CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – University of Virginia’s first Black fraternity organized a silent march the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers on Saturday, November 16.
“There’s a lot of history for Black people on the importance of not just retaining the importance of African-American history, but how we’ve moved forward and progressed,” said Joshua Amos, the President of Lambda Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
From the lawn to the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, the Lambda Zeta Chapter paid their respects to the people who made UVA what it is today.
“We hold this tour almost annually, to not only give people information about the history but also to give back,” Amos said.
The chapter is the first Black Greek letter organization at UVA.
Like Amos, Gary Flowers is honoring the history that lies here.
He says this memorial will leave a mark on this campus for years to come.
“Remove not the ancient landmarks for which our mothers and fathers set,” 1985 UVA Graduate Gary Flowers said, quoting the Book of Proverbs. “Our ancestors built this university as Africans.”
Flowers has been affiliated with the university for over 30 years and believes the fraternity isn’t just about recreational activities, it’s also about community service.
“We have a good time partying, but we give service to the community by sharing uplift with the Charlottesville area,” Flowers said.
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