Shortly after the Spring Line of 1985, a group of young Alpha Men started informal discussions on how the current chapter did not and would not respond to concerns of many Brothers.  These discussions became a polarizing point for establishing another chapter.   Our first recorded meeting was held on May 15, 1986, at Grady High School.  This first meeting comprised of 14 Brothers and was hosted by Brother Eddie Henderson, Sr.  After several heated testimonials, the decision was made that we would gather information on the process of becoming a chapter.  Brothers Al Gray, Ron Sims, and Perry Halstead were to investigate the process and report their findings for our next meeting.

By the time we arrived for our second meeting, the word was out, and several Brothers who were not participating with any chapters expressed great interest in our group.  Ron Sims made arrangements at Paschal’s for a breakfast meeting to be held on June 14, 1986.  There were more than 30 Brothers in attendance.  The reports were given and the decision was made to become a chapter.  At this meeting, we selected our first officers and decided on a name for the group.  The first elected officers were, President – Lewis Smith, Recording/Corresponding Secretary – Perry Halstead, Treasury/Financial Secretary – Sam Daniel.  The name became the South Fulton Alpha Interest Group.  Brother Smith requested that each Brother provide $50.00 dollars to make the treasury active.  We found out later that this was the amount required by the General Organization for the registration of each Brother and to be considered active in Alpha since our organization was not affiliated with another chapter.

As we pursued our goal, several fences were placed before us.  One was that we needed the cooperation of The District Director.  The director stated openly that another chapter in the Atlanta area would not be formed as long as he was director.  The director met with our group and again emphasized his reluctance to provide support.   We then decided to go to his boss, the Regional Vice President.   Perry Halstead traveled to the Regional Convention in Augusta to meet with Brother Gus Witherspoon.  After the last session of the convention, Brother Witherspoon postponed his flight to meet with Brother Halstead to review the information we had assembled.   Brother Witherspoon gave us his support and removed the District Director from the process.  The catch was that we had to prove that we were not taking members from current chapters, that we could put together a program that would challenge our membership, and by being active in established programs.

Omicron Phi Lambda was charted May 29, 1987, and was given Key number 631 with a membership of 30 Brothers; 15 were life members.  We were honored to have as our guest speaker for the Chartering Ceremony, General President Brother Charles Teamer, who also presented Brother Cecil Cowan his fifty-year pin.  The District Director was in attendance.  Honored for their guidance and support and made Honorary Members of Omicron Phi Lambda were Brothers Felix Goodwin, C. Perry Halstead, Sr., and Gus Witherspoon.   Brother Howard Kennedy became the President of the new Chapter.