University (1997)) and Gamma Tau - Shaw University (1998)). They also found other brothers in the area and chapter began to grow.

The alumni colony was awarded the Greek-letter designation of Alpha Epsilon Omega during the 27th National Conclave in Oakland, Ca., in August 1999.

Alpha Epsilon Omega has remained steadfast in its focus on community service, which has resulted in multiple state and regional awards, including:

• The Eastern Region’s first Alumni Chapter of the Year in 2008

• The 2020 N.C. Alumni Chapter of the Year

• Polaris Stan Chambers Jr. being honored as the Eastern Region’s 2020 Alumni Brother of the Year

• The Eastern Region’s 2021 Social Impact & Action Award

• A finalist for the fraternity’s 2021 International Alumni Chapter of the Year

The Triangle Iotas have maintained its commitment to undergraduate growth, establishing the Theta Phi chapter (St. Augustine’s University) and reactivating the Epsilon Pi chapter (East Carolina University), which was named the 2020 N.C. Undergraduate Chapter of the Year.

The chapter has grown its impact through its Time to Build Initiative, and continues to respond to the needs of the community.