08/05/2026
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. wraps up its 85th Grand Conclave in Cincinnati today, closing out five days that drew the largest turnout in the fraternity’s history.
The Queen City welcomed close to 30,000 people for the gathering. According to Visit Cincy, the region’s tourism organization, it was the area’s largest convention in three years.
Beyond the fraternity’s official business, the week featured STEM programming, an international youth leadership conference, scholarships, the Talent Hunt, a golf tournament and a step show, along with community service across the region. Visitors were also encouraged to explore Black-owned businesses, Black history and culture, and family attractions on both sides of the Ohio River. Tourism officials expect the five days to have generate millions of dollars in spending at local hotels, restaurants, retailers and transportation providers.
Grand Basileus Ricky Lewis had projected the record numbers ahead of the event, and the Omega men delivered.
We at Watch The Yard would like to congratulate the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on an extremely successful Grand Conclave in Cincinnati. Congratulations to the planning teams, the local chapters, community partners and the leadership of the fraternity on creating a Grand Conclave that will go down in the history books.
