The annual Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Beautillion will be tonight at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. This year’s theme is “Elements of a Young Man.”
Thirty boys will be featured, along with 30 girls as their escorts. They are students at these high schools: Burke, Central, Marian, Millard North, Omaha North, Northwest, Creighton Prep, South, Bellevue West and Roncalli.
The first Beautillion was held in October 1977, hosted by the Urban League of Nebraska’s Women’s Guild. The program was designed as a fundraiser that provided mentorship and scholarships for Omaha-area high school boys through confidence development, self-esteem building and community awareness workshops.
Since then, Beautillion is held annually on the weekend of Thanksgiving. Recruitment begins in August, targeting black high school senior boys in the Omaha, Bellevue, Ralston and Lincoln areas.
The young men take part in personal- and career-development workshops, organize community service projects and host cultural and spiritual activities.
The Urban League of Nebraska Guild passed the torch of the Beautillion to the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. in 2008. Omega Psi Phi, a national Greek organization of college-educated men, is committed to community service. The fraternity had adopted the Beautillion as one of its main community service projects more than 20 years ago.
The young men (beaus) will be presented tonight at the black-tie affair in a formal dance with their mothers and escorts (belles).
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