News Article - 3 minute read

On 21 May 2023, the Brothers of Sigma Mu Mu Chapter, Third District of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity Inc., joined other leaders from Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia
for the Rededication of The Historic Douglass High School Education and Development
Campus. The rededication event celebrated completion of the Douglass High School renovation
and restoration project that was realized through the collaborative efforts of Loudoun County
Public Schools (LCPS); the Loudoun County School Board-appointed 17-member Douglass
High School Commemorative Committee; representatives of Loudoun historical organizations;
elected official citizen appointees; as well as members of the Loudoun Douglass High School
Alumni Association, Edwin Washington Society, Loudoun Branch of the NAACP, and the MLK
“I Have A Dream” Committee. Approximately 500 people were on hand to witness the ribbon
cutting ceremony which took place at the original Douglass High School entrance. Sigma Mu
Mu Chapter mentees from Loudoun’s Young Kings Movement (YKM) served as ushers for the
event under the supervision of the chapter’s Fatherhood Initiative and Mentoring Team. Sigma
Mu Mu Brothers also served as escorts for VIP alumni and guests, including keynote speaker
Mr. Kevin Douglass Greene, the Great-Great Grandson of abolitionist Frederick Douglass;
Acting LCPS Superintendent, Dr. Daniel Smith; LCPS Board Chair, Mr. Ian Serotkin; Town of
Leesburg Mayor, Ms. Kelly Burk; and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair, Ms. Phyllis
Randall.
Douglass High School was built in 1941 and was Loudoun County’s first and only Black high
school from 1941 until the court-ordered end of segregation in 1968. Its renovation began in the
summer of 2021 and finished in the fall of 2022. According to a county press release, the
renovated building will house the Douglass Community Center, several school offices, the
Loudoun Douglass High School Alumni Association, the Edwin Washington Society, and the
Loudoun NAACP. Additionally, the restored building will feature a rotating collection of
historic photographs, memorabilia and other exhibits commemorating and honoring the rich
legacy of past and present generations that helped ensure African American children in Loudoun
County could receive an accredited secondary education.
Sigma Mu Mu Chapter was honored to represent Omega and the Divine 9 of Loudoun County at
the event. The Brothers’ strong Black male presence contributed to an overall sense of security
for some of the older Black alumni and provided a positive example for the YKM mentees.
Sigma Mu Mu is proud it helped make the celebration special for Douglass alumni, their family
members, and the community as a whole.