Omega Psi Phi, Friendship Foundation, and Opportunity Hub Join Forces to Launch EXEQ
In a groundbreaking partnership between Omega Psi Phi, OHUB, and the Friendship Foundation, a new co-working space, startup incubator, and accelerator for the future of work will be coming to Decatur, Georgia. OHUB commits $125,000 in Scholarships for Undergraduates to earn High-Growth Company Building Certification.
Decatur, GA- In a bold move to help foster innovation and high-growth entrepreneurship in the Black community, Opportunity Hub, Inc. in partnership with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.(OMEGA), and real estate holding firm Friendship Foundation, Inc., announced the EXEQ Initiative. This initiative will work to transform the 70,000-square-foot office Omega World Center, OMEGA fraternity’s headquarters, into a global hub for innovation, technology, entrepreneurial incubation, and future of work acceleration. This new initiative will kick off Saturday, July 23rd, 2022 with The EXEQ Grand Conclave Experience at the Grand Conclave of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina powered by Kinly, 100 Black Angels & Allies, Wells Fargo, Black Tech Charlotte, and IBM Skillsbuild.
“OHUB has been leading the charge when it comes to building technology, startup entrepreneurship, and investment ecosystems in under-tapped and socially disadvantaged communities in our society,” remarked Rodney Sampson, Executive Chairman & and CEO of Opportunity Hub. “We’re identifying women and men in corners of the world who might not have access to the same environments that foster innovation, high growth entrepreneurship, and early investment; but nonetheless have a deep desire for learning and applying technology in innovative ways. OHUB is providing a platform for that expression in places where nothing like it currently exists.”
As technology advances, the workplace is changing. Businesses are looking for employees who can be agile and adapt to new ways of working. With machines becoming more efficient, many jobs that have traditionally been considered “safety net” positions for low-skilled workers are disappearing. This trend is causing many communities of color, especially the Black community to become even more vulnerable to growing skill and wealth gaps. In fact, McKinsey predicted that over 4.5 Million jobs occupied by Black Americans would disappear this decade due to these advancements. This is why EXEQ is seizing the unique opportunity to be the premier resource for providing access to the most in-demand, upwardly mobile careers in technology and new wealth-building opportunities in the digital economy.
“Starting with the three undergraduate men who founded Omega with their faculty advisor over 111 years ago, our fraternity has been known for proud, trailblazing leadership,” said Dr. David Marion, Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. “This partnership represents another proud moment for Omega as a leader, particularly as we look to position our members as trendsetters when it comes to entrepreneurship and innovation. Any living person or organization not growing and reinventing itself and the world around it is certainly dying. We owe it to founders Coleman, Cooper, Love, and Just to boldly embrace the changing world of innovation and entrepreneurship through projects like EXEQ.”
EXEQ will be the first global technology, high-growth entrepreneurship, investment, and wealth creation initiative and safe space created by a leading inclusive ecosystem building organization and a historically Black Greek-letter organization. Under this membership-based program, participants will be provided access to affordable shared workspace, expert support, and wealth-building resources for entrepreneurs and investors alike. With monthly memberships starting at $18.65, the program includes exclusive access to curated events, workshops, training, funding resources, and mentorship. Other benefits include:
- Membership with OHUB and FREE access to over 14,000+ courses to introduce adult learners and families to in-demand fields like Cybersecurity, Data Science with Python, Blockchain Development, and more- and all at no cost on IBM Skillsbuild.
- Co-working space discounts, special events, and career training opportunities to accelerate in the innovation economy
- Offering scholarships in exchange for volunteerism and completion of programs
- EXEQ will provide curated content to prepare members to accelerate their careers while simultaneously becoming more entrepreneurial and investment-focused through webinars, live presentations, product offerings, and rollouts to members at all levels.
This initiative is a gateway into the exciting world of startups and technology ventures, where members can further career goals, build new wealth, and help advance racial equity in the future of work. To deepen his commitment to the initiative, OHUB’s CEO Rodney Sampson has committed up to 75 scholarships worth over $125,000 for undergraduate members of the fraternity to take the organization’s High-Growth Company Building Certificate. This certificate will take participants from idea to product to revenue ready and prepare each learner to launch his own startup or join a high-growth company.
“The Omega World Center is proud to serve as the home to this historic and unique initiative,” said Christopher Norman, Chairman of FFI which owns the building where the Omega Psi Phi headquarters is located and EXEQ will be housed. “We believe EXEQ will be a great addition to our diverse mix of more than 20 tenants in our office complex. We also believe this new partnership will bring added exposure, resources, and opportunities to the businesses and organizations that call our building home.”
Learn more about this initiative and get started now at: https://opportunityhub.co/omega/.
About OHUB
Opportunity Hub was founded in 2013 by highly successful tech entrepreneurs in Atlanta, GA as the first and largest multi-campus coworking space, tech hub and entrepreneurship incubator intentionally focused on increasing authentic diversity, equity & inclusion in the tech, startup and venture ecosystem. Today, OHUB is the leading platform to ensure that everyone everywhere is equitably represented and included in the future of work and 4th industrial revolution as a path to multi-generational wealth creation with no reliance on pre-existing multi-generational wealth.
About Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. On the evening of November 17, 1911, Omega Psi Phi was founded inside the Science Building (later renamed Thirkield Hall) at Howard University located in Washington, D.C. The founders were three undergraduates — Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman. Joining them was their faculty adviser, Ernest Everett Just. Today, Omega Psi Phi has over 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait. There are many notable Omega Men recognized as leaders in the arts, academics, athletics, business, civil rights, education, government, and science sectors at the local, national and international level.
About Friendship Foundation, Inc.
Created in 1998, Friendship Foundation, Inc. (FFI) is a non-profit real estate management and holding firm based in Decatur, Georgia. FFI owns and manages the 70,000 square-foot Omega World Center (OWC) at 3951 Snapfinger Parkway in Decatur. The building houses the headquarters for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. More than 20 other tenants occupy offices and suites at the OWC ranging in size from 400 to 12,000 square feet. The building also features a 4,400 square foot auditorium and event space available for rent. Information about FFI’s Board, staff and operations is available at friendshipfoundation.net. Detailed information about the OWC, available office space and rental of the auditorium can be found at omegaworldcenter.com.
